John was
drawing his readers into the drama. He wanted to warn them that Satan, being
cast down to earth, will focus his attack on the woman representing the people
of God. The attack will be for a duration, described here as a time, times and half
a time.
The water that
the dragon spewed out of his mouth like a flood, speaks of the flood of intensified
accusation on the people of God. This is John’s way of saying: don’t be surprised
that the dragon is out to get you. Here the earth is found also to be on the
side of the people of God. The idea that he woman was being carried to a place
of refuge by the wings of eagles is reminiscent of Exodus 19:4, telling how God
bore His people on eagle’s wings and brought Israel out of Egypt. Similarly, the
people of God will escape and experience the protection and care of God. So
enraged, the dragon will turn his attention on the rest of the offspring of the
woman – this is an indication of the people who keep God’s command and the
testimony of Jesus.
What exactly
was John saying? Satan would intensify his works to attack the people of God.
There will be a greater outpouring of his attacks, persecutions, and accusations.
Why? Because the devil is now hurled to earth and in great anger. He is aware
that his time is short so he must create havoc and intensify the woes for God’s
people on earth. The decisive cosmic battle had been won by God, and the devil
is fully aware of it. Since accusation is his intrinsic nature, he would deploy
it to accuse the people of God, whether justified or not. He would do anything
to slander and to deny the truth of God and His Son, the Lamb. Know it or not,
we Christians are dragged into this ongoing battle. We must be careful what we think,
say and do. Let’s be those who are obedient and willingly bear testimony to
Jesus!
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