Thursday, May 19, 2022

THE WOMAN, THE DRAGON, AND THE MALE CHILD

Today’s 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

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.

 

11 thoughts on “Thursday, May 19, 2022

  1. Thank You, Lord God, for this event of great significance – the birth of our Saviour, Jesus the Christ! Your great victory over Satan has secured our salvation. Thank You, Lord God! Cover all Your people with Your blood, dear Lord, and give us boldness to share our testimony to Your eternal faithfulness, in Jesus’s great name, amen

    Thinking of the great song,
    “Up from the grave He arose
    With a mighty triumph o’er His foes!
    He arose a Victor from the dark domain
    And He lives forever with His saints to reign!
    He arose! (He arose)
    He arose! (He arose)
    Hallelujah! Christ arose!

  2. Lord, in Jesus Name, please lead me to follow you without distraction. “Thank You” are not sufficient words to express my very deep appreciation for Your sacrifice and Your Love. “Keep Me True Lord Jesus”. Amen. P.S. please pray for Anne, a healthcare worker who is suffering extreme burnout. She has had recent surgery, has a family of young adults, and a very difficult work situation. Thank you. Father, in Jesus Name, minister to Anne in the way You know she needs it. Amen

  3. Praying for Anne and also for Eleanor, Edward and Beverlee.
    I would also appreciate your prayers for my husband Joseph and our family as we walk alongside him on his cancer journey. He hasn’t been doing well lately.

    Thank you and God bless all of you!

    • Luisa, I join with you in prayer for Doreen’s friend Anne, and also Eleanor, Edward and Beverlee.
      My thoughts and prayers are often with you. I pray for your dear husband Joseph, that the love and care and peace of our Heavenly Father would surround and protect him, and Luisa I pray for you, that in these difficult times, if ever you are discouraged and exhausted you would still feel our Heavenly Father’s great love for you and Joseph and for your family. I pray that God will give you His supernatural strength to endure and even feel His peace and comfort in these trying times!
      May God Bless and keep your family in His loving care.

    • Dear Luisa and Anne thank you so much for your prayers for Edward and I.
      Edward has had one transfusion and they are checking his blood every Wednesday to see if he needs more.
      He is hanging in there but he also has other things going on as well as the the Leukaemia. He had some cancer removed from under his right ear and now has to have some removed from his right cheek.
      Continuing to pray for Joseph and for you Luisa. Also for praying for Doreen’s friend and Beverlee.

  4. Thank you very much Anne and Eleanor for your prayers which are greatly appreciated.
    I am sorry to hear about Edward’s additional health issues. May God minister to his every need and give you much strength and encouragement as you care for him.
    Our Heavenly Father is faithful, merciful and gracious. He is very near to us in our pain and suffering.
    Blessings to all.

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