The Promised Child

Text: Revelation 12:1-17

Thesis:

Application:

Reading of the Word

Revelation 12:1-17

Intro

Opening Illustration / Hook / Textual Lead-in

Who?

The Woman - Eve, Mary, Israel

The Dragon - Satan

The Child - Jesus

The Offspring - The Church

What?

The Heavenly War

Pursuit of the Woman

The Earthly War

Now the dragon wages war against the Church

We see more detail about how the Dragon wages war through its beasts in chapter 13.

How?

How does the Dragon Wage War?

Heavenly Rebellion

Deception in the Garden

Mouth as a symbol of deceit.

Institutional Corruption

Deception extends beyond individuals to entire institutions and cultures.

To Kill and Destroy

How Was the Child Saved?

Christ defeated death.

Christ ascended to the heavens.

How Was the Woman Protected?

Despite the enemy’s attempts to end the people of God, God always preserves His people.

Often it is in the wilderness which God’s saving and preserving grace is most evident (exodus, exile, etc.).

How Will the Offspring Respond?

Those who do not overcome will let go of the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Those who will overcome will keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.

Why?

The Story of the Bible in One Chapter

Explains How We Got Here

Reveals Where We Are

The Now/Not Yet [3 and a Half]

Guides Our Future

Will we overcome the dragon and hold on, or will we succumb and let go?

Outro

Application

If we are to overcome, we must…

Know the commands of God and the testimony of Jesus [Knowledge vs. Deceit]

Keep the commands of God and the testimony of Jesus [Perseverance vs. Persecution]

Share the commands of God and the testimony of Jesus [Multiplication vs. Elimination]