The Woman and the Dragon
Revelation 12:1-17
Main Idea: Though Satan wages war on God’s people, we have victory in Christ who has defeated the dragon.
I. The Son: Ruling & Reigning (12:1-6)
John sees two signs in heaven:
Sign #1 (12:1-2): A woman, clothed with the splendor of the sun, with the moon under her feet, and 12 stars in her crown, about to give birth. This woman represents the people of God, waiting in labor pains for the promised Messiah (Micah 4:10; Isa. 26:17-18, 54:1; Gal. 4:26).
Sign #2 (12:3, 9): A great red dragon, with seven heads, ten horns, and seven diadems; this dragon is identified as “that ancient serpent, the devil, Satan, the deceiver of the whole world.” He is the animating force behind all wicked rulers who set themselves against the Lord and his anointed (Pharaoh - Ezek. 32:2; Nebuchadnezzar - Jer. 51:34-35, Herod - Matt. 2:13-18, etc).
In a revolting picture, this dragon is prepared to devour the son who is to be born (Gen. 3:15). “[Satan] Satan “takes the rage he had against Jesus in particular and directs it toward babies in general… the demonic powers hate babies because they hate Jesus. When they destroy the “least of these” they’re destroying a picture of Jesus himself, of the child delivered by the woman who crushes their head.” ~ Russell Moore, Adopted for Life
This son is the Messiah who is to ‘rule all the nations with a rod of iron’ (Ps. 2:7-9). Despite this violent opposition, he is safely born and “caught up to God and to his throne,” a summary of Christ’s incarnation through his ascension.
This is not the nativity story we grew up with, but it is the nativity story all the same. Jesus’ birth excites more than wonder, it excites evil. Ferocious wickedness is goaded to violence by this life… The nativity cannot be sentimentalized into coziness, nor domesticated into drabness, nor commercialized into worldliness… The splendors of creation and the agonies of redemption combine in this event, this center where God in Christ invades existence with redeeming life and decisively defeats evil. It is John’s genius to take Jesus in a manger attended by shepherds and wisemen and put him in the cosmos attacked by a dragon. The consequence to our faith is that we are fortified against intimidation. Our response to the Nativity cannot be reduced to shutting the door against a wintry world, drinking hot chocolate, and singing carols. Rather, we are ready to walk out the door with, as one psalm puts it, high praises of God in our throats and two-edged swords in our hands (Ps. 149:6).
~ Eugene Peterson, Reversed Thunder
II. The Dragon: Defeated & Defanged (12:7-12)
John then sees another “angle” from heaven of the defeat of the dragon by the Son. As Jesus accomplishes redemption through his crucifixion and resurrection, Satan is thrown down to earth from heaven.
John 12:31: Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.
Colossians 2:14–15: …by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
As a consequence of Satan’s removal from heaven, he is no longer able to make accusation against the people of God (cf. Job 1; Zech. 3). Though he once had a case against a guilty people, there is “now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).
While heaven is to rejoice over the victory of the Lamb and the removal of the dragon, those on the earth face his “great wrath, because he knows his time is short” (12:12). 1 Peter 5:8-9a: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith
III. The Church: Persecuted & Protected (12:13-17)
Cast from heaven and defeated by the Son, the dragon now turns his wrath on earth toward the “woman” - the Church. He “pursues” God’s people by the means of persecution (Acts 7:52, 9:4, 22:4), deception, and seduction (cf. Rev. 13).
Despite the Dragon’s pursuit, the Lord protects the woman, like “eagles’ wings” (Ex. 19:4; Isa. 40:31) to the wilderness. She is nourished in this place for “times, time, and half a time,” which equals 42 months (Rev. 11:2, 13:5), 1,260 days (Rev. 11:3, 12:6), and 3.5 years: “in between” of the number of perfection. This is a period describing the “time in-between” Christ’s first coming and second coming.
Conclusion: How do we conquer the dragon? (12:11) By…
The blood of the Lamb
The word of our testimony
Enduring suffering unto death (Mk. 8:35)
The message of Revelation to them and to you and me is this: Yes, doing battle against the devil may mean that you lose a lot in this life. You might lose your reputation, your friends, your job. You might even lose your life. But to live and die in the Lord will turn out for your blessing. To live your days on this earth all out for Christ, no matter what assault the devil sends your way, is true victory, not defeat. You won’t regret it. Your life won’t be over. You will awake to find yourself among the many who have laid down their lives for the gospel before you. Jesus himself will comfort and reward you.
~ Nancy Guthrie, Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation
