Revelation 12:13 – 17 “And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle to fly from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. Then from the mouth of the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent. But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth to swallow up the river that had poured from the dragon’s mouth. And the dragon was enraged at the woman, and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea.”
Michael and the other angels have banished Satan from heaven forever! The only place left for Satan is the earth and he is determined to take revenge! Satan’s first target is the woman who has given birth to the Messiah. This female figure represents both the Virgin Mary and the Church as a whole. When Jesus was on the cross, he gave the care of his mother to John, the disciple closest to him. There is nothing to indicate that Mary suffered further; God gave her sanctuary and protected her.
Now that Satan has descended to earth, he is determined to attack the Church as much as possible as a means of attacking Jesus. We humans can be part of the attack or part of the defense. Barclay observes, “When we despoil the Church of the help we might have given it, we despoil Jesus of the help we might have given him; and when we serve the Church, we serve Jesus himself.” Some church members seem to feel that they have a mission to criticize church leaders as much as possible, but who is inspiring these attacks? Certainly not Jesus!
As soon as Satan mounts this attack, God provides means of escape.
a. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle to fly from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. The eagles’ wings represent God’s provision and protection. There are countless references throughout the Old Testament to God bearing his servants on the wings of eagles. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”
Deuteronomy 33:26-27 says, “There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to your aid, and the clouds in His majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” As believers, we can take comfort in these promises, knowing that no matter the difficulty, God is still with us and for us! One of the Names of Jesus is Immanuel, that is “God with us.”
b. “Then from the mouth of the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent. But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth to swallow up the river that had poured from the dragon’s mouth. ” When the Woman escapes on eagles’ wings, Satan sends floods. Isaiah 43:1-2 says, “Now this is what the LORD says— He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.”
c. When Satan sends a flood tide of evil to try to engulf the Church, the earth itself opens up and swallows the water. Not only has heaven rejected Satan, but his power over the very earth itself has been broken and now the earth is opposing him as well! It is a mistake to assume that the earth is passive. Leviticus 20:22 says, “You are therefore to keep all My statutes and ordinances, so that the land where I am bringing you to live will not vomit you out.”
d. “And the dragon was enraged at the woman, and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea.” Left with no other options, Satan now targets those believers left on the earth. This is the time when believers persevere and become even stronger in their faith.
What are the lessons from these verses? God will help his Church, but that does not mean that Christians are immune from persecution. As the end of the age approaches, persecution might even increase. Now more than ever, we must know what we believe and in Whom we have put our trust. Only faith in Jesus Christ and what he has done for us by dying for our sins will save us.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for eagles’ wings, for the everlasting arms, and for your protection! Help us to follow hard after you all the days of our lives! In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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