Reading 63

Revelation 11-14

I have to admit, when I signed up to blog about today’s reading, I was more than a little intimidated. I mean, come on, Revelation? The book with overt prophecy about the end times, dragons, beasts, warriors, witnesses, war, edible (but sour tasting) scrolls, and the like. I know in the end God wins, and I know before that happens there will be a lot of crazy things going on. And so, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to tackle a section smack dab in the middle of this book. But I felt God prompting me to, so here I am.

And God proved himself faithful, yet again (why am I surprised?). What I discovered as I read today’s reading was that even in this nearly sci-fi like book, there’s something for me, in my life, today: a warning. In chapter 12, John tells the story about Satan being cast out of heaven – well, hurled, actually – along with his band of angels. And then he tells us about an announcement made:

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

“Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.’" (Revelation 12: 10-12)

John then goes on to describe how Satan pursues the woman who gave birth (earlier in the chapter) and how he tries to catch her, but she is protected by God. Then in verse 17, John says, “Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God's commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.”

We’re at war. If we are trying to be obedient to God’s commands, we are at war with Satan. And he doesn’t play fair. He isn’t nice. He will kick you when you’re down (verse 15 talks about a river spewing forth from his mouth to try and overtake the woman – nice guy, huh?!). This is serious stuff… and I can’t help but think of Ephesians 6 where we’re told to “put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes” (11).

We’ve been warned – and on top of that, we’ve been given the tools to stay standing even when the days are evil. From the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, to the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, to the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, we have armor. And that armor is designed to help us stand. So let’s stand together!

Cristin

Reading #63 (audio)