The Apocalyptic Christmas
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INTRODUCTION
When we think about Christmas, our minds often conjure images of serene tranquility: a sleeping babe swaddled in linen, nestled in a manger under a starlit sky, surrounded by gentle animals lowing. We envision angels strumming golden harps, their melodies echoing sweetly with promises of peace on earth and goodwill toward men, heralding the birth of heaven's all-gracious King. However, a starkly different, yet equally significant, portrayal of the Christmas narrative unfolds in the book of Revelation. Here, instead of peaceful stillness, we encounter a dramatic scene with dragons, falling stars, and a celestial war centered around a particular child. This apocalyptic vision of Christmas, far from the traditional manger scene, challenges us to expand our understanding of what Christmas means and how to apply its incredible and profound implications.
With that, let us explore the apocalyptic Christmas from Revelation 12 and discover what it teaches us.
A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; she was with child, crying out in labor and pain to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. His tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child. And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; her child was caught up to God and to His throne. - Revelation 12:1-5
EXAMINING THE CHARACTERS
Now... For a moment I want to examine the characters in this scene, look at who they are, what they represent, so that we can understand what is going on. On the surface, the meaning if obvious... This passage is clearly talking about Jesus. He is the male child born to the woman and delivered to us on Christmas Day. He is the King who ascended into heaven after His resurrection as Revelation 12 alludes. But... This passage also presents the familiar scene to us in a very different sort of way... The book of Revelation does not present these events in the material realm like all of the other Christmas passages, which are set in our world, where men and women observed events in space and time... with stables, innkeepers, cities, stars, and wise men. With gifts like gold, frankincense, and myrrh that could be held in the hands. And where the holy family needed to flee from the threats of the maniac Idumean named Herod to a material country and place called Egypt.
Yet, Revelation tells the Christmas story, it seems, in an entirely different dimension. Instead of communicating events in the physical world, it portrays them in the spiritual, cosmic, and apocalyptic realm, which means that is we are going to understand them, we must careful to examine them in their proper setting, identifying what each of the characters in the dram represent and mean.
THE WOMAN: ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH IN TRANSITION
The passage from Revelation 12 introduces us first to a woman "clothed with the sun," which is a beautiful portrayal of a holy female, set apart by God and enveloped with God's dazzling creative light. Now... This is not just any female... Many might want to attribute the woman from Revelation 12 to Mary, the physical mother of Christ, but this is not her. The imagery in our passage allows for only one interpretation of this woman's identity: it is not Mary, but is instead faithful Israel.
Remember, faithful Israel was God's Old Testament bride (Isaiah 54:5-6) as she is cast in feminine terms. But, since the church is the Israel of God, God's bride is also the New Testament Church (Ephesians 5:25-27), who was grafted into Israel by the working of Christ (Romans 11:17-24). She, the faithful people of God, is the one whose maker is her husband (Isaiah 54:5) and who in the Old Testament was promised to be restored from her covenant unfaithfulness in the new covenant coming in Christ (Hosea 2:19-20; Jeremiah 31:31-34). At every turn, Israel, the people of God (Past, Present, and Future) are compared to a woman, which is why Revelation describes her this way. She, and by that I mean the people of God, is the one covered in light through her relationship with Yahweh (Numbers 6:24-26) where He says that He will shine on her and make her shine like a radiant light to all the nations (Isaiah 49:6).
Thus when we see in Revelation, a shining woman clothed with the sun, we should immediately recognize her as symbolic of God's bride, the people of God in both Testaments.
Our suspicions are further confirmed when we see that the moon is under her feet and that she is crowned with 12 stars, which is directly alluding to Joseph's dream in Genesis 37:9. As you will remember, Joseph dreamed that the sun (representing his father, Jacob), the moon (his father's wives), and the 11 stars ( all of his brothers) would all bow down to him and serve him in the future. And because of this dream, Joseph's brothers become furious at him, selling him into slavery to a midianite caravan, which left him in Egypt, falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, seeking out a living in prison, all before God elevated him to the position of second in command in Pharaoh's empire. In this way, he was positioned at just the right place, to deliver his family from a massive famine in Egypt, making the dream true. His father and wives, along with his brothers (all of the people of Israel) bowed down and served Him.
Now, what is pertinent in Joseph's dream to the description of the woman in Revelation, is that she is depicted with the sun, moon, and stars, which in Joseph's dream applied to the entire people of Israel. Knowing this, it is especially clear that she is the embodiment of the true covenant Israel that Joseph dreamed about all those years ago. She represents the people of God, who are called the bride in the Old Covenant, but also in the New Covenant. We know this because this passage is not just a reference to a bygone Israelite era but a vibrant, living link that connects the ancient people of God, represented by the twelve tribes, to the unfolding narrative of salvation history in the New Testament. This woman is God's bride who brought forth the man child messiah, but she is also the bride of Christ, who while persecuted will follow her Lord to victory. We see that as the passage develops (Revelation 12:13-17; 19:7).
We see this unfolding by the woman's condition, as she is besieged by labor pains, which is more than a mere depiction of her physical anguish. This pain encapsulates, not only the long travail of Israel until the messiah was born, but also the tumultuous journey of the early Church, marred by struggles and persecution, especially under the harsh rule of the Roman Empire. These pains are not just symbolic of her suffering; they are indicative of birth, of new birth, of something new and transformative emerging from the throes of the old. Which is why this woman is the perfect picture. She is the Israel by which the Messiah was born... From her very womb. And she is also the bride of Christ who was birthed by His ascension into heaven. That event, began the shift from the Old to the New Covenant, a pivotal moment in the redemption where the Law and Prophets find fulfillment in Christ and where all the types and shadows of the Old Covenant fade away to make room for what they pointed to all along... Him.
In that sense, this woman stands as the people of God at a crossroads. She is the people of old whose temple, priests, and sacrificial system always anticipated Him and now were fading to make room for Him, and she is the people of Christ who are welcomed into His end time Kingdom of justification and grace.
Interestingly, this transition period also aligns with the themes of Christmas, a time traditionally associated with joy and peace yet deeply embedded in a context of struggle and divine intervention. Christ's birth, celebrated during Christmas, is a transition from prophecy to fulfillment, from expectation to realization. It is God's intervention in human history, much like the protection offered to the woman in Revelation 12.
In essence, the woman "clothed with the sun" is a multifaceted symbol. She is Israel at a crossroads, the early Church in its nascent stages, and a beacon of hope for believers facing adversity today. She is the true people of God, past, present, and future, who find hope in the messiah... Born to die, risen to ascend, ascended in order to reign! This imagery of the apocalyptic woman, set against the backdrop of Christmas, reminds us that even in times of our greatest struggle, the promise of salvation and triumph in Christ remains our anchor and hope. It's a message that resonates through the ages, from the dusty roads of ancient Israel to the modern-day celebrations of Advent in Christian Churches. We all with unified voice echo these enduring truths of divine providence and cling to the protection Jesus offers for all God's people everywhere.
THE CHILD: CHRIST'S IDENTITY AND MISSION
In exploring the depths of Revelation 12 and its connection to the eschatological themes of Christmas, we find ourselves drawn to the figure of the male child, a pivotal character in this cosmic drama of Revelation. This child, unmistakably a representation of Jesus Christ, stands at the heart of this narrative that connects prophecy, celestial conflict, and divine triumph all in one fell swoop.
John the revelator begins by telling us that the child would rule the nations with an iron rod (Revelation 12:5), which is.a picture of Christ we are not to oft to celebrate. But, this comes directly from the messianic Psalms (Psalm 2:9), where David tells us that the Messiah "will break them with a rod of iron; and will dash them to pieces like pottery." This Psalm gives us a glorious picture of Christ as having an unchallengeable rule! He has unrivaled authority and power and the advance of His Kingdom totally unstoppable no matter how much earthly opposition and tumult the nations try to throw at Him. He will establish His Kingdom, and the nations will either bow down and worship this King or they will be crushed by the weight of His holiness.
The narrative in Revelation 12 reminds us why this king was born... Yes He was born to die. But death was not the terminus. He was also born to rise. And in His rising He was born to rule the nations!
This passage also mirrors the historical events surrounding Christ's birth at Christmas, particularly Herod's pursuit of the infant Jesus. Herod, in his attempt to thwart the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy, ordered the massacre of all male infants in Bethlehem starting with the boys who were two years old or younger. This tragic episode, often referred to as the Massacre of the Innocents, reflects a broader theme of satanic opposition to God's salvific plan that unfolds across all Scripture.
Yet, our passage in Revelation doesn't end with Herod's cruel decree or even with the earthly life of Jesus. It skips everything from birth to death, periscoping all the way past calvary to the Mount of Olives where Jesus was ascended! By juxtaposing His birth and ascension, Revelation is symbolizing not just a physical ascension to heaven but the ultimate defeat of the dragon, who will be cast out of heaven by Jesus triumphant arrival. This passage typifies the inauguration of Christ's eternal kingdom that began when He sat down at the right hand of God in His throne room, and cast the dragon and His angels clean out of the heavens. While indeed these events are historical, Revelation presents them in the terms of a cosmic battle. A battle the infant Jesus was born into and a battle the ascended Jesus will bring to completion.
The victory of Christ, celebrated at Christmas as the birth of the Savior, is not just about His birth but about His victory He won in resurrection and ascension. That victory grows in every age by the spread of Jesus' Church. Now, as the body of Christ, we get the awesome privledge of participating in this ongoing cosmic drama. We get to join the male Child in the war against the dragon. We get to bring His life and light to a world still addicted to the shadows and darkness. And... serving this King reminds us that the joy and hope we celebrate during Christmas are not mere commemorations but vibrant realities, calling us to participate in the unfolding story of redemption and to witness the continued unfolding of God's kingdom on earth.
THE DRAGON: SATAN'S DEFEAT
As we conclude our examination of the characters in this cosmic apocalyptic war drama, we encounter a formidable antagonist: the dragon, identified as Satan or the serpent of old. This character represents not just a singular evil entity but the embodiment of spiritual opposition to God's redemptive plan throughout history.
The imagery of the menacing dragon in Revelation 12, poised to devour the male child, is rich in biblical symbolism. This scene echoes the constant spiritual warfare that has existed from the beginning, but it narrows the focus onto the spiritual warfare experienced by Christ. From the Herod attempting to kill Him at birth, His temptation by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), to his many battles with the demons (Mark 1:34, Luke 4:35, Matthew 8:28-34, etc.), all the way to the cross where He bound the strong man and disarmed the cosmic powers (Colossians 2:15), Christ's life was a series of confrontations with the forces of darkness. The dragon's failed attempt, one after the other, to destroy the Christ is emblematic of his ultimate defeat and Christ's ultimate victory.
To understand this imagery fully, we can turn to the Old Testament, which lays the groundwork for this cosmic conflict. Isaiah 27:1 speaks of the the Messiah punishing Leviathan, a twisting serpent, often interpreted as a symbol of evil forces opposing God's plans. Similarly, Psalm 74:13-14 describes God crushing the heads of sea monsters, including Leviathan. These passages are not just ancient poetry but are part of a larger narrative that Revelation 12 is drawing upon.
All throughout the Scriptures, we see a pattern of the divine triumphing over evil. And by interpreting this image in Revelation 12, correctly, within all of its manifold historical and symbolic frameworks, we can see that the dragon experiences ultimate defeat in the male child's Kingdom. This is not merely a future event, that will happen at the end of time, but an ongoing event that is happening here and now on earth, as the church follows Christ into all the nations. This is certainly made possible by the events of the ascension and Easter but it finds its roots in the Christmas story.
This ongoing spiritual warfare underscores the themes of Christmas as a time of divine intervention. In Christ the light has come. War upon the demonic realm has come. The invasion and plundering of Satan's Kingdom has come in a babe wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. The birth of Christ was not just a miraculous event contained within the past; it was a decisive moment in the spiritual realm that broke the power of evil and inaugurated His rule of peace that will overtake the nations. Christmas marked the beginning of the end of Satan's reign and the inauguration of Christ's victorious kingdom.
Moreover, this narrative provides a profound assurance for believers: the Church's ultimate victory is coming as we continue our work to expand God's kingdom on earth to the all the nations (Matthew 28:18-10). The Church, born out of Christ's victory, is engaged in this ongoing spiritual battle, continuing the work that Jesus started by putting satan under our feet as well (Romans 16:20). As Christians gather worldwide to celebrate these glorious truths that dawned upon us at Christmas, we are all reminded of our role in this cosmic drama. Like Israel, we are called to be bearers of light in a world that often seems dominated by darkness. And we are to herald His victory until peace on earth and goodwill toward men has reached all His blood bought people.
The story of the dragon in Revelation 12, interpreted in the light of the entire biblical narrative, is not just a tale of ancient cosmic conflict. It is a living narrative, particularly relevant during Christmas, as it reminds us of the birth of the One who came to defeat evil and restore all creation. This eschatological perspective transforms our understanding of Christmas from a mere celebration to an ongoing, victorious reality in our present and future.
CONCLUSION
In our journey through the apocalyptic Christmas narrative of Revelation 12, we have traversed a landscape far removed from the serene manger typically associated with this season. This exploration has revealed a Christmas story that encompasses not only the physical realm but also a profound spiritual and apocalyptic dimension. It invites us to see the birth of Christ not just as a historical event but as a pivotal moment in a cosmic saga that will see everything God planned and promised coming to fruition in Him.
The characters of this narrative – the radiant woman symbolizing the entire people of God, the male child as the Christ, and the dragon as the Satan – each play a crucial role in unfolding the truths of Christmas. The woman, clothed in celestial light, reminds us of God's enduring faithfulness to His people never ends.
The male child, fulfills the ancient prophecies and initiates a kingdom that will never end. This reminds us that Christmas is not just about the birth of a baby but the inauguration of a reign that would forever alter the course of history and forever change the world.
The dragon, representing Satan, though a figure of formidable power, ultimately stands defeated in this narrative. His presence in the Christmas story deepens our understanding of the gravity of Christ's mission. It underscores the reality that Jesus' birth was the dawn of Satan's defeat, which is why we scream Joy to the world!
This apocalyptic Christmas narrative reorients our understanding of the season. It's a reminder that the peace, joy, and goodwill come through death, war, and dominion. Theses are not just sentimental ideals but realities grounded in the triumph of Christ over the powers of darkness.
As we celebrate Christmas this year, do so with a renewed sense of awe and gratitude, recognizing that in the birth of Jesus, evil has been defeated, it is being defeated, and one day will be perfectly defeated. This Christmas, do not sit on the sidelines any longer. Join the male child and work to see His Kingdom advance in your neighborhood, job, school, or wherever the Lord may call you. And this Christmas, celebrate that light has come into the world. You no longer live in darkness. You are a part of a church that is wrapped in heavenly light who is called to bring that light to the land of Shadows. This Christmas, do not merely commemorate a past event but celebrate a living cosmic reality.
May the truths brighen your hearts and propel you to serve Him Joyfully.
Merry Christmas!
Kendall
