Read: Revelation 12:1-12
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. (Gen. 3:15)
Revelation 12 tells the story again, allowing us to peek behind the scenes of this cosmic drama. A regal woman in the sky is clothed with the sun, a 12-starred crown on her head. She stands on the moon. And she is pregnant.
A red dragon with multiple heads, horns and crowns waits to devour her baby. She gives birth to a Son, the One destined to rule all nations! God quickly whisks him to his throne. One verse covers Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. The Magi foiled Herod’s attempt to kill him. All later attacks failed.
Who is this ominous dragon? He is an ex-archangel who led a revolt among angels and now leads one among humans. The archangel Michael expelled him from heaven when Jesus died and rose (John 12:31; Col. 2:13). He can no longer accuse believers before God. The woman is whisked to safety. Satan, furious, vents his rage on the woman’s children—on believers. He knows his time is short. They conquer him (v. 11)!
The woman is not Mary, nor Eve, nor ancient Israel, but Jewish believers whose community of faith produced the Messiah (Micah 5:2-3) and the church. Christ rules and his persecuted followers prevail. —Ruth Siemens
As you pray, ask God to help you see beyond trivial material to understand cosmic events and prevail through Jesus the Conqueror.
About the Author
Ruth Siemens was a campus minister with IVCF/IFES, then started Global Opportunities to prepare professionals to work and witness in secular employment abroad.
