Revelation Day 32 - The Enemy's Weapon

DAY 32
The Enemy’s Weapon
Revelation 12:1-10
 
“Never bring a knife to a gunfight!”

That famous line is from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Indiana Jones famously demonstrated the point in Raiders of the Lost Ark when he shot a sword-wielding villain.

Nobody wants to be in a fight, much less with a gun or a knife, but the point is simple: if you’re in a conflict, you better know your enemy’s weapon. John gestures in Rev 12 toward Satan’s primary weapon when he calls him “accuser” in v.10. “Satan” actually means “accuser.” According to Scripture, Satan is a fallen spiritual being whose his main weapon is not possession but deception. In John 8:44, Jesus calls Satan “the father of lies.” Satan is frequently shown twisting the truth to slander God and lead us away from God. Eve’s back and forth with the serpent in Genesis 3 is a great example.

John describes in Rev. 12 Satan’s attacks. First, in v.4, he tries to devour a child. V.5 identifies this child as Jesus, by quoting Psalm 2, which anticipates the Messiah’s rule.

Second, Satan chases the pregnant woman in the opening verses, then chases her again, and her children, in the closing verses. This woman has layers of symbolism, but bottom line, both the woman and her children symbolize God’s people rallied around Jesus. John underlines that in v.17: these are “those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.”

If you’re a Christian, if you pledge allegiance to Jesus Christ and are trying to walk the Way of Jesus, you will get spiritual pushback. Satan is your enemy. Spiritual beings loyal to Satan (Scripture calls them “demons”) will try to lead you away from the Way of Jesus using lies. They lie about God and lie about us. Peter the Apostle warns us, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter. 5:8). The first step in spiritual warfare is knowing our enemy. The second is knowing his weapon, and our enemy’s weapon is lies.

REFLECT
When you think of spiritual warfare, what typically comes to mind? Is your picture affected more by Hollywood or Scripture?

PRAY
Jesus, you are Lord of truth. You are the truth! Protect me, and all your people, from the enemy’s lies. Keep me in your truth. Amen.