Realization
of Prophetic Visions
By
Philip Mark Ames
The Birth
John next sees that the
dragon has moved into a position very threatening to the pregnant woman. He
realizes that it is waiting to devour the child as soon as the birth occurs. Satan
had already tried to abort the newly- conceived child when he tempted Jesus in
the wilderness. This was right after Jesus was baptized in water and Holy
Spirit, by which he was begotten of God to become an immortal being. Never
before had human submissive- ness to God given birth to such an heir. Jesus was
to become the first-born son of God's woman.
But now, as the moment of
the actual birth approached; when Jesus was about to be resurrected from the
dead; the tempter stood ready to strike. If Satan could swallow up the
resurrected Jesus in the spirit of self- determination, all that Jesus had done
would have come have put Jesus in the bowels of the dragon.
How, though, could the Devil
possibly accomplish this? If it were possible, he would find a way. He is very
sly, very deceptive, and very determined. As he often does, he used a woman.
Just as he had used Eve to tempt the first man, so he intended to use Mary
Magdalene to deter Jesus from doing his Father's will. Shortly after Jesus was
resurrected, Mary saw him near the tomb. She fell at his feet in adoration. How
would he respond? There were several possibilities. But Jesus gave no place to
though which might conflict with God's will for him. He immediately said to
Mary, "Do not be touching me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.
But go to my brothers and tell them I am ascending to my Father and your Father
even to my God and your God."
Before any further attack
could be made by Satan, God took Jesus to heaven. This was seen by John in the
Revelation. He describes the resurrection and ascension in these words:
"And she gave birth to a son, a male, who is about to be shepherding all
the nations with a staff of iron; and her child was snatched toward God and
toward His throne."
Written by: Philip Mark Ames - - -
© 1975 Philip Mark Ames. All rights reserved.