The woman in this vision represents the people of God from whom the Messiah came. Satan did indeed seek to devour Jesus when he was an infant and presumably thought he might have succeeded when Jesus was crucified. But the son of God was ‘taken up,’ he rose again and ascended into heaven. The woman (God’s people) subsequently experiences a wilderness period during which God takes care of her; but this would not be forever; it is only ‘half a time’ (represented by half of seven years: 1,260 days). During this period there is a great battle against the principalities and powers of this dark world; against the Devil (the dragon) and his angels. This is the battle that rages over and above worldly events. God wanted the church in John’s day to realise what was behind the turbulent events of their time and he wanted them to persevere with their prayer and their bold witness even though it was costly for them. God wanted them to know that the forces of evil will be defeated. How? Verse 11 tells us: “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” God dwells in our hearts and through us he wants to shine his light in the dark to defeat the powers of darkness. Though this sounds dramatic it can be enacted very simply. All we need to do is let God’s light shine within us, then let him shine through us. Love others and be open about your faith. Small gestures like these lead to great triumph.
Pray for those who need God’s revelation in their life.
Read Revelation 12:1-12
