“And the the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. And she bore a male Child who was to rule the nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and to His throne.” (vv. 4-5)
Here in chapter 12 John digresses from the continuing story of the seventh trumpet (the seven vial judgments) to give us a broader look into both past and future events. In it, we shall find great insight about our enemy, how his master plan was thwarted, and what his future plans entail.
The identity of the woman in our text is believed to be the nation of Israel. This fits theologically with Genesis 37 (Joseph’s dream), contextually with the church as the bride of Christ (Isaiah 62), and also geographically with the birth of the Child Jesus, in Bethlehem. The dragon then, who stands ready to devour the Child, is none other than Satan.
We know from Matthew’s gospel that Jesus’s linage came through Jacob, to Joseph, to the husband of Mary (Matthew 1:1-16). And, that some time after the Child was born, the evil king Herod ordered that all the baby boys in Bethlehem area be killed (who were two years and under Matthew 2:16). Thus the dragon was ready to devour the child using king Herod’s paranoia to do it. If the Child could be killed, then no one would ever be found worthy to, "open the scroll and loose its seals" and redeem the title deed to the earth (Rev.5). But, Joseph was divinely warned in a dream to “take the young Child and His mother by night and depart for Egypt” (Matthew 2:13), thus thwarting the original plan of Satan.
This was just the beginning of Satan’s efforts to derail the messiah’s life. He tempted Him with all manner of sin to slip-up, to miss the mark of a sinless life, just once, so he could keep his power and earthly reign (Matthew 4). But Jesus prevailed. He lived a sinless life, not giving into temptation, enduring the death of the cross, rose to life again, and now sits at the right hand of God’s throne, ready to redeem His property. However, because Satan could not defeat the Child, he now turns his attention to the woman, to deceive the whole world (v.9).
Scripture tells us that the “day of the Lord” will not come unless, "the falling away" (departure from the faith) comes first, and the man of sin is reveled" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). This falling away will be led by Satan’s right hand man, the “anti-christ.” He will come with the power of Satan, with signs and lying wonders, and with unrighteous deception and will lead many to their deaths because they will not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10).
Today's passage should indicate the importance of making sure you haven’t been deceived by Satan. That he has not turned you away from God and the truth that He has for you in Christ. For in that day many will cry Lord, Lord, but shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near, for He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7)
The Truth: “Jesus answered and said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)
