The Christmas Dragon? - Revelation 12
This is a version of the Christmas story you don't often hear.1 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 in the pain of labor as she awaited her delivery. 3 Suddenly, 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 dragged down one-third of the stars, which he threw to the earth. He stood before the woman as she was about to give birth to her child, ready to devour the baby as soon as it was born. 5 She gave birth to a boy who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And the 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 give her care for 1,260 days. 7 Then there was war in heaven. Michael and the angels under his command fought the dragon and his angels. 8 And the dragon lost the battle and was 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.Where are the sheep? Where are the three wise men? What about the inn-keeper?
This is the story of what was going on in the un-seen, in heavenly places where the spiritual battle rages on between angels & demons, between God and satan.
How does this all fit in with the timing of the other things we read in Revelation? I used to try to read all this and think it was referring to things yet to come - the armageddon, the end time. Now, I see the reference to Jesus' birth and satan and his angels being cast out of heaven. That all happened in the past. It is all starting to make sense (and I emphasize "starting")!
Lord, we ask for wisdom - and you said anyone who lacks wisdom, he only has to ask. Help us all to understand the wisdom found in this book. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear, O Lord.
Can't wait for tomorrow!
peace,
e
