Revelations 22:12-21

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Read Revelations 22:12-21 Verses for meditation: Revelations 22:12-13, 16, 20-21 ESV: 12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Reflect How does it feel to be reading the very last few verses of the bible? What do the proclamations, the last few of them, say about Christ? Come, Lord Jesus! Does this really express our desire? How does the greatest book end, and on what note? But is this really the end? Relate With mixed feelings, I'm writing this last devotion based on the final ten verses of the greatest book, the bible. What a journe...
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REVELATIONS 12

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 TEXT TO REFLECT ON

 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!”

REVELATIONS 12:7-12


REFLECT

There was a time when the devil was powerful, his main weapon being his ability to deceive. He lived by lies, enticing the world with pleasures that were illusory. Matthew 4:1-11 illustrates the devil’s modus operandi. There in the wilderness, the devil tried to convince Jesus to use his powers for his own purpose by turning stones into bread; he again tempted Jesus to display his powers by jumping off a building and showing that angels would catch him; and then leading him to a vantage point where he could see the wealth of nations and offering this wealth to him.

But the devil did not only attempt to deceive the unrighteous by enticing them. He worked the opposite as well. Day and night he accused the righteous ones before God, attempting to sow discord between God and His faithful, and between one faithful follower and another. 

But the devil was defeated by the blood of Jesus, and the testimony of those who stood firm, even unto death. The truth of God’s sacrificial love prevailed against the lies of the devil. 

The devil was thrown out of heaven and banished from there. He is no longer able to accuse the faithful before God. However, knowing that his end has come, the devil attacks those on earth more viciously than ever before. His are the dying throes of one who knows his time is short. 

As a child, I used to spray cockroaches with insecticide and then follow after them, eager to see them struggle and then die. Roaches which had been thus poisoned run faster, fly harder and struggle more vehemently as the poison attacks the system. There is a desperation in their actions to stay alive. As the roach flies frantically and very energetically from spot to spot, I wait patiently for it to die, knowing that far from becoming stronger, the roach is facing the end of its life. As I reflect on the defeat of the evil one, I realise that this is similar to the death throes of the devil in his final days – more viciously fighting for his life, as he faces his defeat in heaven and his demise on earth.


RELATE

We live in this phase where the devil is more vicious than he ever had been. In a way, there is cause for great rejoicing, since we know that he has been defeated and that his end is near. Yet we need to be ever more vigilant as the devil fights for his life and spews more lies than he had ever done. We live between caution and hope, on the one hand experiencing how vicious the attacks of the devil are, yet standing firm and watching as the devil gives his last attempt to inflict harm. 

And yet, God does not just stand dispassionately watching as the devil wrecks his destruction for the last time. He intervenes to save His people. Yesterday as I listened to the testimonies of our sisters being baptised, I saw once again our Father drawing His beloved children to Him. Each one had a story of how Father drew them inexorably to Himself. Not by anyone’s efforts; but simply Him stirring hearts to yearn for Him, or opening doors so they could go to Him. 

And so, I am encouraged. Our church will flourish, not because of what we do, but simply because God is working among us.

REST

This is my Father's world:

O let me ne'er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the Ruler yet.

This is my Father's world:

Why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!

God reigns; let earth be glad!

This Is My Father’s World by Maltbie Babcock 1901


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