The woman here in chapter 12 represents much more than a woman. Pictured as a superhuman figure, she was clothed with the sun and had the moon under her feet. She was also wearing a victor’s crown, a crown of twelve stars.
This woman represents the faithful people in Israel who had been waiting for the Messiah who would be born from among them (Isaiah 9:6-7; Micah 5:2). They had recognized and had accepted the Messiah when he had come. Later in the chapter, this woman will represent all believers—Jews and Gentiles.
God had set apart the Jews for himself (Romans 9:4-5), and that nation had given birth to the Messiah, who would “rule all nations with an iron rod.". In this part of the vision, John saw that this woman, Israel, was pregnant and awaiting delivery of the Messiah. When Mary gave birth to a tiny baby in Bethlehem, the entire universe took notice, for this event held cosmic significance.
This picture also symbolizes the nation of Israel agonizing for centuries as it awaited the coming Messiah, the deliverer, who would destroy evil and usher in God’s eternal Kingdom.
John also saw a large red dragon, who was Satan. Satan was originally created for God’s glory. But Satan arrogantly rebelled against God because he desired to be like God instead of giving glory to God (1 Timothy 3:6; Jude 6). After Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden, God had promised to destroy Satan and his demons and reestablish his own Kingdom. Speaking to the serpent, God had said, “You and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” (Genesis 3:15).
The offspring who ultimately crushes Satan’s head is God’s promised Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus demonstrated his power over Satan through his miracles and exorcisms (Matthew 12:28-29).
Although a great battle had been won, the war was not over. Since Eden, Satan has been the avowed enemy of God and his people, as pictured in John’s vision. In the end, Satan will fight against God’s people and will wage a final war against God. At that time, Satan will be decisively defeated.
This dragon is pictured as having seven heads and ten horns, with seven crowns on his heads. These are not supernatural, heavenly crowns, as the crown of twelve stars on the woman’s head; instead, these heads and crowns symbolize nations over which Satan has control. Throughout Revelation, the number seven signifies completeness, so the seven heads and seven crowns could picture the totality of Satan’s control over the earth. The dragon has authority only in this world. The “ten horns” allude to Daniel 7:7 and 24. The ten horns, or ten kings, are also mentioned in Revelation 17:12.
The huge statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s vision also had ten toes (Daniel 2:41-42). It is unclear whether these ten kings will be actual kings and nations or even the exact number ten, but Revelation 17:12-14 says they will make war against Christ. As the King of kings, Christ will conquer them.
As a shepherd defends his flock, so Christ will defend his church against those who attempt to destroy it. The iron rod pictures Jesus as the ultimate warrior.
The wilderness represents a place of spiritual refuge and protection from Satan, probably not meant to be literal because this chapter is mostly symbolic. In this place prepared by God, he cared for her for 1,260 days—the same number noted for the trampling of the holy city, the ministry of the two witnesses, and the rule of the beast. God would care for his people during the entire time when evil would be in control in the world. In the wilderness, God’s people would be hounded by the people on the earth (those who would follow the beast), but God would watch over them. Many would be martyred, but God would care for them. The word translated care is literally “nourish.” The woman will be provided with food miraculously, just as Elijah was cared for in the wilderness by God (1 Kings 17:2-4). God also provided manna in the wilderness for his people (Exodus 16:4).
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
Maybe the most asked theological question today is - "Why is there evil in the world?" Revelation 12 gives us the answer.
SATAN IS REAL
He’s not just some unknown personality. He’s a real person. Not just some philosophical idea. He’s a real spiritual being. Evil is more than just a force. It has a face. That face is the face of Satan. Satan is real. Revelation 12, as you read through it, has no less than seven different descriptions of this real being that causes evil to exist in this world.
There’s part of me that doesn’t like to talk about Satan. I would always rather talk about Jesus. Yet the Bible tells us not to be ignorant of his schemes. And because he is real, because he exists, you must also understand he opposes EVERYTHING God does. He opposes everyone who follows God. You must get this.
In John 10:10, Jesus describes the vastly different works of himself and Satan. Jesus tells us in that verse that the thief (Satan) comes to kill, steal and destroy. But Jesus said I have come to give you life and life to the full. Life that is full and meaningful.
In that verse, Jesus tells us about the mindset of Satan. He wants to kill any desire you have for God and living for God. He wants to steal your joy and rob you of God's peace and purpose. He wants to destroy your marriage and family and kids. He wants to wipe you out.
Hence the truth found in 1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV) "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
Today, be aware of how Satan seeks to destroy your life. How he works through temptation and distortion. Fight him. Resist him. Be on your guard. Stand firm. Stand in the gap for those who are weaker in the faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment