We learn something about the devil in this chapter. Read on.
Before we decide who the woman is that is giving birth, let’s take a look at the dragon. The clue that tells us that it’s Lucifer, the devil, is that his tail sweeps 1/3 of the angels out of heaven with him. Lucifer was a beautiful angel, and very powerful, so powerful that he believed himself to be better than God. When he attacked God, all heaven fought and the devil and 1/3 of the angels were cast down to earth. That’s why Jesus says “I saw satan fall from heaven like lightning” (Luke 10:18) and in 2 Peter 2:4 it says “God didn’t spare angels when they sinned”. One tantalizing thought that you might want to roll around in your head when you get bored is: “If angels could sin by defying God while in heaven, will humans be able to do the same?”
I have my answer ready….comment back!
Since we know that the dragon is the devil, it must be the Son of God that he is pursuing. Perhaps the woman is the nation of Israel (crown of 12 stars…12 tribes, the ruler “Jesus” comes from her….tribe of Judah). Okay, this seems to be a description of what has already happened: The devil fell from heaven before time began, Jesus was born and died for our sins. Now the woman is hiding in the desert for the period of the tribulation, and another battle is fought in heaven. This must be a reference to a second battle where the devil tries to assert his power once again….and fails.
Revelation is encouraging us. The devil tries to defeat God but he loses. He tries to kill the anointed King and fails, He tries to capture the woman, but he can’t. He fights against heaven and loses again. The devil is a loser…praise the Lord!
The last sentences tell us that the devil is busy waging war against us, the children of God. However, he will not be successful because we don’t fight in our own strength. As this passage reminds us, we are victorious because of the blood of Jesus Christ and our testimony concerning Him.
Let the saints of God be bold as they fight back against satan! May God continue to fill His people with power and authority and wisdom and strength! May we witness satan fall defeated, and God rise victorious!
Praising,
PR