"Revelation 12, though covering with a few words the entire previous history of Satan’s warfare against the Christ, refers directly and specifically to the events that took place in connection with Christ’s birth." [1]
“. . . . The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.” (Revelation 12:4–6, NIV).
These events, of course are recorded in Matthew 2:1–23 (NIV),
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him . . . 13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” . . . 16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
"He came in the fullness of time from the stock of Israel (Gal. 4:4). Moreover, he is the male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter, who has existed from before the ages. Here is further reference to Psalm 2 (see Rev. 11:15). The “iron scepter” with which this boy child will shepherd the wayward nations is mentioned in Revelation three times (here, 2:27; 19:15)." [2]
John, also see the ascension of Christ and then we have this interesting statement: "The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.” This cannot be speaking of Joseph and Mary's time in Egypt, per se. What can it mean? "Many interpreters see the 1,260 days mentioned here as a flashback to the entire church age just as the previous chapter flashed back to Christ’s original coming to earth. We see the 1,260 days, however, as a reference to great end-times persecution when believers will need God’s protection even more. Revelation 11:3 identified this final time—however long it lasts—as one of powerful witness and protection for the church prophetic."[3]
This subject requires more examination for there is great encouragement here. If my interpretation is right, the Church (during these Last Days - 1260 days figuratively) has been placed in the wilderness. The wilderness experiences of Israel are then a foreshadowing of today's Church in the wilderness. The evacuation of Joseph and Mary to Egypt are also that same symbolism. Ironically, it is in the wilderness that God protects and nourishes His Church. More about that tomorrow!
Notice the words of Jesus: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4, NIV). That word "open country" is the word ἔρημος [er·ay·mos] and is translated "wilderness." [4]
The wilderness is usually not where we want to be. But it is in the wilderness that God has planned our protection and our nourishment.
Father, indeed Your ways are not our ways. I would never take those I love to the wilderness for their good and for their blessings. But You do! Lord the wilderness is not "milk and honey." It is often hard. Draw near to us, Father. Sustain us. Keep us safe from the Evil One. Help us to understand that this is the best place for us.
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1. Hendriksen, William (1998-06-01). More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation (p. 140). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
2. Easley, K. H. (1998). Vol. 12: Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary (209). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
3. Easley, K. H. (1998). Vol. 12: Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary (210). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
4. Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software
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