I don't know why I would ever worry or be anxious about satan or what he's doing because God owns like no other. Its like, Michael Phelps may have won 8 medals at the olympics, but seriously, God would have won all 302 gold medals and set 302 records for all eternity. (excuse my illustrations, I study after church on Sundays, which may be a bad idea because of how tired I get but I'll continue anyway) But this passage is about satan rebelling in heaven and failing, then going after Israel and failing. I can't think of anything else satan has ever tried to do other than rebel against God and trip up His followers, but he couldn't even do that. 0 for 2 sucka.
Rev 12:7-17
This passage starts with the heavenly battle between Michael and his angels, and the dragon and his angels. It is thought that this is Michael the archangel referred to in Jude 9 if not the same as the prince referred to several times in Daniel (Dan 10:13, 21; 21:1). Its difficult to say whether this is the original fall of satan or as some believe, the beginning of the tribulation. I am really unsure of when this takes place but perhaps it is an illustration both of what has happened and what will happen. The dragon and his angels are cast from heaven to earth. In the case that this is during the tribulation, this could be cause for increased demonic activity on earth.
Sweet victory. satan is called the accuser, which in a more direct translation would be recognized in a legal context. Basically satan accuses us sinners as guilty, which is true, if we are not found to be in Christ. We too defeat the beast in Christ. It says so in verse 11, "And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." Specifically this is referring to martyrs but it can refer to us if we so trust in Christ being found innocent by His blood. So satan's got nothing on us, as an accuser, he has nothing.
Now I don't care to know satan like I care to know God. But I really think sin must be irrational (as Piper said at resolved) because satan must know how powerful God is and must be totally irrational to rebel. The Word says "the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!" He knew he was defeated and soon be be totally defeated in a short time. This is probably in reference to the tribulation. Mostly because I fell like, considering Israel's history that a "short time" would be more appropriate for the 7 years of tribulation, than the thousands of years since the fall.
Now since satan is on earth he decides to go after the woman who bore the male child. I personally think that this woman is still representing Israel but the time at which this pursuit against them is occuring could be anytime in history I suppose but (for a time, and times, and half a time which is 3 and a half years) leads one to believe this is specifically during the first part of the tribulation. But God protects them in the wilderness aided by eagle's wings, which seem to be a symbol of protection (as horns are symbols of power). During this pursuit, the serpent will flood water from its mouth, most likely in false teaching and promises to trip up Israel. However, the earth swallows up the water. Frankly, I would need to study these passages more in depth and over a longer period of time to be convicted more definitively of what everything means. As of now I want to know what God says in His word and try to understand it and have it on my heart. So the earth swallowing up the flood? I dunno, divine protection? Only God can do such an incredible thing? Just guesses as the Word doesn't explain to me the meaning.
Becoming frustrated with his pursuit of "the woman," the serpent pursues "her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus." I think that would include us gentiles right? After all, we are enemies of satan as much as Israel.
What I realize: Well first, satan sucks. He has only been defeated over and over and as the accuser he has nothing on us. Thats like kobe without the existence of basketball, lenses without the existence of cameras, intercoolers without the existence of turbos (haha that one's for me), totally useless. Thats what satan is. Apart from that, I realize that he is coming in wrath and it won't be easy when the tribulation comes. But I have Christ. And in Him, I know I can get through it, dead or alive, I can trust. (illustrations from teaching kids) its like eating vegetables as a kid. They sure don't taste good and the good of enduring that is not very evident. But you trust that your parents love you and if you're a good kid, you won't forsake them because of such a hardship.
Tomorrow, the serpent starts to use the beasts. Rev 13:1-10 The First Beast
Note: so I meant to post this earlier, like after church. But I don't have a desk anymore, so my computer is in my bed and I was super tired. So I started to just lay down, hand above my head at my keyboard and I was just typing without looking. I wake up an hour or so later (more in my bed like a normal person) and look at my screen to see
Rev 12:7-17
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awesome
haha. awesome indeed.
ReplyDeleteand thank God for Jesus, truly.