THE WOMAN, THE DRAGON, AND THE MALE CHILD
Suggested Reading: Revelation 12
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Pictured is the exit of the Grotto at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The "Male child" of today's reading was born here in the cave just beyond the open door.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Jim and Kathy Cantelon write today’s 100 Words segment (originally published in Crossroads’ Day Unto Day devotional series)…
In this chapter, we read of a “war in heaven” (verse 7) precipitated by an attempt by Satan to destroy the pre-existent Messiah – the “male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter” (verse 5). One of the unusual aspects of this account is the use of the past tense. John writes of something that has already happened both in the heavenly and earthly realms.
In reading about Satan’s downfall (verses 8-9) one thinks of Jesus’ words in Luke 10:18, when He says to disciples He had sent out two by two, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” This may help us to understand why Satan now operates in the space/time realm of the created universe. It may also help us understand why this world and this age are so utterly evil. But it should also encourage us to know that Satan’s rule will not last forever…“his time is short” (verse 12c).
We need to remember that Satan is not God, nor is he a dark equivalent. He does not possess godlike attributes. He is not all-present. He is not all-knowing. He is not all-powerful. He is an enemy, but a defeated one. And in the interim, between his present “warrings” and his future destruction, we can resist him “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of [our] testimony”.
Satan is powerless in the presence of the “Lamb”. All those who by faith have placed themselves beneath the atoning blood of Christ are absolutely beyond the limited reach of this “accuser of the brethren.” As the old hymn says, we are “safe in the arms of Jesus”.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray for 24/7 faith to resist Satan through “The blood of the Lamb and by the word of their [my] testimony” (Revelation 12:11). Grant me grace, O Lord, as You did those early church believers who “did not love their lives to the death.” I ask these requests in the Name of the One who lived as an Overcomer 100% of the time, Jesus Christ (Messiah). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
John sees into eternity past. He can only describe Satan as a fearsome creature who reminds him of a dragon. The woman, Mary, represented the Jewish people through whom Messiah was born. They, the Jewish nation, will be supernaturally protected from the hatred and destruction of the dragon’s puppet, the Antichrist, for 3 1/2 years, the latter half of the great tribulation (12:6). These prophetic pictures seem to move back and forth, from the past to the future. Let us remember that at all times the male Child, Jesus Christ, continues to rule and overrule with the “rod of iron” (complete authority in the lives of all who have given Him their lives, and who continue by a daily act of their free will to yield to Him as their King.
Jesus spoke in John’s hearing decades earlier in similar Words (for a Gospel reading check out Luke 9:51 to 10:1-20). The sin of Satan in Heaven was pride. Jesus used the example of Satan’s fall to warn the disciples against the spiritual pride expressed in their report of successful ministry. Jesus does not say, “Good job, boys!” He immediately references Satan’s fall. John was allowed to see what Jesus had described years before. With God, time is not a limiting factor. He is outside of time! (quantum physics) He sees our first parents cast out of the Garden and the defeat of the serpent/dragon at the same instant.
Yours for the total overcoming power of Jesus who dwells in every believer,
David
P.S. My Bible is still open to Luke 10:2 which is Jesus’ prayer request: “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest.” Yesterday at church we were 
challenged to give to purchasing a building in Armenia for a new Teen Challenge centre to minister deliverance to drug addicts. God did great things in what was then the United Soviet Socialist Republic of Armenia through the participation of the viewers of 100 Huntley Street. It was there that I had what may have been the most moving experience of my entire life. Read about it on pages 101-103 of my book This Far By Faith, and if you don’t have your own book, here’s how to order it.
This is the inside entrance to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. This building is the oldest standing church in the Holy Land.
Originally built by Constantine's mother in the fourth century, Emperor Justinian rebuilt the current structure in the 530s. The Church of the Nativity was apparently spared destruction from the Persians in 614 A.D. because the invaders saw the depictions of the Magi on the walls. Local Muslim-Christian friendship is believed to be why the church was not destroyed during al-Hakim's rule in 1009. The trapdoors in the floor reveal 4th-century floor mosaics from the Constantinian church.
It was fascinating to see the arch angel Michael take such a strong role casting out Satan and his angels to earth, having no possibility at devouring the birth child Jesus. As well, the protection of Mother Mary. Since God our Creator gave us life, we are called to embrace and worship our Lord and not simply to “love our lives to the death.” I believe the mysteries of time and space will be revealed to us at death, when we will behold an expanse beyond comprehension. Praise be to the Lamb for ever and ever! All glory and honour is Yours!
I agree with you on that, David. Amen!
Amen Sir!
I totally agree with you brother. The concepts of “infinity” and “always was and always will be” are literally too hard for my finite mind to completely grasp. They will be revealed to us when we move from this earthly realm to our eternal home in Heaven to serve our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Time is short beloved… Blessings on this Holiday Monday!
Amen!
Oh, David Mainse–you just had to make me cry, this morning! I re-read the pages you mentioned “My Name is Laura” in This Far by Faith. Let your light shine throughout the world–everyone who knows God–bless others by speaking His Name into their ears. The Holy Spirit will bring love into their hearts and healing into their bodies minds and souls!! We believe in God!! Praise Him through whom all blessings flow!
I loved reading Revelation 12. I became absorbed in each and every word. A love story from the Apostle John to all who read his words, from the vision Jesus shared with him of heaven and the eternal powers that be. It is the most powerful reminder to us from God because Satan was cast down due to the sinfulness of pride. We are born into the world of humanity with the same fallen tendency to sin. The seven deadly sins are: wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony. Each sin is a form of selfishness and symbolizes the idolatry of the self wherein we are unable to look past our own selfish needs and desires and live in the opposite manner of what God desires for us. Woe to us when we are sinful for we fail to respond to the greater needs of humankind through compassion and spread the gift of love God granted us by His loving and living grace and power. We fear nothing because of Christ’s Light that empowers us!!
Indeed, Satan is enraged at us Christians, for we are the offspring lamb of Jesus–our great Messiah, Saviour, forever King, Majestic on high. We are bathed in His blood, keep God’s commandments, and hold fast to our testimonies about Him. We carry the cross of the Word and Truth of our Lord, now and forevermore! The light of Christ is the rod in our lives, and gives us the power and back bone to overcome the world through HIM! AMEN!!! WE KEEP OUR EYES ON YOU, JESUS!!! YOU, AND YOU, ALONE!!!!
Safe in the arms of Jesus; safe on His gentle breast; sweetly, thou shalt rest! God bless ye, merry saints!
Amen…indeed! Amen! God bless you sister
Read today’s Revelation 12 in several versions. The most helpful version for me is “The Expanded Version” (choices given by Bible Gateway). I had to peak at Revelation 13! Can’t wait for tomorrow’s read. We have to be aware of these coming events. Thank you David and team.
What a battle in heaven in today’s reading! I’m exhausted! The dragon is such a sore loser but his time sure doesn’t seem short.
Thank you DM and for posting the Cantelon’s comments.
The pictures are nice to see since I’ll probably never visit that area of our world.
Have a blessed Spring day all.
Have been enlightened again about Revelation, and enjoyed the reading of comments by fellow bloggers. Take care everyone!
U as well Ger. take care
Lord God, our spirit is willing but our flesh weak. Even though we try to abort pride from our daily lives, sometimes we find it coming back knowingly and unknowingly. Sometimes we are quick to rebuke pride and ask You to come rescue us by Your grace, but other times w tend to listen to the voice that keeps on telling us we have sinned and fallen short of Your glory:( Lord Jesus, we ask that You will replace every form of pride in us with humility and love and peace, ect.
May Your peace and blessings oh Lord, be with us all the days of our lives, in Jesus’s name! Amen!
Such powerful reading today made so clear by the Cantelons description and all of the comments today. Such a battle and power of our Holy God seen there. John must have been amazed and yet afraid at times, What a privelege he was given.
Wonderful pictures today as always Reynold, thank you. Blessings to all, enjoy the day.
Amen, to all your comments dear blogging buddys, God Bless you all
love …Rosemarie…
How good to know that the battle has been won, and we are on the winning side through the PRECIOUS BLOOD OF THE LAMB! TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER!! AMEN AND AMEN!
And we can rest on His Promises…for they are YES and AMEN!!!
AS WE WALK DAILY IN HIS LOVE!!! Guided on paths of righteousness for His Name’s Sake!!
I too just read “My Name is Laura”…Praise God for His Love that comes through his children!!! Thank you David Mainse for sharing this story.