Holding the door open

Step 1. To introduce the lesson on Christmas out of Revelation 12, set the context of John writing in apocalyptic style from the isle of Patmos. As an apostle of Jesus Christ, John had a message that he felt compelled to communicate. Part of that message was to remind others of the birth of Jesus Christ. He was able to overcome the barrier of exile on a remote island to deliver the message of Christmas. List the barriers we have today that must be overcome if we are to share the Christ of Christmas with other people.

Read Revelation 12:1-6 and comments on Revelation 12 by Jim McColloch, Pastor, First Baptist Church of Turley, Oklahoma. Explain that the pregnant ‘woman’ is a figurative sign representing the nation of Israel. God had long promised a child from a woman who would defeat Satan (Gen 3:15). That promise was extended down through Abraham, Issac, and Jacob (Israel). In verse 5, John indicates a child was born who will rule the nations with an iron scepter. Jesus Christ was born, died on a cross and ascended to the Father. He is there now making intersession for believers.

The other sign mentioned in verse 3 is a dragon representing Satan. He deceived angels (stars) and he wants to destroy the man-child born to the woman. Satan operates thru people and he used Herod to kill all the infants under two years old in an attempt to kill the baby Jesus.

John goes on to explain that after the child is taken up to God’s throne, the nation of Israel fled to a place of God’s protection. As we learned last week in Romans 11, God is not thru with the nation of Israel. He will use their future awakening to pour out a great blessing (Rom 11:12). We look forward to that day for sure!

In the meantime, God is holding the door of heaven open so to speak, until the full number of Gentiles comes in (Rom 11:25). To hasten that day, we should be telling as many people as possible about the good news that Christ is born and now peace with God is possible.