- And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.” Revelation 12:10 – Lots of confusing things here in this chapter, at least there was for me. After some studying here’s what I think the different characters are representing. Woman = church, baby = a holy people to be born, dragon = Satan. If we understand it that way then the story plays out like this. Satan doesn’t want the church to grow yet God keeps safe the church from the attacks of the enemy. Very simple way of looking at this passage, but it can help to begin to understand it. Know that even in the most chaotic times God is going to watch over and protect the church. He will not let the enemy find victory over His people. Take comfort in knowing that God is watching over the church and protecting us as we move forward with the mission. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1580 (See later devotions on this chapter for a different, likely more accurate understanding of the roles in this chapter)
- And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Revelation 12:1 – First, let us keep in mind that John is seeing “signs” showing that the things he is describing represent something. Breaking this down, we see a woman, which represents Israel (Genesis 37:9-11), giving birth to a child, which is Jesus, that is to rule the nations. The dragon (Satan) and his third of the stars (the angels that followed him) seek to destroy Jesus but can’t, and then seeks to destroy Israel during the time of the Tribulation, but God protects the Jewish people that have now turned to Him. We see a great heavenly battle taking place sometime during the Tribulation, and finally Satan and his forces are permanently cast out of Heaven. While the enemy continues to seek after Israel, he loses, and also when he begins seeking to destroy the believers who turn to Jesus during the Tribulation, he finds failure in that too. Let this symbolic chapter bring you peace that nothing can defeat our God. Satan, at the peak of his fury and might, will be seeking to use every weapon he has, but nothing he does can stop our God. God is able to move heaven and earth to protect His people, and if you have been washed by the blood of the Lamb, know you are a part of God’s people. Let though these chapters of chaos bring you fear if you still have not turned to follow Jesus. The time is now for you to place your faith in the God that saves. If you have questions about Jesus and would like to place your faith in Jesus, reach out. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2796
Daily DEVO 