Protecting the Church

Revelation 12:13-17 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. 15 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. 16 But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring – those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
 
THIS vision assures us of God’s protection for his church against Satan’s rage. One sign of a sin-laden heart is anger. The more often a prideful man is restricted or disciplined, the more angry he becomes. The anger will often become physical violence. The Evil one has lost in his prideful quest to be as God. Cast down from Heaven, he violently battles God’s church, which is the woman in the vision.
   God protects his bride. First he carries the church away on eagle’s wings. The eagle is the largest bird in Israel and often illustrates God’s protection. God used similar language as Israel escaped from Egypt: Exodus 19:4 “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” Revelation’s visions become easier to understand when we notice the repetition of God’s language to his people throughout Scripture.
   Second, God puts the church in a safe place during Satan’s greatest rage for a time, times and half a time. This is three and one-half years. The church as a whole will be protected from destruction during a great war. Some Christians, though, will face persecution.
   Third, a flood in Scripture often refers to overwhelming evil. God had saved his own in the Great Flood (Genesis 6-7). He had saved his own in the Red Sea (Exodus 14). In this case, the water is Satanic lies and false teachings. God protects the church by swallowing the water from Satan’s mouth into the earth. False teachings continue to flood from Satan’s mouth as Jesus warned: Matthew 24:24 “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect – if that were possible.”
   What is our response? We must recognize the warfare. Then we must engage in the battle. One consistent way to do so is to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18)  
   Faithful prayer will defend and overcome Satan’s violence.  
  
Prayer: Lord God, I pray you deliver us from evil. Amen.