Here’s a sort of wacky, unexpected way to end our Advent series. I bet you weren’t expecting a dragon.
This passage, like yesterday’s, is written by the apostle John. I have to admit that I’m not 100% sure of this, but I think Revelation 12 is John’s rock opera version of the whole story we’ve been reading the past three weeks. Just like in Genesis 3, there’s a woman, a child, and a serpent–but the serpent has grown to monstrous proportions. It’s a huge, multi-headed dragon that knocks stars out of the sky with a flick of its tail. Just like Herod, this dragon is trying to kill the newborn child; the child is snatched away again to safety, not in Egypt but in heaven.
In the end, it doesn’t matter how big and scary this serpent has become. He’s not strong enough. He’s not just stomped in the head by the child; he’s hurled from heaven by the child and his angel army. Just like Archelaus followed Herod, this dragon, though hurled from heaven, still can do some damage for a while on the earth and the sea. But it’s just the death throes; soon the child will take up his strong, but gentle, and just and fair reign.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
December 24, 2009 at 9:29 am |
Thanks for doing this, Brian! It was good to be reminded of the bigger picture surrounding the birth of Jesus. I’m looking forward to Leap of Faith!
December 29, 2009 at 10:48 pm |
You’re welcome, Gretchen. Thanks for reading.
December 25, 2009 at 10:29 pm |
Halleluiah, that this dragon’s time is short. And, Amen to that prayer- come Jesus come!