The Woman and the Dragon

Rev. 12

[First-a clarification: I have not been writing because my computer was belly-up.] As I read the footnotes in my Bible, the two characters in this chapter and their actions may be interpreted 2 ways: one that it was in the past and already fulfilled, and two that it occurs during the great tribulation. So whichever one is correct will be made clear when Christ comes to take us home to heaven.

In heaven, the sign of a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and a crown on her head with 12 stars on it was displayed. She was pregnant crying out in the pains of labor and the agony of childbirth. She delivered a boy who was caught up to heaven safe from the dragon. She was given eagle wings to fly to the wilderness to a prepared place where she will be nourished for 1,260 days [a time, and times, and half a time].

Another sign appeared in heaven [a fact which they share in common]. This sign was a red dragon with 7 heads, 10 horns,  and 7 diadems on his head. [Quite the image] With his tail he swept down 1/3 of the stars of heaven casting them to the earth. Perhaps the dragon was showing his power over nature. He stood before the woman so that he might eat the child she was birthing. But he was foiled. The child was caught up by God and to His throne until he rules over all the nations with a rod of iron.

Now there arose a battle in heaven. Michael and his angels against the dragon and his angels. Too bad for the dragon, he was soundly defeated. Losing his place in heaven, the dragon [ the ancient serpent, Satan, the devil, the deceiver of the world.] and his fallen angels were thrown down to the earth. This event ushered in the following pronouncement: "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. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"  When the dragon saw the repercussions of his fall, he feverishly pursued the woman but to no avail. Then he used a flood of water to sweep her away from her hiding place. But the earth rose to her aid by opening its mouth and swallowing the water. In a fury, the dragon leaves the woman and persecutes those who keep the commandments of God and those who hold to the testimony of Jesus. No doubt Satan know he is defeated, but yet he persecutes constantly trying to take as many down as is possible. It makes me think of those who who exalt in the wickedness claiming all their friends are going there. To them, it is an eternal party. So sad! Satan has so many lies to deceive people.

Father,

I know that Satan has extreme power to deceive. Help me never to believe any of his lies but to always run to You. You are in charge and Your plan will come to pass. I am resting in You. 

In Jesus name,

amen