Resurrection Power: The Turning Point of History

Devotional

Day 1: The Resurrection of Jesus is the Turning Point of History

The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the pivotal moment in all of human history, the hinge upon which everything turns. Through His resurrection, Jesus not only secured our salvation but also released the power of God into the world, inaugurating the kingdom of God in power. This event marks the defeat of Satan’s authority in heaven and the beginning of Christ’s reign over all creation. The resurrection assures us that God’s purposes will prevail, and that the enemy’s accusations against us have been silenced forever. As believers, we are called to live in the reality of this victory, knowing that Christ’s resurrection is not just a past event but the ongoing source of our hope and power. [53:24]

Revelation 12:5-10 (NLT)
She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place to care for her for 1,260 days. Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to claim the victory of Christ’s resurrection over the accusations or discouragements of the enemy today?

Day 2: The Kingdom of God is Now and Active

The kingdom of God is not a distant hope or a mere theological concept; it is the present, active rule of God among His people. Jesus announced the arrival of the kingdom, and through His resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the kingdom came in power. As followers of Christ, we are not just recipients of personal salvation but are called to be kingdom people—agents of God’s rule and mission in the world. The church exists not only for its members but for those who have yet to enter, empowered by the supernatural resources of God to fulfill His mission. To live as kingdom people is to recognize that Christ is reigning now, orchestrating all things for His purposes, and inviting us to participate in His ongoing work. [01:09:57]

Mark 1:15 (NLT)
“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally live as a “kingdom person” today, bringing God’s rule and love into a specific situation or relationship?

Day 3: Faith Releases the Power of the Resurrection

Faith is not merely intellectual assent or wishful thinking; it is the desperate, Spirit-inspired cry of the heart that reaches out to God for help and strength. The power of the resurrection is available to every believer, but it is accessed through faith—a faith that acknowledges our need and calls upon God in our weakness. This faith is not about manipulating God or earning His favor, but about humbly depending on Him, especially in times of trial, anxiety, or loss. When we are desperate, God meets us with His grace and power, sustaining us through every battle and hardship. Prayer is the first and most vital response, releasing the resources of heaven into our lives. [01:18:02]

Ephesians 1:19-20 (NLT)
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Reflection: Where do you feel most desperate or powerless right now, and how can you turn that desperation into a simple, honest prayer for God’s resurrection power today?

Day 4: The Ongoing Spiritual Battle and Our Assurance of Victory

Though Christ’s resurrection has assured the ultimate defeat of Satan, we still live in the “great in-between”—a time when the enemy continues to wage war against God’s people. There are still battles, suffering, and casualties, but the outcome is no longer in doubt. We are called to stand firm, equipped with the power of God, knowing that our victory is certain because of what Christ has accomplished. Even when the enemy seems strong or circumstances are dark, we can look up and remember that Jesus is greater, and His kingdom is advancing. Our role is to persevere, to pray, and to take hold of the resources God has given us, confident that the Lamb who was slain has begun to reign. [01:21:51]

Romans 8:37-39 (NLT)
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection: What is one battle you are facing where you need to remind yourself of Christ’s assured victory and God’s unfailing love for you?

Day 5: The Glory of Christ Reflected in His People

The faithful community of God, represented by the woman in Revelation 12, is clothed with the reflected glory of Christ. Just as the woman’s radiance comes from the sun, so the church today shines with the glory of Jesus, even in the midst of suffering and persecution. God’s people are called to preserve the covenant line, to bring forth new life, and to stand as a testimony to the world of God’s faithfulness and power. Even when the world seems dark or hostile, the light of Christ shines through His people, drawing others to Him and demonstrating that the kingdoms of this world are becoming the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. [59:15]

Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Reflection: How can you let the glory of Christ shine through you in a practical way this week, especially in a place where you feel overlooked or pressured?

Sermon Summary

Revelation 12 unveils a cosmic drama that reveals the true turning point of all history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The vision of the woman clothed with the sun, the dragon, and the male child is not just a mysterious tableau, but a profound revelation of God’s purposes from Genesis to the end of the age. The woman represents the faithful community of God’s people—Israel, personified in Mary—who, through suffering and persecution, brings forth the Messiah. The dragon, Satan, has always sought to destroy the covenant line, attempting to thwart God’s plan at every turn, from Pharaoh to Herod, and ultimately at the cross.

Yet, in what seemed like Satan’s moment of triumph, the child is “caught up to God and to his throne”—the resurrection and ascension of Christ. This is the moment when Jesus receives the “rod of iron” and begins his cosmic reign. The resurrection is not just the validation of Christ’s sacrifice, but the unleashing of God’s kingdom power on earth. It is the hinge of history, the moment when the accuser is cast out of heaven, and the authority of Christ is established over all creation.

This kingdom is not a matter of talk, but of power. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to God’s people today. We are not merely saved individuals; we are a kingdom people, called to live in the reality of Christ’s reign and to participate in his mission. The wilderness, the place of trial and apparent weakness, is also the place of God’s protection and provision for his people between Christ’s resurrection and his return.

The battle continues—spiritual warfare rages both in the heavenly realms and on earth. But the decisive victory has already been won. The enemy’s accusations have been silenced; his authority is broken. Our calling is to lay hold of the resurrection power through faith—not as a formula, but as a desperate, dependent cry for God’s intervention. In our weakness, in our desperation, God meets us with the power of the risen Christ. Even in a world that seems increasingly dark and hostile, the kingdom of God is advancing. The Lamb who was slain has begun to reign, and his victory is breaking out in the most unlikely places.

Key Takeaways

1. The resurrection of Jesus is the true turning point of history, not only validating his sacrifice but inaugurating his reign as King over all creation. This event marks the defeat of Satan’s authority in the heavenly realms and the beginning of God’s kingdom breaking into the world. Our faith is not in vain because Christ is alive and ruling now. [55:04]
2. The vision of the woman, the dragon, and the child in Revelation 12 is a sweeping summary of God’s redemptive plan, showing that God’s people have always been under attack, yet always preserved for his purposes. The agony and persecution faced by the faithful are not signs of defeat, but the very context in which God brings forth new life and victory. [61:00]
3. Spiritual warfare is a reality both in heaven and on earth. Angels are appointed over God’s people, interceding and fighting on our behalf, even as we face trials and opposition in this world. The battles we experience are part of a larger cosmic conflict, but the outcome is assured because of Christ’s victory. [64:29]
4. The power of the resurrection is not just a theological concept, but an experiential reality available to every believer. Faith is not about intellectual certainty or spiritual bravado, but a desperate dependence on God—a cry for his power to break into our weakness, our battles, and our daily lives. God meets us in our desperation, not our self-sufficiency. [78:02]
5. We live in the “great in-between”—after the decisive victory of Christ’s resurrection, but before the final consummation of his kingdom. Though the enemy still rages and suffering persists, the outcome is not in doubt. Our calling is to live as kingdom people, laying hold of the resources of heaven, and bearing witness to the reign of Christ even in the darkest places. [81:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[53:24] - Introduction to Revelation 12
[55:04] - The Resurrection: Turning Point of History
[56:34] - The Kingdom Arrives in Power
[58:00] - Old Testament Foundations in Revelation
[59:15] - The Woman: Faithful Israel and the Glory of Christ
[61:00] - Agony, Persecution, and the Birth of the Messiah
[63:03] - The Dragon’s War Against God’s People
[64:29] - Angels, Spiritual Warfare, and the Church
[67:32] - Satan’s Attacks on Jesus and the Cross
[68:54] - Resurrection and the Reign of Christ
[69:57] - The Church as Kingdom People
[72:26] - The Wilderness: Protection and Provision
[73:42] - Michael, Angels, and the Defeat of Satan
[75:36] - The Accuser Cast Down: Our Justification
[76:56] - Experiencing Resurrection Power
[78:02] - Faith, Desperation, and the Power of God
[80:38] - Living Between D-Day and V-Day
[82:23] - Revival in a Secular World
[83:37] - The Kingdom Advances: Look Up and Rejoice

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Revelation 12:1-12 (NLT) —
1 Then I witnessed in heaven an event of great significance. I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant, and she cried out because of her labor pains and the agony of giving birth.

3 Then I witnessed in heaven another significant event. I saw a large red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, with seven crowns on his heads. 4 His tail swept away one-third of the stars in the sky, and he threw them to the earth. He stood in front of the woman as she was about to give birth, ready to devour her baby as soon as it was born.

5 She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place to care for her for 1,260 days.

7 Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. 8 And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. 9 This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.

10 Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea. For the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.”

Observation Questions

In the vision of Revelation 12, who does the woman represent, and what Old Testament imagery is used to describe her? ([59:15])
What does the dragon attempt to do throughout history, and how does this relate to the birth of the Messiah? ([01:03:03])
According to the passage, what happens to the child after he is born, and what does this symbolize? ([01:08:54])
What is the significance of the war in heaven between Michael and the dragon, and what is the outcome? ([01:13:42])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon describes the resurrection of Jesus as the “turning point of history.” Why is the resurrection more than just proof of Jesus’ sacrifice, according to the message? ([55:04])
The woman’s suffering and the dragon’s attacks are described as part of God’s redemptive plan. How does this change the way we view suffering and persecution in the life of believers? ([01:01:00])
The sermon says that the “wilderness” is both a place of trial and a place of God’s protection and provision. What does it mean for us to live in the “wilderness” between Christ’s resurrection and his return? ([01:12:26])
The message emphasizes that spiritual warfare is real and ongoing, but the decisive victory has already been won. How should this affect the way we approach spiritual battles in our lives? ([01:20:38])

Application Questions

The sermon says that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to us today. In what area of your life do you feel most in need of God’s resurrection power right now? What would it look like to ask for that power in desperation, not self-sufficiency? ([01:18:02])
The message describes faith not as spiritual bravado, but as a desperate, dependent cry for God’s intervention. When was the last time you prayed out of desperation rather than routine? What happened? ([01:19:26])
The “wilderness” is described as a place of both weakness and God’s provision. Can you share a time when you felt like you were in a wilderness season? How did you experience God’s protection or provision during that time? ([01:12:26])
The sermon says that the enemy’s accusations have been silenced and his authority is broken. Are there areas where you still feel accused or defeated? How can the truth of Christ’s victory change your perspective? ([01:15:36])
The message calls us to live as “kingdom people,” not just saved individuals. What is one practical way you can participate in Christ’s mission this week, even if it feels like a small step? ([01:09:57])
The sermon shares a story of revival breaking out in a dark, secular place. Where do you see darkness or hopelessness around you, and how might God be calling you to bear witness to his kingdom there? ([01:22:23])
The preacher said, “Prayer should be the first thing that you do.” What is one situation you are facing right now where you need to stop and pray first, rather than trying to fix it on your own? ([01:19:26])

Sermon Clips

But in many ways, Revelation chapter 12 is a key to understanding what the whole book is about. And what it shows above everything else is the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the turning point of history. It's the critical hinge on which the door of history turns. [00:57:42] (18 seconds)

The kingdom of God isn't a geographical location. It's the rule of God. It's the power of God. And if we don't understand this, we'll be fighting the devil and his agents with our hands tied behind our back. Because I can tell you this, that Satan doesn't just come along to a group of Christians and say, Oh, these Christians, they don't understand the power that's available to them. They don't even believe that miracles happen anymore. That was all for the ancient times. Well, I'll just be nice with them. I won't use my power against them. Oh, no. He says, here's a bunch of sitting ducks. I'll clean them right out. [01:10:31] (35 seconds)

Faith releases the power of the resurrection into our lives. Faith releases the power of the unseen into the seen. What is faith? It's not an intellectual commodity. It's not trying to believe something hard enough in your head that it happens by which you can force or manipulate God into giving you what you want. No. Faith is the cry the Holy Spirit has planted into the heart of every believer for the Father to equip us with what we need to persevere and triumph in the battle. It's the heart cry that says, I believe. Help my unbelief. It's the cry that says, God, I need you. Every hour. Would you help me? [01:18:02] (46 seconds)

The greatest single qualification for you to claim a miracle and walk in power is simply that you are desperate. It's not that you've named it and claimed it, got onto the spout where the glory comes out or whatever. That won't cut it for you. It's just that you're desperate. That makes it easy, doesn't it? It's easy. How many know it's easy to be desperate? But you see, if you're complacent, God won't meet you. If you think you can get what you need any other way, why is it that we try everything else and then say, well, I better pray about it? Prayer should be the first thing that you do. [01:18:48] (41 seconds)

The resurrection is the source of the power that we need to fight our battles against the dragon and his agents today. The battle may be fierce. There will be casualties. But victory is assured. We live, as one New Testament scholar put it, we live between D -Day and V -Day. On D -Day, the Allies invaded Europe. When they did that successfully, everyone knew the end was assured. Victory was assured. But it was nine long months and many thousands of deaths and suffering before final victory was declared. D -Day is the cross. When Jesus came and was raised from the dead, that was the end. The outcome was no longer in doubt. But we live in between. We live in what I call the great in -between. Where victory is assured, but there are still casualties. We still face the enemy. There is still sickness. There are still bad things that happen to good people. There's still all of that. But Jesus is greater. [01:20:53] (74 seconds)

And in the middle of all that, and the remnants of Hitler, and all of the communism, and what you can see when you go there, and seeing the work of God, suddenly, God spoke to me, out of the book of Revelation, and said, the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever. So, my friends, this morning, look up. The victory of our God has come. The Lamb who was slain has begun to reign. Thanks be to God. [01:24:31] (37 seconds)

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