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4 The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. Her child was caught up to God, and to his throne. 6 The woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that there they may nourish her one thousand two hundred sixty days.
The dragon stood before the woman
The king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah, and he said, "When you perform the duty of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth stool; if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live." (Exodus 1:15-16)
As an interesting side note, here is the meaning of the midwife's names.
Shiphrah – brightness; garnish
Puah – to glitter; brilliancy
You shall not go up and down as a slanderer among your people; neither shall you stand against the life of your neighbor. I am Yahweh. (Leviticus 19:16)
Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his anointed, saying, "Let's break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us." (Psalms 2:1-3)
Through his policy he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and in their security shall he destroy many: he shall also stand up against the prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:25)
He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of Yahweh, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary. (Zechariah 3:1)
This same dragon first appeared before the first woman in Eden, before she ever had a child. But he knew that it was it was God's design that through human beings would come the male child that would somehow work to defeat his evil power and seek to disarm his power. That is why from the very outset, Satan has done everything possible to hijack, thwart or block every plan of God to bring Satan's rebellion to an end. This is the larger context in which we are to view this phrase.
I think we often fail to grasp the level and extent of the malignity and intensity of hatred that Satan has against Christ in particular. Our brainwashing inherited from Eden infects us with the counterfeit principle of balance. This causes us to imagine that evil must always be balanced by good, which in turn subconsciously leads us to fail to see the pure diabolical nature of our enemy. Jesus makes it plain that there is nothing good in Satan, there is no light, no goodness, no capacity left for repentance but plenty of capacity to fool us into thinking otherwise. The devil is a master of deception and can easily portray himself as sympathetic or reasonable when it suits his evil intent. But he was the inventor of lying and became so proficient at it that he can no longer do otherwise.
You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn't stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)
This raises an interesting point. How could he be this way from the beginning? Did not God create him perfect and without sin? Did God create him evil from the beginning? How could Jesus say this?
Lucifer was not the devil from the beginning. Lucifer was created as a light bearer similar to how humans are designed to reflect God's glory. But through resisting the Holy Spirit, denying the truth and replacing it with the great lie that God is not fully trustworthy, Lucifer transformed himself into the devil and Satan which means accuser. The beginning of the devil was not what God created in the beginning but was an artificial identity fabricated out of the matrix of delusions and the diseased imagination caused by Lucifer's abuse of his own gifts and capacities. Thus the beginning of the devil as a murderer was when Lucifer morphed himself into the devil, not by God's design of creation.
You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you. (Ezekiel 28:15)
The devil and Satan began his existence when the original being Lucifer who was designed to bear only light, transformed himself into the great obscurer and distorter of light, truth and love. The devil identity is the by-product of the effect of indulged sin that grows an artificial identity through distortion and desertion of the original identity created by God. Artificial identity is a counterfeit of the true beings designed by God to live in constant love. Thus false identities are parasites grasping for scraps of life from original identities to maintain existence, yet denying their true identity because of lies circulated by Satan's version of reality. If this all seems confusing, it is because we are born into confusion about our own original identity and need to come into awareness of the truth about who we really are along with what our Creator is like who we are intended to reflect.
This dragon is the ultimate exploiter of weakness and vulnerability – the very attributes most necessary for true love and intimacy to exist and bond us to others in love. This is important to keep in mind if we are to understand better the deeper meaning of these symbols here in Revelation. The dragon stands before a woman – the weaker side of humanity – for the purpose of devouring her newborn baby – the weakest and most vulnerable stage of life fresh out of the womb. This makes explicitly plain the sadistic and diabolical disposition of Satan as ruthless, heartless and only intent on inflicting violence and death, particularly against anyone viewed as a threat to his own interests. This is an illustration of the true nature of evil that must be seen so we might be weaned from it.
The birth of Christ was of course not the only time when Satan stood with evil intent to work through human agents to viciously attack God's Son. Throughout the life of Jesus Satan repeatedly stood before Him attempting to block the light of God's love from sustaining Jesus and seeking to entice Him to indulge natural desires for relief in some way to escape the pain He had to endure.
The devil, leading him up on a high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The devil said to him, "I will give you all this authority, and their glory, for it has been delivered to me; and I give it to whomever I want. If you therefore will worship before me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, "Get behind me Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" (Luke 4:5-8)
To tell Satan to get behind Him exposes the fact that Satan was trying to stand before Him to interfere with His view of God as the only reliable Source of His identity and purpose. We face this same temptation repeatedly ourselves and need to learn from Jesus how to relate to this seductive lie about who we are and where our worth and identity comes from.
From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.
Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you." But he turned, and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men."
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 16:21-25)
What did Jesus mean when He said we have to deny ourself to follow Him? What are we to deny? What is the stumbling block?
What are the things of God we need to keep our mind set on?
What are the things of men that block us from living in the freedom and power in which Jesus lived? In what way does the dragon stand before us to devour us as he wanted to do to Christ?
I believe this has everything to do with how we perceive our identity and who we look to for worth and purpose and status. Satan invented the idea that our worth can be affected by what we do or what we have or by influencing what others think about us. This is what he constantly sought to get Jesus to do and was the temptation thrust on Him in the words of Peter that Jesus strongly denied. Jesus was denying the false self identity that Satan was attempting to attach to Him in the same way He had just instructed us to do – deny our false identity of variable worth and cling to the truth of our real value based on how Christ defines us in Him.
Satan exploited the vulnerability of the woman separated from her man in Eden to gain access to entrap the man through her. This does not make the woman somehow inferior to a man but rather highlights the true nature of the evil heart of our enemy and our need to remain united in order to reflect God as we are designed to do. By blaming others, particularly women, Satan entices us to participate in his schemes to continually divide us to fight against one another instead of uniting in humility from the Spirit of God. Through fear of vulnerability and weakness, through shaming and blaming, it is we who lend our authority that keeps the dragon in power.
when she gave birth he might devour her child
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him."
Being warned in a dream that they shouldn't return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men. (Matthew 2:1-3,7-8,12-13,16)
It is important to ponder how a pregnant woman and a helpless baby could elicit such an intense reaction in a being called a dragon. This speaks to the level of threat that the dragon feels in relation to this, for clearly these do not represent natural threats to a dragon but are symbols of weakness and vulnerability. Dragons are known for being the opposite of vulnerable, and this is reinforced in the description of the symbols of Satan in God's discourse with Job. The impervious scales and the display of vicious, intimidating power are meant to send a clear signal that these beings are the opposite of vulnerable and cannot be tamed. Yet the ultimate symbol of fearlessness is here apparently very agitated as he hovers in front of a woman in a weakened condition about to give birth, intent on eating her baby. We cannot ignore this glaring dissonance in this symbology.
Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. (John 10:10)
The reason this war has dragged on so long is because all sympathy with the enemy must be eradicated before the universe can ever be safe for the meek to thrive again. We must be divested of all resonance with the lies of the enemy in order that the truth as revealed by Jesus, both about Satan's diabolical and sinister character as well as the pure truth exposing the nature of God's heart of passionate love devoid of any dark motives or Satan's principles of trading. This is the nature of God's salvation, for it is primarily God's reputation that is on trial and we are His witnesses. The misrepresentations about Him by the dragon must all be fully exposed and proven baseless before God's authority and honor can be restored. This is what it means to give God glory, for it must be seen clearly that God is not at all like the Devil and does not use any of Satan's methods or motives.
She gave birth to a son, a male child
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
Hear the word of Yahweh, you who tremble at his word: Your brothers who hate you, who cast you out for my name's sake, have said, Let Yahweh be glorified, that we may see your joy; but it is those who shall be disappointed.
A voice of tumult from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of Yahweh that renders recompense to his enemies. Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a boy. Who has heard such a thing? who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? shall a nation be brought forth at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? says Yahweh: shall I who cause to bring forth shut the womb? says your God. (Isaiah 66:5-9)
She shall bring forth a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)
rule all the nations with a rod of iron
Refer to the notes for the study of Revelation 11:15 related to this phrase rule all the nations.
We unpacked this idea of ruling with a rod of iron in depth when we examined Revelation 2:27 some time ago. I will just bring this thought from that study which will come up again in chapter 19.
A rod can represent a scepter as a symbol of authority, or a shepherd's rod which is a tool for protection, correction and defense. Iron is not consumed by fire. Ruling with a rod of iron represents the inflexibility of the principle of cause and effect. The sure result of unrepentance is the erosion of life from the heart by sin that has been written with an iron pen Jeremiah 17:1.
Her child was caught up to God, and to his throne
After the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw them. I heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here!" They went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies saw them. (Revelation 11:11-12)
In the story of the literal Son born to Mary, the escape from being killed as a baby did not immediately involve ascension to heaven. We know that God instructed Joseph to take his family to Egypt where he lived for around 4 years to protect Jesus as a child. What seems clear is that this prophecy, and indeed this whole chapter and the next one, are broad summaries of the grand sweep of history about the war we are in. It is the main points of the war that are highlighted in order to sharpen our focus on what is most important.
While the life of the child Jesus was preserved by escaping to Egypt to avoid being killed by Herod, after living out a rather short life as a human here on earth, Jesus was in fact murdered by the dragon, unlike how this outline portrays. Of course we know that He was soon brought back to life, immune to death and then shortly later ascended to heaven. But how does this all fit in to the progression of this story and why does this prophecy skip over so much of that?
I believe that being caught up to heaven is as much symbolic as it was literal, especially in the mention of God's throne. Not only was Jesus brought back to heaven to function as the representative of all humanity to displace Satan from that role, but Jesus reassumed equal authority with the Father on His throne which is a bigger issue than simply having His life preserved or restored. This is the message of this entire book that begins in earnest in chapters 3 and 4 where the Lamb is seen to have earned His credibility by being killed. The Lamb is also the only One with the capacity to save God's reputation and government from the total onslaught of the enemy bent on undermining and ultimately displacing God's power and replacing it with one reflective of his own nature.
I want to address specifically an issue that troubles many that comes up here. At times it can seem a bit unfair that Jesus left us here on earth while He went to live apparently risk free in a safe place where joy and love are not threatened by evil like how we have to live here on earth. We sometimes may resent the idea that Jesus left us here and returned alone, even though He promised to return to pick us up later. Why did He have to leave anyway. This is a good question.
Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" (John 20:17 NAS95)
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:1-3 NRSV)
It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don't go away, the Counselor won't come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth." When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. (Acts 1:8-9)
There are many more references that could be given, but the main point I want draw from this is the concept of strategic advantage. The top general in charge of salvaging God's reputation could not organize and oversee the war as effectively while remaining on the ground, as important as it is to stay connected to each person involved. There are extremely important issues that must be addressed from a position of highest perspective where everything can readily be assessed instantly. The Son of God become the Son of Man is the only one strategically and uniquely positioned who can represent both God as well as those created to reflect Him here on earth. There are resources throughout the entire universe that need to be strategically coordinated for the purpose of wrapping up this conflict and bringing it to a final resolution, and only Jesus is qualified to do this successfully.
One more thought before I leave this caught up to heaven phrase. I believe it is no coincidence that while the Hero of Revelation is threatened at His most vulnerable condition (symbolized as a newborn baby), He is exalted above all, taken up into heaven. This is intentionally contrasted with what is coming just ahead in our study where we learn about the dragon being thrown down from that same position. The newborn is caught up to heaven while the dragon is going the opposite direction – opposites in every way, in disposition, character, methods, choices about how to relate to relative position and opposite direction of movement in the outcome from their choices. This is highlighted at the end of the opposite description of the disposition of Jesus found in Philippians 2 as contrasted with the disposition of the rebellious Lucifer found in Isaiah 14.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:8-11)
Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession. For we don't have a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
As high priest in heaven located at the right hand of all power and having full authority with God, Jesus can accomplish much more than He could begin to do were He to remain here on earth. This war is not about making people feel better who might blessed enough to be to get close to Jesus physically. This war involves a cosmic crisis that must be addressed effectively and permanently, for it targets the very fabric of God's design of government. This war of deception and slander undermining God's credibility can only be resolved through a full revelation of the light of truth, and this requires both time for principles to be matured so their true nature may be exposed, along with strategic use of all available resources so that the principles of truth may be laid out clearly in order that each individual may make an informed choice free of any intimidation or coercion by God.
Love, truth and freedom are all essential ingredients for the well being and happiness of the entire universe. These fundamental elements cannot be violated or suspended by God lest they be seen as less than reliable as the only safe foundation of all social order. This war is over whether or not freedom is even safe to defend for everyone; whether love is enough or something more is required to guard against societal collapse into chaos and anarchy, whether truth is valuable enough to defend and stand on its own without resorting to threats or force. This is the nature of the battle raging between the highest powers, and it involves every part of creation to one extent or another. It is this backstory that provides us needed perspective as each one of us is faced with choosing whom we will trust, believe, admire and choose to be reflected in our own lives, who is permitted to shape our character and destiny.
