Tags
Christmas, Christopher Paolini, Cressida Cowell, Dealing with Dragons, dragons, Eragon, Flood, How to Train Your Dragon, J R R Tolkein, New Life Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Patricia C Wrede, Paul Browne, Revelation, Satan, Smaug, The Hobbit
“The Christmas Dragon and other true stories conveniently forgotten” was the title of the sermon preached by our pastor, Paul Browne, at New Life Orthodox Presbyterian Church yesterday. As is the custom in our worship service, Pastor Paul read the scripture, and then called the children forward for a message just for them (although we grown-ups are allowed to listen in). He asked the children what they thought of dragons, and I think to his surprise, he got mainly positive responses. Popular literature has given us a picture of dragons as kindly, intelligent, often misunderstood creatures, which are morally superior to weak humans. Think of recent popular books and movies like How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell, Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede, and Eragon by Christopher Paolini.
But as Pastor Paul was quick to point out, one should beware of a dragon who invites you into his cave for cupcakes! Dragons are found throughout the Bible, but they are never up to any good. In fact, they are always looking for ways to destroy God’s people. From the serpent in the garden to the terrible red dragon of Revelation, dragons bring chaos as they imitate God in an effort to win the worship and honor that belong only to Him. And though they show up in many forms and guises, they are always Satan.
Another infamous dragon in literature (and soon to be known by many more, as the movie comes out this week) is Smaug in J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, or There and Back Again. After Smaug has ravaged the surrounds and collected a hoard of gold and treasure, he retreats to his cave and sleeps for centuries on top of his pile of plunder. The longer he is absent from their sight, the people of the nearby towns lose their fear of him, conveniently forgetting he is real or doubting that he will ever stir himself again. But of course, regardless of what the people think about him, he is very real, and he makes his terrible presence known after just a small provocation.
And this is the message of the Dragon in Revelation 12, the Christmas Dragon if you will. We may forget him, and even begin to doubt he is real, but he exists and waits for his chance to destroy us. And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. – (Revelation 12:1-4 ESV) How is that for a warm, fuzzy Christmas story? A dragon waiting to destroy the newborn Christ- I picture an unusual nativity pageant with a fierce, bloodthirsty dragon instead of gentle cows and donkeys.
Of course God did not allow this. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, – (Revelation 12:5 ESV) Who was Satan’s minion at the birth of Christ? Why Herod, of course. Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. – (Matthew 2:16 ESV) It is not political to say that Satan has dominion over the earth, and can use any institution or government to try to further his ends.
Revelation 12:6-12 tells of the battle in heaven between Michael and the dragon, and Satan being cast to the earth. And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. – (Revelation 12:13 ESV) This is not literally the dragon pursuing Mary, but rather Satan’s attempt to attack and destroy the people of God, or the Church whom the woman represents. Satan is furious that he is thwarted, and presses on even harder. The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. – (Revelation 12:15-16 ESV) Notice that Satan imitates God, attempting to destroy with a flood as God did in the days of Noah. But the earth, which is upheld by the power of Christ (Hebrews 1:3), swallows the water and rescues His Bride.
Did Satan give up then? No, he continues to battle on until this day, and he will oppose those who love Christ until the Day of LORD’s return. Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. – (Revelation 12:17 ESV)
So we need to be on our guard for the dragon. We need to train as warriors, using the Spiritual Weapons God has given us (Ephesians 6). How easy it can be, especially at Christmas, to be deceived about what is really important, and what we really “deserve”. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. – (2 Corinthians 11:14-15 ESV)
Praise be to God that he gives us the two wings of the great eagle so that (we) might fly from the serpent. (Revelation 12:14 ESV) He restrains Satan and will protect us until his final defeat at Christ’s Triumphant Return. And he promises we get to join in the victory. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. – (Romans 16:20 ESV)
soli deo gloria!
Diane