Rev 12:17
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war
with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ. As I read this passage in Revelation, I had some
questions such as;
What happens when people go to war?
Why isn’t the reference for this verse going back to John 12:24?
Is this explaining only what is going to happen, or what has been happening
all along?
Is there a story
that can help me relate?
What happens in war? Let
us think on that for a moment. There is pain,
affliction, and ultimately death. This leads to the question of the reference.
Why doesn’t the reference for this verse lead back to John 12:24? If you
think about it, because war leads to death, the reason the dragon must make war
with the remnant of her seed, is to cause them to die. John 12:24 says that if
the seed doesn’t fall to the ground and die, it will abide alone. If the remnant
remains alone and alive there will be no new birth and no new life. When there
isn’t a storm anyone can look like Jesus. It takes the pain, affliction and
finally the death for the
character of Christ to be seen.
As I continued meditating on this scripture(Rev.12:17) I was
reading back in
Genesis chapter four. What I was directed to, seemed to really underscore the
fact that this has been an ongoing struggle. Gen 4:5-8 But unto Cain and to his
offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance
fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not
well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt
rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when
they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew
him. Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war
with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ. Not only was the Dragon wroth but he caused Cain to
be wroth too. Using him, he made war on Able who was remnant of her seed, and
was keeping the commandment of God. Ironically, it also had to do with the
testimony of Jesus Christ, that He was going to come and be our sacrifice.
There was
something else that I caught as I was reading the story of Cain and Abel. In
chapter 4 verse 10 God says, “What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's
blood crieth unto me from the ground.” In Isreal the altar is made of earth and
rocks which comes from the ground. If you turn to Rev. 6:9-11 there are voices
of the martyrs coming from under the altar. They ask the question “How long Oh
Lord, holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell
on the earth?” I can just see that question coming from Abel, and every martyr
since then.
God then tells them to wait and gives them their wedding
garments. There reply
comes several chapters later. Rev. 16:7… “Even so Lord God Almighty true and
righteous are thy judgments.” And in the Lord’s prayer, “Thy will be done in
Earth as it is in Heaven.”
It is truly amazing how God leads people to learn from His
word. Never in a
million years would I have thought that I would be writing letters to encourage
people to study the dying to self message in the Bible. I have so much left to
learn, and application, that is still the ultimate challenge. I just want to God
to have my will each and every day and I pray that His will be done in Earth as
it is in Heaven and in my life. Please Copy And Share
|
