THE CONFLICT

The Conflict vs. 4b-5

"And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born." "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne."

The Place of the Conflict

"Before the woman."

Literally, in the eyes of the woman. He planted himself there when Israel was young and has continued there through the centuries. The woman could always see and recognize him.

The Period of the Conflict

"Stood" AV; "Standeth" RV. The verb is in the perfect tense and perhaps might even be better translated "was standing." From a late verb esthken.

This certainly covers the centuries from the moment of Israel's existence as a nation to the very moment of the birth of the Christ child. Even after the child was born and caught up to heaven, the dragon has not ceased to hate and stand before the woman (6).

The Purpose of the Conflict
"To devour her child."

Satan apparently was always aware that the nation Israel was on the verge of giving birth to the Christ child. Having set his own affec­tions upon the crown, he realized there was one contender for the crown with whom he must deal, and that was the Heir apparent, the Lord Jesus Christ. If he could anticipate His entrance into the world or devour the child at His birth, he would succeed in his own ambitions. This he tried at Bethlehem, at the temptation, at Nazareth, numerous times through his ministry, and finally at the cross. At the cross he thought he had won.

The Rapture in the Conflict vs. 5

"Caught up to God and his throne."

But the cross was not all. There was the resurrection, unquestionable proof that he had miscalculated. Forty days more and He was raptured to the presence of God and to the position of power at the throne.