Much of the history we have surveyed in thirteen lessons, the Bible condenses to ten inspired verses. It moves from the timeless realms of heaven to the time-bound earth. It tells of the Christ—the Lamb, “the male child”—and His people who suffer in a raging spiritual war, yet they “have conquered.” We are present in Revelation’s story of victory if we are among “those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” Here, now, is an inspired summary of the history of God’s people:
Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 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 even 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 that his time is short!” And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. 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. (Revelation 12:7-17)
“The woman” is the historical people of God. Through them came the Christ. We who live by faith in Christ are “her offspring.” We face a terrifying enemy. But our King is greater, so much greater!
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
“HE WHO IS IN YOU IS GREATER.”
In furious hatred, the dragon has done untold damage to those on earth. History proves that. But the word of God assures our victory!
They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Revelation 12:11)