September 18: TO MAKE WAR (part 3)
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
The previous verse, in stating that the earth helped the woman, is not only a timestamp but it is a revelation of exactly why the dragon is so enraged. He had had the upper hand for the previous 1260 years, and suddenly his “front man” is no longer in operation. The time of the end (Daniel 11:40) is the age in which we now live. It began when the atheist movement, called the South (named for godless Egypt) removed the pope from his throne in 1798. Daniel’s description of the previous 1260 years certainly “covers all the bases” with which God’s true church was oppressed by the dragon as they carried out their mission in the world: And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. (Daniel 11:33)
The wide span of time covered in Revelation 12 sets the stage for the dragon’s counterattack on the heels of the earth help[ing] the woman; he is preparing himself for that conflict by gaining two allies for himself. This is what chapter 13 is all about. The remnant’s response to the dragon and his two allies comes in chapter 14.
The remnant from a bolt of cloth exactly matches that which came off of that bolt at the first. The word means “that which remains” or “that which is left over”. The book of Acts is a marvelous essay on the early church, laying out confirmations of essential, foundational truths upon which God’s people are to stand. The remnant of Jews who recognized their Messiah preached to their own people and spread the message among the Gentiles.
The first worldwide judgment spared a remnant: Noah and his family, some of which later departed from the faith. Yet, we continue to see evidence of divine preservation of a remnant: Elijah and the true prophets in Israel, Daniel and his friends. The common element is that they all held fast to their faith when the majority of God’s professed people departed from that faith. It is through the remnant that essential Bible truths have been brought forward through the ages. During the Dark Ages, although the remnant was hidden from public view, she effectively spread truth among the people at large. In addition, God was raising up reformers from the very midst of the unrepentant Dark Ages church (Revelation 2:21) who did not buy into the false doctrines being generated there (v.24).
Today’s world is being engulfed by hurricanes of false doctrines and tornadoes of godless distractions, yet it is possible to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd through the study of His word under the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 (see also 16:13)
Yet I will leave a remnant, so that you may have some who escape the sword among the nations, when you are scattered through the countries. Ezekiel 6:8
The people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits. Daniel 11:32b