The Great Red Dragon

Rev. 12:10-11

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. 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.

 

In this chapter, there were two signs. The first, a pregnant woman in the agony of giving birth. The second sign was a great red dragon with 7 heads and 10 horns and on his head 7 diadems. His tail swept down 1/3 of the stars of heaven casting them down to earth. The dragon waited by the woman that he might devour her newborn child, but the child was caught up to God and His throne while the woman fled into the wilderness, to a place prepared by God where she would be nourished for 1260 days. The child is the one who will rule all nations with a rod of iron. Who is the women? Who is the dragon, and who is the child?

 

The chapter records a war between the dragon and Michael. In this war the dragon and his angels were cast down from heaven to the earth defeated. This dragon was clearly identified as the ancient serpent, the devil, Satan, and the accuser of our brothers. Even though this sounds very similar to the original account of Satan's prideful demise in the Old Testament, it could also be an event signaling the beginning of the great tribulation.

 

The child is Christ, the Lamb. In heaven, a loud voice declared that 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, the heavens rejoice, but the earth and sea mourn for Satan comes in his wrath because he knows his time is short. This could refer to Satan's defeat when Christ died on the cross, or an actual battle that takes place at a later time in the last days. During these days of great tribulation, the saints will conquer by His blood and their blood. Down through history, saints have been martyred, and it will happen again in the last days. They love Christ more than their own lives.

 

The woman was pursued by the dragon but she was given eagle's wings [God's provision] to fly away from him. In response, the dragon pours out water to flood her out, but the earth prevented this by swallowing the water. Furiously, the frustrated dragon makes war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. What a time! The defeated dragon fights a battle that he will never win. The closer to the end, the harder he fights, but Christ has conquered him. The blood of the Lamb powerfully defeats this great enemy of the brethren.

 

Father,

As I read this passage, I wonder if I am strong enough to endure, to give my life as Jesus gave His life for me. Intellectually, I understand, but physically I ask for Your grace even now to prepare me for what is to come. Make me strong in You and in love with Jesus.

In His name,

Amen