Wondrous Provision

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As we enter Christmastide (also known as the “12 days of Christmas”), we turn our attention to a “great and wondrous sign” in Revelation 12. Of all the “signs” written in scripture, the opening to this section of John’s vision is the only one described as “great and wondrous.” And what is this sign? A woman “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.” This woman is a picture of the people of God, Christ’s Church.
In the midst of turmoil, it’s easy to be distracted by the dragon (another “sign” in this chapter) and miss how God works to provide for His people. Despite its attempts to usurp God’s throne and thwart God’s people, the dragon is defeated at every turn. (Even the Earth joins in support v.16) The advances of the adversary are no surprise to God, who has prepared a place to care for the woman (v. 6, 14). This place is where the woman prepares to triumph over the dragon, not by might, but by the blood of the lamb and her testimony (v.11)