Terror and Triumph

Revelation 12:1-18

Most of the authors I read, suggest that the woman here represents the faithful people of God. And the people of God are under attack. In America, our circumstances as Christ followers is not much like it was for those who lived at the time John wrote this. But throughout the world today, there are many people who face the kind of persecution and violence that was present in the first century.

What we see in this chapter in Revelation is that Satan is attacking God's people. But we are not alone. God, Himself, entered the battle. Jesus, our Messiah, was born as one of us, and Satan was waiting to devour Him as soon as He arrived. Through Herod's command to kill all the little boys in the kingdom and threats against Jesus during His ministry, and ultimately through the cross, Satan was out to stop God's plan of redemption. But Jesus escaped from Satan's clutches. His death on the cross won forgiveness for His people, and His resurrection secured Satan's defeat. Still, Satan continues to fight God by abusing His people.

John suffered for his faith. Quite likely, by the time he wrote Revelation, each of the other Apostles had already been executed. The experience of Christ's followers was (and is often still today) unlike the blissful, victorious experience they might have expected, as they trusted in the King of kings to bring about His kingdom.

But Satan's defeat is accomplished and certain. Like a child resisting punishment, he flails about, trying to escape and inflict as much damage as possible before his destruction. He tried to devour the woman's child, but the Messiah returned to heaven in power. Satan turns against the woman, the people of God, but God provides protection. We are not removed from the battle, for His mission is not yet complete, but we will not be destroyed nor consumed by the enemy. God will lead us out of oppression as He led the Israelites out of Egypt. And every attack that Satan lodges against God's people is met with a counter-attack or a remedy.

By the blood of the Lamb and by our testimony to the power of the Gospel, Satan is defeated in our lives. As we read on, we will learn more about the terrible efforts of Satan against God and His people, and we will see the impact of his deception on the people around us, but we will also be reminded of the great hope to which we hold. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for we who believe in Him. He secured our victory over evil already. As we follow Him, our story and testimony of His power in our lives will deepen and grow. And one day, we will experience the full significance of His victory on our behalf.