God’s Lamb and People Preserved

Revelation 12:1-6 

1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

After the seventh trumpet sounded God’s judgement, there is this sign in heaven for us to ponder as John did when it was revealed to Him.  There was a woman wearing the sun standing over the moon, and having twelve stars on her head to crown it (Genesis 37:9).  This is as the twelve tribes as God’s people through whom the Messiah, the Lamb of God, would come into the world, as well as the twelve apostles to follow as representatives of the rest of His people who will rule with Him.  But when He was born the dragon of old, full of fire and ruling power over nations (horns), this one took a third of God’s stars out of heaven with him.  These fallen angels back up the evil one who tried to kill or overcome the Son as He was born (Herod killing those two and younger), but of course failed in stopping the sovereign and almighty God.  The Son of man and God would rule over all, and so ascended after resurrecting Himself, sitting on the throne until these last judgements are completed.  God’s people were scattered, yet sustained by God through all these times.  The book of Revelation begins to show what God’s plans are and how some unfold; but we see only the edges of His ways in the limited things He reveals here.  Some are understandable, some remain a mystery, and others unfold to us as they occur.  We have all we need without undue speculation, and should therefore find great hope and comfort as His people, knowing He preserves us to the end as His judgement falls on all.