Today you should read: Revelation 12
Douglas Wilson, a pastor and author from Iowa, often talks about his Saturday night Sabbath dinner where all of his kids and grandkids will come over for good food and drink and then after he’ll play the guitar and they’ll all sing. They will end this family worship time with a round of catechism questions for the kids and every time the last question that he will ask is not directed to one particular child, but instead to all of them:
“Kids, what’s the point of the whole Bible?”
and they will all answer back in unison:
“Kill the dragon, get the girl!”
I’m reminded of this answer when I read Revelation 12. Although Satan is referred to as a dragon a few other times in Scripture, no where is as clear as in Revelation. In this vision we see two prominent figures, a woman who gives birth and this dragon who is intent on destroying her children. The dragon is powerful but is decisively defeated many different times. Many believe that in verses 1-6, the victory was when Christ’s incarnation, sacrifice and exaltation defeated satan, with verse 4 ‘s child being the son of God. Verses 7-17 are debated: whether it’s imagery of the end times tribulation or what’s been going on since the start of the New Testament church leading up to Satan being defeated once and for all.
There’s great arguments on both sides, but the important thing to notice is that although this dragon is powerful, he is ultimately crushed. In the end, like those children shout out, the girl (the church) is saved and the dragon (Satan) is defeated and it’s all because the Prince of Peace, our King Jesus the Savior. No wonder why this story and theme is impressed on so many children’s hearts. It’s the theme of the Gospel.
What stuck out to you in this chapter?
By: Erik Koliser — West Campus Pastor
JumpstartCPC.com 