The War Behind The World
Matthew Maher
Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. — Revelation 12:1-2
And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. — Revelation 12:3
His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. — Revelation 12:4
• God's Genius Spoken Word
• When the dust of death settled, it proved Satan had lost, and God had won.
• The enemy couldn't stop Him at His birth—and only served God's purpose through His death.
She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. — Revelation 12:5
Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. — Revelation 12:6
[VIDEO: Verses 5-6 Video Illustration]
• The enemy tries to overrule prophecy, but God proves He rules over history.
Additional Scriptures Referenced: Genesis 37:9-11; Jeremiah 31:35-36; Psalm 89:35-37; Genesis 3:14-16; Daniel 2; Daniel 7; Revelation 17:9-14; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17; 1 Corinthians 2:6-8; Psalm 2:9; Revelation 19:15
Discussion Questions
1. Revelation 12 gives us "heaven's perspective on history." How does recognizing the spiritual battle behind earthly events change the way we view what is happening in the world around us?
2. The dragon's opposition to the promised Seed can be traced from Genesis 3 all the way to the cross. What does this teach us about Satan's strategy, and about God's sovereignty over the enemy's attempts to disrupt His plan?
3. "The enemy couldn't stop Him at His birth—and only served God's purpose through His death." How does 1 Corinthians 2:6–8 help us understand the way God can sovereignly use what the enemy intends for evil to accomplish His purposes?
4. Revelation 12:5 takes us from the cradle to the throne. What does Christ's present position and His promised rule over the nations teach us about who ultimately controls history?
5. Verse 6 shows Israel fleeing, yet the wilderness is described as "a place prepared by God." What does that detail teach us about trusting God when circumstances appear chaotic, threatening, or beyond our control?