#3 John's Revelation

I. Introduction
A. Our series this advent is on The Christmas Story According to the Apostle John. We have already talked about The Christmas Story According to John’s Gospel and The Christmas Story According to John’s First Epistle. Today we are talking about The Christmas Story According to John’s Book of Revelation.
B. Let’s read Revelation 12:1–17 And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. 4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. 5 She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days. 7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” 13 And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. 15 The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. 16 But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. 17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
C. How many of you have a nativity scene in your house?
1. How many of you have a dragon in your nativity set standing along with Joseph and Mary, the shepherds and magi?
2. Well, it turns out that according to John’s version of the Christmas story in Revelation, maybe we should. To be anatomically correct it should be a giant red dragon with seven heads & ten horns.
D. There are several things you need to know to understand this passage:
1. In Genesis 3:14–15, right after Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, the LORD God made a promise to the serpent, “...I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
a. Notice here that “He” means not the woman but a male seed of the woman.
b. And notice that “Your” means the devil/serpent.
c. In other words, the promise is that a male child of the woman would some day conquer the serpent, though he would be wounded in the process.
2. There are some important details of the Exodus story
a. First of all, God delivered His people into the wilderness.
b. Secondly, waters stood in their way, but God got rid of the water to save His people.
c. Thirdly, the OT story of the Exodus includes a dragon and deliverance on eagle’s wings:
(1) Isaiah 51:9–10 “Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago. Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the DRAGON? 10 Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over?” (Cf. Deut.32:10-12)
(2) Exodus 19:4 “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”
3. And finally, we need to remember the story of Herod’s slaughter of the innocents in Matt.2:1-18, when that evil king was desperately trying to kill the baby Jesus.
II. Now let’s look at the characters in this drama and the indicators which point to their identities.
A. The woman: v.1 tells us that, “A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”
1. The two most common interpretations of this woman in Christian history are Mary & the church.
2. I think it clearly refers to the church, the invisible church, the faithful people of God both before and after Christ, the glorious bride of Christ (Rev. 22:17; 21:2, 9; Eph. 5:31–32).
a. This is where Jesus came from: the faithful line.
b. This reminds us of imagery in the OT, where the sun, moon and stars were symbolic of Jacob, his wife and their 12 sons, denoting the twelve tribes of Israel, the OT people of God.
c. “The woman with the twelve stars also alludes to the continuation of true Israel in the twelve apostles and the church that they represent.” – Greg Beale
3. Take note of what it says in Gal.4:26: “The Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.” Cf. Is.54:1, 2Jn.1, 5 (with 3John9).
4. Why Mary doesn’t make sense
a. Roman Catholics have thought of this as Mary, but the rest of the passage makes it clear that it is the church as a whole which is in mind. “This is evident not only from what we have said about v 1, but from what happens in the remainder of the chapter: the woman is persecuted, flees into the desert, and has other children, who are described as faithful Christians. Furthermore, her time in the wilderness is the time of Israel’s tribulation prophesied by Daniel (see on v 6). All this goes beyond anything that could have been said about Mary and her children.” – Beale
5. Her labor: v.2 “She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth.”
a. Nowhere else in all of ancient literature is this word for agony used to describe the pains of maternal labor. And in the rest of Revelation this word is used only to describe trauma brought on by the devil or by God Himself.
b. The word is used 60 times in 4Maccabees referring to persecution of believers.
c. The point is that this is really talking about the persecution of God’s people in terms of labor pains.
B. The child: v.5 “She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne.”
1. Psalm 2:7–9 makes it clear that this is Jesus: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
2. The same figure is used in Revelation 2:27: “He (the one who conquers) will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.”
3. “her child was caught up to God and to his throne” refers to the resurrection and ascension together.
C. The rest of her offspring = the readers of the book, the people of God
D. The dragon: v.3 “Another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems.”
1. This one is explained for us in v.9 “And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world.”
2. The crowns represent governing authorities and refer to the fact that governments will be the instruments of the devil’s attack on Christ and His church (e.g. Herod).
E. The stars which got swept down to the earth: v.4a “His [the serpent’s] tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth.”
1. Similar language is used to describe the actions of another monster in Daniel 8:10: “It grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them.”
2. Since Rev.12 is not referring to the story of the beginnings but to the coming of Christ, this shouldn’t be taken to refer to the original fall of the angels with Satan, even though angels are sometimes linked to stars in the Bible.
3. But God’s people are also referred to in passages like Daniel 12:3 “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”
4. It seems therefore that this is referring to the killing/martyring of God’s people.
F. Michael: v.7-9 “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”
1. Could be Jesus, but in Daniel, Michael fights alongside the Son of Man but isn’t the same person (Dan.10:16, 20-21).
2. The best theory is that Michael portrays God’s people. This comes from v.11 “They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb & by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”
3. Rev.12:7-8 depicts the heavenly reality which took place when Christ was crucified.
III. So what is the meaning of the story?
A. The story depicts Christ’s and His people’s victory over Satan in the cosmic struggle taking place right now in their lives.
1. He has been defeated by Christ and His people, but he is not dead. In fact, he is enraged and is now attacking the people of Christ.
2. Jesus has been born and taken to heaven. Satan failed to thwart Him. But now the struggle continues, as it says in v.17, “The dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”
3. However, in the midst of this devilish onslaught, God protects and provides for His people, as we see so vividly in v.14-16.
B. Rev.12:10-12 is the summary and explanation of the rest of the chapter.
1. 10 “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12a Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them!”
2. “This follows the vision-interpretation pattern elsewhere in the Apocalypse, where hymns interpret or summarize narratives and visions.” – Beale
3. Satan, the accuser of the brethren
a. Before Christ, Satan was allowed a role as the accuser of the brethren. And frankly, before the death of Christ, Satan appeared to have a pretty compelling case. Believers had no basis for thinking of themselves as forgiven. Justice had not yet been met.
b. But when Christ came and suffered on the cross as the sacrificial substitute, when the wrath of God for sinners was poured out upon Him, then justice was satisfied, and Satan had no more argument, no more basis for accusation of God’s people. So, he can no longer bring any legitimate accusation against those for whom Christ died. “The devil no longer had any basis for his accusations against the saints, since the penalty that they deserved and that he pleaded for had at last been exacted in Christ’s death.” – Beale
C. 12b “But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”
1. This is why there is so much trouble in the world! It’s not because of regional conflicts or religious differences. It’s not because of environmental deterioration or wealth imbalances. It’s because the devil is angry that he’s been cast down!
IV. Application
A. There is spiritual warfare in the Christmas story.
1. It’s not all about babies and shepherds and angels and sweet women.
2. Mary understood this: in Luke 1:49–52 she declares, “He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate.”
3. Simeon understood this as well. In Luke 2:34 he says of the baby Jesus, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed.”
4. Behind the scenes of the Christmas story is a war. Christ came to defeat the devil.
5. Some people act like if Christianity was true, everybody would embrace it and there would be peace. But actually if everybody embraced Christianity and there was peace, it would be proof that Christianity was NOT true, because that’s not what the Bible tells us is going to happen. The fact that there is so much opposition, the fact that there is so much controversy, is just more confirmation that it IS true — because that’s exactly what the Bible tells us will happen.
6. If we are faithful to Christ we will be the objects of the same hatred and persecution which came against Jesus – not because we’re obnoxious, not because we’re trying to be hated, but because people resent Christ. And if they hate Christ, they will also hate Christ’s people.
B. Nevertheless, the redemptive purposes of Christ cannot be thwarted. Satan will vigorously try, of course, but he will inevitably fail.
1. 12a “Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them!”
2. Satan has Herod the Great. We have Jesus the Greater.
3. Your career goals may fail. Your family dreams may never be accomplished.
4. But Christ’s redemptive purposes in the world and in our lives will surely succeed, because He will see to it.
C. We are engaged in spiritual warfare.
1. One reason that believers suffer is that the devil’s anger and hatred is directed at them, though he can only do what God allows him to do.
2. 11 “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”
3. The devil is oppressing Christ’s church.
4. “This expresses one of the major themes of the book: the suffering of Christians is a sign, not of Satan’s victory, but of the saints’ victory over Satan because of their belief in the triumph of the cross, with which their suffering identifies them.” – Beale
5. Notice v.15 “The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood.”
a. The fact that it comes out of his mouth means that it is verbal, just like the sword coming out of Jesus’ mouth is referring to the word of God. The water coming out of Satan’s mouth refers to his lies and false teachings.
6. The book of Revelation is all about overcoming in the face of oppression, affliction & deception.
7. We keep wanting things to get easier instead of accepting the fact that overcoming in the face of persecution and affliction is what this age is all about.
8. Our job isn’t to work to make our lives easier. Our job isn’t to whine about how things are getting worse and worse. Our job is to trust in the blood of the Lamb. Our job is to proclaim His word. Our job is to love not our lives even unto death. That’s how we resist the powers of evil. That’s how we conquer the devil, as it says in v.11.
9. What does it mean to love not our lives even unto death? It means that no matter how much suffering we experience, we keep trusting Christ and consider our sufferings as small compared to His reward.
a. What’s happening in your life isn’t the big thing. What’s happening through Christ in human history is the big thing.
b. Don’t love your life: don’t love your house and your career and your family and your marriage and your health.
c. Love Jesus Christ, and His house and His redemptive purposes, and His kingdom, and His word, and His hope — even to the point of death. His lovingkindness is better than life! (Ps.63:3)
10. “The mark of genuine ‘overcomers’ is that they love their Lord more than their own earthly welfare (cf. Matt. 16:24–26).” – Beale