Devine Scripture

Revelation 12:11

What does Revelation 12:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 12:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 12:11 means

Believers overcome the devil because of the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and their willingness to forfeit life rather than faith. The victory rests first on Christ’s atoning death, which silences accusation and breaks sin’s claim. It is then expressed in steadfast confession, even when it costs everything. This is not triumph by force but by fidelity grounded in the cross. The phrase about not loving life unto death shows the ultimate allegiance of the saints. Their witness, joined to Christ’s blood, defeats the deceiver’s strategy of fear and compromise, proving that genuine faith endures through trial and death into life.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they overcame him through the blood of the Lamb and the word of their witness; and loving not their lives they freely gave themselves up to death.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they did overcome him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life--unto death;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of the testimony: and they loved not their lives unto death.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and they have overcome him by reason of the blood of the Lamb, and by reason of the word of their testimony, and have not loved their life even unto death.

Context

The proclamation of salvation and authority in verse 10 now becomes practical in verse 11, revealing how that heavenly victory is realized among the saints. This prepares for the contrasting responses in verse 12: rejoicing in heaven and woe on earth. The reader learns that spiritual conquest is cruciform—shaped by the Lamb’s blood and faithful testimony—so that what follows about the devil’s wrath does not negate the saints’ secure triumph.

v.10And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuseth them before our God day and night.

v.11This passage

v.12Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe for the earth and for the sea: because the devil is gone down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 6:9

    And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

  • Revelation 3:5

    He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

  • Revelation 2:7

    He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.

  • Acts 21:13

    Then Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

  • 1 John 2:13

    I write unto you, fathers, because ye know him who is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the evil one. I have written unto you, little children, because ye know the Father.

  • 1 John 4:4

    Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.

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