There are many tellings of the Christmas story, but one of the most unique is in Revelation 12 - one told in symbolic terms, from the divine perspective and in the context of the great cosmic struggle.
In verse 1 a sign appears, a pregnant woman who is about to give birth to a son. In a literal sense, we know that the mother of Jesus was Mary, but here she is a symbol both of Israel and in a sense of the the redemptive plan of God. When Adam and Eve sinned, God promised that the seed of the woman would be born who would crush the head of the serpent. This woman is the fulfillment of that prophecy, the one who gives birth to the one who would end the enemy's reign of terror over mankind.
Another sign appears in verse 3, this is that enemy himself. He is a fiery red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns - important symbols we won't delve into in this devotional. But his purpose is clear. He knows that this baby, this child of promise, is destined to destroy him so he attempts to place himself in front of the woman (again, symbolizing Israel as God's tool in redemptive history) so that he can "devour her child" (verse 4). Satan has done everything he can throughout time to destroy the work of God, and did all he could to prevent Jesus' work on earth. From the work of Herod the Great to the betrayal of Judas, the machinations of the religious leaders and the moral cowardice of Pilate, Satan was at work to destroy the woman's child. But he failed.
Throughout this passage events are discussed thematically, not chronologically. We see Satan's taking of 1/3 of the angels in his rebellion and his being cast out of heaven all being seen as part of this narrative. Though they did not happen at the same time, they are part of the same story - the enemy's attempt to stop the redemption plan of God.
There are three lessons to be remembered here (there are dozens, actually, but two will do for now!). First of all, we must remember that though the enemy's lies are often persuasive and his power to deceive and destroy is real, he is defeated. Verses 7-8 tell us about the beginning of the war.
Then war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels also fought, but he could not prevail...Satan tried, but he could not prevail. Time and again, he tries and fails. He is destined to destruction as are all who stand against the power of God.
That is our second lesson. Though it often appears to the contrary in our world, our God is victorious over all. Verse 10 affirms this clearly.
The salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God
and the authority of His Messiah
have now come,
because the accuser of our brothers
has been thrown out:
The kingdom belongs to God and all authority is Christ's. Satan attempts to usurp that authority, but he fails. We serve a mighty God, a sovereign God.
But just because Satan is defeated does not mean he has given up. Verses 13-18 describe the eternal conflict of Satan against the people of God. Though he fails in his efforts to destroy God's people (both Israel and the church), he is never deterred from his vile hatred and his desire to wreak havoc upon them. As long as time lasts, the enemy will continue to pursue those God has chosen as his own. He will do whatever mischief he can. He will ultimately fail and be judged, but that destiny will not deter him from the attempt.
So, as we face this world, we can expect the enemy to bring his best against us - and the more we serve God the more he comes against us. We have every expectation that the might power of our God will sustain us and carry us through to victory, but we ought never be lulled to sleep believing that Satan will relent from his attacks.
Father, strengthen me for the battle, that in your name and in your power I might stand strong.
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