Are you old enough to remember when we feared an atomic holocaust? The last quarter or so of the 20th century our world super powers had amassed enough nuclear warheads to blow up the planet two or three times, and they had these missiles aimed at one another! Books, movies and predictions about the end of the world were common. The destruction such powerful weapons are capable of is terrifying to imagine. Just think, push one button and an entire country could be blown up. On the other hand today’s preadolescent has seen a dozen science fiction movies where planets populated with people are pulverized by some alien ray gun. (Remember the Star Wars Death Star?) We are living in the age where we entertain ourselves with special effects designed to look as real as possible, and all just for our amusement (and, of course, the income it generates)! Why people want to terrify themselves for entertainment purposes is a phenomenon with unhealthy overtones, if you ask me. Some people seem to enjoy being scared.
What scares you today? Is there anything deeply terrifying that lies in the recesses of your mind; anything that you keep hidden from your consciousness because it is too chilling to think about?
Well, maybe that’s why we don’t read Revelation much. God has an enemy described in Revelation who has all the qualities of the most hideous and evil presence imaginable. He is real. He is in our world. And he is out to get you. He is deceptive and terrifyingly powerful. And remember, this is not a science fiction story; this is the Word of God warning and encouraging His people to be faithful, no matter what. The enemy is able to hurt you. He can even kill you. But if you remain faithful to Jesus Christ he can never defeat you.
Listen to this warning: 13:7 And it was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them; and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.
Be faithful, fellow followers of Christ, and do not give in to fear. Would you join me in prayer?
Holy Father, we praise you! You are the holy one; our hope and salvation rests in you. We do not understand why evil is allowed to exist and rule in this world. We seek your face and look for your grace. We hate evil with all our hearts. Help us to see it for what it is. Help us to flee from evil and do your will. O holy Lord, we have no power to face such a foe! Only with your strength can we ever be victorious. We open our hearts and minds and lives to you. Fill us so that we will be faithful come what may. Help us to be like Jesus and stand in your will and walk in your ways, no matter what. Help us to encourage and strengthen one another in the faith and support one another in this fallen world. Fill us with your Spirit, Lord, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
(Read Revelation 12)
The woman here is clothed with the sun. This word in Greek is halios from which we get our word “halo.” There are four women in the book of Revelation: Jezebel, the whore on the dragon, the wife of the Lamb, and this woman. Remember that these are signs that appeared. They teach a much-needed lesson about how difficult our struggle with evil can be. And yet, make note of this, Satan is only successful with those who do not faithfully follow the Lamb. He may persecute us, and he may even kill us, but he can not defeat us!
Who is Michael?
Michael the archangel. Notice these features: (1) His name. It means “Who is like God?” This bears testimony to the uniqueness of the God he serves. (2) He is clearly designated as “the archangel” (cf. Jude 9). Nowhere in Scripture is there a plural to this noun (cf. I Thess 4:16 Jude 9). (3) He has the added description of “the great prince” (cf. Dan 12:1). (4) He has power even to challenge Satan (cf. Jude 9). (5) He has angels at his command (cf. 12:7). (6) He will be present at judgment (cf. I Thess 4:16). (7) He is the champion of Israel and the espouser of their cause (cf. 12:7; Dan 12:1). He appears when they are in question and their interests are involved. His presence immediately alerts the reader that the events relate to Israel and her enemies.
It is unusual to read of war in heaven, a place where peace and bliss prevail. But here the ultimate doom of Satan must begin, just as his first sin did (cf. Isa 14:12-14; Ezk 28:12–15). The battle will be no dress rehearsal or sham encounter; it will be mortal conflict. But Satan, already defeated at Calvary, is no match for Michael and his angels. (KJV Bible Commentary)
How did the host of heaven react when Satan is cast down to earth?
Notice verse 9 the dragon is identified clearly:
Satan means adversary or one who opposes. Devil means accuser or slanderer.
This enemy is able to fight against God’s archangel, Michael. He loses, but think of it, he must be a terrible foe to take on the captain of God’s heavenly hosts. While his power is not able to prevail against heaven, he seems to have great authority and control here on the earth… for a short time. How serious is it that we depend on the Lord for our strength when facing evil here below? May we join together to pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Notice, the woman is protected and provided for by God.
Since the dragon cannot get the woman, whom does he go after next?
That would be you and me.
(Read Revelation 13)
Think about it, do you see how this earth is not our home? When God’s word tells us that we are pilgrims and strangers here, let us take it to heart and seek to find peace and joy in the Spirit and in our heavenly hopes. May our faith, hope and love all have an eternal focus that keeps us moving toward our ultimate home in glory!
As Michael’s name means “who is like God?” the world that worships the enemy of heaven says, “who is like the beast?” Their mockery will be silenced, but not for a while.
Read verses 9-10 again.
If you remain faithful to the Lord, where might you end up while you live on this earth?
Important question: are you and I willing to follow the Lord when the times of trial come? Remember chapter 12:11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Remember Jesus’ words to the church at Smyrna: Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. Is the cause of Christ worth giving up your life for? Do you take this to heart and hold on to Jesus Christ above your physical life? Paul said, “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain!” May the Lord grant us the faith and strength to keep our eyes on Him and remain true to Him, come what may.
How do we know that our faith is genuine? How do we know that we are truly disciples of Jesus Christ and bound for glory? Nothing proves our loyalty like suffering for the cause. If we do not believe that following Jesus is worth dying for, then we are not truly his disciples. Testing will come to every follower of Jesus.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
Following Jesus is not a matter of walking in ease and comforts up to the gates of heaven. Christianity is serious and dangerous business at times. It involves spiritual warfare. The enemy is large, armed and dangerous. He is organized and able to hurt you and me simply because we are on the Lord’s side. There is no making peace with him. Were it not for Jesus, we would fall into Satan’s deceptions and be condemned with his company. Praise the Lord, our enemy will not defeat us! He will fail and we will join together with the heavenly hosts and all those who have gone before us to rejoice in the presence of the Lamb to celebrate victory forever and ever! Can’t you see it with the eyes of faith even now? Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering!
Now we read of the victory of those faithful to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Now we see the wrath of God prepared to be poured out against all who are his enemies.
(Read Revelation 14)
God’s wrath is his perfect and holy justice served against evil. It will come on evil like a flood. There will be no escape. It is not emotional in nature, but punitive with burning purifying heat. Those who are evil have nothing to purify and must endure the crucible of fire forever without hope of rescue or relief. Those who turn to Christ in life, are cleansed and sealed with the Holy Spirit, adopted into the family of God and regenerated into his likeness. Though we may suffer here on earth, we are heading for an eternal home in glory.
I hope you will take some time to write a statement of commitment to the Lord. If you are in need of strength to face the trials that may come, write it down. If you are struggling with fears about what the enemy can do, write it down. Tell God where you stand with Him in your heart and mind. (He knows already, but do you?) Make it personal. Write what you truly think and feel. Remember, if you are a Christian, you are a child of the King of the universe and you are welcome before His throne. Enter with reverence and respect, but enter with boldness and gladness that He loves you so much He fought for your soul and paid for your sins. Jesus, the Lamb, was slain for you! He’s there on the throne too. Meet Him there.
If you are not a Christian, what are you waiting for? Do you believe the word of God? You are either with Jesus or against him. You are either gathering with Him or scattering. You either give yourself to the Lamb of God or the liar. There is no other choice, but you must choose. Is your name in the book of life? That is all that will matter to you when you meet the Lord.
