Christ, Our Bulwark
In Revelation 12 we're given the picture of Christ's birth from the cosmic perspective.
“…the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne…” -Revelation 12:4-5
It is almost as if John asks the Lord to push pause on the story and asks, "What in the world happened that would cause such thing?" That question is answerd in verse 7.
“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.” -Revelation 12:7-8
An examination of this text clearly shows us that verse 5 is the hinge statement for this narrative. If that is the case, than verse 8 is the frame upon which the door hangs. The child was born and the dragon is going away hungry.
“…he (the dragon) was defeated.”
Beings this is giving us a perspective from the cosmic realm it is right to ask then, "What might this mean on earth?" I'm so glad you asked! Satan's defeat in heaven and having been cast down to the earth was but a foreshadow of the defeat that comes in Christ. The enemy didn't stop at the birth. He continued to pursue the child througout the remainder of his life, to his earthly death. We're told in Genesis 3:15 that Satan would bruise his heel and he certainly did so. However, as he lunged from his belly on the ground upward toward Christ and sunk his teeth into his heel, the child, now a grown man, was bringing his foot down in the power and wrath of God, delivering one final blow to the dragon that would end him once and for all. The enemy certainly could've thought that, even in his own death, he would have the final victory... but we know how the story goes. The enemy's venom entered into his bloodstream and he closed his eyes in death for a time, but he didn't stay dead! No, he rose from the grave defeating, not only sin and Satan, but death itself!
This victory on earth paints a picture of the victory in the cosmos! You see, Satan was not just thrown down from heaven. But He was thrown down in power when Christ resurrected in his! We, now, "continue to conquer by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony." Our testimony is Christ’s testimony.
Salvation and power and authority has come and this is greater than any wealth or welfare. John is told they loved not their lives even unto death. That is because death in this life is gain in the next! The enemy can have our bodies temporarily but our soul and new bodies belong to Christ who has won, continues to win, and we will rise with him in the end. Oh, what great assurance!
As the old hymn sings, "A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing." In this case, think of a bulwark as an extended wall that is built up on a ship at sea amidst tumultuous waters. The crew lines the bulwark amidst the storm, arms locked together, as they ride out the storm. Here we have a picture of the church, under the bulwark of Christ, arms locked together, riding out the storm as we await is promised return! He has not failed us and he never will.
Grateful to be aboard a ship with such a great crew,
-Pastor Ricky