REVELATION 12:13-13:1a
by Mako Kato
John saw that once the dragon was thrown down to earth he pursued the woman. But just as God delivered Israel from Egypt, He will deliver a believing Israel from Satan. We read some of the same imagery as in the Old Testament. Just as the woman was given the wings of an eagle, in Exodus 19:4 we read, “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” (ESV)
God delivers in a mighty way.
First God flies the woman to safety, then nourishes her, and in verse 15 we read that she is need of deliverance again. The serpent pours a river of water out of his mouth to sweep away the woman, but in the next verse we read that the earth swallowed up the river.
In these different ways, God delivers the woman from the dragon, but the dragon isn’t done yet. He goes off to make war on the rest of the women’s offspring “on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” (Revelation 12:17 b) These offspring will be attacked by Satan. These offspring are believers who have turned to Jesus during the times of the seals and the trumpets. Whether Jew or Gentile, these believers in Christ will be persecuted.
There is a sense of foreboding here. Satan is not done with his attacks. One can picture a dragon standing by the side of the sea… plotting, and brooding, but we know the final outcome: God will deliver His people. Even today, while we are not in the Tribulation, we are confronted with evil and hard things that God can deliver us from.
The Psalmist writes:
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
Psalm 34:17-19 ESV
The Lord is near. Like David we can pray:
“In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me!”
Psalm 71:1-2 ESV
The dragon can stand by the sea all he wants, but in the end, he is powerless; defeated by the Almighty God who loves His people and will deliver them from evil.
