By Eric White

Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war
with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ. As I read this passage in Revelation, I had some questions such as;
What happens when people go to war?

Why isn’t the reference for this verse going back to John 12:24?

Is this explaining only what is going to happen, or what has been happening
all along?

Is there a story that can help me relate?

What happens in war? Let us think on that for a moment. There is pain,
affliction, and ultimately death. This leads to the question of the reference.
Why doesn’t the reference for this verse lead back to John 12:24? If you think about it, because war leads to death, the reason the dragon must make war with the remnant of her seed, is to cause them to die. John 12:24 says that if the seed doesn’t fall to the ground and die, it will abide alone. If the remnant remains alone and alive there will be no new birth and no new life. When there isn’t a storm anyone can look like Jesus. It takes the pain, affliction and finally the death for the
character of Christ to be seen.

As I continued meditating on this scripture(Rev.12:17) I was reading back in
Genesis chapter four. What I was directed to, seemed to really underscore the fact that this has been an ongoing struggle. Gen 4:5-8 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Not only was the Dragon wroth but he caused Cain to be wroth too. Using him, he made war on Able who was remnant of her seed, and was keeping the commandment of God. Ironically, it also had to do with the testimony of Jesus Christ, that He was going to come and be our sacrifice.

There was something else that I caught as I was reading the story of Cain and Abel. In chapter 4 verse 10 God says, “What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.” In Isreal the altar is made of earth and rocks which comes from the ground. If you turn to Rev. 6:9-11 there are voices of the martyrs coming from under the altar. They ask the question “How long Oh Lord, holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” I can just see that question coming from Abel, and every martyr since then.

God then tells them to wait and gives them their wedding garments. There reply
comes several chapters later. Rev. 16:7… “Even so Lord God Almighty true and
righteous are thy judgments.” And in the Lord’s prayer, “Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven.”

It is truly amazing how God leads people to learn from His word. Never in a
million years would I have thought that I would be writing letters to encourage people to study the dying to self message in the Bible. I have so much left to learn, and application, that is still the ultimate challenge. I just want to God to have my will each and every day and I pray that His will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven and in my life. Please Copy And Share