Morning
Verse
00:00
Play
She gave birth to a son, a boy, who is to rule all the nations with an iron scepter. Her child was snatched away and taken to God and to his throne. ”
Revelation 12:5
Ready to Deepen Your Faith?
Reflection

This is a complex passage, as much of the book of Revelation tends to be. Commentators-ancient and modern-disagree on several of the symbols found in this verse. Thus, they come to some very different conclusions about what is meant by the "son," his "mother," and even the act of "snatching away" the boy.

Some, for example, believe that the "woman" who gives birth here is Judaism (or the "nation of Israel"), into which Jesus was born and of which He was a member. Others think that the mother of the boy (in this verse) is the Virgin Mary giving birth to Jesus. Some have claimed that she is the Church that somehow has given us Christ. Similarly, some commentators have understood the "child" to be Jesus. While certain Protestant traditions have assumed that the "boy" is the Church which is "snatched away" or which falls into some form of apostasy or corruption and, thus, it would be taken from the earth, necessitating the Reformation. Others still have assumed the baby represents not the Church, but the "political kingdom" of God; some organization which the first century Saints had, and which (in time) was lost from the earth. While each of these interpretations have some measure of support, or may make sense to this denomination or that, perhaps discerning which is the "right" view is less important than understanding what we might learn from the passage (generally speaking).

Whichever way you interpret the "woman" and her "boy," both clearly represent something given by God to help believers find their way back to the Father. The notion that the "boy" would "rule all nations with an iron scepter" certainly sounds like the child might be Jesus. However, what we can say more definitively is that the "iron scepter" is almost certainly God's word, His law, His will and ways. What's curious is the statement that the "child" was "snatched away" and taken back to God. The Greek word translated as "snatched" means that it was taken "by force" or removed in some decisive manner by God.

So what, if anything, can we draw from this rather cryptic passage that has been given so many different interpretations by so many different commentators? Well, according to Revelation 12:3-4, the devil is the cause of this "boy" being suddenly taken from the people. And whether you interpret that "boy" to be Jesus, the Church, the political kingdom, pure Christianity, or something else, the essential meaning is that God places upon the earth things to help us overcome the world, things which can facilitate our personal holiness, and things which will bless and protect us. The devil hates all such things! If God sees Satan encroaching on such things, the Father will decisively "snatch them away," taking them back to His throne where the holy and good are always safe and secure.

In our personal lives, this means that our faith needs to be protected or it may be lost. Our personal holiness is also at risk and can be chased from our lives by the evil one. Even our salvation is something Satan will seek to destroy, causing us to reject Christ, the Church, the Bible, or even the type of life God wants the faithful to live. God has given us the Christ child, the Church, faith, scripture, and so many other good and holy things. However, if we neglect these, abuse them, take them for granted, God may very well "snatch them away" because we do not hold them in the esteem we should. Do you love the things of God as you should? Do you cherish them for the precious gifts that they are? Will you protect them and treat them as holy so that God can trust you with these sacred blessings? Or does He need to take them away from you as a consequence of your lack of care and concern about the most important of God's gifts?

Evening
Verse
Monday, Dec 9
Today's Theme: Encouragement
00:00
Play
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ”
Jeremiah 29:11
Like
Share
Intepretation of the Verse

In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.

This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.

© 2025 iDisciple. All Rights Reserved.