Can you remember being around someone who was really mad? I’m talking not just angry, but out-of-control rage.
That’s how Satan is pictured in the remaining verses of Revelation chapter 12. He’s been hurled to the earth, and he’s filled with fury (v. 12) and enraged (v. 17).
Because the object of his hatred is the Lord, he vents his animosity at God’s people. That’s why I believe the woman who gave birth to the male child represents Israel.
The worldwide dispersion following the destruction of Jerusalem was incredibly hard on the Jewish people. But in another sense, it was also their long-time protection. It’s like the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river the dragon spewed out against the woman.
How long has this strange protection lasted? According to this text, this prolonged period of “intense hardship and persecution” has gone on for “a time, times and half a time.”
Seeing himself as frustrated in this pursuit, the dragon then “went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”
This big-picture review of history from God’s perspective will bring us to the introduction of the Antichrist in chapter 13. Like his name implies, the Antichrist is an evil figure who will be the final world-ruler and who epitomizes the program and passion of Satan.
So with one grand sweep we see in these verses what the world is really about from a heavenly perspective. It all centers around the person and work of Jesus and His ultimate victory over all who attempt to thwart His plans and purposes.
Even so, we need to realize that the devil isn’t finished yet, nor has his anger died down at all.
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Visit the Mainstay Ministries website for a variety of sermon series for 2013, resources for pastors and congregations.
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