These two chapters continue to describe the bleak time in the future known as the tribulation. The identification of some aspects of these chapters can be a bit difficult. Once again, the purpose of the book of Revelation is not to give us all the information about what is coming in the future in crystal clear detail. That is why some things are omitted and others are recorded in highly figurative language. This is a call to us to trust the Lord for the ultimate outworking of these things in history.
One thing that is clear in chapter 12 is the identity of the dragon. It is the devil (vs9). There is pertinent information here for us even for the present day. That information is in how the devil can be conquered. 12:11 tells us that the means to conquering the devil is the blood of the Lamb and the Word of God. The cross is where the blood of Jesus was shed. It was that act of substitutionary atonement that bruised His heel, while at the same time crushing the head of the serpent (cf. Gen. 3:15). It is the Word of God that we are told to use as our weapon against the spiritual forces with which we are engaged in battle (cf. Eph. 6:17). He is making war against us now (cf. 1Pet. 5:8), and he will continue to do so during the tribulation period (12:17). Let trust in these two things to conquer our foe!
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