Revelation 12 chronicles the activities of the devil. Because it is prophecy, it is filled with symbolism and a sort of dream logic. Israel is pictured as a woman, and Satan is a dragon:
“She was pregnant and cried out in labor… And the dragon stood in front of the woman to devour the child. But she gave birth to a Son—a male who is going to shepherd the nations with an iron scepter—and her child was caught up to God and to His throne…. Then war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon…. and there was no place for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was … thrown to earth, and his angels with him.
“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘The salvation and power and kingdom of our God and the authority of His Messiah have now come, because the ACCUSER OF THE BRETHREN HAS BEEN THROWN DOWN, the one who accuses them before God day and night…. Woe to the earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you with great fury because he knows his time is short….’
“The dragon was furious with the woman and left to wage war against her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and have the testimony of Jesus” Revelation 12:2-17.
Here is the devil’s origin story: he wanted to take God’s throne (Isaiah 14:12-15), and he tried to destroy Jesus, but lost, and was banished to earth. But he was “FURIOUS with the woman” and launched a war against her offspring, “those who keep the testimony of Jesus” Revelation 12:17.
What is he so mad about? The devil
1) hates God most—but can’t do much to Him, so he attacks those God loves. Thus, the devil–
2) hates Christians;
3) hates Jews; and
4) lastly, hates lost Gentiles.
He saves his best attacks for Jews and Christians.
But remember verse 10 and have HOPE! “The accuser of the brethren has been thrown down!” We win, and he knows it!
ΑΩ
Household Words: 