November 22 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

The Bible gives us no reason to expect quiet times for the church. The persecution of the woman continues after the ascension of the Son. After this event, God's people are still called "the woman" and the members of this body of people are called "the offspring of the woman" or, more fully, "those who keep God's commandments and hold fast to their testimony about Jesus" (v. 17). They are the people to whom the book of Revelation is addressed. They form the church of Jesus Christ, which must always be seen in her unity with Israel. The church in Revelation is not so much the new Israel as the true Israel.

Now the message is that the people of God, after the ascension of Jesus, will always be persecuted—more or less.

But this message comes to us as a Word of comfort and encouragement. We are told that the reason for our suffering is actually a happy one: the devil has only a short time.

People who are told they have only a year to live may try to pack all their remaining energy into some venture for the short time they have left. That picture fits the devil. He knows he has a limited territory and a short time left (v. 12). He has been thrown out of the driver's seat. Knowing that he has lost his bid for dominion and aware of impending doom, he strikes out in fury with all his remaining strength.

God is the woman's protector. He gives her "the two wings of a great eagle" so she can "fly to a place prepared for her in the wilderness." In the desert she may lack some culture and conveniences ("the fleshpots of Egypt"), but she is close to her God and safe from the dragon. And the good earth is also on the woman's side (v. 16).

The period of persecution is not going to outlast the endurance of the woman—a time, times, and half a time. Three-and-a-half years. God knows how long that is. For us it will be a whole year (how long it seems!), and two years (will it never end?), and then only half a year. And suddenly it will be over.

REFLECTIONS

Acquaint yourself—via the Internet—with places in our world where the Christian church is being actively persecuted. Pray that God will be their protector and that they may endure.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.