There are three great miracles, which constantly astound me, charm my heart, intrigue my mind and cause me to praise and worship God. There are many other miracles in the world. The world is full of miracles. But these miracles stand out as the most amazing, astounding things I have ever seen, heard about, read of and experienced. The creation of the world fills me with awe, and the daily rule of providence fills me with gratitude, but these three miracles ravish my heart. Let me give them to you, not in the order in which they occurred, but in the order in which I experienced them and saw them by the grace of God.
1. Here is a miracle of infinite grace – I am Born of God!
I have been regenerated, born again, called and saved by God's almighty grace (I John 3:1-3).
But before I was born of God another miracle had to take place. It happened long before I was born, but it was a miracle performed specifically for me.
2. I am talking about The Miracle of Blood Redemption!
The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, loved me and gave himself for me. Christ died that I might live! God's dear Son freely, voluntarily laid down his life for me, because he loved me (Rom. 5:6-8; I John 3:16; 4:9-10; II Cor. 5:21).
But before this redemption was accomplished, before Christ died at Calvary as my Substitute, another miracle had to be preformed.
3. God Became A Man!The Lord Jesus Christ, God the eternal Son, assumed a real human soul and body and came into this world! Divinity took humanity into Union with Itself in the Person of Jesus Christ our Lord. That Man who is Mary's child is also God, Mary's Lord and Savior. These three great miracles of grace ravish my heart – Regeneration, Redemption and the Incarnation. In order to redeem me by his blood and save me by his grace, the Son of God became a Man like me! (Isa. 7:14; 9:6-7; Matt. 1:18-25; John 1:14).
Proposition:In Revelation 12 John gives us a panoramic view of the Incarnation of Christ and the Results of that Incarnation, from the beginning to the end of the world.
This vision opens with these words: "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven." That is exactly what the Incarnation of Christ is; and that is the title of my message tonight – "A Great Wonder In Heaven." May God give us eyes to behold this great wonder and a heart to trust, worship, adore and obey this "Man Child" who is God our Savior.
Divisions:Tonight, I want us to look at this picture, or at least this part of the picture, given in chapter 12, as a whole. As we go through the chapter, it will open before us, by God's gracious illumination. I will call your attention to five things in this chapter.
A. The Woman In This Chapter Symbolizes The Church (Isa. 50:1; Hos. 2:1; Eph. 5:32).
The Church is God's elect people in all ages. The Church of the O.T. and the Church of the N.T. is one Church.
To the people of this world the Church of God seems to be insignificant and worthy of ridicule and scorn. But that Church, as God sees it from heaven, is a glorious Church. All the beauty, glory and splendor of heaven is lavished upon her.
1. She is "clothed with the sun," because she is glorious and exalted.
2. The moon is "under her feet," because she has dominion as the Bride of Christ.
3. She wears "a crown of twelve stars," because she is victorious.
4. She is pregnant, in the pains of birth, because she must bring forth the Christ, God's Messiah – (Rom. 9:5).
This is the great wonder in heaven! God himself came into this world as a man, The Seed of The Woman, to redeem fallen man! (Gen. 3:15; Gal. 4:4).
C. The Dragon Is Satan, Lucifer, The Fallen Son Of The Morning Whose Constant Aim Is The Destruction Of Christ (vv. 3-4).
1. His seven crowned heads – his usurped dominion over the world – (Eph. 2:2; 6:12).
2. The stars that fell – the rebelling angels (Job 38:7; II Pet. 2:4; Jude 6).
3. His Ten Horns – Satan's destructive power.
Though Satan tried to destroy Christ as soon as he was born, the Old Serpent was foiled – (Herod and The Infants). He was foiled again in the wilderness, foiled again in Gethsemane, and foiled again at Calvary. At last, King Jesus was snatch up to heaven, out of the Dragons hands, to rule as King over all things – (Phil. 2:5-11).
Once Christ, the Seed of the Woman, was caught up to heaven, forever out of Satan's reach, the dragon turned upon the woman, the Church, in a rage of anger, because of her near relation to Christ – More about this when we get to vv. 12-17!
As the result of Christ's obedience, death, resurrection and ascension as our Substitute, the serpents head was crushed, his power was broken, his usurped dominion in the world was overthrown. So next, John describes for us –
III. The Defeat Of Satan (vv. 7-9).With Dr. Gill, I am inclined to think that Michael, the Archangel, is Christ himself. The Word "Michael" signifies "One who is God" – Certainly, what is said here was the work done by Christ himself – (John 12:32-32).
A. Notice The Names Given To Satan –B. Satan Is The Deceiver Of The World – (II Cor. 4:6).
C. The Accuser Has Been Cast Out Of Heaven And His Power Over The Nations Has Been Destroyed (Rev. 20:1-6).
When our Lord Jesus Christ, the Incarnate God, ascended back to heaven in triumph, our salvation was completely accomplished. So John now shows us –
IV. The Announcement Of Salvation (vv. 10-11).He still accuses – But he has no basis for his accusations! (Rom. 8:31-39). (See Rom. 8:34-39; Heb. 10:10-14).
V. The Persecution Of The Church – (vv. 12-17).Savior, my great God, my Lord, my King, I ask but one thing of you tonight. I have but one desire. Cause me to preach the gospel in the power of your Spirit to the hearts of your people, for the glory of your own great name.
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