BORROWING THE STORY (REVELATION 12:1-17)

REVELATION 12:1-17 BORROWING THE STORY The great tribulation and the character of the tribulation are revealed to John. REFLECTION The theme for our reflection is ‘borrowing the story.’ To borrow a concept or something from someone is to take it for one’s own use. The point is that we are to make sense out of…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Jul 17, 2021

3–5 minutes

REVELATION 12:1-17

BORROWING THE STORY

The great tribulation and the character of the tribulation are revealed to John.

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is ‘borrowing the story.’ To borrow a concept or something from someone is to take it for one’s own use. The point is that we are to make sense out of the apocalyptic story revealed to John and be on guard as we anticipate the second coming of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ.

In the story of the great tribulation, there are three main characters, the woman, the child, and the dragon. The woman represents Israel and the 12 tribes (Revelation 12:1-2). The dragon and the fallen stars represent Satan and his army (Revelation 12:4-5). The Child born of the woman is Jesus Christ who is caught up to God and to his throne (Revelation 12:5-6).

Believers must understand that Satan and his army were defeated by God’s army of angels led by Angel Michael therefore Satan (the dragon) and his army(fallen angels) no longer have a place in heaven (Revelation 12:7-11). Having been defeated, Satan and his army are determined to destroy the woman, who now is the church and the new Israel. Although there is joy in heaven, God’s people or believers are cautioned in Revelation 12:12, “Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath because he knows that his time is short!”

The good news is that God will protect the church from the attacks of Satan by giving her wings of the great eagle to fly to safety and cause the earth to shield her amidst the consistent attack. “And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.” (Revelation 12:13-16)

Unfortunately, during the great tribulation, some faithful believers and soldiers of the cross will be fiercely attacked by the dragon(Satan). “Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.” (Revelation 12:17) This is why we must borrow the story of the apocalypse, be guided, and be watchful in prayer. We draw inspiration from Paul’s admonishment to the Ephesians when he wrote that “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:15-21). My dear friend in Christ, we are not in normal times, for the dragon is working day and night to destroy God’s faithful servants and frustrate the Salvation Christ has brought to the world. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 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, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” ( 1 Peter 5:6-10) Shalom.