At War with the Dragon

A State of War

Introduction - Russia has waged war upon Ukraine since late February, most Russian people don’t even know it. Their state run news speaks of Ukrainian bombings in Donetsk, and the humanitarian aid Russia had prepared to send

In a survey conducted by Russian Media outlet just before the war in Ukraine, Russians were asked who was to blame for the rising conflict: 3% blamed Russia, 14% blamed Ukraine, and 60% blamed the United States.

We could never be so deceived, right?!

We are at war, whether we know it or not - Revelation 12 reminds us of the spiritual warfare that continues around us, who our real enemy is, and where our victory is to be found.

War in Heaven and On Earth

Revelation 12 - the middle and turning point, the key to understanding the whole

Not chronological - John’s vision is a recap of the entire history of salvation from the fall to the Church’s present day

The Players

The Woman = The Church not Mary - Representative of both OT and NT faithful believers in God’s promise

The Dragon = Satan, the devil

Isaiah 27, the dragon; Get 3 the serpent

The Child = Christ

Telescoping the story of his life - the birth is suggestive not only of his being born of a virgin, but of his life, his death, and resurrection He rules (shepherds) with an iron rod -

Psalms He was caught up to God and to the throne

His Ascension to the right hand of the Father

Michael = The spiritual forces,

Daniel -

The Woman’s Children = all the faithful

The Dragon’s Tactics

To Devour

Satan has always been there to destroy God’s purpose

Cain and Able… The children in Egypt…

To Deceive

From the garden to today - pulling a veil over the eyes Satan is the father of lies

Scritpure

To Accuse

Job - he stands before the throne - accusing God of injustice, accusing us of our sins

Luther’s encounter with the Devil

Conquering the Conquered Dragon

Remember He’s Our Enemy

Those who differ with us - they have been deceived and are under Satan authority - they are not our enemy - but are to be pitied, prayed for, ministered to. This should change our tone and tactic in dealing with the lost and those hostile to the gospel

Remember He’s Defeated

Our God is a dragon slayer -

Isa 27, Psalm 74

In the death and resurrection of Jesus - Satan was defeated

Mockingly - He knows his days are short Like D-Day won the war, the battles continued

He’s been cast out of heaven

A woe to us - for having been defeated, he will fight to the end against God’s people An encouragement to those in Christ - the accuser has lost his voice

Remember How We Conquer

By the Blood of the Lamb

How does the blood of the Lamb save us?

He’s made the payment - to satisfy the wrath of God, and to ransom us as a people unto God We are saved by this grace through faith - trusting in the blood of the Lamb

By the word of our testimony - proclaiming the faith

We stand against the dragon by holding fast to the word of our testimony

When the world and it’s forces call us to compromise, to shift and to turn, the Church stands firm Even unto death - a willingness to even lay down our lives for the truth, for our witness - giving up the comforts and securities of this life.

Keeping his commandments