Revelation 12:1-17: The Christmas War
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Introduction
Introduction
Church of the Nativity - Millions of people travel to a specific place to witness the spot where Jesus was born. Most significant birth in all of human history.
A place that reminds us of the first Christmas - that wasn’t a silent night… A night where angels sang, “Peace on Earth,” and surely Jesus brought peace, but on that night Jesus was born, a war raged.
Revelation 12 gives us a glimpse of what was happening behind the scenes when Jesus was born. In Revelation 12, John pulls back the curtain and let’s us see the cosmic war that was taking place when Jesus came to this earth 2,000 years ago. What John shows us is that when Jesus came, it was in no way a silent night.
Revelation 12 shows us a war, and Revelation 12 shows us how Jesus has won the war. Revelation 12 also shows us that a battle still rages but Jesus’ victory is our victory. Christmas is about victory! Three reasons why you can have much hope this Christmas.
You can be delivered from sin and death.
You can be delivered from sin and death.
Revelation 12 = an interesting Christmas passage, but helpful for us to understand the Christmas story. Revelation = unveiling. Revelation is a series of visions given to the Apostle John so John could see how God was at work in human history to accomplish His plan and what we can expect as we await the return of Christ.
Revelation 12 is a turning point in the Book of Revelation. Revelation 12-20 shows us the spiritual battle that is taking place between God and Satan.
Revelation is filled with rich imagery and symbols that help us to understand what we can expect as we await Christ’s return.
vs. 1 - A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman - radiant with the sun - moon under her feet. She’s ruling - exercising influence over the world. She’s pregnant. Is this Mary? Can you remember a time where Mary ruled?
Clue: Twelve stars = twelve tribes of Israel. Israel called to be a blessing to the world (Gen. 12) - to influence - to be a great nation. This woman is symbolic of the people of God who are called to rule with God. The people of God pregnant and about to give birth.
The image: people of God awaiting the birth of the promised child (Gen. 3:15) - the One from the seed of the woman.
vs. 3 - another sign in heaven: a fiery, red dragon - Satan himself. Satan depicted as a ruler - 7 heads, 10 horns, 7 crowns - significant numbers that symbolize completion and fullness.
Satan has much influence over this world - at work deceiving the nations, working behind the scenes in human governments that oppose God. Satan has a mission - to thwart the plan of God and to blind us from the truth.
On the first Christmas, Satan waiting for the birth of a child, not to celebrate, but to devour. (Think about Herod - how the enemy tried to use Herod to destroy Jesus by putting to death all the firstborn males 2 and under.)
vs. 5 - BUT, Jesus is born. He is the rightful ruler of the nations, not Satan. (Psalm 2:6-9)
Jesus’ ministry a constant defeat of the enemy. (Overcoming temptation in the wilderness, casting out demons. Jesus continually proving that He has power over the enemy.)
vs. 5 - the ministry of Jesus summarized in one sentence: “Her child was caught up to God and to His throne.” Jesus’ time on earth was short - 33 years - but He accomplished the will of the Father. He lived, died, rose again, and ascended to the throne. He defeated the dragon. He is at the Father’s right hand.
vs. 6 - the people of God in the wilderness - running from the enemy. Symbolic of life in this present evil age. 1260 days = the time between the resurrection of Jesus and His return. Number simply symbolic for a long period of time where the church is persecuted by the dragon but at same time nourished and protected by God. (Satan’s attention focused on the church - first century audience knew this.)
Don’t deny the reality of the war. You see the enemy at work in this world. You feel it in your own life. You see him attacking your family. You see him attacking the church. You see the brokenness of this world. For some, you feel the brokenness at Christmas. Sometimes the most joyous time of the year doesn’t feel joyous because of grief, loss, conflict, etc. (Ephesians 6:12)
Don’t deny the power of the Gospel. Jesus has come to deliver you from sin and death. The enemy might try to wreak chaos in your life. Look up - Jesus has done a work for you. The enemy may attack you, but he cannot defeat you because there is one who is on the throne who wears many crowns and diadems (Revelation 19:12). Deliverance comes through Jesus - not through politicians, good works, social status, escapism, etc.
Christmas best time of year for everyone except Amazon and UPS trucks… On FB page… They have one job - to deliver - they can’t… Makes me scared to order from Amazon…
You can live in the victory of Jesus.
You can live in the victory of Jesus.
War broke out in heaven? Michael and angels? What is Satan doing in heaven?
Satan in the presence of the heavenly hosts accusing the people of God. (Think of Job 1, or Zechariah 3.)
When is this war? Some Bible scholars say the war described in Rev. 12:7-9 say it was before creation of man. Others say this war took place at the cross. I agree. I think John is showing us what was taking place in the heavenly realm as Jesus went to the cross at Golgotha. At Jesus’ death and resurrection, a victory over Satan. Satan thrown out of the presence of God and longer able to accuse the people of God because Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for our sin. We’ve been justified - declared righteous and innocent before God. There is nothing for Satan to accuse us of as followers of Jesus (Romans 8:1) - No condemnation.
Satan wants to condemn you, but he can’t. Satan might remind you of your sin, and he may even use guilt as a tool to cause you to doubt God’s love for you, but Satan cannot condemn you. Satan cannot convince your Father that He should send you to hell - because God has justified you.
Satan will point out your sin to try to condemn you. God will point out your sin as well. He will convict you in order to redeem and change you but not to condemn you. Satan wants to tear you down. Your Father wants to create in you a new heart.
The defeat of Satan causes great rejoicing (vs. 10-12). The accuser has been thrown down (vs. 10).
Vs. 11 - THEY conquered him by the blood of the Lamb. That’s us! Jesus’ victory is your victory. That’s the people of God who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and our confession of faith. In first century, testimony might cost you your life, but the redeemed love Jesus more than their lives.
Sometimes you don’t feel victorious because while Satan has been defeated, he and his legion of demons are still wreaking havoc on this earth as Satan awaits final judgment. His goal is to destroy God’s people. He will NOT be successful, but he will not go down without a fight. On the days you do not feel victorious:
Keep reminding yourself of your testimony. God HAS done a work in your life. Remember that work AND talk about that work. You need to talk to yourself. What are you telling yourself?
Keep reminding yourself that this life is temporary. Love this life? Why? Your best is yet to come. We fall to the ploys of the enemy because we treasure this life far more than we treasure the hope and promise of resurrected life.
You can endure the battle.
You can endure the battle.
The war of Christmas - Satan defeated because of the work of Jesus - but we’re awaiting the day when Christ returns and Satan is finally cast into the lake of fire.
vs. 12 - Satan’s time is short, but he is active on this earth. Revelation shows us Satan’s activity. He is behind evil world governments. He is behind abortion, murder, and every lifestyle that is contrary to what God has for us.
John showing us what we already know - we’re in a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12). However, the good news is God is with us and for us in the battle. (Immanuel)
How does the enemy battle against us?
He deceives.
He lures us into temptation. He knows where you are weak. (You know where you are prone to fall. This is why Jesus calls us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation).
He tries to make you feel guilty.
He exploits our differences and causes division.
He discourages and causes us to fear.
While the battle rages, the promise of Revelation is that the Christ who was born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago is alive and with you, empowering you to win the battles. You don’t have to fall to Satan’s tactics.
vs. 13 - Satan persecutes the woman, but the woman given two wings (Exodus 19:4). Just as God preserved His people by bringing them out of Egypt and into the wilderness, He also preserves and nourishes His church.
vs. 15 - Satan tries to overwhelm God’s people, but the earth protects. God uses His creation to aid His people. (Think the Red Sea.)
vs. 17 - Satan wages war against the “rest of her offspring” = believers alive in the present day - successive generations of the church. Satan wage’s war against us (1 Peter 5:8), but we are victorious, and we can endure the battle.
How to you endure in the battle?
Stay alert. (Let your guard down and you open yourself up for an attack.)
Stop believing the lies of the enemy. (Lies he tells you about yourself. Lies the culture tells you.)
Be aware of where you are easily enticed. Jesus taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation…”
Ask God to help you put faith over fear. (Things you may fear: obedience to God, giving generously, sharing your faith, getting involved in a local church - those fears may be Satan keeping you from living out your faith.) What are you choosing to miss out on in your walk with the Lord because you choose to remain in fear?
Strive to live at peace. Where do you see division? (Ephesians 4:26) Satan loves to sow division, and perhaps you have allowed him to have a foothold in some of your relationships.
This Christmas story is a story of victory for those who believe. This Christmas, do you believe? Have you placed your faith in the One who has overcome by going to a cross and dying in your place only to rise again for your salvation? This morning, repent of your sins and place your faith in Christ.
