Satan’s hostility toward the children of God develops here.  The male child is safe with God – Satan turn his attention to the woman who bore the child and her offspring…

 

v. 13 – The war in heaven seems to be an attempt to destroy the male Child, since He was snatched to God in Heaven.  Satan Lost!  Now cast to the earth, he pursues the woman – from whom the child came.  The persecution of the church is not of human origin –  it’s a spiritual war.  Satan was defeated in heaven and so attempts to destroy the church on earth.  He will attack and try to destroy every  believer in his anger.

 

 

v. 14 – The woman is given eagle’s wings – ease and speed of flight!  She easily flees to the wilderness – “to a place prepared for her.”  The wilderness – opposite of the great city which is Egypt and Sodom and all evil of the world.  Exodus – God’s people escaped the great city to the wilderness.  We (the church – the New Israel) live physically in the world – evil Egypt – the great city --  BUT – we don’t belong here – our citizenship is in heaven – our refuge is in the wilderness.  (Ex. 19:4) – God brought His people out of Egypt on Eagle’s Wings.  The woman is to be taken care of … assumed by God (for 42 months).  During this time, she is secure and inaccessible to Satan.   The wilderness is a place of provision and protection by God – it’s a good place, and was so for ancient Israel too.  The reader can relate to this experience.

 

v. 15 – Time is blurred again here – we are not in a chronological sequence.  Since Satan can’t catch the woman, he tries plan B – He spews a flood of water “like a river” from his mouth to overtake her.  This is possibly symbolic of the flood of evil that is launched against the church.  The people of God were up against the evil of water when leaving Egypt.

 

v. 16 – The earth aids the woman and opens up to swallow the flood of evil.  (Ex. 15:12) – “You stretched out Your right hand and the earth swallowed them.”  The church’s help comes from God alone – Those outside persecute her.

 

v. 17 – The woman is not vulnerable to his attacks – He then comes with vengeance against her offspring – the church – confirmed by… “those who obey God’s commandments” and “ hold to the testimony of Jesus.”  Satan is at war with All Christians – He’s no match for God in Heaven, so he puts everything into opposing God’s people.  The attack is real and it is powerful, but we have the protection of God as we hold true to our faith in Jesus Christ.