There can be no doubt that Satan’s wrath is terrifying. Indeed, he has been causing trouble for God’s people ever since the Garden of Eden. Moreover, as the return of Christ comes closer and closer, we can expect Satan’s attacks to increase in their intensity. But today’s passage helps to put all of Satan’s schemes into perspective.

Notice first that his power lies primarily in his words. Jesus Himself called Satan the father of lies (John 8:44), and the river of water that pours from the mouth of the dragon in verse 15 reminds us of how overpowering these lies can be. Notice also that this water comes to the woman while she is in the wilderness, which we would call the desert. Water in the desert is attractive, and Satan often tempts us with power or money or sex or other things that we desperately desire.

But notice how the woman, who represents the people of God, overcomes these lies. Not only does God give her the wings of eagles, that allow her to flee from temptation (v. 14). Just as the earth swallows up the dragon’s river (v. 16), so a healthy grounding in reality can demonstrate the absurdity of so many of Satan’s promises. After all, how can alcohol or drugs really solve your problems? How can fickle and fleeting emotions form a firm foundation for life? How can limited human reason possibly be the measure of all truth? The reality of God’s creation and the truth of God’s Word are excellent antidotes for the web of lies Satan tries to weave around us.

But Satan has another power, this time based in reality: the accusations he levels against God’s people, all of whom are indeed sinners worthy of death. But because Christ has finished His atoning work and has ascended into Heaven (v. 5), this power has also been destroyed (v. 10). For however many sins we may have committed, the Blood of the Lamb covers them all (v. 11).

Yes, the cross of Christ has cast Satan out of heaven, breaking his power. So, by clinging to the blood and the testimony of the Lamb, those who trust in Christ not only have nothing to fear from the lying, accusing serpent – we actually participate in Satan’s defeat, in his conquest (v. 11). As we wait for the Lord’s return, may we thus live in the reality of the victory He has won for us over temptation and despair, over sin and death.

Revelation 12:7-17 (ESV)

7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back,
8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world– he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”
13 And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.
14 But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.
15 The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood.
16 But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.
17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.