War in Heaven and on Earth

Revelation 12:1-17

War in Heaven and on Earth

Matt Williams Updated Staff Photo

Matt Williams

Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director

In this chapter, Israel is represented by a woman giving birth to a child—Jesus. While a dragon, Satan, is poised to destroy this child, God protects Jesus and all who follow him. Satan continues to war against God’s people, but they have no need to fear, for even death cannot destroy them.

Application

  1. Satan is actively working to deceive and destroy God’s people. How can you live in awareness and vigilance without being overcome by fear?

  2. God’s people are identified by their testimony of loving Jesus more than their own lives. What in your life is competing with your love for Jesus?

Key Points

  • John is more concerned with the theme of his message than following a linear timeline. This should shape the way we read the text.

  • Satan is the great deceiver, but he himself is deceived. If he had known the potency of Jesus’ death, he would not have sought to destroy him (1 Corinthians 2:8).

  • In the midst of spiritual warfare, we cannot be neutral. We must remain responsible, vigilant, and dependent on God.

  • God’s people have been bought by the blood of the Lamb, and it’s evident in their lives. For believers, death is not the worst thing.

Other Scripture References

John 2

Genesis 37

John 12:31

Matthew 2

1 Peter 5:8

2 Timothy 3:13

Romans 8:33–34
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