Follow the Lamb - 21 Day Study on the Book of RevelationSample

Day 6: The Dragon and Its Wild Things

Scripture Reading:

‘Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering.’

- 1 Peter 5.8-9 (NRSV)

CS Lewis, author of the Narnia series of children’s books and a plethora of Christian books for adults, has some wise words about our response to the existence of Satan:

‘There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. One is to believe and feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.’

When we read Revelation, especially Chapters 12 and 13, we might be overwhelmed by the thought of the Dragon and the Beasts being present on the earth. We might buy into the absorption with numbers, of trying to predict what is going to happen, but remember that the Revelation isn’t a code; it’s a stimulus to our imagination to help us discern the good and evil around us and how to respond to these in our environment, how to be a part of the breaking in of the kingdom of heaven. We are not to live in fear, for we have God’s own assurance that Satan and his works will be defeated and that we can look forward with confidence to experiencing the reign of Christ.

Some things to think about:

1. What would you say to someone who says Satan is an out-of-date myth?
2. How does knowing that evil is only around for a limited period of time affect your life?
3. What are some of the things on earth that won’t be around when evil is destroyed?

Prayer:

Victorious God, I thank you for your goodness. Thank you for sending your Son to bring salvation to this world you love. I ask you to show me what action I need to take today to bring your love into my community. In Jesus’ name. Amen.