Bible Reading Blog
“His Time is Short”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Revelation 12
The major message of Revelation begins in chapter 4 with the introduction of God on his throne. Everything else up to this point was preparatory as John is about to witness the “Drama of Redemption.” We are introduced to Jesus as the living, victorious Christ (Revelation 1). The audience this drama is to benefit is presented in Revelation 2-3 with all their vices and virtues. Revelation 4-5 settles our attention on God and sets the tone for all that follows. God reigns supreme and his dealings with humanity find purpose and meaning in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God (4.11). He alone is worthy to unveil the mystery hidden for ages because he fulfilled the redemptive purposes of God towards man (5.9-10).
Revelation is not intended to be read as a linear timeline but rather as a mural depicting the various elements of redemptive history. In this book we see the hand of Christ opening the sealed book of God’s dealings with men and giving clarity to God’s actions.
As the seals are broken and trumpets are blown, we see wickedness and corruption increase throughout history (Revelation 6). Evil gains prominence and the world becomes an apparent wasteland, ruled by wicked leaders, and filled with unrepentant peoples (Revelation 9). This culminates in apparent victory for evil (11.7-10). But throughout there are constant reminders of God’s power and presence to redeem those who are his (see 6.9-11; 7.9-17). These events are within the bounds of God’s power as it is his messengers who usher the timing of their occurrence (marked by angels blowing trumpets, pouring bowls, etc).
When all hope seems lost, the tides suddenly turn. The murdered witnesses revive (11.11), and the apparent kingdom of the world becomes “the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (11.15). The temple is opened (11.19) indicating universal access to God.
But this is not the end of the story. At this point we must turn our attention to the enemy at large. Satan has been cast down and he knows his time is short (12.9, 12). He is furiously working to make war on “those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (12.17). In the chapters that follow, Satan’s ferocity and tenacity are intimidating and, for many, convincing. He is relentless because he has no time to waste. “…But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12.12).
This is the time in which we live. Satan operates openly and covertly. He manipulates people and situations to take our attention off Jesus. This is not some childish apparition; We have an enemy who is out to get us (1 Peter 5.8). Every day we must live with this awareness and prepare our minds to engage. He has no time to waste… and neither do we.
"Let no one deceive you… walk as children of light… look carefully how you walk… making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5.6-16)
