Reflections on Revelation #211

Day 211

“17 So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” Revelation 12:17 (NASB)

The Chiasm of this section had begun with John’s virtual tour of the Heavenly Sanctuary, culminating in The Most holy place where he wrote: “Then, in heaven, the Temple of God was opened and the Ark of his covenant could be seen inside the Temple. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed and roared, and there was an earthquake and a terrible hailstorm.” Revelation 11:19 The ark is that vessel in the earthly tabernacle (sanctuary) where the Ten Commandments were deposited. Here, in 11:19, seen in Heaven. The lightning, thunder, and earthquake is reminiscent of the quaking sides of Sinai (Exodus 19:18) when the Law was delivered on 2 tables of stone to Moses.

The ark is also often referred to as the Ark of the covenant. “When the Ark is finished, place inside it the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you. Ex 25:16 NLT. The KJV and NKJV use the word Testimony; “And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you. Ex 25:16 NKJV” Just as we refer to the Old Testament (OT) and New Testament (NT), based on the KJV this could also be The Old Covenant and New Covenant, because that is what it refers to. The same ancient word was translated variously with 500yrs of English language evolution.

The subsequent chapter (12), the heart of the book, had chronicled once more the history of the Christian era until the end. The devil has warred against everything that God has stood for. “The father of lies,” Jesus called him (John 8:44.) He has warred against His character, His truth, His government, His people, His church, and those within it. And now, on the eve of the devil’s curtain call, one last battle pictured by John on the opposite side of the chiasm; “And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus.” Rev 12:17 NLT. The ark was seen in chapter 11, and now those who represent what was in it are seen to be taking the brunt of the devil’s attacks. 

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