Wings from Above
Revelation 12
In our world, it may seem God is absent, asleep, or weak because evil persists. All such thinking is far from the truth. The book of Revelation is a sweet and sour reading experience. From an earthly temporary perspective, its horrendous judgments are sour. God however invites us to look from a heavenly perspective to experience sweet hope even in the worst of circumstances. A reminder that above the clouds of life, the sun is shining and joy will come in the morning. Instead of fearing, we stand in awe with the millions bowing in worship at his throne. God has loved us so much that angels marvel (Psalm 8:4). We have guaranteed victory through the work of Christ.
Chapter 12 records two signs that John saw, a woman with a child and a red dragon. The nation of Israel brought forth Jesus, and his church, who will rule the world. A general lesson is that satan will fight what ever is born of God’s people. Satan is real and roaring like a lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8-9). He is the cause of all the havoc we see in our world today. He destroys and deceives but in all is a loser (John 10:10; 1 John 3:8). In a conflict between evil and good, good prevails. In a conflict between lies and truth, truth prevails. In a conflict between oppression and freedom, freedom prevails. In a conflict between hatred and love, love prevails. In a conflict between accusation and intercession, intercession prevails. Where the enemy is accusing you before God, Christ is at the right hand of God the father justifying you (Revelation 12:7-10). Thank God, we have such a high priest interceding for us.
In the story, the dragon shows great persistence. He first goes after the child. When he failed, he went after the woman and after he failed, he went after her other offspring, believers in Christ. God protects your three interests below that satan threatens.
1) God protects your dreams (Your interests in the future)
Satan threatens the potential of people by wanting to destroy them and their ideas in infancy. He comes after what God wants to bring forth through you. However just as God protected the baby he will protect your dreams and potential. What ever is born of God overcomes the world (1 John 5:4; 18). Your dreams in Christ will happen whether they are a victorious life, of financial well being, powerful ministry, lasting marriage or other.
The woman found safety and nourishment in a place prepared by God in the wilderness. In that place, she was nourished in God’s refreshing presence. In times of our storms of life, God also leads us by the Holy Spirit to a place of nourishment. We need to often retreat to a place of prayer and worship. There we receive God’s perspective and new strength. Wilderness is a place where things we ordinarily depend on are scarce, business is not as usual, and all we have is God.[1]
2) God protects your heart/confidence (Your interests in the present)
The dragon after being cast down to earth persecuted the woman. Persecution is a weapon to batter confidence (Rev 12:13). The daily shaking, and stretching of faith we experience batter our confidence in God and weakens our witness, peace and joy. The woman’s confidence in God (faith) was under threat but God gave her victory.
a) God gave her wings to flee to the wilderness of spiritual nourishment again. The wings carry the woman beyond reach of her enemies to the wilderness to be encouraged, renewed, and strengthened. From the face of the enemy to the place prepared by God. She received two wings of a great eagle. In other words, she got strong wings capable of taking her high above her persecution. God gives those who wait upon him wings to rise above circumstances (Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 55:3-7; Exodus 19:4). You have experienced the effect of soaring with wings from above when you have said, ‘I don’t know how I made it with such a background, with so little, when so weak, etc’.
b) The earth swallowed up the flood sent to drown the woman (Revelation 12:15; Exodus 15:12). God knew the enemy was going to send a flood and proactively gave her wings to fly above the flood. As if that was not enough or to show who created and controls the earth on which the flood was flowing, he caused the earth to open up and swallow the flood (Revelation 12:16). God can protect in unusual ways. Further, when we walk in the Spirit already a life-giving river is carrying us (Ezekiel 47; Isaiah 59:19) and from our innermost beings flow streams of living water (John 7:38).
c) God gave power to conquer. God did not only protect the woman and those being persecuted but gave them power to over come (Revelation 12:11-12). They conquered by the word of their testimony, the blood of the lamb and loving God more than their lives (John 12:24-25; Philippians 1:21). When did you last speak out your testimony of who Christ is and what he has made you? Speak out your confidence in him and his promises.
3) God protects your legacy (Your interests in the past)
‘And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev 12:17).
We are in a battle whose victorious outcome was predetermined on the cross. Legacy is what you leave behind after you have been there. If after you have left a place, job, or situation what you leave behind (offspring) is lost, your legacy is under attack. The dragon threatened the woman’s legacy. When the enemy cannot destroy you, he will attempt to erase the memory of you. He wants you to depart with your virtues, vision and values.
Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.
Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center
Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building
204B Bram Fischer drive,
Randburg, Johannesburg , South Africa
[1] In context of end time prophesy, during the great tribulation God will keep Israel in the wilderness for 3.5 years (Mathew 24:15f; Isaiah 16:4; Daniel 11:41).
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