Revelation 12
Sunday, November 27, 2022
The book of Revelation at times can be difficult to read and understand. Ultimately it is a letter to the followers of Christ to encourage them to remain with the God that has already won the battle and further telling us how to remain faithful in the difficult times that are sure to come.
Chapter 12 starts with a cosmic battle with a dragon and a woman with child. The dragon, attacks the woman and her child. And although it appears the dragon has the child briefly, he is snatched away to signify his power cannot contain him.
The dragon is defeated and is thrown to the earth, and in response to his defeat, continues his war on earth.
This is the situation in which we live: Christ has defeated death and sin, but evil is still at war with and among Christ’s people.
John tells us in verse 11 that we too can conquer through the imitation of Christ and lives of love and the message of the gospel:
“And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.”
Revelation 12:11 NLT
So then the message of chapter 12 to us is first to rejoice that God has already won. And then second, to receive the encouragement to be faithful ourselves: to witness even though we face opposition, persecution and in some cases even death.
It is through this sacrificial living that the kingdom of God advances, and it is to this faithfulness that John is calling us.
-John Wincapaw
Reflection Questions
- According to Revelation 12, what part of the battle has been fought and won? What evidence do you have of this? What part of the battle are you still actively fighting? What evidence do you have? How is your battle going?
- What power do you find in the blood of the Lamb?
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