Transcript

Christ's Championship, Devil's Defeat- Part One

Revelation 12:1-17
Sunday, January 10, 2015
Pastor Randy Smith

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As we speak countless Christians in the Middle East are being significantly persecuted at the hands of Islamic terrorists. Mass murder, crucifixions, beheadings, enslavement, rape, destruction of churches, theft of lands and wealth, and forcible conversion to Islam are among the horrors our brothers and sisters in Christ are presently experiencing.

Not only are they killed in the name of Allah, but the evil minds of their oppressors have created torture so sadistic that if shared with you would burn highly disturbing and irremovable images in your minds. As massive genocide is happening, the press is largely ignoring it and our president has still yet to officially acknowledge it.

Thankfully other countries are not indifferent. The European Parliament President has recently admitted that Christians are "not safe in our continent." According to President of the European Parliament (EP) Martin Schulz, Europe can no longer afford to ignore the fate of Christians who are "clearly the most persecuted group" in the world adding that Christian persecution is "undervalued", does not receive enough attention and "hasn't been properly addressed" in the West.

According to Dr. Thomas D. Williams writing for Breitbart News: "Speakers cited the work of Open Doors, a human rights organization that monitors the persecution of Christians, noting that 150 million Christians worldwide suffer torture, rape, and arbitrary imprisonment. Christians in Iraq, Somalia, Syria, Pakistan, North Korea and Nigeria are among those hardest hit."

A 2015 World Watch List report published by Open Doors found that: "Islamic extremism is by far the most significant persecution engine" of Christians in the world today and that "40 of the 50 countries on the World Watch List are affected by this kind of persecution" (Source: "Christians At Risk Of Genocide At Hands Of Radical Islam," Liberty News Now).

Have you ever thought for a moment and asked yourself a very obvious, yet often ignored question? Why are so many Americans, especially in the press, educational system and Hollywood, going through such extremes to ignore the genocide of Christians and elevate the religion of Islam? Especially when the religion of Islam stands vehemently opposed to everything they hold to so dearly?

Your answer?

Could it be just another attempt to dethrone Christianity? On the obvious level, the genocide of Christians means less believers in the world. But on the subtle level in an attempt to dethrone Christianity is the effort to raise all the other world religions as viable alternatives. Therefore, though they can't stand for the tenants of Islam, the legitimacy of Islam is a greater good in their effort to defeat Christianity. I can put it this way. Just as Jesus predicted, the world has declared a jihad against Jesus Christ, though not all may use guns, knives and bombs. And since they can't get at Christ any longer, the conflict is now waged against His followers.

Today's message from Revelation provides the biblical understanding and biblical support for this claim. It also provides the underlining source for the hostility and the hope we as Christians can have. Let me take you to a wonderful chapter in Revelation, chapter 12. Today I hope to make it to verse 5.

Christians get into trouble when they view things from a worldly perspective. If we allow society to drive our thinking, we will always end up in a place that is contrary to God's will. That's why Paul said in Romans 12:2, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

As Christians we refuse to allow the world to squeeze us into its mold. Rather, we must keep our eyes on things from God's perspective. As Christians think biblically. We must think not horizontally, but vertically. For when we think horizontally, we will begin to see solutions horizontally. Yet when we think vertically, we'll see things from God's perspective and respond appropriately.

For example, let's consider the ISIS terrorists. We've seen the results when we allow unbelievers to hijack our minds and get us thinking as they do. And what greater proof do we need? 75% of Americans call themselves Christian, but really could care less about what's happening to Christians overseas.

On the other end, we see people hate the ISIS terrorists. I am not implying we should not use force. I'm not implying that there shouldn't be righteous anger. But if we are to have the heart of Christ, our prayer is for their salvation - not that they would rot forever in hell.

Biblical understanding does not see these evil men and women as the ultimate problem. Biblical understanding sees these men and women as prisoners of Satan that are blinded and enslaved to their master. Remember Ephesians 6? "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12).

Many Christians are suffering now. The book of Revelation was written to Christians that were suffering in the first century. Let's use the Scriptures to get a behind-the-scenes-look at this cosmic conflict. Where does it come from? Where does it start?

We read beginning in verse 1 that John saw another sign in heaven. In this case it was of "a woman clothed with the sun." "The moon [was] under her feet." And on her head [was] a crown of twelve stars." You get the picture in your mind?

So what's the symbolism? She's radiant. She carries with her the likeness of God. The moon under her feet speaks of dominion. The crown on her head speaks of royalty. The twelve stars I believe show a connection to the twelve tribes and twelve apostles. She is very special in the eyes of God. Who is she?

Maybe when I describe what she's going through, we'll be able to pinpoint her identity. Verse 2 says, "She was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth." Many have believed this is Mary, the earthly mother of our Savior. But they have believed incorrectly as Mary will not fit the context of the following verses. This woman represents the Messianic community. She represents the people of God (radiant, special in God's eyes, from the twelve tribes of Israel and built on the foundation of the twelve apostles). She is the one from whom the Messiah will arise (Gal. 4:26).

When the prophets spoke of Israel, she was often referred to as an unfaithful woman. God entered a marriage covenant with Israel, but she with her consistent idolatry committed what we can call spiritual adultery. She cheated on her faithful husband. Yet we also read God speak of His love for His chosen people. And from His chosen people, it was promised that a Child would come forth.

Yet before that Child came forth that would deliver His people, the woman would be in heavy labor. There would be "birth pangs" within God's community. Isaiah 26:17, "As the pregnant woman approaches the time to give birth, she writhes and cries out in her labor pains, thus were we before You, O LORD" (cf. Mi. 4:10). And even after delivery, there will be turmoil. Remember Simeon's comments when he beheld the baby Jesus? "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed" (Lk. 2:34).

So why is there so much opposition to Jesus Christ just before and always after His arrival? Because by His name, all people will stand or fall. He is God in the flesh unlike every other spiritual figure. He will judge the nations. He is the end of self-righteousness, self-dependence and self-sufficiency. He is the clarion call to forsake sin and pursue righteousness. He deems all other world religions dead and declares, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (Jn. 14:6). Do you see how polarizing Jesus Christ is? Do you see why 2 Corinthians> says we are either the fragrance of life or the fragrance of death when we share Christ? So you see how the people, moreover the demonic realm of evil forces, hate His existence?

As it pertains to this woman about to give birth to the Savior (don't forget that), the writer in Revelation is now given another sign. Verse 3, "Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems."

So from the church community about to give birth to a Messiah, I introduce you to another player in this cosmic drama, "a great red dragon." Who's that? The conclusion is rather obvious, but if you look at verse 9 (or 20:2) and interpret Scripture with Scripture, John has left us with no doubt. "And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan."

The dragon imagery is a repeated one of Israel's enemies (Psm. 74:14; Isa. 27:1; Eze. 29:3). I mentioned in the past how the imagery of the sea symbolized evil. In 13:1 we read the dragon comes out of the sea. Not an imaginary dragon. Not a friendly dragon.

It's a "red" dragon. Red symbolizes his murderous intents just like the "red horseman" from chapter 6 that represented bloodshed from war. John in his Gospel said, "[Satan] was a murderer from the beginning." I think of the woman sitting on the "scarlet beast" in chapter 17 of whom it is said she is "drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus" (Rev. 17:6).

Verse 3 says this red dragon has "seven heads and ten horns and on his heads were seven diadems."

When we read of the ten horns we are taken back to the book of Daniel when he spoke of the beast that came up from the sea (Dan. 7:2, 3). "After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns" (Dan. 7:7). There it speaks of the ten horns representing ten kings that will arise under Satan's dominion.

All the numbers mentioned here are symbolic for completeness and perfection - though only in Satan's mind. The items (heads, horn, diadems) represent Satan's dominion and kingdom - though only temporary. As we learned last week, Satan's kingdom will be taken away at a point in future history when Jesus begins His visible universal reign. There will be a final end-time war for sovereignty. 17:14 provides the results. "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful." And when Jesus returns we know, 19:16, "On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, 'KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.'" Satan only has designated authority. His reign with seven diadems is a futile and feeble imitation in his imagination of the One who reigns with, 19:12, "many diadems." Satan's number only signifies a losing and misguided attempt to be like God. That's why his real number is 666.

Verse 4 says, "His tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth." Some believe this describes the fall of a third of the angels with Satan. Others think it refers to the destruction of God's people through the hands of Satan just prior to the birth of the Messiah.

The remainder of verse 4 now takes us back to the woman. And hide the kids, it gets extremely graphic! "And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child."

The writer wants us to visualize this grotesque scene symbolized by the woman when the messianic/church community, God's people, are about to give birth to the Messiah. Satan obviously knows something is up. And where do we find him? With the woman just about to deliver, feet in the stirrups, there he is standing between her legs waiting for the baby to arrive so that he, as verse 4 says, might "devour her child." Can we ask for a better picture that depicts the violent antagonism from Satan toward Christ during our Savior's earthly ministry?

For example, remember how Satan used King Herod in his attempt to stuff out the Messiah when he demanded that all the children under two were to be killed in Bethlehem? Remember how Satan himself sought to get Christ to throw Himself off the pinnacle of the temple in an act of suicide (Mt. 4:5-6)? Remember the rage of the people when Jesus first began His ministry? Luke 4:29 says, "All the people "got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff." Remember how Satan entered Judas on the night that Jesus was betrayed (Lk. 22:3)? Remember what Jesus said preceding the cross? "This hour and the power of darkness are yours" (Lk. 22:53). And was not the crucifixion itself the time when the devil and his minions thought most convincingly that they had finally succeeded?

Verse 5, "And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne."

Just one line, skipping the entire ministry of Jesus Christ. From His birth directly to His ascension. Reason being is the author is trying to make a point. The topic at hand is the satanic oppression of God's people. Since the evil one can no longer get Christ because He has ascended to the Father, he turns his guns on Christ's people. Or as verse 12 says, "Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time." Or verse 17, "So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus."

Let's break this down. For this first century church and many overseas today, the question has to be raised. How do I know I am on the winning team when the sacrifice is so great?

The answer is found in verse 5. It is Jesus that will "rule the nations with a rod of iron." That's a direct quote from the prophecy about Christ found in Psalm 2. Psalm 2 speaks of this cosmic battle between the worldly forces of evil and Jesus Christ.

"Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 'Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!' He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury, saying, 'But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.' I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.' Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the LORD with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! (Psm. 2:1-12).

Psalm 2 predicts Christ's victory. Revelation 12:5 announces His victory. And Revelation 19:5 declares His victory. "From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty."

At the cross Christ defeated Satan - the decisive blow being the Resurrection. Lord willing, we will learn more about that next week. Victory was snatched from the apparent defeat. Satan's gains in Christ's death were instantly lost in our Lord's return from the dead. Jesus has survived the full onslaught of the red dragon. He ascended. As verse 5 says, He "was caught up to God and to His throne." Jesus is seated at the Father's right hand where "He will reign forever and ever" (Rev. 11:15) prepared to judge the nations and dispense His wrath (Rev. 11:18).

Yet in the meantime, Satan is behind the evil directed against God's people. Yet he is a defeated foe. His kingdom will come to an end. Jesus, the resurrected and ascended One, will reign, judge the nations and deliver His people. See things from God's perspective. If you are in Christ take confidence that you are on the winning team.