The grandest structure that archaeologists unearthed in the ruins of ancient Ephesus was an outdoor theater capable of seating 25,000 patrons. We don't know if the apostle John ever attended the great theater while he lived in Ephesus in the first-century A.D. But we can safely assume that he knew about it. He also knew that the Roman emperor Domitian (A.D. 81-96) often exploited the mythical tales of Greco-Roman gods to promote his own claim of divinity. These tales may well have been dramatized on the stage at Ephesus.
For John and other believers, however, the cultural pressure to worship the emperor was a non-starter. Consequently, the officials of the emperor cult often targeted believers for persecution. In fact, that is probably the reason John was confined to the island of Patmos. Yet God used John's confinement to show him-and us-the true story of what God has done, is doing, and will do to bring His creation to its full purpose.
Revelation 12 portrays that story in a dramatic fashion. In the panorama of end-time events, chapter 12 may be seen as a pivotal chapter, a microcosm of the entire story of creation, salvation, and restoration from heaven's viewpoint. Let me share one big truth with you today for you to think on.
1. Satan is defeated (Revelation 12:1-9).
The first sign John saw was a pregnant woman in the throes of labor pains. The woman's celestial clothing and the crown of 12 stars are clues to her identity, yet Bible students differ in their conclusions. The predominant view (and the view I adhere to) is that the woman represents Israel.
The woman's pregnancy points to Israel as the people through whom the Messiah came into the world.
John then saw another sign, a great fiery red dragon. His color red suggests a bloody, murderous nature. The seven heads speaks of wisdom, and the 10 horns of power (see Daniel 7:23-25), and the seven diadems of authority. All of these attributes were darkly stained by the dragon's killer nature.
John described the dragon as having swept away a third of the stars in heaven. Some Bible scholars connect this scene to the rebellion of Satan and other angels in heaven and their subsequent banishment from there (see Luke 10:18; 2 Peter 2:4).
In verse 4b, John described a repulsive scene in which the dragon positioned himself at the birth stool, ready to devour the woman's newborn Child. It is not difficult to see in this description an allusion to Herod's murderous decree when Jesus was born (see Matthew 2:16-18).
The male Child born to this woman clearly refers to Jesus Christ. John described Him as the One who will shepherd all nations with an iron scepter. This is a picture from Psalm 2, a messianic psalm extolling the rule of God's Son, the Messiah (see Psalm 2:9). The dragon's evil scheme to destroy Jesus was thwarted as all that happened to Jesus in His incarnation, life, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension was by the will and power of God, not by the schemes of Satan. Verse 6 is a vivid picture of God's providential protection of His people.
Then in verse 7 John saw war break out in heaven. Michael is the only "archangel" (ruling angel) mentioned in Scripture (see Jude 9; compare Daniel 10:13; 12:1). John saw Michael lead an army of God's angels against the dragon and the dragon's angels. Some Bible scholars see this battle occurring in the end times. Others see it as a "flashback" to the angelic rebellion in which Satan was cast down to earth. In both views the point is clear. Satan is no match for God.
John made clear in this scene the identity of the dragon. He named him. The Greek term for Devil means "slanderer." The Hebrew term for Satan literally means "accuser." These names well describe Satan's desire to deceive and destroy the whole world. Thankfully, because of Jesus Christ, the accuser is a defeated foe.
Obeying the text: List situations in which you need to see Jesus as victorious and Satan as defeated. What actions can you take to live in light of Jesus' victory?
Serving Christ, Loving Others, and Growing Together,
Dr. Bryan Cox
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