The Dragon and the Lady
THE DRAGON AND THE LADY
*Revelation 12 [Take a moment and read this passage.]
Observations from the Structure of this Passage:
Revelation 12 describes an ongoing battle between a dragon identified as Satan and a Woman who pictures God’s faithful people. There are three “scenes” in this vision.
In each scene, the dragon is fighting against God and trying to harm the Woman.
In each scene, the dragon fails.
The center of the passage is the celebration in Heaven when the dragon is cast down. (vv10-12)
Yet after each scene, the dragon continues to rage against the Woman (v17). The story concludes with the dragon standing “on the sand of the sea.” He’s been defeated, but he hasn’t quit.
Emphasis
This vision pictures the ongoing persecution of God’s people by non-other-than Satan himself.
And yet it also celebrates the ways in which God thwarts Satan’s efforts, and ultimately defeats Satan through the work of Jesus and the faithfulness of His people. (v10-11)
So the key themes of this passage are, on the one hand, continual spiritual warfare waged against us, but on the other hand, God’s victory over Satan in Christ and Christ’s people.
Argument of Revelation 8:6-13
When we put these together we arrive at the truth of v11—the people of Christ conquer Satan “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”
We will still fight. We will still suffer. But we will win, because Christ has won and we are His.
That is, When we suffer, we still win, by holding fast to Christ.
Good News
The blood of the Lamb has defeated the dragon.
In a display of wisdom and power beyond comprehension Christ defeated all our enemies by being defeated by them.
“Through death Jesus destroyed the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and delivered all those who through fear of death were subject to life-long slavery.” (Heb 2:14-15)
The blood of Jesus defeated the devil. In the same way, by following Jesus and loving Him more than life itself, we proclaim His victory and celebrate our victory in Him.
“In this world you will have troubles. But take heart, I (Jesus) have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
”The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet“ (Rom 16:20)
When we suffer, we still win, by holding fast to Christ.
Application
The application of these truths is given in this passage: “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.” (v11) This is how we fight back.
What’s your testimony? That Jesus is greater than everything? Even your own life?
What’s your battle strategy? That Christ has conquered all? And you are His?
What’s your joy and song? That the salvation and power and kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come? (v10)
The dragon still stands on the sand of the sea. He still calls forth beasts and false prophets and gives power to Babylon. (That’s what happens in the next chapters of Revelation.)
This story is still being told. There’s still plenty of time, my friends, for us to suffer and to die. And so, undoubtedly, in various ways, we shall.
But remember: Christ has conquered. And “not a hair of your head will perish.” (Luke 21:18)
Put this on like armor, and stand firm. (Eph 6:11-17)
Prayer
LORD God, the story of history, told from this perspective, fills me with both terror and joy—the dragon is terrifying, the victory of Christ is glorious.
But now it’s off to run errands, and try not to forget my list. And then worry a little about tomorrow, and stew a little about yesterday. Most of my life, I mean, is not lived very scared or very happy. Most of it is kind of dull. Yet this vision is the true story.
Lord, I know I do not need to be afraid. Help me to remember that. But also help me to remember why I needed to be afraid in the first place. So may I come to love my Lord Jesus Christ, who loves me and gave Himself for me, above all. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Photo by Laura Ockel on Unsplash