Jesus Was Born To Declare War

TITLE: Christmas Is A Declaration of War 11-25-2013

Text: Revelation 12:1–12 Then I witnessed in heaven an event of great significance. I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant, and she cried out because of her labor pains and the agony of giving birth. 3 Then I witnessed in heaven another significant event. I saw a large red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, with seven crowns on his heads. 4 His tail swept away one-third of the stars in the sky, and he threw them to the earth. He stood in front of the woman as she was about to give birth, ready to devour her baby as soon as it was born. 5 She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place to care for her for 1,260 days. 7 Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. 8 And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. 9 This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. 10 Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens: “It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.”

Topic: In Revelation 12 John cryptically describes his vision of what was really happening when Jesus was being born. It was a declaration of war. The devil’s forces were in an uproar. This war is very significant and relevant to us in our everyday lives and has changed our future to a great degree. There are no “Conscientious Objectors” in this war. We are already involved.

A. Jesus birth was clearly a declaration of war. This world clearly was the devil’s domain. Now God had the audacity to set His foot here?!

1. Satan is cast out of heaven and is for some reason allowed to come to Earth. Why? I do not know.

2. The devil’s current troop strength and capability to make war is a matter of great concern to us.

3. To come up with an answer, I could resort to my theology books.

4. I could mimic other preachers I have heard calling him a roaring lion who has been to the dentist office and has had all his teeth pulled –a toothless foe.

B. But let me tell you of my experience in the battle.

1. I’m the kid who got beat up a bunch in school (sooprise, sooprise, sooprise). One reason is my father never allowed me to back down from any confrontation what so ever. He taught me it was cowardice. So today, I’m not afraid of things of which I should fear. (That is why some of you scratch your head and ask each other, “Why does he cave dive. Why does he drive sot fast. What was he doing preaching on the street in that neighborhood? Or, witnessing in that dark alley-way? He said what to that drug dealer? That’s crazy! He didn’t do that when the Mexican Police tried to extort money from him (Yes I did do it, because I am one “Loco Gringo” as they know me in the cave country of Mexico).

2. In my encounters with the devil (I’ve had a bunch, on a bunch of different levels. Some have been quite dramatic). I have never been afraid. I get mad. I get mad because I see the pain, the havoc, the disaster and harm the devil has brought into lives and homes. I see the children he has harmed. I see the very sting of death.

3. I wish I could say I emerge victorious every time I enter into battle, but I do not. I have won some. I have lost some. I have gotten beat-up a time or two.