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7. The Rage of the Dragon (Revelation 12:12)
REVELATION 12:12
12 “Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.”
Heaven rejoices, the redeemed of Zion sing and shout, and the believers from among the nations echo songs of praise. There are no more lingering suspicions left over from the past. All sins were confessed to Jesus, and have been atoned for and forgiven. In heaven reign peace, joy and gratitude. All suffering from the time of witness and persecution has been transformed into jubilation over the victory of the Lamb and the salvation of His followers.
But over the earth the third woe is called out (Revelation 8:13; 9:12; 11:14; 12:12; 18:10; 16:19). The last woe and its consequences weigh heavier on the earth than all the previous shouts of woe. Satan himself, conquered and beaten, comes to the earth. He wants his defeat hushed up. He foams with rage. He knows that his time is short and that judgment and damnation will inevitably come. He wants to devour all men still alive, whether in the mountains, or on the plains, whether beside the rivers, or on the high seas. The raging anger of Satan against God and His Anointed is specifically directed against all those that love and follow Jesus.
8. The persecuted Church (Revelation 12:13-17)
REVELATION 12:13-17
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
The fiery dragon recognized that the woman who had given birth to the divine child kept close contact with her exalted Son, even after His ascension to heaven. The dragon wanted to annihilate the Son, but no longer had access to Him. So he turned on the woman, who kept herself close to the Son.
The evil one wanted to get at Christ through His church, here described as a woman. His intent was to fight against and overcome her. All oppression, contempt and persecution of the church is, first and foremost, directed against her Head, Jesus Christ. Therefore, the Lord said to Saul: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting!” (Acts 9:4-5) Not only did Satan persecute the early church through Saul, but he wants, even today, to destroy all who will receive eternal life through their testimony.
As long as we live on earth there is no enduring peace, either in the state or in the church, promised to us. The evil one has his followers everywhere, whom he incites against believers young and old. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).
The enthroned Lord on high sent His oppressed church an “eagle” to help. Today one might be led to think on airplanes, which can fly those persecuted out to safer places. Our Lord, however, has possibilities that would never occur to us even in a dream. He once had a prelate who had to hide himself for weeks in his attic. The Lord provided a chicken every day which laid for him an egg, until his persecutors had withdrawn. The ravens of Elijah fly even today when those persecuted pray in trust: Give us this day our daily bread! (Matthew 6:11). The Lord has spread His mighty wings over His church. He gives His followers a place of refuge for the “three-and-a-half times”, a length of time unknown to us. From time-to-time He provides for His followers in the realm of body, mind and soul. He assures them: No one will snatch you out of My hand…I and My Father are one (John 10:27-30).
But Satan did not remain idle. He trailed after the fled church, sought her out, attempted to sweep her away and drown those who had their refuge in God. So as to morally annihilate believers made holy in Christ he spit out obscene words and untrue suspicions against them. The flood of slander against Christ and His church is increasing. Christians are decried as “intolerant” if they are not ready to formlessly and trouble-free sink into the multi-cultural society.
The earth, however, opened up her mouth and swallowed the “muddy” flood waters. Now and then even people far from God can quickly decide what is true and what not, and show themselves ready to protect those slandered (who live in the spirit of truth, discipline and love). Christ said, they are to be rewarded: “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward“ (Matthew 10:42; Mark 9:41).
Satan has declared war on the church of Jesus Christ! He goes about looking to destroy faithful Jews and true Christians. John heard the double description of the persecuted: “who keep the commandments of God (in the Torah) and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17). The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16). Both groups of persecuted live from the word of God. They have no other weapon, no other power, and no other protection except the word of their Lord. For them, His word means His presence.
The New Testament teaches us to pray for those persecuted and imprisoned for the sake of Christ. It remains a responsibility of the church to be focused toward the persecution of Jews and Christians. They are to pray for the oppressed and help within the realm of their possibilities (Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 6:18-20; 2 Peter 1:7). We should regularly endeavor to be informed, that we might be well armed for intercession. The persecutions in Indonesia, with over 700 burned-down churches, in Nigeria, with over 50,000 Christians killed, are increasing. The situation of the churches in Lebanon and Israel worsens continuously. Are we still sleeping?
Do we want to have a comfortable life in front of the TV, or indulge ourselves on the beach? Or do we want to offer our time, money and love, that the persecuted might be helped?
PRAYER: Our heavenly Father we praise you and give glory to your holy name, because you protect your children and keep them in the midst of unbearable persecution. We trust in you and love you, for we have experienced your faithfulness and your loving-kindness in many situations of your lives. We seek refuge in you from the attacks of the devil and his helpers, for we know that in your Son, Jesus Christ, we are well protected. Help us to uphold in prayer those who today are being attacked, persecuted or tortured for your name’s sake. And we ask you Lord Jesus to come soon to make an end to these evil attacks of Satan against your faithful servants.
QUESTION:
- What is the reaction of the Dragon to the declaration of the victory of God?
QUIZ 4
Dear Reader,
If you have carefully studied this fourth booklet on the Book of Revelation, you will have gained an everlasting treasure. At the same time, you will be able to answer the following questions easily:
- Do you read and keep the gospel as God's blessed revelation? Do you tell your friends about its rich content?
- What did the great angel proclaim concerning the time left until the end of the world?
- What was, most probably, the book that the angel had revealed to John?
- Who is God's temple in the New Testament?
- Why does every man need sincere repentance?
- How will the Lord strike the people of the old covenant shortly before the last trumpet?
- What is the clear evidence of the beast's coming from Hell?
- What is the significance of the resurrection and ascension of the two witnesses of Christ?
- What did God reveal to the fathers of faith about His sealed mystery?
- What is your viewpoint on the prophets' promised spiritual kingdom?
- What is the mystery of the kingdom of God?
- Why did the majority of the Jews reject and kill their faithful King?
- How did Christ offer His kingdom to the sinners?
- Who cannot enter the kingdom of God? How do we actually enter it?
- What are the developments upon the accomplishment of the kingdom of heavens?
- What is the problem of the majority of the Jews with entering into the kingdom of God?
- Did you receive the everlasting life and the qualification for the kingdom of God?
- What is the relation between the kingdom of God and the Christian church?
- Who joins in spiritual prayer in the kingdom of God?
- What did you understand from the mystery of the kingdom of God?
- Why will heaven rejoice at the last trumpet?
- Why was God late in showing His unlimited power?
- How does God bless His beloved ones at the end of the world?
- What is the meaning of the verse, "to destroy those who destroy the earth"?
- Why was the temple, particularly the Holy of Holies, open in the Old Testament only for the high priest and only once a year?
- What did you understand from this vision seen and revealed by John?
- How are we delivered from the Evil One?
- What did you understand from Psalms 2.8-9 as an explanation of this verse?
- Did you experience a violent opposition against spreading Christ's salvation?
- Why does Satan have no more right to accuse the followers of Christ in heaven?
- What are the three services where the Lamb of God made the believers partners in defeating Satan? Amen
- What is the reaction of the Dragon to the declaration of the victory of God?
If you answer 75% of the above questions exactly and sufficiently, we will send you the next booklet of this series. Please write your full name and address clearly, and send your answers to the following address:
Waters of Life
P.O.Box 600 513
70305 Stuttgart
Germany
Internet: www.waters-of-life.net
Internet: www.waters-of-life.org
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