He Reigns
Bible reading
13 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the snake’s reach. 15 Then from his mouth the snake spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. 16 But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring – those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.
– Revelation 12:13-17 (NIVUK)
Devotional
Maybe you’re wondering why things are so difficult? If, as science tries to convince us, we are evolving as humans, why are we still so violent? Why do we keep making the same mistakes generation after generation? Why is being a Christian so hard? If the Gospel is such good news, why don’t more people accept it? If Jesus was victorious, why doesn’t the evil one seem to understand that?
The Church in John’s time had the very same questions! They were facing an oppressive society that seemed more and more violent towards them. It was hard to find a job as a Christian. There was really no way to “stay safe” living under Domitian’s reign. Every time the Church tried to show the good news in their society, they were persecuted and killed. They too were asking, why?
Jesus shows John in the last four verses of chapter 12 the reason. Satan has been defeated but not completely, not yet. And he is very, very angry! He didn’t like what happened on the cross and liked it even less when Jesus came back to life. He knew then that his days were numbered. But in his mind, he only lost a battle, not the war (he’s wrong, by the way). But now he’s trying to even the score with Jesus, but he knows he is powerless against the Lamb. But he’s not powerless against the Lamb’s people. So, he’s using all his cunning, all of his anger, all of his hatred to hurt the Lamb by hurting those who the Lamb loves the most, His people, the Church.
We’re not given many more details than that, only that Satan, the dragon, has turned his fight towards those who hold fast their testimony about Jesus. So, that is why it is difficult. There is a battle going on, although to be honest, the war has already been won. Satan will try his best to defeat the Lamb’s people, but Jesus gives us the strength and the armor to stand firm and not be moved. Hold on, the great rescue has already started, soon the victory will be complete!
– Connie Main Duarte
This devotional is part of a series that helps us navigate the texts of the book of Revelation with fresh eyes. A new devotional every Saturday.
These devotionals are available in Portuguese and in English.