Saturday 21 November 2009

Background

John (the writer of the book of Revelation), while "in theSpirit", received four visions. Today's passage is part of thesecond vision. Satan, portrayed as a fierce red dragon, isfrustrated in his attempts to destroy the Messiah. He is defeatedby Michael and the angels and then looks to destroy the Church onearth.

The vision opens with the Church pictured as a gloriously adornedwoman who gives birth to the Messiah. The efforts of the dragon todestroy the woman represent, in vivid picture form, the long battlethat has ensued between Satan and the people of God. However, thedefeat of the dragon in heaven means that the people of God and thewhole world will suffer in history.

Along with Michael and the angels we are called to fight evil, butin fighting evil we need to take care that we do not become stainedourselves. Or as Walter Wink (a Methodist minister and professoremeritus at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York) puts it, "onnot becoming what we hate". Jesus spoke of not returning evil forevil (see Matthew5:39-42).

The question is: how do we fight evil? The answer from Scriptureseems to be 'do good' (ie follow the rule of God). Jesus, in themain bulk of his teaching, did not encourage fellow Jews to take uparms against the occupying Roman powers. Satan, as we have read, iswaging war on the earth. How do we fight evil?

Seemingly, by following Jesus.

To Ponder

Jesus refused to be the warrior messiah leadingIsrael to throw out the occupying powers. How do we follow him bestwhen we feel oppressed?

Reflect on Walter Winks' phrase - "on notbecoming what we hate". What does it mean to you?