This is great pic of my grandsons in Great Falls, VA

Revelation 12

The Hero and the Villain

We are in a break between the 6th and 7th trumpet. These chapters of 11-15 give context to the sequence of the seals, trumpets and bowls of wrath. During these chapters we see how Satan and the antichrist fit into the picture. Chapter 12 tells the story of the tribulation from the perspective of the great cosmic battle between Christ and Satan. Every person and culture from prehistoric times until now tell their stories from the perspective of the protagonist and the antagonist. The concept is deep within us because God has placed it within us. Every good movie or novel we read has an antagonist to add drama to the story. We are built to expect it from our stories and we are built to believe the protagonist will ultimately prevail. 

We know the ending

This chapter tells the story of Jesus, the protagonist, and Satan, the antagonist. Here, as in most of our favorite movies, the antagonist does much harm but the protagonist ultimately prevails. This chapter reminds us of Satan’s original fall from heaven and the third of angels that followed him. Then we are reminded that Satan sought to devour the child of Israel, Jesus, at the point of His birth. But he failed. Instead, Jesus accomplished His mission on earth and now sits on His throne in heaven. With that context, the second half of chapter 12 outlines this cosmic battle of good versus evil continuing throughout the tribulation. The tribulation is a time when God unleashes His wrath on earth but also Satan’s time to release his rage on Israel and “children who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus,” vs 17. But praise God, we know the ending and we are more than conquers through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Lord, we have the privilege of living our lives in the knowledge that in the end, You will be victorious and we along with you. During trials, we cling to the reality of our ultimate victory in You. Help us to live today in victory, by Your grace. Amen!