Revelation 12:13-17: a reflection

13When the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. 14Two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, so that she might be nourished for a time, times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 15The serpent spewed water out of his mouth after the woman like a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream. 16The earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon spewed out of his mouth. 17The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep God’s commandments and hold Jesus’ testimony.

In this vision, the dragon, having been cast down, turns in fury to persecute the woman, a picture of God's people. But notice what happens: the woman is given wings to flee to a place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she is nourished and kept safe from the serpent for an appointed time. When the dragon pours out a flood to sweep her away, the earth itself opens to swallow the flood and protect her. Though the dragon rages and makes war on God's people, God shelters and sustains them; the enemy cannot destroy them.

Notice the two realities held together: the dragon's real hostility, and God's real protection. The enemy is genuinely hostile, persecuting God's people, making war on them, seeking their destruction. But God provides for his own: a place of refuge, nourishment in the wilderness, protection from the flood. The persecution is real, but so is God's shelter; the dragon rages, but God preserves those who are his.

That is a comfort for God's people in times of persecution and hostility. The enemy of God and his people is real, and his hostility can be fierce; we should not be surprised when God's people are opposed and persecuted. But God does not abandon his own to the dragon's rage; he provides refuge, nourishment, and protection, sheltering and sustaining his people even in the wilderness of hostility. When you face opposition and hostility for your faith, remember this vision. The dragon may rage, but God shelters his people; the enemy cannot destroy those God preserves. He has a place prepared for you, nourishment for the wilderness, and protection from the flood. Rest in the God who shelters his own amid the enemy's rage.

Lord, in John's vision, the dragon raged against your people, but you gave the woman refuge in the wilderness, nourished her, and protected her from the flood; the enemy could not destroy those you preserved. When I face opposition and hostility for my faith, hold that vision before me. The enemy of your people is real, and his hostility can be fierce; help me not to be surprised by it. But you do not abandon your own to the dragon's rage; you provide refuge, nourishment, and protection, sheltering and sustaining me even in the wilderness of hostility. When the enemy rages against me, remind me that you shelter your people, that he cannot destroy those you preserve. You have a place prepared for me and protection in the storm; let me rest in you amid the rage.