Bible Pathways 12/27/04

December 27

Read Revelation 12 - 13

In Today's Reading:

The sun-clad woman; the dragon; a baby boy; the blood of the Lamb; the beasts

There appeared a great wonder (sign) in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. . . . and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her Child as soon as He was born. And she brought forth a Man Child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her Child was caught up to God, and to His throne (Revelation 12:1-5). This is reference to the birth and ascension of Jesus Christ.

The trial of the remnant of God occurs in a wilderness, which also appears to be the desert-like moral condition of this world ruled by the great red dragon (Satan) (12:3). But, there is a precious peace in the desert that comes by leaving the results in the hands of our Creator.

The great dragon . . . that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world (12:9) is always in opposition to the people of God. Satan is given four designations here: Dragon portrays his monstrous character as the enemy of God and His servants; serpent points out his deception as in the Garden of Eden; devil reminds us that he is a slanderer and a liar; and Satan means adversary. Your adversary the devil . . . walks about, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). But neither God nor His servants will ever be defeated.

They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony (witness); and they loved not their lives to the death (Revelation 12:11).

Cross References:

For Revelation 12:5: See Isaiah 66:7. Revelation 12:14: See Exodus 19:4. Revelation 13:1: See Daniel 7:8,24. Revelation 13:5: See Daniel 7:8.

Word Studies:

12:6 threescore = 60; 12;17 wroth = furious.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for The International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by John & Barbara Michael · BP Staff: Gina Lesnefsky · Country: Estonia (2 million) northeastern Europe · Major languages: Estonian and Russian · Religious freedom · 38% Protestant; 20% Estonian Orthodox; 1% Roman Catholic; 1% Muslim · Prayer Suggestion: Remember that God delights in your joy (Psalm 43:4).

Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 2:20