Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for December 21

SHOULD WE ADD A DRAGON TO THE NATIVITY?

From: December 21, 2024

“And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it” (Revelation 12:4 ESV).

In John’s revelation, the Lord pulled back the curtain between heaven and earth, allowing him to see things from a heavenly perspective. In Revelation 12, John saw the cosmic warfare surrounding Christ’s birth. For he saw a vision of the devil in the form of a dragon, seeking to kill the Christ child as soon as he was born.

Every year I remind our church that we need to correct the nativity scenes that we display in our homes at Christmas. For they have merged the two accounts of the angels and shepherds in Luke 2 with the star and the Magi in Matthew 2. Those two events happened two years apart. Yet upon reading today’s New Testament reading in Revelation, I wonder whether another adjustment should be made. Should we add a dragon to our nativity displays?

Certainly, we can see the dragon at work in the heart of King Herod, who sought to kill the Christ child by sending soldiers to Bethlehem to murder every baby boy under the age of two (Matt. 2:16-18). But that’s a part of the story that we’d rather forget. We don’t like being reminded that we’re tempted to worship the worldly king Herod rather than the true King Jesus. We’re all under the influence of the dragon apart from faith in Christ Jesus who came to save us.

John’s revelation reminds us that Christmas was a cosmic event, filled with drama and spiritual warfare. His book pulls back the curtain and lets us see Christmas from God’s perspective.

I’ve never seen a Christmas nativity set that included a dragon. But he was there. And he is still at war with all those who seek to worship the one true born King.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for pulling back the curtain so that we can see the profound spiritual importance of Christmas. Help us to see with fresh perspective and with spiritual eyes the wonder of the gift of Your Son this season. And strengthen us to recognize the spiritual battle for our worship. In Jesus’ name, amen.

YOU WON’T SEE THIS VERSE IN A CHRISTMAS CARD

From: December 21, 2023

“She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne” (Revelation 12:5 NLT).

I’ve never seen Revelation 12:5 quoted in a Christmas card, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be. When the apostle John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos, the Lord pulled back the curtain between heaven and earth and invited old John to see things from a heavenly perspective. Among the events he saw, John saw the cosmic warfare surrounding Christ’s first advent.

In order to understand John’s vision, three figures must be identified: the woman, the son, and the dragon. The dragon’s identity is given to us by John, “This great dragon is the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan” (Rev. 12:9). But what of the woman and the child?

The woman is not Mary nor the Church as some maintain, but Israel. Notice John’s description of the woman: “I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head” (Rev. 12:1). This is a reference to Joseph’s dream found in Genesis 37:9. The sun and moon are his parents and the stars, his brothers. This describes Jacob/Israel and his wife and 12 sons/tribes. Those that would understand the book of Revelation, must recognize its Old Testament imagery.

The third figure, which John refers to variously as the “baby,” the “child,” and the “son,” is Christ Jesus. John’s description that he “was to rule all nations with an iron rod” is a clear reference to the Messianic prophecy found in Psalm 2:9. However, the time had not come for Jesus to take up the “iron rod,” for his first advent was as a Suffering Servant. John’s statement that the child was “snatched away” and “caught up to God and to his throne” is a summary of Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension as seen from a spiritual perspective.

John’s revelation reminds us that the first Advent was a cosmic event, filled with drama and spiritual warfare. While you won’t see this verse about a dragon in a Christmas card, John’s Revelation pulls back the curtain of heaven and lets us see Christmas from God’s perspective.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for pulling back the curtain so that we can see the profound spiritual importance of that first Christmas. Help us to see with fresh perspective and with spiritual eyes the wonder of the gift of Your Son this season. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I saw a large red dragon… He stood in front of the woman as she was about to give birth, ready to devour her baby as soon as it was born” (Revelation 12:3-4 NLT).

From: December 21, 2022

DID YOUR NATIVITY COME WITH A DRAGON?

When the apostle John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos, the Lord pulled back the curtain between heaven and earth and invited old John to see things from a heavenly perspective. Among the events he saw, John saw the cosmic warfare surrounding Christ’s birth.

In order to understand John’s vision, three figures must be identified: the woman, the son, and the dragon. We know that Mary gave birth to Jesus, but the symbolic description of the woman points to Israel. Notice John’s description: “I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head” (Rev. 12:1). This is a reference to Joseph’s dream found in Genesis 37:9. The sun and moon are his parents and the stars, his brothers. This describes Jacob, his wife and twelve sons who became the twelve tribes of Israel.

The second figure, which John refers to variously as the “baby,” the “child,” and the “son,” is Christ Jesus. John’s description that he “was to rule all nations with an iron rod” is a reference to the Messianic prophecy found in Psalm 2:9. However, the time had not yet come for Jesus to take up the “iron rod.” For his first advent was as a Suffering Servant, not a conquering King.

The dragon’s identity is given to us by John, “This great dragon is the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan” (Rev. 12:9). His desire to “devour” the baby was seen in Herod’s unsuccessful attempt to murder Jesus by ordering the death of every baby boy in Bethlehem under age two.

John’s revelation reminds us that the first Christmas was a cosmic event, filled with drama and spiritual warfare. His book pulls back the curtain of heaven and lets us see Christmas from God’s perspective.

I’ve never seen a Christmas nativity set that included a dragon. But he was there. And he is still at war with all those who seek to worship the one born king, King Jesus.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for pulling back the curtain so that we can see the profound spiritual importance of that first Christmas. Help us to see with fresh perspective and with spiritual eyes the wonder of the gift of Your Son this season. And strengthen us to recognize the spiritual battle for our worship. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne” (Revelation 12:5 NLT).

From: December 21, 2021

THE VERSE YOU WON’T SEE ON A CHRISTMAS CARD

I’ve never seen Revelation 12:5 quoted on a Christmas card, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be. When the apostle John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos, the Lord pulled back the curtain between heaven and earth and invited old John to see things from a heavenly perspective. Among the events he saw, John saw the cosmic warfare surrounding Christ’s first advent.

In order to understand John’s vision, three figures must be identified: the woman, the son, and the dragon. The dragon’s identity is given to us by John, “This great dragon is the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan” (Rev. 12:9). But what of the woman and the child?

The woman is not Mary nor the Church as some maintain, but Israel. Notice John’s description of the woman: “I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head” (Rev. 12:1). This is clearly a reference to Joseph’s dream found in Genesis 37:9. The sun and moon are his parents and the stars, his brothers. This describes Jacob/Israel and his wife and 12 sons/tribes. Those that would understand the book of Revelation, must recognize its Old Testament imagery.

The third figure, which John refers to variously as the “baby,” the “child,” and the “son,” is Christ Jesus. John’s description that he “was to rule all nations with an iron rod” is a clear reference to the Messianic prophecy found in Psalm 2:9. However, the time had not come for Jesus to take up the “iron rod,” for his first advent was as a Suffering Servant. John’s statement that the child was “snatched away” and “caught up to God and to his throne” is a summary of Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension as seen from a spiritual perspective.

John’s revelation reminds us that the first Christmas was a cosmic event, filled with drama and spiritual warfare. His book pulls back the curtain of heaven and lets us see Christmas from God’s perspective.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for pulling back the curtain so that we can see the profound spiritual importance of that first Christmas. Help us to see with fresh perspective and with spiritual eyes the wonder of the gift of Your Son this season. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you”‘ (Zechariah 1:3 NKJV).

From: December 21, 2020

REPENTANCE PRECEDES REVIVAL

The prophet Zechariah prophesied to the Jewish exiles, who had returned to Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity in Babylon. Yet, returning to Jerusalem wasn’t the same as returning to God. The Lord commanded Zechariah to “Say to them.” In other words, “Preach to them: Return to Me and I’ll return to you.”

Repentance always precedes revival. For just coming back to your spouse or family or church or Lord, doesn’t mean that you’ve repented of what caused the separation. To truly return, repentance is required. Otherwise, there can be no true revival of the love that you knew at first.

The Lord instructed Zechariah to tell the returning exiles that returning to Jerusalem wasn’t the same as returning to God. Yet, the Lord was ready and willing to return to them the minute they repented. Like the father of the prodigal son, he waited with open arms. After all, He had never left them. They had left Him.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we repent of our sins against You. We return to You in every area, not wanting even one aspect of our lives out of alignment with Your will. We know that You are faithful to forgive us and cleanse us through the blood of Jesus, Whom we have believed. Revive us, O Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

“She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne” (Revelation 12:5 NLT).

From: December 21, 2019

THE CHRISTMAS VERSE NEVER SEEN ON A CARD

I’ve never seen Revelation 12:5 quoted on a Christmas card, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be. When the apostle John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos, the Lord pulled back the curtain between heaven and earth and invited old John to see things from a heavenly perspective. Among the events he saw, John saw the cosmic warfare surrounding Christ’s first advent.

In order to understand John’s vision, three figures must be identified: the woman, the son, and the dragon. The dragon’s identity is given to us by John, “This great dragon is the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan” (Rev. 12:9). But what of the woman and the child?

The woman is not Mary nor the Church as some maintain, but Israel. Notice John’s description of the woman: “I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head” (Rev. 12:1). This is clearly a reference to Joseph’s dream found in Genesis 37:9. The sun and moon are his parents and the stars, his brothers. This describes Jacob/Israel and his wife and 12 sons/tribes. Those that would understand the book of Revelation, must recognize its Old Testament imagery.

The third figure, which John refers to variously as the “baby,” the “child,” and the “son,” is Christ Jesus. John’s description that he “was to rule all nations with an iron rod” is a clear reference to the Messianic prophecy found in Psalm 2:9. However, the time had not come for Jesus to take up the “iron rod,” for his first advent was as a Suffering Servant. John’s statement that the child was “snatched away” and “caught up to God and to his throne” is a summary of Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension as seen from a spiritual perspective.

John’s revelation reminds us that the first Christmas was a cosmic event, filled with drama and spiritual warfare. His book pulls back the curtain of heaven and lets us see Christmas from God’s perspective.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for pulling back the curtain so that we can see the profound spiritual importance of that first Christmas. Help us to see with fresh perspective and with spiritual eyes the wonder of the gift of Your Son this season. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child” (Revelation 12:13 NKJV).

From: December 21, 2017

Not your usual Christmas card verse, yet John’s revelation pulled back the curtain to show Christ’s coming from a heavenly perspective. The “dragon” represents Satan. The “woman” is Israel. And the “male child” is the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Israel has been under almost continuous persecution since Christ’s birth. Yet, in the last days there will be a season of relief (see v. 14 “she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent”). After this the persecution will worsen towards Israel and those who have come to faith in Jesus (v. 17 “her offspring”) because Satan will know his days are numbered.

There may be both good days and hard days ahead, but we can be confident that the Lord is with us and has a plan for us. At Christmas we celebrate Christ’s coming and the confidence we have that He is coming again to end Satan’s worldly reign.

“Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 1:3 ESV)

From: December 21, 2016

The prophet Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai. Both of them wrote to encourage the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem from their 70 years of Babylonian exile. Zechariah began to prophesy during the reign of Darius, king of Persia (Zech. 1:1), under whose governance the Jews were allowed to return and rebuild Jerusalem. He instructed them not only to return to Jerusalem, but to return to the Lord! This is a word to those who have gone astray. Return! Repent of your sins and return to the Lord of Hosts and He will surely return to you.

“Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth” (Revelation 12:1-2 NKJV)

From: December 21, 2015

Here’s a passage that I’ve never seen on a Christmas card. Yet, when John the Revelator was caught up into heaven, he saw the birth of Christ from heaven’s perspective. Who is the woman? It’s not Mary nor the Church, but Israel (See Joseph’s dream in Gen. 37:9. The sun and moon are his parents and the stars, his brothers. This describes Jacob/Israel and his wife and 12 sons). Remember, those that would understand the book of Revelation, must first recognize its Old Testament imagery. Revelation is the last book of the Bible for a reason. We need to read and seek to understand the first 65 books before trying to grasp the last one. John’s revelation reminds us that the first Christmas was a cosmic event, filled with spiritual warfare and drama. His book pulls back the curtain of heaven and lets us see Christmas from God’s perspective.

“But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. As a result, they repented and said, ‘We have received what we deserved from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He has done what he said he would do.’” (Zechariah 1:6 NLT)

From: December 21, 2014

This is God’s Word. It is what it claims to be. It can do what it says it can do. The prophet Zechariah had the privilege of speaking to the returning exiles to Jerusalem. Their forefathers had been overthrown and taken captive 70 years before as the old prophets had predicted. Unlike their forefathers, the returning children were repentant and ready to believe. Along with the book of Daniel, this little book is filled with images that aren’t seen again until John takes them up again in his revelation of Jesus. Zechariah is filled with Messianic prophecy that Jesus fulfilled. What God revealed to and through Zechariah, He has done. Yet prophecy in the Scriptures tends to have a threefold fulfillment: Present (or immediate), ongoing and future. Our faith is built up by the fulfillment already seen, and our hearts are filled with hope by taking hold of those promises that we can apply now and look for in the future.