READING: Revelation 9-12
Line up five interpreters of the book of Revelation, and you might find at least that many different interpretations. The images aren’t always easy to determine. The times, dates, and durations are debatable. Identifying the characters is often difficult. Scholars, theologians, and pastors have used reams of paper to defend and promote their conclusions over the years.
What’s not debated, though, is this simple truth: the one identified as “the dragon” does not win. Here, there is no question who the dragon is; he’s “the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the one who deceives the whole world” (Rev 12:9). He is filled with fury, spewing his venom, and extending his evil through false prophets and government leaders. He wages war, particularly against “those who keep God’s commands and have the testimony about Jesus” (Rev 12:17).
At the same time, though, his end is near. Let the Word grant you hope today in this battle:
- The dragon tried to destroy the child born to the woman (recalling God’s promise to defeat the serpent in Gen 3:15), but he could not do it.
- The dragon and his angels fought a war against the archangel and his demonic forces, but the enemy “could not prevail, and there was no place for them in heaven any longer” (Rev 12:7-8).
- The accuser was thrown down to the earth, defeated ultimately by the blood of the lamb and the testimony of God’s people (Rev 12:10-11).
- The dragon may be filled with fury, but he knows “he has a short time” (Rev 12:12). Any time God gives him to “reign” is fully limited under the sovereign hand of the One who defeated him at the cross.
How do we respond to these truths today? We keep God’s commands, hold fast our testimony about Jesus, and not love our lives in the face of death (Rev 12:11, 17). Even if we die under Satan’s attack, he does not win.
ACTION STEPS:
- Our enemy has been cast down. Hold on to that truth when he attacks you today.
- Tell somebody your testimony about Jesus.
PRAYER: “God, I praise You that the accuser has been cast down.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Revelation 13-16