Tag: Revelation 12:9-12
Woe on the earth–rejoicing in heaven!
Scripture reading for December 16th: Job 8-11, Revelation 12
Revelation 12: 9-12 “And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world–he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows his time is short.”
John describes a war in heaven where God’s angels led by Michael fight against the dragon and his angels. This ‘war’ is no contest and the dragon and his angels are cast out from heaven and down to earth. This is the ancient serpent, the one who deceived Adam and beguiled Eve. The announcement of victory in heaven is the declaration that the salvation, power and authority of Christ have come. This is cause for great rejoicing in heaven and all who dwell there. It is a cause of great woe on earth as the devil has come down to torment them. His allotted time, set by God, is short!
Revelation 12:17 “Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You that those who have the testimony of Jesus and the protection of Jesus’ blood are overcomers. Thank You for setting the times and seasons of Your redemptive plan. Thank You for revealing to Your people these plans, even the man of faith, Job. Use me today to declare Your plan of salvation through Jesus Christ that all might be saved from the coming wrath and out of the present war.
Job 10:11-13 “You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and Your care has preserved my spirit. Yet these things You hid in Your heart; I know that this was Your purpose.”