Read Revelation 12:13–17
Questions from the Scripture text: What did the dragon see in Revelation 12:13? Where had he been cast? What did he do to the woman? What had the woman done? What was she given (Revelation 12:14)? That she might do what? Into where? What was there? What happens to her in her place? What does the serpent do in Revelation 12:15? Trying to accomplish what? But what happens (Revelation 12:16)? What effect does this have upon the dragon (Revelation 12:17)? What does he go to do to whom? How are these offspring identified?
How are believers able to overcome the fierce persecution of the devil? Revelation 12:13–17 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers’ strength and help is God Himself.
This passage zooms in upon the third arena of the devil’s defeat, from Revelation 12:10-13: his raging against the brethren, and their overcoming him by the blood of the Lamb, by the word of their testimony, and not loving their lives even unto death.
One important thing to see is that the woman from whom Christ came continues to be the woman whom the dragon persecutes throughout the time between Christ’s coming. There is no room for viewing Israel and the church as two separate entities, whether by dispensational theology (i.e., two tracks of salvation) or replacement theology (i.e., a former entity that has been replaced by a new entity). As we noted when considering the woman, when she was introduced at the beginning of the chapter, Revelation 12 teaches that there is one covenant of grace throughout the ages.
The woe pronounced in Revelation 12:12 teaches us to take the onslaught of the devil seriously. He persecutes the church (Revelation 12:13), attempts to destroy her (Revelation 12:15), and makes war on all true/believing offspring of the church (Revelation 12:17). It is foolish not to take the attacks of the devil seriously. But the focus of the passage is upon the encouragement and comfort that believers have in the face of these attacks.
The Lord is our strength. The woman is given the wings of great eagle. This is Bible language for YHWH Himself being our strength (cf. Exodus 19:4, Isaiah 40:31), which is the believer’s great encouragement and equipment in the spiritual war (cf. Ephesians 6:10–11, ff.).
The Lord selects our place, and takes care of us there. Although no one would choose the wilderness for themselves, the Lord takes His people there, where He alone is their help (cf. Hosea 2:14–15). It is “her place where she is nourished” Whatever circumstance you find yourself in, dear believer, the Lord has planned it for you and is taking care of you there.
The Lord shortens the time. Once again, when describing the time of His people’s affliction, the Lord tells us that it is three and a half (Revelation 12:14). Here, it doesn’t even give a unit, such as days, weeks, or years. That is because the important thing isn’t the quantity of elapsed time, but the implication of the number itself: half seven, opposite the number of completion. He shortens the times of His people’s affliction (cf. Matthew 24:22), accommodating their frame as a sparing Father (cf. Psalm 103:13–15).
The Lord overrules the devil. Satan fell by presuming to above the angels, as God is (cf. Isaiah 14:12–15). And his lying work is full of counterfeiting attempts. Here (Revelation 12:15), he attempts to counterfeit the flood, in order to destroy the objects of his wrath. But he is a mere creature, and the creation is ruled not by our adversary but by our advocate. Therefore, dear Christian, the whole of creation conspires to protect you from the attacks of the devil (Revelation 12:16)!
The Lord gives His people to overcome. Not everyone in the church is the genuine offspring of the church. In fact, there are those who falsely profess faith as a consequence of the schemes of the devil (cf. Matthew 13:28, Matthew 13:38–39). But the true offspring of the church, the ones who believe and obey Scripture (Revelation 12:17), are all objects of the dragon’s wrath. But this word “testimony” draws us immediately back to Revelation 12:11. All who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (cf. 2 Timothy 3:12), but they all will also overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and love not their lives even unto death.
How do you experience the warfare of the devil, who would have you disbelieve or disobey? How are you standing in the Lord and the strength of His might? What encouragements from this passage do you most need to take to heart?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for when we have taken Satan lightly. Your Word describes him as a furious and ferocious dragon, who makes war on all true believers. But, forgive us even more for taking your encouragements and helps lightly. Be our strength, and make us to mount up on wings like eagles. Grant that we would see how You have shortened the time of our affliction, and how You overrule, for our good, all that the devil intends for evil. Make us to keep Your commandments and to have the testimony of Jesus, so that we will overcome through Him, in Whose Name we ask it, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage” or TPH244 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
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