The Bible begins with a wedding, ends with a wedding, and is shot through with pictures of a faithful Bridegroom loving an unfaithful bride. This Bridegroom has the power to transform her through His love, which includes taking her through the wilderness. This Bride has children who are hated by God’s Ancient Foe and, by his children.
Satan is described as a dragon in Revelation 12. He seeks to swallow up the woman’s seed. We can see this through the pages of Scripture and of history. The dragon’s techniques are to lie, kill, and destroy. His purpose is to get God’s Bride to back up from her Bridegroom and to throw away her lifeline. But the book of Revelation lifts the curtain and shows us how deeply we are loved. God is not picking on us, but rather is with us in our cosmic battle against our enemy. The dragon, you may remember, is the counterfeit to the first person of the Trinity — God the Father. Instead of instigating good, the dragon institutes evil.
Revelation 13:1 writes: “And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea.” How perfectly this natural rock formation in Australia depicts this!
We must not lose heart in this cosmic battle. Remember the warning of Jesus in Matthew 24:12-13:
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
We do not earn our salvation by standing firm, but we show that, indeed, we belong to Him, love Him truly, and have His power within us.
In Revelation 12, Satan is described as an enormous red dragon “who stood in front of the woman about to give birth.” (Revelation 12:4) Who is this woman? It may seem, at first glance, that she is Mary, for we know how Satan tried to murder the infant Jesus through Herod’s murderous plan of killing all the boy babies in Bethlehem under two. Philip Yancey says this picture is the Christmas card you never see.
This painting by Rubens portrays the dragon’s rage. Behind every evil ruler who has gone after God’s seed is our ancient foe. We saw it in the Pharaoh of Egypt, the Herod of Bethlehem, and I believe as well in the Nero of Rome, the Hitler of Germany, and the Islamic terrorists of today… The Voice of the Martyrs reports more martyrdoms of Christians in the last century than in all the centuries of the past combined, though the news rarely covers them. I believe America and Canada, are in the first stage of persecution. (1: We don’t want your ideas. 2: We don’t want you around here. 3: We don’t want you.) This seems to be happening rapidly – Revelation tells us that as the dragon sees his time getting short, his rage increases. Likewise, Jesus warned that our troubles will increase before He returns, like the birth pangs of a woman in labor. (Matthew 24:8)
We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of this dark world. But, as Tim Keller says, “God only gives Satan enough rope to hang himself.” If Satan, indeed, is behind our many troubles, we need to be wise and fit for the battle.
Below is a sermon from Charles Biggs that you can listen to in the next few days and will add great clarity to a challenging but oh so strengthening chapter. I’ll ask you for your comments and notes on Day 4.
Word Document of Homework Questions for Week 2
Day 1. Getting Started
- What stands out to you from the above and why?
- Read Revelation 12:1-12 as an overview, remembering that Revelation gives us signs and symbols. A picture, it has been said, is worth a thousand words.
A. Identify the three main characters.
B. What stands out to you upon your first reading?
Michael Wilcock explains the three main characters in Rev. 12:1-6:
The child is Christ (Rev. 12:9), the woman is Israel, from whom he is born and who continues as the Christian church after his ascension, and the dragon is Satan who seeks to destroy the child, and when foiled, vents his anger on the church. (John Stott commentaries: The Wisdom of Revelation, 120)
Day 2: Background of the Battle
The battle with the dragon began as early as Genesis 3:15, in what is called the protoevangelium, or the first gospel.
3. Read Genesis 3:14-15
A. To who is God speaking and who is he, really? (v. 14)
B. Between what two parties will there be enmity? (v. 15)
C. What is meant by “her offspring and yours?”
D. Explain how v. 15b was fulfilled at Calvary.
4. Read John 8:39-47
A. Who did the Pharisees claim as their father, according to verse 39?
B. Who does Jesus say their father is and why, according to verses 39-47? Find everything you can.
5. Read John 8:56-59
A. What does Jesus tell the Pharisees in verse 56 and how do they respond?
B. Then what does Jesus tell them?
C. Whenever Jesus says one of the great I AM’s, though you cannot see it in English, the Septuagint shows us it is the same phrase God spoke to Moses when He said “I AM who I AM.” It is a clear declaration of Deity, and another way of expressing that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who was, who is, and who is to come. How did the Jews respond to this, and why, do you think?
6. Read 1 John 4:4-6
A. What encouragement can you find in verse 4?
B. What telltale sign gives away children of the devil according to verses 5-6?
Day 3: The Woman
She is Israel, she is the Church, and she will be persecuted by the dragon until he is cast down forever and ever. His intent was to destroy Israel, then Christ, and then, His seed. But his doom is sure.
7. Read Revelation 12:1-2. Describe the woman and her clothing. Describe her agony in giving birth.
8. Read Genesis 37:9. How is Joseph’s second dream similar to the woman’s clothing?
D. A. Carson writes: “…the sun, moon, and eleven stars are metaphorical respectively for Jacob, his wife, and the eleven tribes of Israel. All bow down to Joseph, representing the twelfth tribe.” (Commentary on New Testament Use of Old Testament, p. 1122.)
It is often in suffering that we defeat the dragon, as Joseph suffered yet remained steadfast.
9. Read Genesis 50:15-21
A. How did Joseph view the trouble in his life? (v. 20)
B. How could this help you face the dragon’s attacks with endurance?
C. Can you share a way that God used an attack from the enemy for good in your life?
10. (This is an optional question for those who went through the study “Shallows,” or those who are grounded in the Old Testament stories.) Barrenness and infanticide are two ways the dragon tried to stop God’s seed. How do you see this in:
A. Abraham and Sarah?
B. Isaac and Rebekah?
C. Jacob and his wives?
D. Jochebed and Moses?
D. Hannah?
E. Mary, the mother of Jesus?
11. How do you see Satan’s progeny trying to murder Jesus and His progeny? (Find an example in the New Testament.) How did that backfire? (Consider John 11:53 and John 12:10.)
12. How did Satan try to murder the seed of God’s Bride in Exodus 1?
13. Some of the godliest women I know have been prevented from marrying or having biological children — yet how God has blessed them with spiritual children, defeating Satan’s plan. How do you see this in Isaiah 54:1-3? How can we all, childless or not, take this to heart?
Day 4: The Sermon by Charles Biggs
14. Listen to the sermon and share your notes and comments. (See link in opening)
Day 5: Contemplation Questions
15. Contemplation questions on Revelation 12:1-12
A. How can I praise Him on the basis of this text?
B. How can I confess my sins on the basis of this text?
C. If this is really true, what wrong behavior, what harmful emotions & what false attitudes happen when I forget this?
D. What should I be aspiring to — reaching for?
E. Why are You telling me this today?
F. What is your take-a-way this week and why?
262 comments
Looking over this weeks study…oh how you stretch us, Dee! Thank you for that because I would never know where to start! You are a blessing in my life and I am so grateful I found you all those years ago 😘.
Laura-I agree with the stretching! Dee takes me where I may not have the courage or motivation to go on my own, but I’m oh so thankful for her wise and patient leading us through! I’m also so grateful you found Dee “all those years ago” so we could know you too 🙂
Oh you guys are such encouragers!
How easy it is to join in here, thanking Dee for all she does, and how grateful we all are for her!!
Yes to all the above!! But above all I am thankful for your humble, loving heart full of grace and truth. For the love of JESUS in you.
She is a peach! I think I will be leaning heavily on this place in the near future.
I so agree! My husband has even noticed how excited I am talking about this blog. Thank you all!
Day 1
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Wow! I have never seen that rock formation before, but it looks exactly like a dragon, with the spikes on the back and the tail drifting off into the water and of course the head extended out over the sea…beautiful but yet eerie.
The painting by Rueben…may I say the first thing that stood out to me was the all the dead children and all I could think of was the abortion of all the children our country alone has done. I think that’s part of the Dragon’s rage…to destroy the family.
Yes, I agree that we our in the first stages of persecution and the three things you listed are rapidly growing.
In the Insanity of God the author asked the Russians why they weren’t writing their stories so believers around the world could hear them and be encouraged? One of the older pastors led him to a large window and said, “how many times have you awakened your boys and told them to watch carefully as you’re going to see the sun come up in the east, get ready?” To which the author chuckled at and said, “never, my boys would think I was crazy!” The pastor went on to say, “that’s why we haven’t made books and movies from our stories, for us, persecution is like the sun coming up in the east. It happens all the time. It’s the way things are. There is nothing unusual or unexpected about it. Persecution for our faith has always been – and probably always will be – a normal part of life.”
We have truly been blessed to live in a country where we have religious freedom, but as you said Dee…we’re in the first stages. We better buckle down and be prepared…Dare to be a Daniel!
What an interesting perspective about persecution and the rising sun.
I read stories of the persecuted Russian church for years growing up and my heart was forever touched. One time a Russian pastor visited my church and his father had been imprisoned for preaching the Gospel for many of his formative years. I asked him to sign my Bible and I’ll never forget that he simply put the verse, “The world passes away and the lusts thereof, but he that does the will of God abides forever.” I’ve often thought I needed that emblazoned on my bedroom wall so that I see it first thing each morning as I awake to start the day. It will surely rearrange my priorities.
Sharon, what you had to say about the destruction of the family… oh, yes! Whether it is abortion, the emasculation of men, the misunderstanding of the role of women, divorce, abuse… well, as you can see, the list goes on. Satan looks for any and every opportunity.
Hmmm. But perhaps not being persecuted is in fact not a blessing but a curse? For if persecution takes us deeper into Christ’s heart, then we should long for it. Right?
Miriam: what a quote! Now, knowing more of your story, I would say that you too know persecution first-hand and you too know the fruit Christ has born in you, in that suffering.
Makes me look back at the spiritual abuse I have walked through differently too. It’s because of that, that I know without a shadow of a doubt that I CANNOT stand without Christ’s strength upholding me. He tethered my feet to the ground, when I wanted to kill myself in the canal next to the church I was experiencing attack in. I have never felt so afraid and so ashamed, as in that church. But Christ held me fast and lifted me through the prayer of the saints across the ocean – my American sisters in Christ answered my pleas to pray: immediately. We are never alone.
Anna, I just thought of the song by Selah, “He will hold me fast” when I read this. “But Christ held me fast and lifted me through the prayer of the saints across the ocean .” Here is the first line:
When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fastI could never keep my hold through life’s fearful pathFor my love is often cold; He must hold me fastHe will hold me fast, He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast
Oh I love that song, Bing. What a blessing to be reminded of it. I didn’t realize Selah sings it also (I know it from the Getty’s). I have been so blessed by Selah’s music and the books written by Angie, the wife of one of the singers.
I also often read from her Bible story book to my girls. Unlike many authors of children’s faith books, her one is so firmly rooted in Christ’s life at work in us. Maybe it’s because she’s known such deep suffering, losing her baby girl Audrey. She includes such precious prayers that so bless me too.
Anna, I believe you’re right…below is thoughts from the author after the encounter…
“I wondered if the certainty of persecution meant that evil had the upper hand. And, then, I wondered if it was insane to believe that faith could actually flourish where persecution always is normal and ordinary, like “the sun coming up in the east.” I had always assumed that persecution was abnormal, exceptional, unusual, out of the ordinary. In my mind, persecution was something to avoid. It was a problem, a setback, a barrier. I was captivated by the thought: what if persecution is the normal, expected situation for a believer? And what if the persecution is, in fact, soil in which faith can grow? What if persecution can be, in fact, good soil? I began to wonder about what that might mean for the church in America…”
So good. So true.
Oh so good, Sharon! Thanks for posting this. We’ve been such spoiled Christians and it really has not gone to our benefit anymore than it benefits a child to spoil him.
Dear Anna, I remember what you said that persecution by other believers is not God’s rejection of you but God’s appointment for you. And that changes EVERYTHING! Bless you!
Doesn’t it?! God is so good to keep lifting us up through each other.
I was not able to do the study most of the week last week, usually I just start fresh with Sunday’s new study, but for some reason I decided to read through what I could of last week’s study and was saddened to see that Anna was hurt and left.
I agree with everyone’s comments to her leaving. She was very thoughtful and took time interacting with each of us. I’m sorry that she decided to leave.
I often use the find function (control + f) and type my name to make sure that I see if people are commenting to me directly, but I wasn’t here for most of the week and missed some.
Dawn–seeing your face here made me think about your work situation–I know it was so difficult for a long while. Praying things are better
I am sad about Anna too. I feel I failed her, but now we can pray.
Dee, anna did just reply to last weeks post, from your encouragement. Just wanted you to know in case you didn’t see it
Dee: you did not fail me. Your compassionate pursuit of my heart in truth and grace helped birth the fruit of repentance in my heart. I am sorry for grieving your heart and making you feel bad for something that was my fault. God bless you so much for who you are in Him.
Oh, I hope Anna didn’t truly leave because she had a lot of good insight and truly was kind to everyone up here.
Love you, Miriam. I replied to your email. Praying for you and sending hugs.
Dear Dawn, thank you for your kind words. I need to apologize to you also. After sitting with Matthew 6 and other Scriptures, God uncovered sin in my heart that clouded my vision. You have each been God’s blessing to me here and I was amiss not to focus on that. May God bless you for your kindness to me.
Anna, I’m glad to see that you’re back!
Dawn, glad to see you here, too. I did not know about the control+f. I may use that sometime. I have not signed up for the part to be notified if somebody comments on my comments! I just feel I do not have the time always to respond. But this study is such an encouragement to me. I trust you are well and work is going fine.
Lizzie and Bing, my job is going better than it has in years. Thank you for thinking of me and praying for me.
Dawn, I am happy to hear this good news about your job!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
There is so much rich truth and I haven’t even read past the introduction.
“This Bridegroom has the power to transform her through His love, which includes taking her through the wilderness”
– I need this reminder that transformation requires being uncomfortable, sometimes stripped bare, whatever is required so that I recognize my dependency on Christ.
“His purpose is to get God’s Bride to back up from her Bridegroom and to throw away her lifeline. But the book of Revelation lifts the curtain and shows us how deeply we are loved. God is not picking on us, but rather is with us in our cosmic battle against our enemy.”
—My husband and I faced something last week that was relatively small, but was definitely felt like the enemy was trying to get us to despair and blame. But we prayed, and prayed, and then God poured out His mercy. These times of “cosmic battle”, when the enemy wants us to back away, if we do not, we find that we are held even closer to the Father, hiding in Him, and drawn closer then to one another.
“We do not earn our salvation by standing firm, but we show that, indeed, we belong to Him, love Him truly, and have His power within us.”
-I am so thankful for His grace that lets us see glimpses of Him in us, and that resemblance to our Father affirms we belong to Him.
Two are better than one — so glad for your unity with your husband to help you overcome!
“These times of “cosmic battle”, when the enemy wants us to back away, if we do not, we find that we are held even closer to the Father, hiding in Him, and drawn closer then to one another.” Love this, Lizzy!
I love that too!! Oh may I remember that next time he shouts his accusations at me too. It reminds me of that hymn: needless pain and toil we bear because we do not take it all to God in prayer. Oh may I learn to sit with God until all pain dissolves and my eyes and body are filled with light.
Anna–love that hymn-what a friend we have in Jesus!
Anna — I rejoice to see you back. Thank you so for sharing your heart, giving us grace, and returning!!!
I was also just thinking of those very words in that hymn! Because I so often get caught up in my anxiety and distress and fail to take it to Him in the first place!
I wish it wasn’t true, that often He must strip us bare, make us uncomfortable, so that we recognize that we are dependent upon Him. When things are going along smoothly, I can believe that I am just fine – on my own. But that is never really the truth.
Oh how I recognize that, Susan! So true.
2. A. Identify the three main characters.
Woman (Israel): John describes a vision of a woman “clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars”
Jesus: She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” (Jesus)
Satan: A red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads
B. What stands out to you upon your first reading?
The weakness of Satan: But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.
Our victory through Christ: For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
Amen! Satan is weak and we are strong in our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. Praise Him!
What stands out to me is how your opening paragraphs read like a superhero story. My 30 year old foster son loves superhero movies and I always thought they were foolish until my son told me several years ago that people love superhero movies because every human heart longs for a superhero to deliver us and that is it really the story of redemption in Christ when you think about the underlying theme. I have had an appreciation for superhero movies since that time as I view them in the deeply spiritual realm of the longing of the human heart, unable to deliver itself from the ravages of the Enemy of our souls. How vividly we see this portrayed in Revelation, and of course, we know our Super Hero wins in the end because we’ve read the final chapter. Love this study!
Miriam–so good to see you here. and I love the wisdom of your son about our true Super Hero!
Miriam: so true. I seem to remember my vicar once doing something like a super hero family service. The kids loved it.
Miriam, this made me smile as many years ago my son and his friend taught in VBS…my son was Flash and his friend was Space Ghost. The kids loved it!!
Sounds exactly what my son would do when teaching kids!
Miriam — I love that your son saw that. Reminds me of one of my favorite Tolkien quotes (by memory — may not have it exact)
Every story that touches our hearts does so because it taps into the true story, the one written before the dawn of time, and steers us, however shakily, toward the true harbor.
Oh, what a good quote to write in my notebook!
Oh I love that, Dee! Stealing for my notebook too.
One of the first dates I had with my now husband was watching the first Lord of the Rings film. I actually wasn’t looking forward to going, but it was absolutely amazing (also all the scenery from home) and I don’t doubt that God’s hand was even upon that detail of our coming together. We recently rewatched all of the films.
Love this, Miriam….”people love superhero movies because every human heart longs for a superhero to deliver us and that is it really the story of redemption in Christ when you think about the underlying theme.” There’s this scene from Pride and Prejudice at the end, when Lizzy (Keira Knightley) is standing out in the field in the very early morning….cold, misty, damp, but the sun is just peeking…and Mr. Darcy is seen through the mist, walking towards her. And the camera zooms in on her face as she sees him….and it always gives me goosebumps and makes me get teary-eyed, because I think of Darcy as Jesus, walking towards me, and me realizing that He is coming to meet me, because He loves me. He sees me. It’s the longing of my heart that is portrayed, for me, through this scene.
Oh Susan: you bring back such good memories! My sister and I loved watching Pride and Prejudice as kids. Love this connection you make.
How beautiful, Susan!
1. What stood out in the introduction, and why?
The question about who the woman is in Rev 12, who at first glance appears to be Mary, mother of Jesus. I’ve usually read it as the Jews, since God refers to Israel as His bride, and she is the vehicle He used to bring Christ into the world. But today I’m seeing that there is a layer at which all of us are the woman. Paul says he is wanting to see Christ birthed in each of us, and the devil certainly does not want to see that.
Then we wrestle against the rulers of this dark world. Seems to me this includes our sin nature, which did rule us and continues to try to rule us. Yes, yes, yes! “We need to be wise and fit for the battle.”
2. Revelation 12:1-12.
A. Identify the three main characters.
The woman (whom we discussed in question 1), the child – who is Jesus, and the dragon – who is the devil. It is interesting to me that both a dragon, and a snake – which is how Satan disguised himself in the garden, are reptiles. Cold blooded creatures, who slither and infiltrate to hunt their prey.
B. What stood out to you on a first reading?
Just the whole epic scope of it all. This is the entire story of humankind in a nutshell. God’s original purpose, supposedly thwarted, yet He is triumphant in the end.
So true: Seems to me this includes our sin nature, which did rule us and continues to try to rule us. Yes, yes, yes! “We need to be wise and fit for the battle.”
Amen, Anna! I so long for the day that my sin-nature is completely and forever conquered and eradicated!
Mary, love your answer to B. “This is the entire story of humankind in a nutshell. God’s original purpose, supposedly thwarted, yet He is triumphant in the end.” Indeed, Tim Keller was right-“God only gives Satan enough rope to hang himself.”
How interesting — all reptiles that slither and slide — yet somewhere it says, I think, they will be upright in heaven! Check me out — I may be wrong!
This is an intriguing thought, Mary: “But today I’m seeing that there is a layer at which all of us are the woman. Paul says he is wanting to see Christ birthed in each of us, and the devil certainly does not want to see that.” Thank you for bringing out this “layer”!
Day 1. Getting Started
What stands out to you from the above and why?
His purpose is to get God’s Bride to back up from her Bridegroom and to throw away her lifeline. But the book of Revelation lifts the curtain and shows us how deeply we are loved. God is not picking on us, but rather is with us in our cosmic battle against our enemy.
I am so thankful for the blizzard that went through NWMO last Friday for it gave me a time to do work for school that day thereby opening a window of time to be here and to be able to comment.
I shivered at the picture of the rock formed dragon and much more so at Rubens depiction of the slaughter of the innocent. Through the years, Christmas and Easter has been so commercialized, the meaning of the birth and death of Jesus has been diluted. And talks about the spiritual battle that is going on can be met with raised eyebrows, glazed looks, or shaking of heads. Even among Christians. A lack of awareness can render us defenseless and easy prey for the enemy.
This study has been radioactive for me. Though at times I wish I have been more studious of the book of Revelation, I am thankful that God has given me this time, at such a time as we are in now to be equipped to be an overcomer through Christ.
Read Revelation 12:1-12 as an overview, remembering that Revelation gives us signs and symbols. A picture, it has been said, is worth a thousand words.
A. Identify the three main characters.
The woman, the dragon and the child (son).
B. What stands out to you upon your first reading?
The serpent who is the devil and whose name is Satan was hurled to the earth. He was never strong enough. When he came to earth, he continued his fight against God through accusing the people of God but the triumph was secured through the blood of the lamb.
What a comfort through times of trouble that we are facing right now. Though we have not yet experienced it, we know the end of the story! We can take heart, be overcomers in this life because victory is in Jesus!
I listened to Rev. Charles Biggs’s message and it is so powerful. Church, be of good courage!
“A lack of awareness can render us defenseless and easy prey for the enemy.” As I think Proverbs puts it – God’s people perish for lack of knowledge. Oh may Jesus flood our minds and hearts with the truth and light of His Word and uproot every lie and sin making its home in our heart that belongs to our LORD. May He give us keen discernment to take every thought in opposition to Him captive, to make it obedient unto Him and His victory at the Cross.
I’m so glad you listened to Biggs — it will encourage others to do so, Bing!
I’m so glad God gave you the reprieve with the snow day, dear Bing!
Day 1. Getting Started
What stands out to you from the above and why?
In the sermon how he repeatedly emphasizes both the great pain/struggle of the woman in labor and the glory attiring her. And how you also honed in on this through the other Scripture you quoted.
It is so good to remember that our very struggle and pain is in fact evidence of God’s death and resurrection at work in us and of the weight and honor of His glory we are carrying.
I sat here today with a verse from Paul that just really undid me. He spoke of holding fast to the Word of life, so that he wouldn’t have run in vain or toiled in vain. That word toil he used was one that means “labor until worn-out/exhausted”. It somehow broke my heart in my sin today, realizing that I was dishonoring not only Jesus, but Paul and many others, like my Mum, who have died for their faith, laboring unto death for our souls also.
My Mum talked so much of Revelations in her final days on earth. It was almost like Jesus was opening her eyes to see more than we could.
Read Revelation 12:1-12 as an overview, remembering that Revelation gives us signs and symbols. A picture, it has been said, is worth a thousand words.
A. Identify the three main characters.
The child (Jesus), the woman (Mary/the church), the dragon (Satan).
B. What stands out to you upon your first reading?
That even the dragon is part of God’s plan of redemption for us. I just saw how God’s completion is declared through him in the number 7 and it made me think of this Scripture I was just reading today in Romans 13:1 ESV:
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Incredible to think upon this and to remember how persecution has always led to the growth of the church. I read this verse recently and marveled at it. May it make your hearts rejoice also and look for the signs of Christ’s church growing:
“Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”
Acts 11:19-26 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/act.11.19-26.ESV
Here a song to make your hearts rejoice:
https://youtu.be/cW59exIpnyE
How interesting is this from Anna:
My Mum talked so much of Revelations in her final days on earth. It was almost like Jesus was opening her eyes to see more than we could.
That part about Anna’s mum also touched my heart. How beautiful to see those who love Him start to live in another world as they near the departure from this one.
Dee: thank you for this day of study. It has SO blessed and affirmed me in Christ.
Day 2: Background of the Battle
3. Read Genesis 3:14-15
A. To who is God speaking and who is he, really? (v. 14)
The snake, who is really Satan, the accuser of the brethren.
B. Between what two parties will there be enmity? (v. 15)
Between the woman and the snake, between the snake and the woman’s offspring.
C. What is meant by “her offspring and yours?”
Those who are born of the Spirit versus those who are still under the law (see Galatians 4).
D. Explain how v. 15b was fulfilled at Calvary.
It was the authorities of the law, who had Jesus (the Son of God, conceived of the Spirit) crucified.
4. Read John 8:39-47
A. Who did the Pharisees claim as their father, according to verse 39?
Abraham
B. Who does Jesus say their father is and why, according to verses 39-47? Find everything you can.
He says their father is the devil because:
They are not doing the works (of faith) Abraham did.
They are trying to kill the One who tells the truth.
They are doing the works of the devil, who is a murderer and does not stand in the truth because he is a liar and the Father of lies.
They do not love Jesus.
They cannot bear to hear the Word of God.
They do not believe in Jesus because He tells them the truth.
5. Read John 8:56-59
A. What does Jesus tell the Pharisees in verse 56 and how do they respond?
That Abraham rejoiced that he would see the day of Jesus. The Pharisees reply: “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”
B. Then what does Jesus tell them?
“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
C. Whenever Jesus says one of the great I AM’s, though you cannot see it in English, the Septuagint shows us it is the same phrase God spoke to Moses when He said “I AM who I AM.” It is a clear declaration of Deity, and another way of expressing that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who was, who is, and who is to come. How did the Jews respond to this, and why, do you think?
They picked up stones to throw at Him. Because they recognized He was declaring Himself to be God. They did not believe Him and were offended by Him.
6. Read 1 John 4:4-6
A. What encouragement can you find in verse 4?
That we have overcome those who do not profess Jesus because He who is in us, is greater than he who is in the world.
B. What telltale sign gives away children of the devil according to verses 5-6?
They speak as of the world and the world listens to them. He who doesn’t listen to us is of the devil (that’s interesting to me, considering the unbelievers who have been hungry for the Word I have been sharing with them).
I looked up what the world means because to me it’s strange that the Pharisees were a religious authority and yet they were of the world:
HELPS Word-studies
2889 kósmos (literally, “something ordered”) – properly, an “ordered system” (like the universe, creation); the world.
[The English term “cosmetic” is derived from 2889 /kósmos, i.e. the order (“ensemble”) used of treating the face as a whole.]
So, those who treat what we can see as the whole are the world: so, essentially judging people by the outwardly seen and not the inwardly known of God (through His Spirit). Reminds me of Samuel thinking that God would choose the older brothers and yet He chose the youngest who hadn’t even been thought of by his parents. Only because God gave Samuel HIS eyes, did he recognize David as the chosen one of God.
This really blesses me. I was judged by what church leaders and others in my church saw when they looked at me: my Prodigal past, my mental illness diagnosis (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and my weakness (trauma triggers: the thorn in my side to keep me humble). Yet, through that, Jesus taught me to still to hear and heed the Word that He declares over me: that I am forgiven at the Cross, chosen and appointed by Him to share the Good News with others and that precisely in my weakness His power is perfected in me.
Also makes me think of that story I shared earlier with you all, how I didn’t want to get near this man who smelt of alcohol at the station, but how the Spirit of God led me to yield to the Father’s will and God’s love and wisdom began to flow out of me to bless him (and me so much too). Truly the difference maker is the Spirit of truth and love speaking to us and causing us to do and say and think what we normally wouldn’t.
Through that encounter God showed me how I was just like that man but that my numbing mechanisms for the pain I felt (my sins) were just less visible than this man’s. It truly humbled me and caused me to love and seek God’s heart even more.
Anna, the word study you did on “the world” is interesting and thank you for taking time to do it. It also makes me think, when you say, “So, those who treat what we can see as the whole…” that it sounds also like those who believe, in their unbelief, that this world and all that it can offer, like money, power, success, status, even family – is all there is, is all important, and therefore, is to be sought-after with everything you’ve got. They cannot see the spiritual, the eternal, or acknowledge that there is a God who rightfully owns them. And I see also how God used His truth to help you overcome “the world” and how it saw you, in your former church.
Yes: much like Saul really, before he became Paul. He was in fact more seeing and knowing being led in his blindness, than when he saw, before God blinded him.
Or think of Barthameus, as a friend just pointed out to me via the guest post I invited her to submit: his faith in his blindness was astounding.
I think we actually need God to expose that blindness by allowing something to happen that forces us to see our blindness without Him AND to come to know His desire to give us sight and to know us and love us intimately.
I see a great hunger in my husband and many of my unbelieving friends to believe. My husband and my MIL have both said before that they wish they could believe like I do. I know God will be faithful to this yearning that HE gave them. My MIL’s Mom was a fervent believer till the end despite walking through severe abuse in the church.
Listen for that yearning in your husband too, Susan. God will have planted that in him too. Satan will try to persuade you otherwise, but God’s Word already declares your husband His: so those seeds will be present.
Lord, You can bring complete healing to Anna from the spiritual abuse in her past. You can stop trauma from triggering panic — how I pray You will do so for our sister. In Your Name, I pray.
Thank you, Dee. He is healing me: through the triggers that are exposing lies I can renounce. And I live in the knowledge that I am already healed in Christ, even now.
I am in a MUCH better place than I was. But as someone pointed out to me: we can’t heal in the place that made us sick. I’ve been out of that environment for just over a year now. It’s getting better and better.
Praying Dee’s prayer for you, Anna. And, welcome back….I am so glad that you are here.
I pray in agreement with Dee.
Thank you, Laura and Susan.
Anna, thanks for the study on the word, “world”. I copied and pasted it to my notes. Smile. No school today so I have extra time to comment here. What you share here makes me see others (especially my students) from a new light. I have a few who suffer from trauma. Insights through your thoughts are helping me. Thanks!
Bing, I am so very sorry to hear that about your pupils. Sadly, it doesn’t surprise me, though. This world is a perilous place for kids to grow up in.
I have created an info document on childhood trauma that I wish my parents had had for us kids. You have made me see the value of putting that on my blog as a resource.
What I have learnt has been such a blessing to me as a parent also, and I am seeing God reap such fruit in my girls also, through my choice to be so open with them about what I have walked through with God.
He truly keeps healing more, every generation.
Anna, thank you for doing that word study for us. It makes a lot of sense that the world focuses on the external, while God focuses on the internal.
Wow! If this is current day reality, I don’t know what is! People show who their father is by whether they believe lies or the truth, and how they hate or love those who believe the truth. This is becoming so real. In addition, I love your last few sentences, my dear Anna: “Jesus taught me to still to hear and heed the Word that He declares over me: that I am forgiven at the Cross, chosen and appointed by Him to share the Good News with others and that precisely in my weakness His power is perfected in me.” Incredibly beautiful!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Certainly the dragon rock in Australia! Now I have to travel to see that!! Wow.
This line stands out:
“… have His power within us.” It made me think of when Jesus gives His “power” to the disciples to go out and spread the Word, and heal as well.
The Ruebens painting is masterfully horrible.
The line, “…We don’t want you.” That probably hurts more than anything. Ugh. I am sad for our country. I have been a person my whole life who has felt pain in this category. I never quite fit in. My parents were geeky, I wasn’t a “cool” kid. I liked dresses instead of pants in the 70’s (still do, hahaha…my body type does better with them), we were Christians, I was a ballerina. and something you may not know about me….my maiden name was “Nice.” Pronounced just like you would say the word nice. Oh the jokes! Maybe I’ll tell you one when we finally get to meet (it is pretty funny!). I have a very small family. It’s just really me, my sister, and my brother. Our parents were not very good at (or didn’t want to) keeping up with extended family since we lived in the south and everyone else was a Midwesterner or northerner. The alone-ness continued and still does to a certain extent today (NO PITY PARTY HERE). I think some people don’t understand me and shy away? I have always had Jesus with me; I know this. Of course my husband I have a close relationship and are learning to be “friends” in our latter marriage years. I have one true friend, who I know would do anything for me no matter what. I cherish her so much. Face it, in the end we are all alone anyway, so I am practiced at least! Hahaha. It’s the same as when we had our babies (no one can do that for you – you and God).
2. Read Revelation 12:1-12 as an overview, remembering that Revelation gives us signs and symbols. A picture, it has been said, is worth a thousand words.
Are the 12 stars the 12 tribes of Judah?
This line interests me:
“And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.”
Revelation 12:11 NLT
You are so loved here — for we are all misfits!But in a very good way, I pray — not of the world but in it.
I liked, “In the end we are alone anyhow.” I told my grief counselor that one reason I wasn’t going to remarry among many was that I didn’t want to cross the Jordan where I’d meet Steve with another man. She said, “Dee – -we all cross the Jordan alone.”
(But I’ll still never remarry. 🙂 )
Dee: I have a widowed friend (with four daughters) and she told me that she has noticed men find it easier to remarry. She also doesn’t want to remarry. Have you noticed that too?
I think the only reason my Dad could was because my Mum told him to: she told him that he needed someone to look out for him, so asked him to take his ring off his finger six months later. My Mum makes me laugh: always so practical and she was right too!
God leads us each in different ways, Anna! Sounds like you had an other-centered Mum.
So true, Dee. I am sorry for being insensitive. I can get carried away with categorizing and analysing that ends up being really hurtful sometimes. It’s a big weakness of mine. I can see this is one of those times I was really insensitive in doing so. Please accept my apologies.
Your story made me smile, Dee, about Steve seeing you crossing the Jordan with another man! I know you must miss him ever so much!
Laura, I can identify with you here – I also have always felt like I just didn’t quite “fit in”. My mom was one though who had many friends, and many close friends. She really was a master at friendship. But I never was; I always struggled to make friends, and I still do! I also have a very small family, and carry with me a sense of “alone-ness”. My husband and I are also learning to be friends in this stage of our marriage, which I confess, is not easy, as we are so very opposite in just about everything. If he sees it as white, I see it as black….not much middle ground. I learned something new about you today….your maiden name. I think it’s kind of cool!
Well, you certainly are a good blog friend, Susan, and I couldn’t imagine you not being here! Love you.
I agree with Miriam, Susan. I love your presence here. I am sorry you carry such a sense of alone-ness. There are times I do too. Hugs!
Oh Laura, I am so sorry you were teased with your last name and missed out on having extended family nearby too. I will be praying for sweet fellowship for you.
But you are so right that Jesus is the best friend we can have and that that loneliness just presses us into Him even more. It is wonderful you and your husband are learning to be “friends”. My husband and I have talked about what it will be like without the kids and are trying to look for common ground. We both run together and love long walks/hikes and have had so much fun watching ultra runs through the USA. Fun to see places we have never been before: now that we can’t travel physically, we do it online.
Laura, in regards to your question, “are the 12 stars the 12 tribes of Judah (actually Israel), see Genesis 37:9-11. Of course Joseph made the 12th star as he was the 12th son.
Thanks for the scripture Sharon. I am not good at finding it sometimes.
You are welcome. After I wrote that I listened to the sermon Dee gave us here to listen to, and he referenced it.
That sounds cool Anna….running through another country! I didn’t know you could do that!
Laura-I just love you and your honesty. People can be cruel. I think “Nice” would be a nice last name. Smile. You probably would be one of my friends if we were in the same school. I like wearing dresses ( when it gets gold here, I hate it because I have to wear pants. My parents were Christians and I belonged to a dance team. Hah!
Laura, how true what Dee said, that we are all misfits here. Truly, I think God looks for misfits, because we are the ones listening for someone to be interested in us; to want us. If you have all your recognition and acceptance in this world, why would you long for another? So when I feel out of sorts here, it serves to remind me I don’t belong here. My citizenship is in another world.
You guys are so kind! Oh how I love this place ♥️. How true….I am of the world but not in it. Just how it’s supposed to be! Never really thought of it that way. It’s easier to look for something better that Christ has to offer. Hugs to you all (( )).
Well, you certainly are a good blog friend, Susan, and I couldn’t imagine you not being here!
I really enjoyed hearing more about you Laura, and I think your maiden name is, well, NICE! For real! I have a friend with the last name of Nicely! Your input is so vital here. We need different perspectives for sure. God made you just the way you are and put you into the family He wanted for you. I remind myself of that truth on occasion, too.
3. Read Genesis 3:14-15
A. To who is God speaking and who is he, really? (v. 14)
God speaks to the serpent. He is Satan.
B. Between what two parties will there be enmity? (v. 15)
The parties are the woman’s offspring and the serpents offspring.
C. What is meant by “her offspring and yours?”
Hers (Jesus), his (Satan)
D. Explain how v. 15b was fulfilled at Calvary.
Jesus stomped on the head of the snake by dying on the cross. There was no fight, Satan wasn’t given an opportunity to defeat Jesus. God The Father took it into His own hands instead.
4. Read John 8:39-47
A. Who did the Pharisees claim as their father, according to verse 39?
Abraham
B. Who does Jesus say their father is and why, according to verses 39-47? Find everything you can.
He says they are fathered by Satan. If they weren’t then:
They would try to follow Abrahams example.
They would stop trying to kill Him because He told the truth.
They would love Him because He came from God.
They would listen.
They would not have Satan’s characteristics such as murdering, hating the truth, and lying.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
First, that God, our faithful Bridegroom, continues to love His unfaithful Bride (the church – us – me). That is good news, as my heart is prone to wander, struggle, and doubt his love for me; to meet his faithfulness with at times earnest affection, and at other times, lukewarm uncertainty. Secondly, about persecution. I have not experienced persecution on the level that those, say, in the Middle East or China have; being imprisoned or even executed for faith. But, I have experienced small-scale persecution in my own home over the years: eye-rolling when I try to say grace at a family dinner; comments such as “why do you always have to bring God into this?” It’s not as frequent now, and mostly, if it does occur, rolls off my back. But there is other persecution, too, directed towards believers and coming from inside the church. For example, Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest whom I follow on FB, has addressed and tried to encourage and dispel the lies told to those who turned to him with stories of their parish priests and bishops telling their parishioners that if they voted for a certain candidate, they would “go to hell”. That is persecution of a different kind, when you tell a believer that in order to be a “true Christian”, you must be of a certain political party, or vote for only certain candidates, or feel a certain way about social issues. It is also persecution to tell a woman that to be a true, godly woman, she must adhere to certain roles. So I see persecution coming from both within, and without.
2. Read Revelation 12:1-12 as an overview, remembering that Revelation gives us signs and symbols. A picture, it has been said, is worth a thousand words.
A. Identify the three main characters.
A pregnant woman, a large red dragon, and a boy whom the woman gave birth to.
B. What stands out to you upon your first reading?
Verses 10-12 stand out: it describes the dragon, or “the Accuser” (Satan) being thrown down to earth. He was the one who accused “our brothers and sisters before our God day and night”. Then it goes on to say that “they” (these brothers and sisters – believers) defeated him because of the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and “because of their testimony…and they were not afraid to die.” So it seems that future and past are interwoven here….at the time John wrote, believers were being martyred (as they are now). It also made me think of Satan accusing Job before God, and the suffering Job went through, yet he did not turn away from God. So though Jesus is the victor who defeats Satan, it seems that we also have a part to play in his defeat….all those who have testified and given their lives for their faith, and all of us who go through trials and pain and hang on to our faith.
Susan, you make such good points. I think I am almost as saddened about the trust believers put in their political candidate to rescue us, rather than God, as I am about the division in our country.
Amen to this, Susan: “First, that God, our faithful Bridegroom, continues to love His unfaithful Bride (the church – us – me). That is good news.”
And yes: within and without. So true. Oh may Jesus help us see His will to love and save the very ones inflicting the wounding upon us, just as Stephen did with Saul. May our quiet witness to His love for us, and our bold and open confessions of sin and weakness draw them into the light of God’s love for them too.
It’s funny, because my verse to pray through today is the blessed are the peacemakers verse. I discovered that blessed in that verse also means to make long/large God’s grace and peacemakers also means to declare God’s terms which make someone whole. Isn’t that beautiful? God’s given us that task in our very own home: to see our husbands according to His Word that calls them holy and sanctified in our faith.
I still remember seeing this hunger and awe for Jesus in my pastor, as he listened to my Prodigal testimony. I could see he longed to believe in the mercy I spoke of.
But I also heard him share of his pastor Dad, who fed him on a diet of legalism growing up and I could see the desire of Jesus to heal his heart from so many wounds, as He has been my own. Despite all the spiritual abuse, I know that his inner most desire is to know and love Jesus more and more. The enemy will not have the final say in his life!! Jesus will.
Legalistic childhoods take a huge spiritual toll because the Person of Jesus is grossly misrepresented, and often in the context of Scripture itself. It’s very difficult to disassociate that type of culture from the simple truth in Jesus!
It is so awful. But even in how I saw Jesus already move in his life, I am convinced that He will complete that work, just as He is in all of our lives.
His wife is a returned Prodigal like me. We shared stories, when I first started attending their church. I even see God healing her heart in all of this too. Her Dad was a pastor also, but not a legalistic one.
He weaves it all together for good. All our struggles and failings and woundings. Oh how we each need His grace so much. I know I do. So much.
Day 1
2. Read Revelation 12:1-12 as an overview, remembering that Revelation gives us signs and symbols. A picture, it has been said, is worth a thousand words.
A. Identify the three main characters.
The woman, Israel
The child, Jesus
The dragon, Satan
B. What stands out to you upon your first reading?
The detail in the descriptions of what John saw, again I can only imagine his reaction, the questions that must of been going through his mind. Like Mary said, “This is the entire story of humankind in a nutshell.”
What stands out to you from the above and why? The painting. It’s so graphic and while we can think that this type of barbarism is from people from long ago and our modern society is too cultured for that, it isn’t so.
Read Revelation 12:1-12 as an overview, remembering that Revelation gives us signs and symbols. A picture, it has been said, is worth a thousand words.
A. Identify the three main characters. The child, the woman and the serpent.
B. What stands out to you upon your first reading? That the serpent and his followers were cast down to earth AFTER all of these things took place, yet we know that Satan has been roaming the earth since Adam and Eve’s time. Unless it means he permanently loses his place before God. We know from the book of Job that Satan walks before God continually accusing us.
So true, Dawn: “and while we can think that this type of barbarism is from people from long ago and our modern society is too cultured for that, it isn’t so.”
Every day I can be here is a gift these days.
Day 2: Background of the Battle
The battle with the dragon began as early as Genesis 3:15, in what is called the protoevangelium, or the first gospel.
3. Read Genesis 3:14-15
A. To who is God speaking and who is he, really? (v. 14)
God is speaking to the serpent who is the devil and who is Satan.
A. Between what two parties will there be enmity? (v. 15)
Between the woman and the serpent
B. What is meant by “her offspring and yours?”
The seed of the woman (Christ) and the children of the devil (those who oppose Christ)
C. Explain how v. 15b was fulfilled at Calvary.
Jesus died (his feet was nailed to the cross) but because of it, the serpent’s head (source of life for the serpent) was crushed and with its death, came defeat.
There seems to be a finality in the word “crush” as opposed to” bruise”. And outwardly Jesus died but his death was only temporary as He was raised three days later. Satan’s head on the other hand was crushed. And his death (lake of fire) has been forever sealed.
The word enmity means blood feud.
4. Read John 8:39-47
A. Who did the Pharisees claim as their father, according to verse 39?
Abraham
B. Who does Jesus say their father is and why, according to verses 39-47? Find everything you can.
They would have done what Abraham did if he was the Pharisees’ father. They want to kill the man who was telling them about God.
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
5. Read John 8:56-59
A. What does Jesus tell the Pharisees in verse 56 and how do they respond?
That Abraham saw Jesus and rejoiced. They responded with anger and disbelief. “You are not yet 50 years old and you have seen Abraham? Hmmm…why 50? I guess that number is just to add to their sarcasm and incredulity.
B. Then what does Jesus tell them?
Before Abraham was born, I am!
C. Whenever Jesus says one of the great I AM’s, though you cannot see it in English, the Septuagint shows us it is the same phrase God spoke to Moses when He said, “I AM who I AM.” It is a clear declaration of Deity, and another way of expressing that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who was, who is, and who is to come. How did the Jews respond to this, and why, do you think?
They picked up stones to stone Jesus. They refused to believe and since their father is a liar, their father has filled them with lies and so they did not believe the truth when set before them. They also think that Jesus was a blasphemer. Old Testament in Leviticus 24:13-16 Mosaic law “ anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be put to death…by stoning.
Law vs. grace and love! Oh, I can be such a Pharisee at some times-forgive me, Lord!
6. Read 1 John 4:4-6
A. What encouragement can you find in verse 4?
Those who are of God are overcomers because the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world.
B. What telltale sign gives away children of the devil according to verses 5-6?
Speaking from the world point of view and the world listens to them. We who are of God listen to God speaking through His Word.
Day 1. Getting Started
What stands out to you from the above and why?
This morning in my devotional time with the Lord these comments by Oswald Chambers stood out to me.
“The goal of the call of God is His satisfaction, not simply that we should do something for Him. We are not sent to do battle for God, but to be used by God in His battles.”
Having pondered that thought when I came to the blog this afternoon with it’s content and read this comment by Tim Keller in today’s study for me they resonated together. “ ……..we need to be wise and fit for the battle.”
I agree with Dee’s comments “ I believe America and Canada, are in the first stage of persecution. (1: We don’t want your ideas. 2: We don’t want you around here. 3: We don’t want you.) This seems to be happening rapidly…”
I too think that America, Canada and Christians in particular are very possibly entering into a very difficult time of persecution that will likely increase in great measure. It would seem our enemy “the Dragon is flexing his muscles and ready to strike out increasingly”.
That sounds so dire and concerning and it is: But for God!
We are never without hope in our relationship with Jesus Christ and the reality of Who He is as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He will never leave or forsake us. His Word is full of promises to us. We have his precious Holy Spirit to guide and encourage us. His repeated command in scripture is “Fear not”.
As we started this study I believe the general agreement in this overview of the Revelation was to focus on Christ and His return as the culmination of history and that remains the bedrock for me whatever the immediate future brings into our lives.
3. Read Genesis 3:14-15
A. To who is God speaking and who is he, really? (v. 14) The serpent. Satan.
B. Between what two parties will there be enmity? (v. 15) The serpent and humans.
C. What is meant by “her offspring and yours?” Jesus and his followers and Satan and those who reject Christ.
D. Explain how v. 15b was fulfilled at Calvary. Jesus overcame death so the “wound to the heel” that He received was nothing compared to the “crushing of the head” (death blow to death itself) that Satan got.
4. Read John 8:39-47
A. Who did the Pharisees claim as their father, according to verse 39? Abraham
B. Who does Jesus say their father is and why, according to verses 39-47? Find everything you can. Satan. Verses 43 and 47 pretty much sum it up. If God has not opened your eyes, ears and heart to the truth then you are not His. You cannot find God and the truth on your own. Those who are blind and deaf can not even understand that they are blind and deaf.
5. Read John 8:56-59
A. What does Jesus tell the Pharisees in verse 56 and how do they respond? That Abraham rejoiced in seeing His day. They were outraged because they are looking at it carnally. Jesus wasn’t yet 50 years old yet he claimed to have preceded Abraham.
B. Then what does Jesus tell them? Before Abraham was, I AM.
C. Whenever Jesus says one of the great I AM’s, though you cannot see it in English, the Septuagint shows us it is the same phrase God spoke to Moses when He said “I AM who I AM.” It is a clear declaration of Deity, and another way of expressing that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who was, who is, and who is to come. How did the Jews respond to this, and why, do you think? (In most bibles I think we can see it because of the way that it is printed as I AM) They wanted to stone him for blasphemy. The enemy is always out to destroy Christ.
6. Read 1 John 4:4-6
A. What encouragement can you find in verse 4? His power in us is greater than the enemies power in the world.
B. What telltale sign gives away children of the devil according to verses 5-6? They see, hear, speak and understand only worldly viewpoints and the world agrees. The book Captive in Iran shows this so poignantly. The people around them were constantly asking them to just simply say that they denounce Christ and get set free from prison. It’s a lie of convenience, no harm done.
3. Read Genesis 3:14-15 A. To who is God speaking and who is he, really? (v. 14)
God is speaking to the serpent, who is Satan.
B. Between what two parties will there be enmity? (v. 15)
between Satan and the woman, and between her and his offspring
C. What is meant by “her offspring and yours?”
Enmity between all generations of humanity and Satan’s fallen angels, demons, and followers of Satan
D. Explain how v. 15b was fulfilled at Calvary.
Satan attacks humanity, but Jesus has the ultimate victory.
4. Read John 8:39-47 A. Who did the Pharisees claim as their father, according to verse 39?
Abraham, and later God (v.41)
B. Who does Jesus say their father is and why, according to verses 39-47? Find everything you can.
Jesus says their father is Satan, because they desire to do what Satan desires. If they were of Abraham, they would do the works like Abraham. If God was their Father, they would love Jesus, God’s Son. But they do not believe the truth and their actions prove they are sons of the Father of Lies, the Devil. “Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
5. Read John 8:56-59 A. What does Jesus tell the Pharisees in verse 56 and how do they respond?
Jesus tells them how Abraham rejoiced in Him. They responded that He was too young to have seen Abraham
B. Then what does Jesus tell them?
Jesus tells them that He was before Abraham.
C. How did the Jews respond to this, and why, do you think?
They picked up stones to throw at Him. They were threatened in their beliefs and afraid of what Jesus was speaking, afraid to accept the truth.
6. Read 1 John 4:4-6 A. What encouragement can you find in verse 4?
I am from God and He is greater than the Enemy.
B. What telltale sign gives away children of the devil according to verses 5-6?
Children of the devil are identifiable by their words
7. Read Revelation 12:1-2. Describe the woman and her clothing. Describe her agony in giving birth.
The woman was clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars. She was crying our in agony giving birth.
8. Read Genesis 37:9. How is Joseph’s second dream similar to the woman’s clothing?
Joseph’s dream: “the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me”
Comments to Anna:
Last week I concentrated on getting my lessons done in this study and read very little of the comments. In doing so I missed the interactions with you Anna and this group. In starting today I decided before answering anything on the blog I would read through all the comments so far for this lesson. It was then I realized what I failed to see and so I went back to last weeks blog and read all the comments surrounding your disappointment with this group on Dee’s blog and the many wonderful responses to you. I being one of those who did little to comment I am sorry for my part in any measure that I failed you. There were times I considered entering into your comments but felt a little overwhelmed by you. Perhaps just because of the volume of words and experiences you brought to the discussions. But possibly one place I especially failed was to identify with you as to the spiritual abuse you suffered from a church and church people. I have my own story of Spiritual abuse from church leadership that has marked my own life deeply and at one time I was ready to walk away completely from the organized church. That is coming from someone who was saved in the church as a small child, grew up in the church and loved and served the church for much of my adult life. God in his faithfulness did a great healing work in my life and so at this time I don’t go back to the particulars of that time in my life except in very occasional face to face conversations and it has never felt needful to address it here in any way. But your experience is still fresh and the scars are tender and you do need the listening ear and understanding heart of that experience. I do empathize with you and I am so sorry for the trauma it contributed to your life. The one thing I do know is the faithfulness of God amazes me as I look back. And today I strongly look to Jesus and to very few people for my comfort and encouragement. I have two sisters in Christ in my own personal life whom I am very close to that have been my totally accepting and caring voices and prayer partners that I can lean on with my deepest heart needs. Beyond that I am privileged now to have others friends and acquaintances like Dee and the other regulars on this blog who I have come to respect and appreciate over time. Anna I am so grateful you have decided to give us some more time. I think it will bless you and us as well. I have no doubt God has used you here but it is not yours to measure or know how. Just keep sharing and leave the results to Him. You are a fresh voice from another culture and your love for Jesus shines through.
Bev–wise words for us all “Just keep sharing and leave the results to Him”
Bev — thanks for sharing all this – -for Anna — and for us!
Dear Bev, thank you for your kindness to me in being willing to share your own experience. I am sorry you walked through that. It is good to hear of the healing God has brought you through.
Yes: I have heard that before, that I am overwhelming. Maybe I need to start praying for God to shut my mouth again. God was faithful in that before, helping me to listen more than speak. Thank you for being honest. Dee also mentioned this.
Yes: I too have seen God’s faithfulness through my experience. For me, this second experience of spiritual abuse was God’s way of beginning the healing of my childhood wounds that were at the root of my Prodigal turning away. Back then, I idolized man as God and deemed Him to be someone who had abandoned me and was out to harm me. He is now breaking that idol (as you can see that is a work in progress).
Yes! I am praying so much for Him to help me keep my eyes on Him in all things. Bless you for your encouragement to me.
Love in Christ,
Anna
3. Genesis 3:14-15.
A. To who is God talking, and who is he really?
The serpent, who is really Satan.
B. Between what two parties will there be enmity?
Between Satan and the woman, between his offspring and hers. Always, I’ve read this as between humanity and Satan, and then between Jesus and Satan. Today it looks different to me, it doesn’t say humanity. He seems to be speaking directly about Eve initially, and then because we know the story, the offspring of another woman that we know to be Mary. I know that part of it is that the ‘offspring’ means there is no man involved. I also have never thought about the offspring of Satan before. Is that the Antichrist, or just those who don’t choose Jesus?
D. Explain how 15b was fulfilled at Calvary.
Jesus crushed Satan and took away his power to destroy us. The heel part, I’ve heard as being Jesus’s suffering. But I’ve thought of it being the suffering of those who love Him and came after Him.
4. John 8:39-47.
A. Who did the Pharisees claim as their father?
Abraham first, and then God.
B. Who does Jesus say is their father?
Jesus says it is the devil. He says if Abraham were their father, they would emulate him. He says if God were their father, they would love Jesus and welcome Him. Instead, they want to kill Him, emulating the murderer from the beginning. That they cannot hear what Jesus is saying because they don’t belong to God.
5. John 8:56-59.
A. What does Jesus tell the Pharisees, and how do they respond?
That Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing Jesus, has seen Him, and is glad. They mock Him, saying He isn’t nearly old enough to have been seen by Abraham.
B. What does Jesus tell them then?
That before Abraham was born, He was, using the same terminology God used at the burning bush to identify Himself.
C. This is a clear I Am statement. How did the Jews respond to this, and why, do you think?
They saw it as clear blasphemy, a man claiming to be God, and they picked up stones to kill Him.
6. 1 John 4:4-6.
A. What is the encouragement in verse 4?
The One in us is greater than the one in the world, giving us power to overcome.
B. What are the telltale signs of the children of the devil?
Speaking from the viewpoint of the world, having the world ‘listen’, or agree with and respect them, and not listening to the truth of Scripture when it is expounded to them.
Oh Ladies I have missed you all. I am finally done with starting work at 4:30am and ending at 4:30 or 5pm. Very busy last couple weeks. I am so glad to be back and Anna so glad you are staying with our group. Like the others, I have time to post my comments and maybe glance at some, but hardly time to respond. I do wish I was able to read everyones comments, they are so enlightening to me.
Day 1. Getting Started
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? – Oh my, just how much Satan can do if we allow him to do so. That picture of the him standing over the babies is disturbing to me. Oh my! I’m looking forward to getting back in to the study so I am equipped to fight him and be aware of his schemes. We so desparately need to know how to wear the full armor of God now. Such trying times we are living in.
oh Julie! that sounds exhausting! so glad you’re back, praying for rest!
Oh what long days, Julie. I will be lifting you up in prayer for rest and strength in the LORD.
And yes: it is disturbing. Deeply so. I have a friend whose birth Mom was encouraged to abort her, after she was raped.
She wrote a beautiful and heartbreaking piece for me for my old blog on the sanctity of life and the healing God is bringing her and her birth Mom. It cut my heart to hear of the cruelty hurled at her growing up and the blindness of people who just cannot see how extremely precious life is.
Oh how we need a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, an awakening of hardened hearts.
9. Read Genesis 50:15-21 A. How did Joseph view the trouble in his life? (v. 20)
God used what was meant for evil, for His good purpose
B. How could this help you face the dragon’s attacks with endurance?
I love truth and justice and it can be hard for me when things seem clearly unfair, unjust. But when I remind myself our God is a perfect judge, who IS truth, I know that One Day He will make all things right, fair, just. And I know that He will also use my suffering for His good purpose, He will not let it be wasted.
C. Can you share a way that God used an attack from the enemy for good in your life?
A few days after Christmas, I had called to tell my mom I had tickets for us to come visit her (she is states away and we haven’t been there in 11 years). I had bought the tickets last Christmas, then the pandemic came, so I was excited to share that we wanted to try for this April. She was silent. She said “no, don’t”. This was the 2nd wedding of my sisters’ children that I have been excluded from (and my family does big city weddings). I was heartbroken, completely crushed and hung up sobbing because I couldn’t talk. The enemy wanted me to believe I was rejected because I’m not as special as the rest of my family, I don’t have much to offer. That night I begged God—I told Him I cannot take any more rejection and I was releasing my biological family to Him. I said how we like to refer to a “church family”, but it’s hard for it to really feel like it fills the void in me. I begged Him to show me my family. The next day, my pastor texted me. His entire family had COVID. Over the next few days he let me bring everything from chili to ice cream, vitamins and pedialyte. My husband said “I know you like to help, but you’re like beaming”. I said, “I feel like I have a family”. I know it will be an exercise for me to also let others in more, but I do feel a release and a satisfaction at the same time.
Oh Lizzy, I love how God answered you-so like God to answer this way and to have you lovingly serve your brothers and sisters-your real family. Yet, you are still here and so desire for restoration with your earthly family. God is so working in you through this. Your light shines so bright here.
Oh Lizzy: please know that you are such a huge gift. That family will be so very blessed by you. May God bring more and more healing to your heart through your church family.
My parents (pastor & pastor’s wife) couldn’t have ministered to their church community in Germany without the HUGE help of particular church members: women who devoted themselves to lightening my Mum’s load: coming in to take over household work and helping to watch us kids when she got sick.
My Dad is now remarried to one of these women who was a good friend of my Mum and used to babysit us. Church should be like a family, when God’s love is at the center. I remember my Dad’s church as being that. We had no family nearby (all in NZ) for those almost six years, but church was family to us.
What a story, Lizzy. It takes humility for someone to reach out and ask for help, and you only do it with those who feel as close as family. I do grieve the pain your sisters have caused, but it is brokenness in them, not you!!!
Wow Lizzy, what an answer to your prayer! Because that is what you do for your family when they are sick – you step in to help them, just like you did with bringing food and vitamins and Pedialyte! It hurts me so much for you to imagine that phone call with your mom, and her having to tell you not to come in April because of the wedding that you are excluded from. I agree with Dee, that this is because of their brokenness, not yours.
I’m sorry for that awful call with your mom, Lizzy. They are missing out on your beauty. But not God! He gave you a kiss! I will pray for you, your mom, and your family.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? All I can say is this is powerful! The whole post. This hits me and I am sure all of us right where we are!
A. Identify the three main characters.
A woman, a dragon (satan), and Jesus (the baby)
B. What stands out to you upon your first reading?
1. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. I can’t help but wonder if that is after the resurrection-Jesus Ascension?
It is interesting to read Michael Wilcox’s commentary that the woman is Israel who is later the church. God allows us to be tested by the dragon like Job was.
A light turned on for me when I realized that both the woman and the child are a type — it’s not just Mary and Jesus, but Israel and her offspring and the Church and her offspring. The “woman’s seed” are the children of God. And repeatedly God has snatched true believers up — we see it in the story of Noah, the Exodus, the protection from invading armies, but yes, ultimately, in the resurrection — first, I believe, our souls, and then, our bodies.
The battle with the dragon began as early as Genesis 3:15, in what is called the protoevangelium, or the first gospel.
3. Read Genesis 3:14-15
A. To who is God speaking and who is he, really? (v. 14) The serpant-who is satan.
B. Between what two parties will there be enmity? (v. 15) Could this be satan and Isreal and Isreal;s offspring- the church? (After reading Revelation) I haven’t seen this before!
C. What is meant by “her offspring and yours?” Unbelievers (satan’s offspring) and believers
D. Explain how v. 15b was fulfilled at Calvary. satan may nail Jesus to the cross through men, but Jesus will defeat him by dying for our sins on the cross and rising from the dead in victory.
4. Read John 8:39-47
A. Who did the Pharisees claim as their father, according to verse 39? Abraham
B. Who does Jesus say their father is and why, according to verses 39-47? Find everything you can. Jesus says satan is their father because they didn’t love or obey Jesus. He said they were looking to kill Jesus-who came to testify what He heard from God. Abraham wouldn’t have done that. They are doing the works of satan. If God were their father, they would love Him for God sent Him, He didn’t come on His own. They are unable to hear Him because they aren’t His, they belong to satan. They hear satans lies, for satan is a murderer, and so they won’t believe Jesus is who He says He is and want to murder him.
What is amazing to me is that satan was behind the lies that led to Jesus murder yet in scripture we hear Jesus say to His disciples that He must die. Amazing to me God’s sovereignty and how what satan meant for evil, God turned around to bring us to Him and defeat satan. To turn around the curse with the old Adam.
5. Read John 8:56-59
A. What does Jesus tell the Pharisees in verse 56 and how do they respond? Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing Jesus’ day: He saw it and was glad. They freaked out and said there is no way you could have seen Abraham for you are not even 50 years old!
B. Then what does Jesus tell them? Jesus said before Abraham was born, I AM! He is telling them He is God. He is the alpha and Omega-has no timeline and is Omniscient for He knows Abraham’s frame well and has seen Abraham’s whole life including in the future, and Abraham is glad!! He knows every hair on Abraham’s head. Our Pastor Len taught on God’s Omniscience yesterday and how intimate He is-the Alpha and Omega-how He already knows everything we are going to say and do-every thought in our head, etc..that it is all about relationship and yes I know this, but it always blows me away and encourages me to hear it!
C. Whenever Jesus says one of the great I AM’s, though you cannot see it in English, the Septuagint shows us it is the same phrase God spoke to Moses when He said “I AM who I AM.” It is a clear declaration of Deity, and another way of expressing that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who was, who is, and who is to come. How did the Jews respond to this, and why, do you think? I just said this above! Cool how God confirms!! They picked up stones to kill him for they still didn’t believe Jesus is God so they thought he was blasphemous.
6. Read 1 John 4:4-6
A. What encouragement can you find in verse 4? That we have overcome satan because He is living in us. We can overcome with His power in us satan’s lies and attacks.
B. What telltale sign gives away children of the devil according to verses 5-6? They speak from the viewpoint of the world and the world listens to them, but the those who are his won’t listen to us.
Love this: “Amazing to me God’s sovereignty and how what satan meant for evil, God turned around to bring us to Him and defeat satan.” So good to sit with that.
I am doing the study with a group of friends via zoom.
Wanted to share this song, Behold Our God … it’s Job and Revelation rolled into one. (May need to copy and paste.)
https://youtu.be/Qx9-0v9m2Sg
Thankyou for sharing that. It a wonderful arrangement of a favorite of mine. Great worship!
Jill: what a blessing to be reminded of this song. I remember how it kept appearing on my feed, the year I had chosen “behold” as my One Word (incidentally the year before I walked through spiritual abuse). Thank you for being a sweet reminder of God’s faithfulness to me. He truly walks before us in all things.
So excited about your zoom study — with Renee and some other beloved sisters from the past!
Thank you, Jill. What a great way to start the morning!!
Hi Jill! I wondered where you were 😉. How are you handling that, on Zoom? Do you meet each day? Once a week? Do you go through all the questions? I am also doing a zoom session with 2 of my friends here. We meet once a week and pull something that we found poignant in the study to discuss.
Oh I would love tips, ladies! I want to do this study again with my best friend. I feel like there is so much more for me to learn and take to heart.
It’s a little awkward because of slight delay in sight/sound but nothing bad enough to diminish the experience of discussing together. Just once a week, we pull out questions that we want to discuss or that resonated and then talk about how we will apply it and then pray. To be honest another gal initiates the calls and I just join … easy peasy from my side. So I’m afraid I don’t really have tips for zoom. I also use Google Duo to group video chat with my parents and siblings every weekend…that is easy as well if you already have a google account. So many great ways to connect!
Much love!
Day 2
3. Read Genesis 3:14-15
A. To who is God speaking and who is he, really? (v. 14)
The serpent. Satan
B. Between what two parties will there be enmity? (v. 15)
Satan and the woman
C. What is meant by “her offspring and yours?”
Her offspring is Jesus who was born of the Spirit and His followers.
“Yours” is Satan’s offspring and his followers.
D. Explain how v. 15b was fulfilled at Calvary.
Satan bruised the heel of Jesus by causing Him to suffer on the cross.
4. Read John 8:39-47
A. Who did the Pharisees claim as their father, according to verse 39?
Abraham
B. Who does Jesus say their father is and why, according to verses 39-47? Find everything you can.
The devil
Verse 39, They aren’t following the example of Abraham.
Verse 40, They were trying to kill Him because He told them the truth.
Verse 41, They were imitating their real father
Verse 42, They didn’t love Jesus.
Verse 43, They couldn’t hear Him
Verse 44, They loved to do the evil things the devil did…he was a murderer, hated truth because there is none in him and a liar.
Verse 45, They just naturally didn’t believe Him.
‘Verse 46, They couldn’t truthfully accuse Jesus of sin.
Verse 47, They don’t belong to God because they didn’t listen to the words of God.
5. Read John 8:56-59
A. What does Jesus tell the Pharisees in verse 56 and how do they respond?
That their father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to His coming. He saw it and was glad.
“You aren’t even 50 years old. How can You say You have seen Abraham.
B. Then what does Jesus tell them?
That before Abraham was even born, I AM!
C. Whenever Jesus says one of the great I AM’s, though you cannot see it in English, the Septuagint shows us it is the same phrase God spoke to Moses when He said “I AM who I AM.” It is a clear declaration of Deity, and another way of expressing that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who was, who is, and who is to come. How did the Jews respond to this, and why, do you think?
They picked up stones to throw at Him. They felt what He said was blasphemous because He was saying He was God.
6. Read 1 John 4:4-6
A. What encouragement can you find in verse 4?
That I belong to God and have already overcome them (those with the spirit of the antichrist). God who is in me is greater than he who is in the world.
B. What telltale sign gives away children of the devil according to verses 5-6?
They are of the world, speaking as the world speaks and the world hears them. They don’t hear us because we are of God.
Susan: I can’t find your reply to me re the German resistance story I shared, so I am replying here. That’s so interesting you have been to Germany before. Where did you go?
It’s very hard for others to understand our very unique situation, isn’t it? I am so blessed to have you here.
I was thinking of us both as I prayed through Galatians 6:9 today. I was so struck by two things in that verse today that so encouraged me and I hope it does you too:
1. that the “due time” spoken of is made up of two words – idios meaning both “one’s own family”, “peculiar to the individual” and “uniquely one’s own”; and kairos meaning “opportune time” or “at the right time”.
Made me think of how God so longs to encourage us that He is working in every detail to bring us to the perfect time for our family to see the salvation of God.
2. That to “grow weary” is made up of two words meaning “in” and “poisoned” or “inner malice”. It made me pray for God to keep washing me in His Word to keep my motives in “doing good” pure. I don’t know about you, but it is so easy for me to grow discouraged and believe God is withholding what He could choose to give me. But today, I remembered again how meticulous His timing was in bringing me home. There was a very good reason for His waiting.
Anna, His timing is perfect! We just don’t see it until afterwards in most cases. I figure I will have time in heaven to fully explore all His perfect timings. I so look forward to hearing the total story from others, like you.
Amen: “I figure I will have time in heaven to fully explore all His perfect timings.” That’s something my spiritual Mom and I have talked about so much. It’s so funny looking at her stories and seeing how woven together our families’ stories are: a world apart. God was working in very similar, heartbreaking and heartmaking ways.
Hi Anna, I travelled to Germany while in college, and was in Prien, just south of Munich, and travelled in Bavaria and into Austria. It’s such a beautiful country and the people I met were so kind. You also mentioned Romania, and my mother’s grandparents were from Romania; my mom’s dad was the first to be born in America, after they came to America.
That word study on “grow weary” is kind of scary….I take it to mean that when I grow weary in doing good, I can start to harbor inner malice….I sure don’t want that! Yes, I have had times when I felt like God wasn’t giving me the kind of life that I had in mind.
Oh wow! We spent our summers at that lake. It is beautiful there and not far from where I lived as a little girl. I was also in Bavaria as an au pair when I was 19.
And so neat to hear of your Romanian connection. They are a beautiful people: so warm and hospitable.
Oh: I wouldn’t let that scare you. There’s darkness (inner malice) in all of our hearts, but the beauty is as the Bible says: darkness is as light to God and in fact these trials we go through are designed to expose that darkness to the light. So, when we recognize our mixed motives due to weariness, as God exposes it through His searching and knowing, we can ask Him to give us His pure motives.
Don’t be scared by it. God’s not perturbed by it because the Cross has already won our battle against it.
Anna, I love how confidently and boldly you speak truth. “Don’t be scared by it. God’s not perturbed by it because the Cross has already won our battle against it.”
The time you give to share such deep truths is such a gift. Thank you
Oh Lizzy: no doubt this will become a double-edged sword and He will return this truth to me, when I become perturbed by my own sinful heart. He always does that. Every single Word He’s had me speak, He’s then taken deeper into my own heart. It’s so humbling and so freeing.
Thankful for your encouragement.
The Chiemsee….my roommate at the Goethe Institute and I went sailing on that lake. It’s so beautiful there!
7. Read Revelation 12:1-2. Describe the woman and her clothing. Describe her agony in giving birth.
She is clothed with the sun and with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She cried out in agony. I am thinking her birth pangs are enormous. Could this be a picture of Israel and the church suffering? Maybe even Jesus suffering?
8. Read Genesis 37:9. How is Joseph’s second dream similar to the woman’s clothing? He said he dreamt the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to him. I was wondering about the twelfth star and then read D.A Carson’s commentary below. Whoa.
9. Read Genesis 50:15-21
A. How did Joseph view the trouble in his life? (v. 20) God intended it for good.
B. How could this help you face the dragon’s attacks with endurance? That whatever evil is happening in my life, God intends it for good. So while suffering I must trust Him that He is good so good will come out of it.
C. Can you share a way that God used an attack from the enemy for good in your life? satan has been throwing his arsenal of arrows at me for over a year now. I can’t mention what surrounds it but one recent attack is that I thought I must be a very unattractive person inside and out and that while I know God loves me, I am unloveable to others around me. So God spoke to me through my counselor to encourage me to remember how God sees me and to think more objectively about what is going on in my situation. That it isn’t all because of me-or about me for situations like mine don’t occur because of one reason. She asked me to think of other reasons this thing occurs in other’s lives. God used satan’s attack to make me more confident and glad of the way God has made me.
Oh Rebecca, reading what you shared broke my heart. I have found myself asking similar things before. He is setting us apart for His purposes and that process is painful but freeing, isn’t it? We are wonderfully and fearfully made. Sending love across the oceans.
Rebecca, I know for a fact that you are beautiful, on the inside and on the outside, and certainly deserving of love. I am glad that you are rejecting Satan’s lies for God’s truth.
oh Rebecca–I agree with Susan, you are stunning in physical beauty but even so much more so in your spiritual beauty. You truly you shine of Him like no one I know, and the more fire, the more you shine–and on top of that, you have an amazing singing voice! I lost my clip of you singing–we need to add one here!
Day 3
7. Read Revelation 12:1-2. Describe the woman and her clothing. Describe her agony in giving birth.
She is clothed with the sun. The moon is under her feet. A garland of 12 stars is on her head.
Being with child she cries out in labor and in pain to give birth.
8. Read Genesis 37:9. How is Joseph’s second dream similar to the woman’s clothing?
The sun (her clothing), moon (under her feet) and the 11 stars (garland of 12 stars…Joseph makes 12) bowed down to Joseph.
The wife of Jacob (sun), which is the moon, is Rachel.
9. Read Genesis 50:15-21
A. How did Joseph view the trouble in his life? (v. 20)
He looked at it as a providence from God to save many people’s lives.
B. How could this help you face the dragon’s attacks with endurance?
It is comforting to know that I’m in the hands of God who sees the bigger picture. Even though I haven’t always been faithful, He has and more.
I mourn over those times of unfaithfulness or disobedience, wondering what I missed out on of how God could of used me. I wonder how all that fits into His plan? Thankfully He is a God of grace and though I may not understand it all, He IS in control.
C. Can you share a way that God used an attack from the enemy for good in your life?
I have always felt that my physical condition is an attack from the enemy as during these past 38 years it has gotten in the way. I have prayed that God would remove it, but He has chosen not to just as He chose not to remove the suffering of Christ after He asked 3 times and neither did He remove Paul’s. The good that has come from it…I’ve had to slow down, which gives me more time to be with the Lord. I’ve had to be more dependent on my husband and family, which has taught me to be more dependent upon the Lord. It has also helped me to have more grace for others as I have no idea what they may be going through physically or emotionally. There are days that are harder than others and I find myself screaming out to the Lord, WHY? I feel that God is continuing to teach me through this, I just pray that I learn.
Sharon: I am so sorry you have suffered so very much for so long. My spiritual Mom had a dream when she was in her 20s. She saw a frail woman shut in her house, praying. When asked at a ministry meeting what ministries “do the most for God”, after everyone had named various ministries, she found her mouth open to say: “What if that frail, shut-in woman is doing more for God’s Kingdom than all those ministries put together?”
She is now that shut-in woman with various chronic illnesses and yet I have seen God move powerfully through her prayers and encouragement of others, her sending out of cards and online prayer ministry for the chronically ill.
Sharon: I have no doubt that God has been working through you in a powerful way too. In our weakness, His power perfects. It reminds me of how even Peter’s shadow healed people. I have felt the touch of God through you here, with specific things you shared that just had to have been a Holy Spirit connecting.
Oh Sharon, this is something I did not know about you, that you have had some kind of physical condition for 38 years. That is a long time, and though I am not happy that you have it, I see the grace with which you endure it, learning things like dependence and trust, and deepening your understanding for other people.
Thank you so much Anna and Susan for your words of encouragement…means so much. Shortly after I had my daughter I had a seizure and under the care of a Neurologist they have somewhat been controlled, but over the years the dosage always has to be adjusted. After I have a grand mal it takes me a while to recover and some have put me in the hospital. I have to really make sure I get enough sleep and stress can bring them on. When we lived in Rwanda I came down with malaria when I was 7 and had a high fever and was sick for two weeks. The neurologist told me that that could very well be a cause…having an affect on my brain. And of course having seizures also takes a toll on the brain. Mornings are my worse times and when I have what they call petit mals, it’s like your watching a movie and you miss a few seconds. When I have any indication of those I take a valium and that works well. It’s just frustrating, and it would be nice to wake up and just be “normal!”
Oh Sharon, it’s clear He has not wasted your suffering, He has used it to bring such wisdom and zeal for Him. Have you ever read Vaneetha Randals blog or books? She often write for Desiring God and Gospel Coalition too. Your wisdom reminds me of her story with suffering.
Thank you Lizzy…you are so precious. I will look into Vaneetha Randals and appreciate your kind words.
Oh Sharon: that is a really heavy burden to bear. I am so thankful God is there with you, also through your husband to help you carry this.
What kind of impact does it have on your brain? I ask this because when my Mum got brain cancer there was one effect that actually was a gift from God in disguise. Her prefrontal cortex was so impacted that it removed much of her social filter, causing her to uncover things she had felt she needed to keep hidden. It was freeing and healing for her and for us.
There were also very hurtful things that came out, but even that was an opportunity for grace to be given and received and for a washing to occur.
So interesting that you spent part of your youth in Rwanda. How long were you there? Were your parents missionaries? I have a friend who has plans to spend two months there with her family from April, as her husband works in the seed (harvesting) business. That is my friend who loves talking to me about my faith. They have kids my kids’ age. She plans to also do some volunteer work, while there.
Anna, interesting about your Mum. We have a good friend who had meningitis and almost died and it had the same effect on her personality as well. I have been told they could have an affect on cognition. The brain is quite fascinating and I often wonder just how much they don’t know.
My parents were Missionaries to the Congo for 6 years, they ran a dorm and school for missionary kids. Because of the political unrest in the Congo they would have to move the school. One year it was to Rwanda, another year Kenya and then Uganda. My Mom was born in the Congo where her parents were missionaries for over 40 years. It was an experience of a lifetime and Africa will forever be in my heart…wonderful people and beautiful scenery. I know your friend will absolutely love it!
It sure must lean you into Jesus so very much. Have you ever noticed that your struggles with cognition have had you think, do or say something that God used in a surprising way for good?
So both of us were MKs for 6 years. That’s fascinating. Christian schooling also runs in my family. My Dad is a former head/principal of two Christian schools. I attended one of these for the first 4 years, after my family returned from missions.
We have a Ugandan sponsor child and I used to help out a solo-Mom from Uganda in our town, so she could attend Dutch classes and I badgered the city council till they began to support her financially, as the law required them to. Handy when you can speak the language. I believe it’s one gift of growing up as a foreigner: you gravitate toward those who stick out and are sitting alone.
I met the solo-Mom at my church; noticing how she always sat alone with no one to talk to. I remember taking the Dutch kids aside at the church, to tell them that he so just wanted to play with them: they were afraid of him for some reason, and were avoiding him like he had the plague: it broke my heart.
Do you speak any of the African languages? Or remember any of the words from that time? My German is so bad now: too similar to Dutch that it gets me confused now. I can understand it perfectly, so when we are together with my step-Mom we speak English and she replies in German.
BTW Sharon: do you know of Chronic Joy? That is the ministry my spiritual Mom volunteers for at the Prayer Pond and she’s also on their Board. Another friend of mine also writes regularly for them: she has ME and other chronic illnesses. I read their blog also and they are publishing a piece of mine in June (BTW they’re always on the look out for guest writers). They are a real blessing.
Anna, both MK’s, how cool. I don’t feel that I have cognitive issues as of yet. I only could say “hi,” “how are you,” “I am fine,” and a few other words but my Mom spoke Swahili fluently. I love how you helped the Ugandan women!
I have not heard of Chronic Joy but will definitely look into it…thank you!!
Wow: Swahili. It would be so neat to speak an African language. I have a South African friend here in the Netherlands, whose mother tongue is Tswana. It is SO different.
That’s so good to hear you aren’t struggling with any cognitive issues. Kind of a miracle considering how long you’ve been suffering. Perhaps that has been God’s protection?
So glad I could introduce you to chronic joy.
A2. Read Revelation 12:1-12 as an overview, remembering that Revelation gives us signs and symbols. A picture, it has been said, is worth a thousand words.
A. Identify the three main characters.
The Woman / Israel
The Dragon / Satan
The Child / Jesus Christ
B. What stands out to you upon your first reading?
“And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world— he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”
These phrases I underlined speak to our world which lives under the deception of Satan but Christ has thrown him down and has overcome by bringing salvation (through His blood) the resurrection power and establishing His kingdom with authority. We then are more than conquerors through Christ by his shed blood for our sins and she Word of our testimonies.
Day 2: Background of the Battle
The battle with the dragon began as early as Genesis 3:15, in what is called the protoevangelium, or the first gospel.
3. Read Genesis 3:14-15
A. To who is God speaking and who is he, really? (v. 14)
The serpent who is Satan.
B. Between what two parties will there be enmity? (v. 15)
Between Satan and the woman (Israel) and her offspring (Christ)
C. What is meant by “her offspring and yours?”
Those who believe in Christ are His offspring or children but those who reject the Gospel and live their lives for sin and self are the offspring of Satan.
D. Explain how v. 15b was fulfilled at Calvary.
Christ very death as the bruised heel crushed Satan’s head by taking victory over death when He rose from the dead and his blood brought us salvation from our sin.
Praise Jesus He is worthy of all honor and glory and praise for his accomplished work at Calvary!
4. Read John 8:39-47
A. Who did the Pharisees claim as their father, according to verse 39?
Abraham.
B. Who does Jesus say their father is and why, according to verses 39-47? Find everything you can.
Their father is Satan. They were his offspring because they weren’t living as Abraham’s children would live or if God was their Father because they hated Jesus and sought to kill Him. They were demonstrating their relationship to Satan as their father because he is a murderer and a liar and those were the same traits in their lives.
5. Read John 8:56-59
A. What does Jesus tell the Pharisees in verse 56 and how do they respond?
That he personally knew and had seen Abraham. They scoffed that he would claim such a thing as because he was still a relative young man.
B. Then what does Jesus tell them?
He said clearly to them I AM meaning He was God.
C. Whenever Jesus says one of the great I AM’s, though you cannot see it in English, the Septuagint shows us it is the same phrase God spoke to Moses when He said “I AM who I AM.” It is a clear declaration of Deity, and another way of expressing that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who was, who is, and who is to come. How did the Jews respond to this, and why, do you think?
They were appalled and considered His claim to be blasphemy. They were deceived in their form of religion and great pride in themselves. They proved who their father really was by wanting to murder him by stoning right there.
6. Read 1 John 4:4-6
A. What encouragement can you find in verse 4?
We can overcome in this world because by the power of the Holy Spirit Christ lives in us.
B. What telltale sign gives away children of the devil according to verses 5-6?
Their whole way of thinking is worldly and in agreement with worldly things.
Learning some new things — Mary noted that both a serpent and a dragon are reptiles — cold blooded and scaly. I also learned that in ancient times a dragon was called a serpent. Made me wonder what was really in the Garden of Eden!
Also — I’m finding a similar natural rock formation in Pennsylvania. Does anyone know about that? Both say they can only be seen at low tide.
Dee, it has always intrigued me too because he wasn’t a serpent as we know it and what you see in all the movies and books (a snake in a tree) as his curse was that “he’d crawl on his belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live.” He obviously had legs as he wasn’t crawling on his belly and in the garden they weren’t afraid of the creatures in it, so Eve wouldn’t of been terrified of a dragon as we are today. Interesting.
Wow: this is fascinating and fits so much with what I was sitting with in the study: the fact that the woman giving birth has the moon and stars (which God tells us were to rule the night) beneath her feet. To me that says she already rules over the night, clothed as she is in the sun (or Son of God and His completion).
Genesis 1:16 ESV
And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars.
So interesting, Sharon! Blue letter Bible uses same Greek word for serpent and dragon —
Cold blooded the way the evil are, they don’t care about anyone else except themselves. I did think that formation of the dragon was very cool. Would love to see that sometime. Interesting thoughts from Mary on the serpent and the dragon.
That is so interesting to think that it may have been more of a dragon-like creature in the garden! Dragons are sort-of cool-:)
Day 3: The Woman
7. Read Revelation 12:1-2. Describe the woman and her clothing. Describe her agony in giving birth.
She is clothed with the sun: So, really Jesus is telling us that His church is clothed in Himself: covered in His warmth, light, illumination, but also exuding/shining it upon others.
“with the moon under her feet”
This is fascinating because God tells us that He made the moon and stars to rule by night. So does that mean it being under her feet now, that she rules the night? Because being under someone’s feet makes it subject to their authority, right?
“and on her head a crown of twelve stars”
The 12 stars are the 12 tribes of Israel, I assume? It connects to our earlier study about the Crown of life being given to those who persevere under trial. So good to sit with.
I love the unity of these stars being on one crown. Also makes me think of this verse:
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself…”
Oh may God help me to empty myself also, to be like Jesus, who lived in the steadfast and solid assurance of the completion to come. He surrendered everyone and everything, as He walked to the Cross, knowing that in His dying, He was saving us. Oh that is powerful.
Oh my goodness! God just brought something to mind that is stripping so much shame. When my Dad got remarried, it was days after my sister did. He announced it a few weeks prior. It took place less than two years after we buried my Mum. My sister’s heart ached and she couldn’t bear to attend. She was my Mama’s baby: attached at the hip.
My husband and I had booked a holiday earlier already and I prayed asking God what to do and I asked my friends to pray also. Every single Word that came affirmed that I should stick to our plans and not attend my Dad’s wedding and go on holiday, inviting my sister and her new husband. I remember getting up that morning of the wedding and going for a walk to cry out to God: are you sure, really sure. A powerful peace descended upon me as He sent a Scripture that came like a balm. But even so, I’ve clung to blame ever since.
But I suddenly saw: God wanted this emptying of the “good girl” Anna, to make me available to His purposes: being there for my sister AND to give my own heart rest. And to humble me: making me realize I am no one’s savior!!
The woman was crying out in agony through the birth pains. I am crying reading this because when I was little, I did this, thumbing the pages of the Psalms, with tears flowing. But one day, I stopped believing. The one I was praying for, and the one God had compelled me to speak up for, kept being hurt and I was helpless to do anything.
I just didn’t see that if I had let go and trusted, I could have seen that He was working – also in my own heart. Oh how I need Him to teach me how to LET GO.
8. Read Genesis 37:9. How is Joseph’s second dream similar to the woman’s clothing?
The moon and stars were beneath the woman’s feet: under her subjection. Here the moon and stars are bowing to Joseph: so also under his authority. What’s different is the sun – in Revelations the sun clothes the woman. I don’t understand though how the sun can be Jacob, Joseph’s father? Is that because he is like the church?
9. Read Genesis 50:15-21
A. How did Joseph view the trouble in his life? (v. 20)
As something God intended for good.
B. How could this help you face the dragon’s attacks with endurance?
To help me remember God’s faithfulness and the completion He always brings to all situations.
C. Can you share a way that God used an attack from the enemy for good in your life?
My childhood wounding, when I spoke up in obedience to God, on behalf of my little adopted brother and was turned away. Now, seeing how God has used that to grow mercy and compassion in all of our hearts, to teach us all to perservere in prayer and to help us know that He is always working for our good, is so good to remember when I face hard things.
All of us were in need of God’s grace and needed His strength to forgive: we just couldn’t see it. Praise God, He led my Mum to repent, as she lay dying and I believe that is what began to usher in healing for all of our hearts. I don’t think it’s an accident that the peace I felt on my Mum was part of what brought me home and that that peace came as God restored her and my little brother in His heart. So much fruit was birthed in her yielding to God’s will.
I now know that there is always more than one perspective. And sometimes, when God allows things to get worse, rather than better, it’s because He longs to save not just the one, but everyone. I remember recently when I ached for all my little brother has gone through, and the restoration not yet here, God stopped me by asking me to look at the man my little brother has become and is becoming in Him. Wow: that made me bow the knee and stop moaning.
10. (This is an optional question for those who went through the study “Shallows,” or those who are grounded in the Old Testament stories.) Barrenness and infanticide are two ways the dragon tried to stop God’s seed. How do you see this in:
A. Abraham and Sarah?
Sara couldn’t conceive, but by faith in the Promise of God Abraham became the father of the nations in his old age. At first, Sara took things into her own hands having Abraham impregnate her servant Haggai, who bore Ishmael, but even this couldn’t stop the Promise from being upheld by our faithful God, in whom all Promises are yes and Amen.
B. Isaac and Rebekah?
There was no one for Isaac to marry, so Abraham sent out his servant to find a woman for Isaac to wed. Just as the servant prayed for, he found that woman at the well who offered him and his camels a drink: Rebekah, who was barren, but:
Genesis 25:21 “Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.”
C. Jacob and his wives?
Laban tricked Jacob into marrying Leah, who bore him four sons: the last she called Judah (sounds like Hebrew word for praise) because she turned to praise God for His love in the absence of love from her husband, rather than bemoaning her lack and seeking to be filled with earthly love. Hmmm lesson for me here. Not in regard to my husband’s love; for God has loved me the most through my husband.
When he married Rachel, who he truly loved, God kept her barren until Leah had had her sons. He was showering Leah in the affection she didn’t get from her husband. It’s interesting Jesus comes from the line of Judah: the son named praise and dedicated to the God who loved Leah, when no one else did. Love this so much.
D. Jochebed and Moses?
Moses would have been killed had Jochebed not put him in a basket and placed him upon the Nile River to be saved by the daughter of Pharoa. I think it was God’s way of setting Moses apart from his people for God’s glory and renown.
D. Hannah?
She was barren for a long time but in crying out to God in prayer promising her child to God’s service for life, He answered her and she gave birth to Samuel, who would become the prophet to anoint David King.
E. Mary, the mother of Jesus?
She conceived by the Holy Spirit: much like the others above, Mary gave birth to the Promise of God.
These last questions were the best for my heart today. Wow. Talk about an injection of hope. As I finished up, this played in my ears: “Hallelujah He’s alive and because HE lives, I live. He said it’s finished. My story’s written.” From Ada Ehi’s song I Overcame.
Living across the ocean, you often introduce us to new wonderful songs, Anna.
I found this too coincidental not to share here. This post dropped into my inbox after I sat with the Bible study and the woman crying out in her birth pangs. It is on David crying out to God in the Psalms and delves into the Hebrew Word meanings. It’s fascinating and fits with so much of our study here. Here is an excerpt:
“But what is the action that God is to take? David is confirming that God does hear and does take action, but often we don’t see His action because His response is just not what we were expecting. You see the picture here is that God does not hear the cry of our voice but the cry of our heart. The appeal being made here is to the heart of God. God hears and responds but if we are not in tune with our heart or the heart of God we may miss His response. He may respond in something very simple as the song of bird, or comforting word, or even a simple Scripture verse.”
https://www.chaimbentorah.com/2021/01/hebrew-word-study-safely-home-batsar-בצר/?inf_contact_key=5ff873e3b203518ec9955c8cf7ad417e680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1
I love how God is always ‘listening’ or ‘seeing’ what we are doing or studying and how appropriate his timing is. It just amazes me how much he loves us.
He does love us so deeply. I remember reading yesterday that He cares so deeply for us that He won’t allow us to get spoilt. Rather than laying everything out for us, He allows hard things to happen to shape and mould us: to help us love the very people we want to hate.
I don’t think though that He looks for the right time, I think He already knows it. He’s already planned it because He knows exactly how we are going to react/act and the timing needed to get us from A to B. I see that looking back on my life. He went before me, every step I took, even as a Prodigal: keeping watch over me and guiding me toward more and more encounters to show me who He truly is.
Anna, thank you for this article…fits my situation perfectly ❤️
Oh I am so thankful to hear that Sharon. You have so blessed me, so I am so thankful God worked through me to bless you with this.
Day 1. Getting Started CON’T.
Read Revelation 12:1-12 as an overview, remembering that Revelation gives us signs and symbols. A picture, it has been said, is worth a thousand words.
A. Identify the three main characters.– The pregnant woman, who I assume is Mary, Mother of Jesus, God and the Devil. I also think Michael the arch angel and his angels had a part to play in defeating the devil.
B. What stands out to you upon your first reading? – The first thing that intrigued me was the 1,260 days the woman was protected. It comes out to just under 3 1/2 years. The length of time that Jesus’ ministry was. I also saw how protected Jesus was from the very start and how from the start Satan wanted to destroy him. The battle that Satan thought he could win in the heavenly realm but instead was thrown down to earth. I guess I never realized why he is so angry, but this battle sure explains it.
Michael Wilcock explains the three main characters in Rev. 12:1-6: – The below is interesting. I’m leaving my answer as I wrote it and how I thought of it, but glad there is more explanation on this. Very interesting to me. Thanks for posting the below commentary Dee.
The child is Christ (Rev. 12:9), the woman is Israel, from whom he is born and who continues as the Christian church after his ascension, and the dragon is Satan who seeks to destroy the child, and when foiled, vents his anger on the church. (John Stott commentaries: The Wisdom of Revelation, 120)
Great connection with Jesus ministry being 31/2 years!
Yes!
7. Revelation 12:1-2. Describe the woman and her clothing. Describe her agony in giving birth.
She is clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. I was intrigued by what Anna said about being clothed in Christ, having the light of God as her covering. I am doing a study of Ruth for another group, and it so clearly comes out there, asking to be covered by the Kinsman Redeemer. This is another of the places we are left to ponder and wonder… how this woman, perhaps representing all believers, even before Christ’s earthly life, can be clothed in Him that she will give birth to. Again, thanks to Anna for awakening my mind to her having dominion. Since the moon governs the night, is the woman given authority over even the darkness in her own life through Jesus? And she is crowned with God’s plan to bring salvation through the people He set apart, the nation of Israel.
Her agony in giving birth… crying out in pain. As both a nurse and a mother, I’ve seen and been fascinated by the truth that birth is a time of intense focus. So focused that the whole world could parade through the room and you aren’t concerned with them. You are concerned with the pain you are in and the life that is coming through you. As soon as the birth happens, it is back to “cover me up..the show is over!” But I sense there is a lesson for us here. Shouldn’t we all be unconcerned for our own dignity and standing in the greater happening, whether that is someone in our lives coming to Jesus, or even in our times seeing the birth of His new creation?
8. Genesis 37:9. How is Joseph’s second dream like the woman’s clothing? Obviously similar. Whether for the Jews to see themselves in Revelation, or to see the greater inclusion God always meant for His people to have with believers around the world of many cultures and ages.
Often in suffering we defeat the dragon, as Joseph suffered, yet remained steadfast. In labor, there is usually the point at which you think, I can’t do this.. I’m going to die. So often spiritually I’ve been at that point. The difference is that in real childbirth, you can’t back away. Spiritually, we can. Ugh. I wish I trusted more and backed away less!! It is going through the suffering, the process, the pain, that gains for us a far greater reward than we have imagined.
9. Genesis 50:15-21.
A. How did Joseph view the trouble in his life?
He saw it from a bigger frame, coming from the hand of God for ultimate good.
B. How could this help you face attacks with endurance?
In that labor room, somehow I have to back away from my personal pain to see the bigger picture. The picture that includes not only God’s sovereignty – which is huge – but His goodness, which will eventually be plain. The only way I know to achieve that is by practicing over and over ahead of time the goodness of God and His trustworthiness. Before birth, most of us practiced. How much more do we need to practice this.
C. Can you share a way that God used an attack from the enemy for good in your life?
It is a family joke now, that our son went into terrible two’s at eighteen months and didn’t come out til long after 18 years. As a baby, he was terribly colicky. He was an angry child, always pushing, always trying to make the world – and our family – conform to his wishes. When he was in high school I remember one of our toe to toe fights, with me saying, ‘you can always tell us how you feel and what you’re going through. But it is not OK to try and make us as miserable as you feel.’ Often, I felt I wouldn’t survive. I won’t belabor it. Suffice to say that the empathy we have for others with strong willed children and the insights we gained were, and are, precious gifts resulting from all of that. Now that he is a father with strong willed children, we see that God has equipped him with more tools than we had. And we know a lot of how to pray for he and his wife.
So very much to ponder. Mary what a gift you are! That word “focus” is so drawing me in. First in the posting by Jill of “Behold” reminding me of God’s preparing for the testing to come. Then, a video dropped on my feed, talking of the 3 pressings (testings) to birth the Promise, with each pressing designed to expel what doesn’t belong in our hearts to reveal the heart of Jesus in us more and more:
1. Mistreatment: decision to love in the face of hate, confessing our failure and crying on God’s love to fill us
2. Perceived delay: decision to withstand discouragement, crying out to God to fix our eyes on the prize before us: Him and His completion.
3. Loneliness: more and more friends and family desert you, choosing not to walk at your side. Choice to look to Jesus in all things, to press into HIS love for us. That one made me see how the more I have set God’s Promise for my husband before me, the more I have seen Jesus in him and working through him.
And then you share here of the birthing and focus. It reminds me how different my second experience of giving birth was. I didn’t experience the panic. I was so at peace, breathing through with my midwife so relaxed beside me.
Oh my. I am getting weepy. It’s like Jesus is telling me: “Anna, just watch us together this time. This time you will be at peace, hidden in me, strengthened by me. Oh there will be pain, but unlike last time, you will KNOW you are not alone and you will KNOW the Promise is steadfast and true and cannot be shaken, even as all else is shaken: removing all that has no place being in you.”
Thank you so much for this, Mary. There is more that you spoke of that connected to other things God has drawn me to in His Word that made my heart leap. But I will leave it here, as He’s asked me to.
Sounds like we had similar firstborns! How is yours now, Mary?
Any tips for parenting strong-willed kids, Dee and Mary? 😅 I have one too and would appreciate any insights/ things you learnt along the way.
Dee, I will answer both you and Anna here. He was diagnosed with ADD as an adult, something I had tried to pursue and was told he didn’t have enough of the qualifiers. He remains a very intense person, who finds it hard to make friends. But he loves his family with the same intensity, and he loves the Lord. We are impressed by him and proud of him. And we keep praying.
The best bit of advice I ever got was this: “I will lay awake at night, praying for ways to make you want to comply.” Only God really knows and understands the unique individual, and He alone knows how they should be handled. I’ve never been sorry for the standards we set, and certainly not for holding to them. But I really, really regret not doing it with less anger on my part. I could have been firm without being harsh.
Mary: thank you for sharing more. So true: “He alone knows how they should be handled.” You’ve reinforced for me that prayer is the key.
I thought I was doing real well with not getting angry: till this homeschooling started again. It’s exposing my own sinful heart: the idol of control especially.
Day 2: Background of the Battle
The battle with the dragon began as early as Genesis 3:15, in what is called the protoevangelium, or the first gospel.
3. Read Genesis 3:14-15
A. To who is God speaking and who is he, really? (v. 14) – He is speaking to the serpent who is Satan, the evil one.
B. Between what two parties will there be enmity? (v. 15) – There will be enmity between the woman, the serpent and between their offspring.
C. What is meant by “her offspring and yours?” – Offspring to me is anyone comes after them, that is born to them. Descendants. Oh man to think the devil can have offspring is a scary thought. But I’m thinking it is those who fall away from God and follow the ways of the world and not Jesus.
D. Explain how v. 15b was fulfilled at Calvary. – It appeared that at the cross Satan won, but in turn, Jesus dying on the cross was the victory for the rest of us. Satan lost in a big way. Jesus’ death was the victory won over evil that was brought by Satan.
4. Read John 8:39-47
A. Who did the Pharisees claim as their father, according to verse 39? – They claimed Abraham was their father.
B. Who does Jesus say their father is and why, according to verses 39-47? Find everything you can. – Jesus tells them their father is the devil. Because they don’t believe Jesus when he speaks of hearing from God. They don’t do anything that Abraham did, who was a true follower of Jesus. They want to carry out the devils desire, murder and they continue to like the devil. They don’t hear what Jesus is saying because they don’t belong to God.
5. Read John 8:56-59
A. What does Jesus tell the Pharisees in verse 56 and how do they respond? – he told them that their father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing his day and was glad when he saw Jesus. They don’t believe Jesus saw Abraham because he was not even 50 years old at that point.
B. Then what does Jesus tell them? – He tells them that “before Abraham was born, I am!”
C. Whenever Jesus says one of the great I AM’s, though you cannot see it in English, the Septuagint shows us it is the same phrase God spoke to Moses when He said “I AM who I AM.” It is a clear declaration of Deity, and another way of expressing that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who was, who is, and who is to come. How did the Jews respond to this, and why, do you think? – They picked up stones to throw at him but Jesus hid himself by slipping away. I think they did it because of the lies of the enemy. They were believing Jesus was the enemy and not Satan himself. I also wonder if they just didn’t want to face the truth that they had been lied too. Maybe they thought it was too late to turn back to Him.
6. Read 1 John 4:4-6
A. What encouragement can you find in verse 4? – We have overcome the enemy and that God who is in me is greater than those in the world.
B. What telltale sign gives away children of the devil according to verses 5-6? – They speak and say what the world wants them to say instead of what is truth and from God and The Word. They want to make people happy so they say things to appease those in the world. They don’t live by what The Word says.
3. Read Genesis 3:14-15
A. To who is God speaking and who is he, really? (v. 14)
God is speaking to the serpent, who really is Satan.
B. Between what two parties will there be enmity? (v. 15)
There will be enmity between Satan and the woman (Eve), and between the children of Satan and the children of Eve.
C. What is meant by “her offspring and yours”?
Though at the time, God was speaking directly to the serpent and Adam and Eve, I believe it also goes into the future to mean the children of God and the children of Satan. It could also mean enmity between Jesus, Mary’s “offspring”, and Satan and all who are on his side. I have seen that in Catholic statues of Mary, often she has one foot on the head of a snake.
D. Explain how verse 15.b was fulfilled at Calvary.
I have heard it taught that in crucifixion, the victim’s heels are bruised. Yet we know that through Jesus’ death, He defeated Satan finally and forever.
4. Read John 8:39-47
A. Who did the Pharisees claim as their father, according to verse 39?
They said that Abraham was their father.
B. Who does Jesus say their father is, and why, according to verses 39-47? Find everything you can.
Jesus tells them that their father is the devil, for the following reasons:
They do not do the same things that Abraham would do.
They were seeking to kill Jesus, rejecting His truth – this Abraham would not do.
They are doing the deeds of their father, the devil.
They do not love Jesus.
They cannot/are unable to understand the words of Jesus.
Satan was a murderer always and cannot stand the truth – they want to murder as their father Satan does.
They do not believe Jesus or anything He says.
They cannot hear the words of God because they are not of God.
5. Read John 8:56-59
A. What does Jesus tell the Pharisees in verse 56 and how do they respond?
Jesus tells them that Abraham rejoiced and looked forward to Jesus’ coming; he saw it and was glad. They replied, how can this be true since you (Jesus) are not that old….how can you say you have seen Abraham?
B. Then what does Jesus tell them?
Jesus tells them that He existed even before Abraham was born.
C. Whenever Jesus says one of the great I AM’s, though you cannot see it in English, the Septuagint shows us it is the same phrase God spoke to Moses when He said “I AM who I AM”. It is a clear declaration of Deity, and another way of expressing that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who was, who is, and who is to come. How did the Jews respond to this, and why, do you think?
They picked up stones to kill Jesus, likely because He was declaring Himself to be God, and in their mind, that was blasphemy.
6. Read 1 John 4:4-6
A. What encouragement can you find in verse 4?
The encouragement that because we belong to God, we have already won our fight with false prophets because we have His Spirit within us, who is stronger than the spirit in this world. The Spirit, we know, will always lead us in the truth and warn us when we are hearing un-truth.
B. What telltale sign gives away children of the devil according to verses 5-6?
They belong to this world (and to the spirit that lives in this world – the devil). They speak the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. In John’s day, the children of the devil refused to listen to the teaching of the apostles. And today, there are those who refuse to listen to the message of the gospel.
Read John 8:56-59
A. What does Jesus tell the Pharisees in verse 56 and how do they respond?
He says their father, Abraham, rejoiced at His coming. They didn’t understand because they said Abraham lived so long ago and Jesus was not even 50.
B. Then what does Jesus tell them?
He says He was there before Abraham was born because He is “I Am.”
C. Whenever Jesus says one of the great I AM’s, though you cannot see it in English, the Septuagint shows us it is the same phrase God spoke to Moses when He said “I AM who I AM.” It is a clear declaration of Deity, and another way of expressing that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who was, who is, and who is to come. How did the Jews respond to this, and why, do you think?
They picked up stones because they thought what He said was heresy. I think they were afraid. If what He said was true then they were not in charge anymore.
6. Read 1 John 4:4-6
A. What encouragement can you find in verse 4?
We belong to God. We have won the battle over the earth because the Spirit lives in us.
B. What telltale sign gives away children of the devil according to verses 5-6?
Speaking from the worlds viewpoint and not listening to the disciples.
So intriguing to discern motive behind their stoning.
7. Read Revelation 12:1-2. Describe the woman and her clothing. Describe her agony in giving birth.
The woman was pregnant. She was clothed with the sun, had the moon between her feet, and she had 12 stars on the crown on her head. She was screaming in pain due to the “birth.”
This made me think of when the Sun, Earth and moon are aligned we have a lunar eclipse. The Earth gets the full sun and the moon gets none. Interesting…
8. Read Genesis 37:9. How is Joseph’s second dream similar to the woman’s clothing?
The sun, moon, and stars are in the dream just like in this dream. He only speaks of 11 stars but he is the 12th.
9. Read Genesis 50:15-21
A. How did Joseph view the trouble in his life? (v. 20)
He viewed the trouble as something God did to help save him.
B. How could this help you face the dragon’s attacks with endurance?
Knowing that God is trying to save me comforts me.
C. Can you share a way that God used an attack from the enemy for good in your life?
Oh my yes, our daughters call to me, on my birthday, no less, to announce she was pregnant. She was a 24 year old lost young adult who was not married. What a crazy, awful time in my life. The emotions were all over the place. Disappointment, sadness, anger, hope, and fear for her. I am proud of her courage to tell me and have her little boy, Cooper. He and his sister Grace are a blessing to my husband and me.
Laura: this is interesting: “This made me think of when the Sun, Earth and moon are aligned we have a lunar eclipse. The Earth gets the full sun and the moon gets none. Interesting…” Truly God is speaking of His glory through everything.
It is wonderful how you came alongside your daughter to support her. I am sure it was a really hard time, with emotions flaring on both sides, but oh the beauty of how God worked through you to speak life, love and grace into your daughter, as you and she stood on the serpent’s head to have her give birth to a child that belongs to the most High God.
Just wanted to share this from my devotion this morning. We’ve talked about rejection lately, sometimes it’s big and direct, and sometimes, something I’m currently dealing with, it’s just a feeling that someone I try to befriend, just doesn’t like me and I’m not sure why! Either way, as I was reading 1 Peter this morning, I was struck by this one verse–“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious”–THIS is who we are. As Christians, we are part of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and we belong to God. I want to walk in that every day and not be faltered by the likes or dislikes of others.
I love that Lizzy. It’s one of my favorite verses. Thank you for that reminder. The verse consider it pure joy to face trials of all kinds dropped into my inbox today and so fit with my verse to pray, which also spoke of the fruit of perserverance.
Ephesians 6:18
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Trials = press us into prayer and the Word = uncovering of fleshly thinking = exchange for God’s thinking. “To that end” also means “motion into union / toward purpose” and there are two types of prayer mentioned here: exchanging our wishes for God’s wishes (as we pour out and then listen) and praying for a specific felt need that is personal and urgent for set apart believers (felt need as prompted by the Holy Spirit).
I also listened to a teaching that spoke of starving fleshly food (e.g. news, social media) & feeding on the pure Word to awaken a greater hunger for Jesus, which in turn leads us to live more in Spirit discernment vs fleshly discernment.
I don’t feed on these things much (don’t have FB or Insta or read much news) but I do gravitate toward looking for and focusing on the fleshly (proof of rejection vs proof of God’s choosing of me). This made me think I need to consciously fast rejection-focused thoughts: consciously notice them come in, capture them and make them obedient to the Word of truth: so your verse is perfect for me to use for that! Thank you!
love this Anna-“I need to consciously fast rejection-focused thoughts: consciously notice them come in, capture them and make them obedient to the Word of truth”–joining you in this!
It’s already helping! I was reminded of the conversation I read between you and Dee on the gift of praying together as husband and wife. When I first read that I mentally noted it as another “withholding” by God and my heart sank. But now, I remembered something I rested on this morning: that our life itself becomes a prayer in Christ and I suddenly thought of all the ways my husband has led me to repent and to walk in the light and in courage, since we first got together almost 20 years ago. That’s proof of God’s giving, not His withholding.
Then, I thought of Dee and was like: wow, look at her affirming someone like that, while she’s missing her own husband. Made me think: perhaps Dee is discovering that Christ is her husband, that He is giving her what she misses in new ways. Oh how much our focus matters and the truth of God’s Word. So thankful for you prompting this, Lizzy!
So good, Lizzy.
I can’t imagine someone rejecting you — but then it is hard to understand rejecting Jesus!
Day 3: The Woman
She is Israel, she is the Church, and she will be persecuted by the dragon until he is cast down forever and ever. His intent was to destroy Israel, then Christ, and then, His seed. But his doom is sure.
7. Read Revelation 12:1-2. Describe the woman and her clothing. Describe her agony in giving birth. – The woman was clothed with the sun, the moon was under her feet, a crown of twelve stars was on her head.
8. Read Genesis 37:9. How is Joseph’s second dream similar to the woman’s clothing? – It mentions the sun and the moon and 11 stars. Which in Revelation it was 12 an and it included Joseph, this is the 11 brothers of Joseph.
D. A. Carson writes: “…the sun, moon, and eleven stars are metaphorical respectively for Jacob, his wife, and the eleven tribes of Israel. All bow down to Joseph, representing the twelfth tribe.” (Commentary on New Testament Use of Old Testament, p. 1122.) –
It is often in suffering that we defeat the dragon, as Joseph suffered yet remained steadfast.
9. Read Genesis 50:15-21
A. How did Joseph view the trouble in his life? (v. 20)- He viewed the trouble as something God had intended for him to go through in order to save the lives of many. It thought of it as good and not as harm from his brothers.
B. How could this help you face the dragon’s attacks with endurance? – I can look for the good in all that happens in my life. To look back and see who it may have helped besides me. I know, whether I bring on the trial, the storms, God will bring it to completion and be with me as he guides me to how it should end. This will happen if I pay attention to His leading, otherwise, I’m controlling my life’s situations on my own and will most likely not turn out very well.
C. Can you share a way that God used an attack from the enemy for good in your life? – My broken marriage from my first husband brought me to accept Christ even more in my life than where I was at. I started relying on God more, trusting God more with situations that came about and cried out to Him for help. It was a long and rough 10 years as a single mom, but He never failed me. He provided everything I needed to get through it. Without that relationship I had with God, I doubt I would have come through it as I did.
10. (This is an optional question for those who went through the study “Shallows,” or those who are grounded in the Old Testament stories.) Barrenness and infanticide are two ways the dragon tried to stop God’s seed. How do you see this in:
A. Abraham and Sarah? – Sarah was unable to have children but ONLY GOD was able to help her with that. At an old age, she conceived.
B. Isaac and Rebekah? – Rebekah, like Sarah was also not able to conceive on her own, BUT GOD intervened and then she was able to conceive
C. Jacob and his wives? – Jacob tried handling things on his own and it got all messed up. But when God came in to the situations and allowed things to work out for Rachel to conceive.
D. Jochebed and Moses? – I need to go back and look these up again.
D. Hannah? – Need to look this one up again as well.
E. Mary, the mother of Jesus? – Mary’s pregnency was again from God, he intervened through the Holy Spirit. It was a miraculous birth on all accounts, more than the others.
Single mothers have such a hard road — but you have become a compassionate strong woman!
Thank you Dee that is so sweet of you to say.
Julie: I can’t imagine being a solo-Mom for 10 years. I can only imagine the stories of God’s faithfulness you have to share from that time. I would love to hear more about that time and what it taught you. I think we could all learn from what you have to share, as we walk through our own hard stuff.
Anna, oh there are stories for sure. I would love to talk to you about it, I definitely learned a lot about me, about my kids and even more special about who God truly is.
Oh I would love to hear more, Julie!
Day 3: The Woman (CON’T)
10. (This is an optional question for those who went through the study “Shallows,” or those who are grounded in the Old Testament stories.) Barrenness and infanticide are two ways the dragon tried to stop God’s seed. How do you see this in:
D. Jochebed and Moses? – Jochebed, Moses’ mother need the Lord to intervene to keep Moses safe from the Pharaoh who wanted all baby boys to be killed. The Lord kept him safe and protected him by being raised by Pharaoh’s daughter.
D. Hannah? – Was unable to conceive for a very long time, continued to cry out to the Lord and he heard her cry and opened her womb and she gave birth to Samuel.
All these incidents, (others as well in my other post) all need the intervention of God. These were miracles for those that he had planned to heal the country in one way or another. I noticed this when I started a reading plan to get through the Bible in a year from my church. I guess I never realized just how many woman, who gave birth to prominent children, struggled on their own to have children until God intervened. Just WOW!
11. How do you see Satan’s progeny trying to murder Jesus and His progeny? (Find an example in the New Testament.) How did that backfire? (Consider John 11:53 and John 12:10.) – In John 13.26-27, where Jesus tells the discpiles that the one he gives the bread to after dipping it in the dish would be the one to betray him. Once it was handed to Judas Iscariot Satan entered into him. This was it for Judas, it backfired on Judas and Satan. Judas became so depressed about what he did he killed himself. Jesus did die, but that death was life for all of us and eternal life for him. It was what God had planned from his birth. We all live because of Jesus death and Satan dies in the end.
12. How did Satan try to murder the seed of God’s Bride in Exodus 1? – The new king wanted the midwives to kill any baby boys born to the Hebrew women as they were giving birth. They feared God more than the king so did not do what he told them to do. God protected them for it.
13. Some of the godliest women I know have been prevented from marrying or having biological children — yet how God has blessed them with spiritual children, defeating Satan’s plan. How do you see this in Isaiah 54:1-3? How can we all, childless or not, take this to heart? – I was a little confused on this so I did some digging and found this explanation https://www.bible-studys.org/Bible Books/Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 54.html Isaiah Chapter 54 Verses 1-4: This chapter portrays the results of the atoning work of the Servant and its universal extent to all nations. The Gentiles are depicted as a “barren” and “desolate” woman who breaks forth into songs of praise. The imagery depicts the Israelites as the “married wife” and the Gentiles as estranged from God. – so I’m thinking this saying that those who were lost have been found and more will come to know Christ before the end of time. I don’t know I could be way off on this. I will look back for others thoughts on this question.
My mom had a heart attack tonight and was taken to the hospital. Her oxygen level is low and she is unresponsive. At this point I don’t even know what to pray for her because although she is only 77 years old, she is a leg amputee who has refused to do her physical therapy and has been in a nursing home for almost 2 years. She has dementia and with covid she hasn’t been able to have visitors since last March except for the times that she was taken to the emergency room or admitted to the hospital (even then it’s just 1 visitor per hospital stay), so her quality of life it’s next to nothing. She is a believer.
Precious Father, I come to you in prayer tonight for Dawn’s mother. I praise you that as a believer she has your Holy Spirit in her life and that we can know you will never leave or forsake her. Please minister to her and comfort her and provide gracious caregivers for her. I ask for your will to be done in her life during this time of physical crises. Dear Jesus Please be gentle with her. And I pray for Dawn as she ponders her response to the great need in her Mom’s life. Please fill her with hope and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit. Guide and comfort Dawn in how to minister to her Mom if she has opportunity to be with her. I don’t know if that is possible and if not lead Dawn in her prayers for her Mom. Thank you for caring deeply for all involved and may You be glorified through this trial. Praying in the strong name of Jesus. Amen
Amen to Bev’s prayer. Sending love and hugs across the oceans to you, Dawn. I also wanted to let you know that right around the time you wrote this note that dropped into my inbox, my spiritual Mom had also sent this song:
https://youtu.be/6wOhVh2bct8
His Spirit surely knows no distance. May God bring such comfort to your heart in His nearness to you.
Dawn I am so sorry to hear this news. I will pray for you and your mom.
oh Dawn! I’m so sorry. Father, please have mercy on Dawn’s mom. Thank You that she knows You and holds the promise of her true Home with You. Please give the doctors wisdom, give Dawn peace. Pour out Your mercy Lord, use all of this for Your purpose, we trust Your will, Amen
Oh Lord we lift up Dawn’s mother and ask for Your mercy, Your best, Your comfort for her and for Dawn!
Father God, we grieve with Dawn in this time, and plead for You to do what is best in Your eyes. We ask that You show compassion for Dawn, for her mom, and for the rest of the family. Wrap Your loving arms around each, and show Yourself clearly to each one.
Oh Dawn, I am so, so sorry to see this. I will stand in agreement with Bev’s prayer and will also be praying for your mom, you and your family during these hard times.
Dawn, how is your mom?
11. How do you see Satan’s progeny trying to murder Jesus and His progeny? (Find an example in the New Testament.) How did that backfire? (Consider John 11:53 and John 12:10.)
The chief priests began by to plot Jesus’ death, and then by they planned to include to plot Lazarus’ death.
12. How did Satan try to murder the seed of God’s Bride in Exodus 1?
He held Pharaohs heart and he ordered all male babies to be killed. The midwives (Egyptians) were sympathetic to the Hebrews (they feared God) and lied that the Hebrew women gave birth too fast and they couldn’t get there in time. Moses was one of those babies.
13. Some of the godliest women I know have been prevented from marrying or having biological children — yet how God has blessed them with spiritual children, defeating Satan’s plan. How do you see this in Isaiah 54:1-3? How can we all, childless or not, take this to heart?
Isaiah says to “Fear not!” All those who are barren will be blessed with many children. They will have to build additions to their homes and will be bursting at the seams. The desolate woman will have more children than the woman who lives with her husband. Not sure I understand the context of these verses. Might need to go back and read before a bit.
Laura — my thought is that those who do not have physical children may have more time to have spiritual children!
11. How do you see Satan’s progeny trying to murder Jesus and His progeny? (Find an example in the New Testament.) How did that backfire? (Consider John 11:53 and John 12:10.)
a. Luke 4: 9 Jesus was tempted by satan to prove He was God’s son by throwing Himself off the highest point of the temple in Jerusalem (if He was God’s son he would live.) It backfired because that passage has been HUGE to us in regard to helping us when we are tempted by satan. (I also found it interesting that satan chose the highest point of the temple.)
12. How did Satan try to murder the seed of God’s Bride in Exodus 1? Pharaoh plotted to kill every first born son and told the Hebrew midwives to do so after each boy is born but they didn’t, and Israel multiplied more in number, and God blessed the midwives with their own families. So the plot was to kill the seed of God’s bride, but instead it backfired and Moses their deliverer was born, not to mention the Isrealites population exploded.
13. Some of the godliest women I know have been prevented from marrying or having biological children — yet how God has blessed them with spiritual children, defeating Satan’s plan. How do you see this in Isaiah 54:1-3? How can we all, childless or not, take this to heart? God desires for us to impact those around us where He has planted us. He wants us to keep firm and steady in pressing into Jesus so we can see those around us -unbelievers who need Him as well as those who are His who need to grow and bring them into our “tent”. In general, if we are single we have a little more freedom to get rid of distractions that could become our epi-desires rather than Jesus than if we are married and especially if we have children for our focus usually is on our husband and children’s spiritual, relational and physical needs-and being one with your husband can be a hard road with issues due to our sin natures. As Paul said, it is better to remain single if you can for with marriage comes great difficulty. That doesn’t mean we can’t reach out to others and walk in the ministry God calls us too-it can be harder.
Oh wow: I never noticed that before in that passage, Rebecca:
“that satan chose the highest point of the temple”
That is so good. In humbling Himself, He was in fact proclaiming His headship over the Body in not obeying satan!!! Thank you so much for sharing this Rebecca! So encouraging.
BTW one thing I wasn’t so sure of is this: “He wants us to keep firm and steady in pressing into Jesus so we can see those around us -unbelievers who need Him as well as those who are His who need to grow and bring them into our “tent”. ” Don’t we all need to grow and isn’t it as we press into Jesus that we see our own need for grace ? And as we confess our sins, isn’t that what makes others stop and think: “oh wow, but I do that too.” and leads them to recognize their own sin and to repent also. And when we boast in our weakness, isn’t that what strips shame others are clinging to?
I am saying all this recognizing my own struggle here too- my own propensity to want to “save” others, when Jesus in fact wants to save others through my own repeated humbling and my testimony to His saving grace and power and not my own. Hmmm so much to pray through. Thank you for this too. Prompts me to prayer also.
You know, Rebecca, I have to go back to this. I realized I spoke to Lizzy of her “rescuing” or saving God’s seed through adoption and it made me think of the big point I made with you here of us not being the saviors. Pretty hypocritical of me!
Sorry for pointing the finger. Probably, just like me, you said what you did, meaning that God does that saving of others through us – that we bring them into the tent, like Abraham did the travelers he met, to extend the grace of God.
Please accept my apologies. I am recognizing I can be so defensive and rather mean! Sorry, Rebecca.
Anna–I’ve never felt like I’ve been a savior in my adoptions–BUT, I definitely believe God has used my children and their unique adoption struggles in my sanctification! I believe all my adoptions were more about the work God wanted to do in my heart than anything. He could have used anyone to be their mother, but He knew I needed a lot of work 😉
Oh, don’t we all need that sanctification, Lizzy! I know I do: SO much. But I also believe God’s love is working so powerfully through you, as you openly share of His sanctification.
Lizzy: reading this verse again this morning really blessed me and made me think of you and your estranged family too. It was in a blog post, where the woman pointed out how sometimes she’s stayed somewhere, God has wanted her to leave, so that others can bring the harvest that she has sowed into. She has wanted to see the harvest, not realizing that her part is over.
I guess it’s like Bev was telling me: that we don’t always get to see what God is doing, but it doesn’t mean when we are parted that our (or their labor for that matter in sowing into us) is in vain:
1 Corinthians 3:6-8
English Standard Version
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.
Day 4: The Sermon by Charles Biggs
14. Listen to the sermon and share your notes and comments. (See link in opening)
I was struck by these things:
God giving permission to the dragon to perform His own will. Reminded me of the conversation between the devil and God about Job. Ultimately the trials Job goes through cause him to seek a living relationship with God – as He calls out to Him, rather than feeding on the diatribe of man, who condemns Job rather than to affirm him in God’s love.
It’s then Job bows the knee before God, not man, and acknowledges His sovereignty in all things, being overwhelmed by the intimacy He has now tasted through suffering:
Job 42:5 KJV
I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth Thee.
The false trinity, the counterfeit, also has three players: the dragon (false father), the beast (false son) and the false prophet (false spirit). Brings me back to our study of the Pharisees, the teachers of the law, being the false sons, whose Father is the devil (the dragon/serpent). Then, I wonder if the false prophet is in fact, not a “prophet’ per se, but a spirit infecting teachers of God’s Word today?
It fits with what I felt God remind me of again: how deeply His heart grieved for my pastor. I felt that repeatedly as I prayed for him. For, we don’t wage war against the flesh but against the powers of darkness.
After all: even Pharisees were saved by the Cross: many came to faith, also through the disciples choosing to stand up in their midst to teach the living Word boldly and unashamedly. Like Peter, who at first sat with the “sons of the devil”, rather than setting himself apart, and was called a hypocrite by Paul for doing so, but the rebuke had its intended effect.
Peter was strengthened to be set apart by God, to not sit with them and remain silent, but to leave them and then return, but only to stand up in their midst to proclaim the Good News boldly. He was no longer chained to unrighteous authority, but clothed in God’s authority. And many came to faith in his doing so. Oh this gives me goosebumps.
That the dragon (Satan) claims ownership of people, but He’s hideous. That’s what it felt like when I attended my church. That I was helpless and subservient to the spiritual authority in place and that I was wrong to obey God’s Word. The moment I left, I literally felt a big oppressive cloud lift off of me. So much fear just disappeared. There truly was a spiritual hold on me, but God broke it.
But I also saw how I allow Satan to turn me into his servant even now, when I cling to things and people. Rather than see myself as a steward of God’s gifts of grace to me, I begin to control and to possess these gifts for my own fleshly ends: especially as a parent.
When I have cried out in prayer, I’ve watched God move me toward surrender, firmness with godly intension (long-term transformation), and gentleness of heart.
It reminds me of 2 Timothy 1:12 and Paul’s trust in God to guard until the day of Christ Jesus all that he has entrusted into God’s hands. He was a steward, not a control-freak of souls entrusted to him that he in turn entrusted to God.
I see Him teaching me so much about His nature toward me in His discipline of me, also. Last night, I had this picture of a little girl repeatedly falling into the dirt and grime, in learning to walk. And I felt God say: do I shame that little girl, yelling at her, or do I pick her up, comfort her and clean her knees to set her back down to keep learning to walk?
That the Church is led into the wilderness for her protection. It reminds me of a root Word study I did, when I discovered a connection in all these passages in the Bible [Mary: this is what I wanted to share earlier as it fits with the Kinsman Redeemer’s cloak spread over Ruth]:
Hebrew root connections
weave (in the womb)
cover (with the shadow of His hand)
hedge (place protection around)
curtain (around the ark)
cloud (covering Israelites by day)
overshadow (Holy Spirit of Mary)
Psalm 18:11 (NIV)
He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
This fit with the sermon saying that we often fail to see the glory in us and in others. We see the overshadowing of our weakness and yet in that overshadowing, Christ’s glory is put on display, when we rest in God’s power in our weakness, just as Peter did:
Acts 5:15 They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some of them. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)
Acts 3:6 KJV
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
We need God’s eyes to see our and others’ wilderness circumstances and condition with eyes of faith.
5. I also loved how he said that it is in fact our weakness that disarms the powers of darkness because “blessed are those who take refuge in Him” (Psalm 2) and are nourished in the wilderness under God’s sovereign protection. That the glory comes through the Cross of persecution and trials: count it all joy, for it is working in us the perserverance in the love of Christ. Or as he said it: “All you got to do is pull out Jesus.”
6. And his final point: so good. That it is the Church who will crush the serpent under its feet, clothed in her God of peace. And peace – shalom – is that joining of all broken parts into a whole. We can’t put the shards together ourselves – our broken hearts and others – only God can. But when we lean into His Promises of wholeness, HE begins to move through us to heal and make us and our brothers and sisters whole in Him.
I also kept hearing a song in my heart as I did this study that has these lyrics: “He lives, He lives, the hope of glory in our hearts, arise oh mighty army, arise”. It was one of Mum’s favorites.
Good notes and thoughts, Anna.
I don’t know if you can get You-Tube, but I think you’d find the 2 programs on American Gospel so encouraging, considering your history of spiritual abuse.
What two programmes? I tried to search on YouTube, but I am not sure what to click on. Would love to take a look.
I’ll try to give links in next week’s post — hopefully they will work for you too.
10. Barrenness and infanticide were two ways the dragon tried to stop God’s seed. How do you see this in the following?
Before I look there, I need to say that while Satan thought he was going to stop God, God had the timing all in hand from before the creation. The Word says that Jesus came in the fullness of time, when the time had fully come. Daniel’s vision of the weeks gave part of God’s timeline. What came before Daniel was no less under God’s control.
A. Abraham and Sarah. Abraham had 25 years between hearing from God that he would father one that would carry God’s promises and covenant forward. To Abraham, it looked like a failure. But God always meant for Isaac to come exactly when he did.
B. Isaac and Rebekah. Twenty years into marriage, knowing that he was a direct answer to God’s plan, Isaac finally prayed for a pregnancy. Maybe they needed reminders in their own days of God’s sovereignty and plan. Like it says in Zechariah, it isn’t by might or power, but by God’s Spirit. I can add, not according to what we think, either.
C. Jacob and his wives. This is harder for me, as a human, to understand, because of the multiple wife situation. All I know is that God used it, used them. For each of them as individuals, for them as a family, for them as part of the bigger picture, and for us, who have been given the story.
D. Jochebed and Moses. Satan thought he could take out the Jews. Not a new thought even then. But in listening to God and doing what He directed, Jochebed brought a ‘type of Christ’ into the bigger story.
E. Mary, the mother of Jesus. The slaughter of the innocents. This one, more than the others, hits me deeper. Which makes no sense. But she had to have learned what happened after they fled. She had to have known other young mothers and they had lost their sons while Mary kept hers. When I am asked about God and how, while He saved Jesus, He didn’t save others, I have no words. I just cling to the truth of His character, believing that it makes sense from His perspective.
11. How do you see Satan’s progeny trying to murder Jesus and His progeny?
The cross, where Satan thought he had won, but was actually God’s ultimate triumph. And the persecution after Stephen, when the church was in danger of being snuffed out.
12. How did Satan try to murder the seed of God’s bride in Exodus 1?
By pharaoh ordering the midwives to kill boy babies, and later ordering all his people to throw boy babies into the Nile. Ironic to me that Jochebed was technically following this law. She put Moses into the river, but protected. Maybe much as God does for us. In the world but not of it.
13. Not all marry or have biological children. Yet God blesses with spiritual children. Isaiah 54:1-3.
When we invest into the lives of others, whether they are our biological children or not, we have the opportunity to have spiritual children. Paul never married or had biological children, but he spoke of many as his sons. Every Mother’s Day, I write my single daughter with encouragement that she has children she does not even know about because she pours her life into children’s ministry. And we never have to be past the age of child bearing. We can keep birthing and nursing and nurturing spiritual children.
I understand how you feel about God using the multiple wives — but it also gives me hope that God can even use our poor choices for good when we walk in repentance. I see repentance in Jacob and Leah, at least.
Dee, I agree. My parents married each other’s masks, yet as long as they were together, God blessed them. When they divorced, they both went downhill.
we are going away for a few days and will not have internet, so will see you all into next week….
I love this, Mary: “Ironic to me that Jochebed was technically following this law. She put Moses into the river, but protected. Maybe much as God does for us. In the world but not of it.” The story of baby Moses has always touched my heart, as I also see trauma at the root of many of Moses’ struggles growing up. But it’s almost like that trauma was needed for Moses to lean so heavily upon God and become the leader he did.
Likewise, as parents, we give our children into God’s care, allowing Him to use our shortcomings and inabilities to perfect His power in their lives, as Jochebed did. It’s in our failings (whether or not these failings stem from our own sin or not) that they most learn to lean into Jesus and His love and grace, as He shatters their idols to beckon them into a personal and intimate relationship with Him.
14. Charles Bigg’s sermon.
The book of Revelation is saturated with symbols from the Old Testament. At the heart of the book is the Bride and the serpent. The woman is glorious, but she is in pain, and that is a picture of the church. This passage, 12:1-6, is a digression, where John is reviewing what he’s been told in chapters 1-11. He sees the conflict and struggle focused on Jesus and the devil, with salvation coming out of the struggle. Most of the book is ‘apocalyptic’ literature, which means giving hope by opening what is happening behind our scenes on earth to what is happening in heaven. The reason is for encouragement. 1 John 5 is a summary of this, telling us that faith overcomes. The promise of salvation comes through Jacob and this woman with four faces. It is the already but not yet, the glory yet the pain. Jesus has made us glorious, but we have pain. The Old Testament women all anticipated the birth of the Messiah, hoping they would be the one. Barrenness was common, showing that salvation comes not by might or power or naturally, but by grace. God wants us to see the story we’re part of. It was passed on to the disciples in John 16. Sorrow in pain gives way to joy. The dragon claims perfection and power. He is the main opponent, not other people. The Bible uses the names serpent, dragon, Rahab to mean the enemies of God. All enemies of God are servants of Satan. God’s allowing some sway to him led to the cross, which was God’s plan. The goal of the counterfeit trinity is to stop God’s plan. The whole of the Bible is told us here in these verses. There is a wilderness where we are protected and nurtured. We are not yet in the Promised Land. This is for a specific time, though we don’t have the specifics. Glory comes through suffering. There is no crown without the cross. Our advocate is in heaven, and evil has no access there. He said the church will crush Satan, though when I read it in Romans 16:20, it says that God will crush Satan under our feet.
Day 4: The Sermon by Charles Biggs
14. Listen to the sermon and share your notes and comments.
* Revelation is made up of images where pictures can be formed in your mind
* It is satuated with Old Testament symbolism that we should watch for
* The woman, clothed, glorius and in pain is a picture of the church and what it is feeling
* We see conflict and struggle and a close up of two main characters, Jesus and the serpent, then we see salvation and redemption come
* The woman is the Mother Israel, the church. She possesses glory now but she is in great tribulation. We can see ourselves in this image if we look closely.
* In verse 5 there was anticipation of the Messiah who was to come
* Israel is represented by a woman whose seed would produce Jesus who would crush the serpent in time
*Barren women are common in the Bible, this allowed God to show his power, that it would not be man that produces the seed of the Messiah (this was very interesting to me)
* Supernatural births lead to THE Supernatural birth (loved this WOW)
* The serpent claims to be king and ruler over some
* All those that went against God were servants of the serpent
* The dragon is the false trinity, but has power and is a mighty force
* These 6 verses tell the whole story of the Bible
* No matter how bad it gets, God’s promises always come to pass
* Jesus will rule over everything and everyone
* We have a place in the wilderness, protected by God until we get to teh Promised Land (Thank you Jesus, there is hope)
* Some say the 1,260 days is the time between the 1st and 2nd coming of Christ.
* The glory comes through the suffering, through the cross
* The only one who has access to heaven is Jesus and his people
Very interesting sermon. Thanks Dee for providing the link
Impressed you listened with your busy schedule — I did think he brought clarity!
Thanks Dee. I’m really trying to make God, His Word, Sermons that help me grow, more priority than my foofoo stuff. I find myself so bored when I don’t. I don’t always succeed, but this study is pulling me in.
I loved this bit too, Julie: “Supernatural births lead to THE Supernatural birth (loved this WOW).” Yesterday, on one of my friends’ blogs, she asked in her prayer for God to help us to see how we are “part of the miracle”. It so touched my heart.
His grace IS VISIBLE in our lives. We just need eyes of faith to see and remember all those times He moved in us and through us and for us. I think that’s why I press so much for people to tell their stories.
It’s people’s stories of grace that God used to bring me home to Him. I read several testimonies that just ripped the blindfolds off of me. I was so hungry for God’s mercy that I got glimpses of, when my Mum lay dying, and He sent more my way through those men and women who dared to talk about their sin and weakness and how God drew near to them and rescued them. They were such a gift to me.
Anna I agree, the stories others have told me have also encourage me to keep moving forward. That I am worth Him and I can do it with the Lord by myside.