The “wilderness” is always the church’s proper place. Like Lot of old, they must “come out of her” before unexpected and sudden destruction overtakes them. In such a place there is no safety for the church, for those who overcome “by the blood of the Lamb.” None who identify with that city can be saved. It is always filled, whether fully realizing this or not, with implacable hatred of God and His will. That is the city built by man, both the world and the false church, according to man’s standards and catering to man’s sinful pleasures. Here it is the “wilderness.” There it was “the great city” called Sodom, Egypt and the place where her Lord was crucified. Immediately we remind ourselves of a sharp contrast between this setting and that found in chapter 11. Whatever strength to escape and endure the church lacks is abundantly supplied by the “wings.” But in obedience she must use them! The symbol is transparent Few birds can fly so high, so long, so far away as the eagle. All power and authority are His to preserve and protect those whom He has purchased with His precious blood. She “was given the wings of a great eagle.”Īlthough not stated, we realize that this gift comes from the sovereign God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Unmistakably it is the period between our Lord’s ascension and his return at the end of the ages. How, against such superhuman power, raging with uncontrolled fury, can the “woman” find safety? She must go into the “wilderness.” Only there will she find a “place where she will be nourished.” And the length of her stay is stated. In this way he supposes himself still able to thwart God’s work of grace at least to some degree. Since he cannot pollute the heavens with his slanders, he like a deadly “serpent” will seek to slay the church. All the foundations for the complete salvation of the saints have been firmly set in place. Satan, defeated in his attempt to murder the man child, is filled with “fury.” He rages because of the victorious enthronement of the Lord Jesus Christ. 13, 14 ⤒ □įor the first readers and us this message is of highest importance. Seldom if ever was it a pleasant place to be.īut John reminds us that this is the place for that radiant “woman” after the devil and his evil confederates have been “thrown down” to the earth. Unless an experienced guide showed the way, death could soon cut the journey short. Blinding sandstorms arose without warning. Vipers armed with deadly poison could strike the unwary. Terrifying experiences could be expected. Should the car happen to break down en route, help can easily reach us within the hour. We can ride through them, even spending some nights in well-appointed motels, in air-conditioned cars stocked amply with food and drink, and tuning in to the outside world. Often from our vantage point they are not at all frightening. Today many seek such places for a week or two of recreation. But in modern times much of that has changed. Nor are there well marked paths for foot travelers. Little that can sustain human life grows there. Throughout much of the world such places are still found. So important is chapter 12 for the right understanding of the rest of Revelation that we devote three lessons to it. Here the emphasis falls on “wilderness.”
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