This is a wonderful chapter of Revelation and so full of rich symbolism. We have a picture here of a woman who represents the people of God. The woman gives birth to a child which represents the Messiah who came from Israel. After the Messiah is taken up into heaven we are told that the dragon, Satan, pursued the woman. Here John sees a symbol of the persecution that the church was experiencing in his time. The promise here, however, is that God will give his church ‘the wings of a great eagle’ so that she will be able to outdo her pursuer. The way that Satan will try to destroy God’s people is symbolised here in the picture of the dragon spewing out a river of water upon the woman. This flood of water represents condemnation which is how Satan will attempt to undermine God’s people. But notice what happens to the river of condemnation. The earth opens and swallows it. In the same way Jesus took all our sins into the grave to extinguish the accusations of the evil one against us. I encourage you to reflect on this chapter and ask God for what is implicitly promised here. Ask him to give you the wings of an eagle to fly with God and outdo the one who wants to pull you down and crush your spirit. Ask God to let the grave open and swallow the devil’s condemnation so that you will be free of guilt and will be able to move forward without any stain of guilt upon your heart.
Pray as I have suggested.
Read Revelation 12:1-17.
