Psalm 27:8 "When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,
“Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.”
Introduction:
As I type this post today, I am accessing the internet by way of what is called "Wifi". "Wifi" involves accessible internet to any user who knows how to "sign-in" to the service. Once signed on, the user can explore the world wide web. For those who are not connected, "Wifi" signals continue through the air. When we think of the presence and glory of God, His power, glory and presence pervade the entire cosmos. His Personality and presence is unquestioned in the Bible. The parallels between "wifi" and seeking after God can be drawn to illustrate the need to seek after and deepen one's experience of God. Sadly, not everyone is "signed-on" in faith. Many, many people in our world today go about their lives without being "connected". Only in Jesus Christ can such connections be made.
When David writes about his continuing mode of ever responding to God's overtures of grace, He is exercising what ought to be the default mode of all of God's people. Great author of the past A.W Tozer writes in his classic
"The Pursuit of God":
"I venture to suggest that the one vital quality which they had in common was spiritual receptivity. Something in them was open to heaven, something which urged them Godward. Without attempting anything like profound analysis, I shall say simply that they had spiritual awareness and that they went on to cultivate it until it became the biggest thing in their lives. They differed from the average person in that when they felt the inward longing they did something about it. They acquired the lifelong habit of spiritual response."
The only way you and I can "get-connected" to God and is all-pervading power and presence is by receiving into our souls the "password" assigned in scripture for our salvation: "J" - "E" -"S" - "U" - "S". Acts 4:12 reminds us that no other name is given under heaven among men whereby we must be saved. The Christian life is a life that claims to be "connected to God". The Christian, however, cannot remain passive.
The life of faith flowing from conversion is what the scripture calls sanctification. The Christian and the Holy Spirit cooperate in the goal of making the Christian more like Jesus. On the horizon of Christian spirituality, the Lord Jesus Christ dominates. All other truths are illuminated by His Person. He shows us the Father and the Spirit Whom was sent in His name drives the Christian to know Him more. May we today explore what there is to know about God. His Word reveals His will and Christ reveals the totality of the Personality of Presence of God (see Colossians 2:9). Let us seek Him in the upcoming year.
Romans 1:1-2 "Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures."
Introduction
Today's post features the above text that makes the remarkable statement concerning the Gospel. We discover that the Gospel did not make its appearance when Jesus and the Apostles came on the scene. The Gospel or "good news" of salvation has been around since the beginning. We can note three descriptions of the Gospel in Romans 1:1-2
1. Gospel of God
Whenever we see that little word "of" in the text, it is relating the word before and after it. The relationship between "gospel" and "God" could be rendered two-fold: either the Gospel is "about God" and His saving activities or the Gospel is "from God", revealed and made known to us. In so far as the Gospel does address the sinner and their sinful condition, the Gospel's true core is about God and coming from Him. The Gospel tells the "old, old story of the Savior who came from glory". As commentator Warren Wiersbe notes:
"It is “the gospel of God” (Rom. 1:1) because it originates with God; it was not invented by humans. It is “the gospel of Christ” (Rom. 1:16) because it centers in Christ, the Savior. Paul also calls it “the gospel of his Son” (Rom. 1:9), which indicates that Jesus Christ is God. In Romans 16:25-26, Paul called it “my gospel.” By this he meant the special emphasis he gave in his ministry to the doctrine of the church and the place of the Gentiles in the plan of God."
2. Which He promised beforehand through His prophets
Now we find out how God revealed or "made known what was previously or would-had-been-otherwise unknown" the Gospel - namely by his prophets. Amos 3:7 reminds us that God doesn't disclose His will except through the prophets. We could go all the way back to at least Enoch, the seventh from Adam. Adam himself could be deemed a prophet - since he was naming the animals as duly assigned by God. A prophet's role was to represent God's interests to man. Adam represented God's creative order to the creation. According to Genesis 1:26, he and the woman were to originally be God's co-regents, having been made in His image and likeness. Other various figures like Enoch, Noah, Moses, Samuel, Isaiah and others functions as God's torch-bearers - bearing the incorruptible light of the Gospel to men.
3. In the holy Scriptures.
We have been observing three things Paul says about the Gospel in Romans 1:1-2. We first noted that he called it the "Gospel of God". Next, he reminds his readers of how the Gospel, having been revealed way before the New Testament, was revealed by way of his prophets. Indeed, the prophetic office was an oracular office, that is, the prophet "spoke" on behalf of God to men. However, God also used some of these prophets to write down His words by way of their own writing styles and culture. As 2 Peter 1:10-12 notes: "As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look."
The Gospel is that central scarlet thread that holds together the tapestry of scripture. The Gospel and Christ are inseparable. One cannot properly understand the Old Testament apart from Jesus Christ and the Gospel. In like manner, one cannot understand life nor can one's life hold together apart from the Gospel.
Ephesians 5:18 "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit"
Introduction: The post-conversion experiential walk with God is what we call sanctification
Truly, the grace of sanctification emanates from the converted heart like a stem from a root. The stem of sanctification ought to then spring forth a blooming flower that emits the sweet aroma of a life saturated with Jesus Christ. Sanctification informs the post-conversion Christian life with respect to the priority of experiencing and knowing God on a daily-basis. It's character is ongoing. Sanctification entails a process whereby the Holy Spirit and the Christian are in a cooperative work of making that Christian more-and-more like Jesus.
The heart of one's experiential walk with God - the Spirit-filled life
The emphasis on having an "experiential walk with God" is vital. How is it that one maintains such a walk? Ephesians 5:14-18 lays out the repeated, central reality to all-post-conversion Christianity that takes serious any experience with God:
"For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit."
This emphasis of "experiencing life with God" flies as a banner over the Christian life. It is one thing to get started. It is one thing to shoot forth with that initial excitement of being redeemed and born-again in conversion. It is one thing to follow through in believer's baptism following one's salvation - as vital as such things are. Yet, with that said, the harder reality is the maintenance of "staying in the saddle" so-to-speak.
How is it that we come to see walking with God in daily experience go from duty to delight? How can the Christian ever expect to go places with God in their prayer life, Bible reading, church attendance and lifestyle?
Ephesians 5:18 gives the answer: "be filled with the Spirit". To be Spirit-filled has nothing to do with speaking in tongues or undergoing a second work of grace or anything of that sort. Rather, the "Spirit-filled" life has everything to do with a repeated, what would hopefully be daily surrender to and leading by the Holy Spirit in the believer. Spirit-filled living refers to both a gradual moral improvement in the Christian life and what ought to be a deepening work of supernatural power coursing through the Christian's giftings and service. Others ought to be able to sense when they are around someone who is regularly living by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16 plainly states: "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." To be "filled" with the Spirit simply means I am being "influenced" by Him.
As I give myself to God in scripture reading, prayer, church attendance, evangelism and other means of strengthening grace - my faith will not just crawl, but soar. Paul explains the result of the repeated, post-conversion reality of the Spirit-filled life in Ephesians 5:19-21 -
"speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ."
The Spirit-filled life is the yielded-life. The Spirit-filled life not only yields to God in submission but simultaneously acts forth with God in obedience. The heart of an ongoing experiential walk with God is the Spirit-filled life.
Closing thoughts
This is what the Christian life is all about: knowing God and making Him known. May you and I dear reader, grow in our experience with God by being those who regularly are filled by, influenced by the Holy Spirit as we give ourselves to His word, His people, prayer and the sharing of our faith with others.
Ephesians 5:1-2 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."
How the experiential walk with God begins - conversion
What is the purpose of the Christian life? Knowing God. When a man, woman or child is born-again by trusting in Jesus Christ by grace alone through faith alone - initiation into an experiential walk with God begins. Paul lays out for us in Ephesians 5:1-10 what it means to have this "experiential walk with God". He uses such statements as "imitating God" in 5:1; carrying forth a "sweet aroma" of Christ in 5:2 and "trying to do what is pleasing to the Lord" in 5:10.
This initiation into the Christian life is what we call "conversion". Included in conversion is that first work of regeneration and its attendant Spirit-wrought workings of conviction, faith and repentance. The sinner responds, believes and is saved. All such works are simultaneous and instant. At conversion the Heavenly Father declares the sinner "just" or right-with-God in a judicial declaration called "justification". In justification, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is credited to that sinner - henceforth making him a "saint". The Father then, simultaneously, declares the saint of God to be an adopted child by what the scriptures call "adoption unto sonship" or more simply "adoption" (Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:4-6). So the sinner becomes a saint and the old way of life is forsaken in favor of Christ. The convert is given a new heart - a heart that beats with the desire to obey its Lord.
The ongoing experiential walk with God ought to continue on in post-conversion Christian living - i.e sanctification
The first major step of obedience following conversion is and ought to be believer's baptism (Romans 6:4-11; Colossians 2:11-12). The new convert is given the opportunity to profess their faith publicly before the local church body. Whatever had privately transacted between that convert and God in saving faith goes public. The miracle of salvation is re-enacted in the rite and symbolism of believer's baptism. Already the convert is declaring that they so desire to continue in their experiential walk with God not only as a private affair, but more so as to their public life before others.
In Ephesians 5:10-13 we see the battle one faces against the world, the flesh and the Devil when attempting to grow in one's post-conversion, experiential walk with God:
"trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light."
One's experiential walk with God begins in conversion. What follows from thereon is the progressive onward and upward growth in Jesus Christ. This ongoing, post-conversion life is what the Bible refers to as "sanctification" or being "set-apart" (Romans 6:12-13; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 2:9-12). Just as one "sets-apart" or "sanctifies dishes" to be ready for the next meal, sanctification is an ongoing process whereby the Christian is being made more and more like Jesus in thought, attitude, word and deed. Truly, the grace of sanctification emanates from the converted heart like a stem from a root. The stem of sanctification ought to then spring forth a blooming flower that emits the sweet aroma of a life saturated with Jesus Christ. Sanctification informs the post-conversion Christian life with respect to the priority of experiencing and knowing God on a daily-basis. Tomorrow we will continue by considering the heart of one's experiential post-conversion walk with God.
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Galatians 4:4 "when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law"
Introduction:
In just a few short hours our children will be unwrapping the presents under the tree. For months the planning of gifts has been undertaken most by my wife. She is a very strategic shopper and listener of my children's favorite hobbies and heroes. I'm always amazed at how she is able to get that "just-right" present. Time is taken to make the preparations for that special moment when our children unwrap their gifts.
When we look at Christmas - the concept of time plays a huge role in our thinking. My children are finding time to be moving quite slowly right now! They can't wait to open their presents! Time is certainly a factor when it comes to planning Christmas. But no one knew that more than God.
God's Sovereign Timing for Christmas
God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit had determined the time in which the Son was going to enter history before the world was ever made. Passages such as Acts 2:23-24 and 2 Timothy 1:9 speak of God the Father planning the cross, with God the Son agreeing with the Father to be the one Who would partake unto His Person full humanity in order to die and rise from the dead. In Ephesians 1:11, we understand that the Holy Spirit was involved in this plan, agreeing to apply the benefits of salvation to all whom He would call and convict to believe on the Son.
Before Genesis 1:1, there was nothing but God Himself. The Trinity was not lonely. God saw all of history in His mind. He knew that the fall of Adam and Eve was going to occur and he knew that the cross would be necessary to redeem all of those whom He would call and convict to believe on Him. The birth of the Savior in regards to His humanity was definitely pre-planned.
Hebrews 10:4-7 records these words of Jesus, spoken in the eternal glory He shared with the Father:
"Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, “SACRIFICE AND OFFERING YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, BUT A BODY YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR ME; 6 IN WHOLE
BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE TAKEN NO PLEASURE.
7 “THEN I SAID, ‘BEHOLD, I HAVE COME (IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME) TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.’”
Jesus spoke these words while preparing to enter this world from eternity! The appointed time for His arrival was set. God alone could perfectly time time itself. He alone is Sovereign (that is, in control of all things). In as much as Christmas speaks about God becoming frail humanity - it also points us to the Sovereign God who, along with the One who would become man, made Christmas possible.
Luke 1:46-47 "And Mary said:
“My soul exalts the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior."
Introduction:
Music and the proclamation of the scriptures go hand-in-hand. From the very beginning God had ordained praise and worship - as seen in the opening scenes of creation when the angels praise God for the laying of the earth's foundations in Job 38:4-7 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, 5 Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? 6 “On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy?"
We can picture music and the proclamation of the Word as two majestic steeds pulling the chariot of God's glory (I draw this thought from such passages as Ezekiel 1 and Isaiah 6:1-3). His glory is brought before us by a combination of Word and song - with the latter serving the needs of the former. Christian people have more songs and more to do with singing than any other religion combined.
Whenever we come to the birth-narratives of the Lord Jesus in Luke's Gospel, we find songs of praise intermingled with the declarations of His arrival. I thought it would benefit us today to consider the place of music in the celebration of Advent.
The Praises of Jesus' birth in Luke
The infancy narratives in the first two chapters of Luke's Gospel record for us five songs and poems sung by various saints or angels that praise the arrival of God in human flesh. The first two occurred right before Christ's birth. They are found in Luke 1:46-56 and Luke 1:67-79.
If you notice in some of your Bibles, these particular portions of scripture have weird sounding titles. For instance the first song, the song of Mary, is called "The Magnificat". The reason for this is because these are the first words of Mary's song as it is recorded in the Latin Bible - The Vulgate. This was the version of the Bible used for 1,000 years in the Old Roman Catholic Church. The influence of that version carried over into some of the terms we use in describing details of the Bible in our English translations. The title "The Magnificat" is Latin for "The Exultation". You may recognize from the word our English word "Magnificent". No doubt, what Mary sings and Who she sings about is the one who is God, coming through her womb as a virgin born human being.
The second song in Luke's record is the song of Zacharias called "The Benedictus" (meaning blessed). Perhaps you have heard of an opening prayer where the persons asks for God's blessing on a given event as being called a "benediction". Like the first, the meaning is profound. Zacharias is praising God for his sending of the forerunner through he and his wife, Elizabeth. No doubt, the events surrounding the Savior's coming into the world were indeed blessed!
Some further reflections on these songs can prove beneficial in preparing our hearts and minds for Christmas day. First, we can note three things about Mary's song in Luke 1:46-56:
1. The Savior in her womb is personally meaningful
Notice how often Mary uses the words "my" or "me" in 1:46-49. Mary sees the profound significance of Christ's coming for her own life. She has embraced everything spoken to her by the angel. She has taken God at His word and is overjoyed at the fact that in her womb is the Living word.
2. The Savior in her womb is powerfully Mighty
Mary rehearses how this One in her womb Pre-existed as the God of glory throughout the history of the world in Luke 1:50-53. He is Sovereign ruler over the nations. (Psalm 2). He is God and God alone and will not share His glory with any other. He knows how to deliver His people. These ideas flow from Mary's lips as the Holy Spirit gives her utterance.
3. The Savior in her womb is prophecy's fulfillment
In Luke 1:54-55 Mary is thinking of all the times God promised and predicted the coming of Messiah. From Abraham down to Malachi, God kept revealing how the Promise of Salvation would one day become the Person of salvation, born in due time. For Mary, the literal fulfillment of that truth was now living inside of her.
In reflecting on Mary's song, we can also glean some remarkable insights from the Wonder of the Benedictus as conveyed by Zechariah. With Mary praising the wonder of Christ's soon birth, Zechariah too is praising God for the fact of the forerunner - John. With only 6 months difference between their births, God's perfect timing was truly incredible. This song is full of statements regarding God's promises and prophecies about salvation, redemption and the Light of Hope that is seen in the coming of Messiah. The one who would announce that coming is spoken of in scriptures such as Malachi 4 and Isaiah 40. Truly the power of worship was declaring that the plan of God in Heaven was getting ready to touch down here on earth.
Closing thoughts
As we are hours away from Christmas day, it is certain that among children and adults alike, the anticipation is building. When we read these songs in Luke's Gospel, we can see how music was used by God in conjunction with the proclamation of His Word to prepare the people for the arrival of the glory of His Son in human flesh. May we have excitement as we look forward to singing God's praises and meditating on His Word this Advent season and in preparation for Christmas.
Revelation 12:5-7 And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she *had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
Introduction:
When people turn to the Bible to consider the meaning of Christmas, most do not realize that the Book of Revelation touches upon the theme of Christ's first coming. In today's post we will focus specifically on Revelation 12 in how it relates what Jesus did in His first coming to what He will do in His second coming. The following outline of Revelation 12 can be used to navigate the chapter:
1. The King's Cradle. Revelation 12:1-4
2. The King's Cross. Revelation 12:5
3. The King's Crown. Revelation 12:6-17
So let's explore Revelation 12 to see how it points us to Christ's 1st and 2nd comings. We will explore first how God used Old Testament history and allusions to prepare for the events hinted at or spoken of in Revelation 12.
How God used Israel through the Old Testament to lead up to the King's Cradle
Revelation 12 details the history and career of Israel, Satan and the Lord Jesus Christ. Israel was used by God to bring about the point in history where the Savior would be born (i.e the cradle), as well as having to endure the persecution of the Evil One throughout the Old Testament. As Galatians 4:4 reminds us: "But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law." Thus Revelation 12:1-2 gives us a summary of Israel's part in God's plan to bring about the King's cradle.1
So what does John first see? He sees a woman clothed in the sun. The woman in question represents Israel from the days of her beginnings in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all the way up to the days of Jesus' birth. Steve Gregg in his commentary notes: The support for this identification of the woman is found in the description of her as being clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars (v. 1). This has obvious reference back to Joseph's dream in Genesis 37:9, in which the sun and moon and twelve stars (eleven plus Joseph) represented the family of Jacob, the people of Israel."2 So the career of Israel throughout the Old Testament is presented in Revelation 12:1-2.
The History and Career of Satan in the Old Testament
However John sees another sign appear, and the same general period of Old Testament history is presented yet again, only this time with reference to a second major character - Satan, in Revelation 12:3-4. Satan's career began in heaven when he was initially cast out for leading a rebellion against God, as alluded to in passages such as Ezekiel 28:11-19. Throughout his Old Testament career, Satan had waged war, beginning with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3), as well as Israel in her wanderings, believers like Job (Job 1-2) and David (1 Chronicles 21:1) and even launching accusations against priests (Zechariah 3:1-5). His dragon-like character here in Revelation 12:3-4 is extensively documented in the Bible in passages such as Isaiah 27:1; Ezekiel 29:3; Revelation 13:2, 16:13, 20:1.3
How Old Testament History led up to the cradle of Bethlehem
Thus far John has been shown two key figures that we meet in Revelation 12:
a). the woman (Israel)
b). the dragon (Satan).
Now John sees a third key figure in Revelation 12:4b-5a ...."And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child. 5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child...". Who is this male child? It seems pretty clear that Old Testament history, with its conflict between Israel and Satan led up to the incarnation and virgin birth of Jesus Christ. As the New Geneva Study Bible notes: The Old Testament saints are in view. Mary the mother of Jesus is included in this group, but only as an outstanding member of the whole."4
Truly this sweeping portrayal of Old Testament history serves to lead the reader up to the first major Divinely ordained event of the King's cradle.5 We have thus beheld the King's Cradle, however the cradle was ordained by God to lead to a second major ordained event alluded to in Revelation 12:5...
How the King's Cradle at Bethlehem points to The King's Cross at Calvary
The cradle of the Son served to point to the chief purpose of His first coming - the cross, whereby He would destroy the works of the Devil (1 John 3:8), rise from the dead and be caught up into heaven as stated in Revelation 12:5. Now why are we calling this section of the post "the King's cross' when the cross is not explicitly mentioned in Revelation 12:5? Undoubtedly the passage is connecting Christ's first coming (his birth to ascension) to what He will do in His second coming (rule the nations).
Often when the New Testament authors are summing up a portion of Jesus' life, they may very well focus on one or two main points without mentioning all the details. (compare 1 Timothy 3:15-16 and Titus 2:11-15) It must be understood that without the cross, the purpose of Christ's incarnation and birth would not be understood, nor would He have the grounds for returning back to earth for a second time. When one reads back to Revelation 5:9, the link between the cross and second coming is established: "And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation."
It must be recalled that in the accounts of Jesus birth and childhood, the shadow of the cross so-to-speak was ever present. Simeon, upon seeing the Christ-child said to Mary in Luke 2:35 "and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." That prediction of course came true when she stood at the cross and experienced the sorrow of seeing Jesus crucified and hearing him say "woman, behold your son" and to John "behold your mother!" (John 19:26-27) John depicts Jesus Christ ascended in heaven, awaiting to return to earth in Revelation 12:5. Truly the cradle in history had to precede the cross, which in turn meant that the cross was necessary for their to be a crown.
The King's Cross and resurrection points the way to the The King's Crown
Then of course the remainder of Revelation 12:6-17 thrusts the reader forward into the future latter-half of the tribulation period wherein Satan is waging war against Israel and ultimately Jesus Christ. Dr. John Walvoord, quoting C.A Coates, gives this insightful observation about Satan's activity beginning here in Revelation 12 and extending into Revelation 13-14: "Coates observes that Satan is seen in three characterizations in opposition to Christ. As accuser of the brethren, he is in opposition to Christ as priest; as the one who brings forth the first beast, he is in opposition to Christ as King; as bringing forth the second beast, the false prophet. he is opposed to Christ as prophet."6
The war that Satan will wage in the latter half of the tribulation period will begin with Satan attempting a final coup in heaven, only to be thwarted by Michael the Archangel. (Revelation 12:7-9) This failed effort will lead to Satan's permanent and final expulsion from heaven. This expulsion will correspond to the middle of the tribulation period and will set up the efforts of Satan to push his man the anti-Christ into the full limelight of his diabolical schemes later on in Revelation 13.
The statement of the loud voice in 12:10-12 about the kingdom and authority of Jesus Christ makes what Christ will do in defeating the Anti-Christ and Satan's forces at His second coming a forgone conclusion. The crown of the King is within view, with only 3 1/2 years remaining of the tribulation period until the King comes from heaven to earth.
The final section of Revelation 12:13-17 serves to explain the anger Satan will have in his aggression against Israel. His diabolical plot to destroy Israel in history and Jesus in His incarnation/virgin birth failed (12:1-5), and so will his plot to try to destroy Israel in the future tribulation period. (12:6-17) It is that sequence of attacks and failed plots, as well as his final expulsion from heaven that will set off a chain of events lasting through Revelation 13-14. The cradle led to the cross, which in turn led to the crown. The prediction of King Jesus' defeat of Satan and his plots serve to proving yet again that Jesus Christ is King of Kings. (especially note Revelation 19)
Endnotes:
1. John of course is very fond of the word "sign" in Revelation 12-19, using the word to mark off portions of the various visions being shown to him. (Revelation 12:1,3; 13:13,14; 15:1; 16:14; 19:20)
2. Steve Gregg. Revelation Four Views - A Parallel Commentary. Nelson. 1997. Page 254.
3. In Jewish thought that was popular in the time between the Old and New Testament, God was believed to had set a time in which He would end history with an epic battle against Leviathan, a battle which of course God will decisively win.
4. The New Geneva Study Bible. Note on Revelation 12:1. Thomas Nelson. 1995.
5. The passages we use in the Christmas season to understand the event of Christ's birth and incarnation (Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 2:8-50; Philippians 2:5-11) & His Kingship even as a toddler who was worshipped by the wisemen two years following His birth (Matthew 2:1-12) are certainly appropriate cross references for shedding light on the significance of what John is seeing in Revelation 12:1-4.
6. John Walvoord. The Revelation of Jesus Christ - A Commentary. Moody. 1966. Page 191
