September 17: TO MAKE WAR (part 2)

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17

How are we to explain the apparent discrepancy between the victory of Jesus on the cross (equated with the defeat of Satan), the glorious freedom of Christ’s followers, and the ongoing oppression and harm to Christians? There is an overall concept woven throughout the New Testament that could be called “the now and the not yet”. A companion principle to this is: “future blessings are contingent upon present obedience”. Satan knows he is already defeated. That is the Now of 12:10. But, on earth, the rule and reign of Christ, for now, is within the hearts of those who are determined to obey Him. The Lamb’s rule was formally inaugurated (see chapters 4 & 5) just after His ascension into heaven. He exercises His sovereignty now in the hearts and minds of His people, having announced that “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18) The wholehearted submission of Christians to Christ’s authority will be only temporarily subjected to the enemy’s rage.

Here we are given an illustration from World War II:

After “D-Day”, when the Allied forces had defeated the Germans in the decisive battle at Normandy, it became clear that the outcome of the war was just a matter of time. Although the decisive effect of that battle was perhaps not recognized by all, it nevertheless already meant victory. But the war still had to be carried through to “V-Day,” when Germany surrendered and the hostility finally ceased. Oscar Cullman

Christians are now living between Satan’s “Doom’s Day” (the cross of Christ) and his ultimate surrender at the end of the millennium (described in chapter 20 of Revelation). The hope of the Christian lies in the firm conviction that the decisive battle of the war took place on the day of Calvary. Satan himself knows this also, which is why he understands that his time is short (12:12). His conflict with Christ is so intense that every creature in the universe is affected. This world and the people in it are the subjects of great interest in the eyes of unfallen creation (see 1 Corinthians 4:9).

In the opening verse, we are given two positive identifiers of the last-day target of the dragon’s wrath. She is the rest of [the woman’s] offspring or the remnant of her seed (KJV). The first identifier of this remnant: they who keep the commandments of God. It is a good practice to get alone with your heavenly Father and review His commandments. He spoke them Himself and wrote them in stone with His finger. If they could be changed, Jesus need not have died. The penalty for breaking them is death, but that is not the proper motivation or enablement to obey them. However, there is a proper motivation: love! Our world would be completely harmonious and crime-free if the commandments were obeyed out of love for the Commander. The most questioned, doubted, and resisted commandment in the decalogue is the fourth. Satan has “pulled the wool over many eyes” with his weaving of deceptions that surround this particular commandment.

The second identifier of the remnant: they have the testimony of Jesus Christ. We are given a light into the exact meaning of this identifier in Revelation 19:10. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Neither of these two distinguishing characteristics can thrive apart from unfettered love for our Creator and our fellow man. Love is the essential ‘secret ingredient’. We must ask the Holy Spirit to put it within us!

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 1 Corinthians 13:2; 14:1

The love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay. Love isn’t love ‘til you give it away. Oscar Hammerstein