One of my favorite hymns is “For All the Saints,” and I was reminded of it when reflecting on today’s reading. The hymn compels us to cling to “our Rock, our Fortress,” and “our Captain” in the battle, keeping our eyes trained toward a more glorious day yet to come. It echoes this truth from Revelation: God is and forever will be seated on His throne, and all the heavenly hosts give glory, honor, and thanks to Him. The hymn continues: “And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long / Steals on the ear the distant triumph song. / And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. / Alleluia! Alleluia!”
The strife really is fierce, and it has been since the serpent sowed deceit and destruction in the garden of Eden. Our fear of God, alienation from Him and one another, deceit and pride and endless greed—these things tore the fabric of our human existence before the curse was pronounced upon the serpent.
And yet in the midst of Genesis 3, God declared a message of hope that has echoed throughout human history: The offspring of the woman would one day “crush” the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). True, the serpent would “crush” (yes, it’s the same word in Hebrew) the heel of Eve’s offspring—a lethal blow, but it is one that would end in the greatest, most victorious event in human history: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
That malevolent serpent has since donned many hideous characteristics, and Revelation 12 does not mince words when describing the evil one. We read that the “great fiery red dragon” has been intent on devouring the woman (representing Israel, God’s people) and her Son, Jesus the Messiah. There is an appallingly fierce war in the heavenly realms, one we can hardly imagine. The grim powers of evil and the mighty forces of good tangle with each other. The dragon is identified as the ancient serpent, the devil, who leads the whole world astray. This is serious in the extreme, not to be dismissed with a wave of our enlightened hand. (We often do that.)
In other words, our battle here on earth is not done. We face the rage of the devil who knows his time is short and his end sure (Revelation 12:12). But we also know the perspective from God’s throne: “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, ‘The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have now come, because the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been thrown down’” (v.10).
As painful as our suffering here on earth is, victory is ours by the blood of the Lamb (v.11). We are empowered by and rest in the assurance that God has made us alive in Christ, the Lamb sitting on the throne. His shed blood has cancelled out the debt we owe, and the enemy has been disarmed completely. The serpent’s head has been crushed at the cross (Colossians 2:13–15).
Alleluia indeed.
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75 thoughts on "The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon"
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Good morning, SHE’s! Thank you for the blessing to learn and glean in this community! Faith being built up, reminders to be bold, Jesus has given us the victory! All your insights, wow!
I had just finished this comment yesterday and ran into the Cloudflare outage when I tried to post.
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Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, sisters. The evil one will fall again, but for now is still intent on distracting and destroying us and our faith.
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Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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MARGARET W ❤️praising the Lord with you for the connection to this surgeon, praying for total relief from the pain through the healing process
WENDY B ❤️
KELLY (NEO) ❤️
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Amen. Great verse!❤️
Good Evening- What a stark reminder of the fierce battle we are in and the relentless pursuit of Satan to upward who seek to obey and be faithful to the Lord God. A battle we cannot see because it’s not against flesh and blood – but spiritual. Thanks be to God for giving us the victory through our Lord and Saviour JESUS. He conquered sin and death….and is seated on the right hand throne of God. When the dragon could not make gains with the woman, he went after her offspring. When Jesus was first born there was an immediate attack on his life but Wisdom prevailed and he was kept safe. How can we prepare for the enemy’s attacks:
Be sober minded and alert , Identify the true battlefield (Truth vs. Deception/ Light vs. Darkness), Lay hold of Gods armor and keep it on -Eph 6, living an obedient life to Christ (Satan already has the disobedient heart that refuse to submit to God), hiding Gods word in our hearts, witness as a means of warfare ( sharing our faith and personal testimony of Christ transforming power and glory, not being a “lone warrior” isolated and not going to church to be strengthened in community (Isolated saints are easy targets for Satan), pray sincerely asking God to highlight potential snares of the enemy in your life and repenting of sin and hidden motives, and lastly limiting media and influences that dull spiritual sensitivity. Just as God provided divine protection, through the Earth, for the Woman….. so he too will provide for and protect us. She was nourished in the wilderness for 1260 days – we shall live and reign with Jesus one day for eternity.
Wow what a reading. I did some research on things that stood out to me. This is such a beautiful chapter. “And there appeared a great wonder in Heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars”. Isn’t this such a glorious image of a woman? Notice, this wonder happens first in Heaven. The woman represents Israel (most common interpretation), and twelve stars understood as the twelve tribes, “clothed with sun, moon, stars” echoes Joseph’s dream in Genesis 37:9 where “sun, moon, and stars” symbolize Jacob, Rachel, and the tribes of Israel. The woman brings forth the Messiah because Jesus was born through the nation of Israel. And this is a GREAT wonder in Heaven. God chose Israel, clothed with His glory (sunlight), established by His promises (moon: symbol of reliability and steadfastness, Psalm 89:37: It will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky), crowned with God’s order and government (number 12 represents divine order and government, 12 apostles, 12 gates, 12 foundations, 12 legions of angels). Who is the dragon? “The great dragon… that ancient serpent called the Devil and Satan” (Revelation 12:9). A great red dragon (red: bloodshed), with seven heads (number 7, complete worldly authority and influence), ten horns (power and violence), a strong tail sweeping 1/3 of the stars (1/3 of fallen angels/demons come with him). The dragon wanted to devour the Child at birth (Pharaoh commanded mid wives to kill Hebrews babies, Herod killing infants). The Child is the King of kings, who rules the nations with the rod of iron (Psalm 2:9). As the woman flees to the wilderness, escaping the dragon, this shows God protects His people from the fierce persecution of satan. The wilderness ( a place of hardship, but not abandon) is where she might be nourished, helped for “a time, times, and half a time” 1,260 days (symbolic period of 3.5 years, period of church persecution). How do the church overcome Satan’s anger in the last days? The blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, loving not their lives even unto death (faithfulness even in suffering) (I think of Charlie Kirk again and how he lived up to this verse). “The serpent spewed water like a flood from his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with the torrent” Revelation 12:15. Flood often symbolizes overwhelming attack, Isaiah 59:19 “enemy comes in like a flood”, Psalm 18:4 “The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid”. In Revelation, instead of the quiet manger birth we always see at Christmas, we see a spiritual war in heaven that happened first, instead of the rage of Herod seeking to kill many babies to kill the Child whose star lead the 3 wisemen, we see Satan’s rage behind it. Heaven is the place where things happen first. Earth reflects Heaven. This reminds me of the Lord’s prayers, when we pray “on earth as it is in Heaven”. Jesus taught us to pray “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, very very important prayer! The visible reflects the invisible. The physical reflects the spiritual. Revelation shows us the glimpse, spiritual battles in heaven precede earthly consequences. War in heaven, then persecution on earth. The dragon swept 1/3 of the stars in heaven to fall with him through the great rebellion, then unclean spirits on earth (a man that lived among tombs tormented cutting himself, mute/deaf spirit, boy with seizures foaming at the mouth, the pigs plunged into water and died, the young girl with the fortune telling spirit following Paul, unclean spirits shouted at Jesus you are the Son of God and He sternly commanded them not to reveal who He is) . Revelation really pulls back the curtain for us. Christ’s birth wasn’t just in a manger, but war in heaven. Persecution, abortion isn’t just politics, it’s the dragon’s wrath, seeking to devour a child. The gospel isn’t just preaching, it’s the real way to overcome. How does this help us to see better? Our real battles are very spiritual. The same God who protects the woman, protects us, nourishes us. “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death”. This is courage anchored in Christ. Courage to speak Truth. Courage to stand firm (willingness to endure loss rather than deny Jesus or stay silent). Many acknowledge Christ when it is easy, when the blessings pour in, when the fishes are so abundant that breaks the net, when prayers are answered, but hide their faith when mocked, deny convictions to stay comfortable, compromise to fit with the world, fall silent when truth requires courage, and deny Him when persecution and loss comes. Hearts are tested. Revelation 12:11 shows the believers who honor Christ when it costs them everything, who overcome Satan not by comfort, but by sacrifice. Don’t love your life more than Jesus. Don’t use God during good times and abandon Him during crisis. Courage is proven under pressure, not in prosperity. The challenge for us today: Will we acknowledge Christ in blessings and also in persecution? Do we live openly for Christ or are secret Christians? “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you”. Be blessed dear sisters.
wow..this is just so good! thank you friend for breaking it down, and flaming the fire in my soul!
Thank you ❤️
Thank you Mercy. This is a storehouse of insight :)
Wow! Mercy. I was in another Bible study recently. This older gentleman said that numbers mean nothing. They are very symbolic in the Hebrew Bible.
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN ❤️
Hello Shes
“The Woman, the Child and the Dragon” has the cadence of the children’s classic, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” by CS Lewis ushering in The Chronicles of Narnia. The timeless tale of good overcoming evil in horrific battle. A literary genre with roots in the book of Revelation. Struggle. Release. Sacrifice. Resurrection. Salvation. (CS Lewis also authored the nonfiction apologetic, “Mere Christianity”. )But as we know, in visions of John the messenger, the apocalypse … the wages of sin…is no child’s play!
Had to go to my friend ChatGpt today!
Summary of Revelation 12:
It’s the spiritual story of the whole Bible in one chapter:
1. God’s people(the woman) awaited the Messiah.
2. Satan tried to destroy Jesus but failed.
3. Jesus ascended and won the ultimate victory.
4. Satan is furious and now attacks believers.
5. God protects His people spiritually even during persecution.
Main Message
-Jesus has already won.
-Satan is active but limited.
-God protects His people.
-The battle is real, but the victory is certain.
And all I can think today is…
How long, O Lord?
The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have now come, because the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been thrown down.
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AMEN AMEN AMEN
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In all my years of reading through Revelation, I finally had some understanding of it today. I did a little extra digging and some things I hadn’t considered before stood out…
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At this present time, Satan is not in hell.
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He has never been in hell.
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When he finally does get there – he won’t be in charge.
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When he arrives in hell he will be the lowest being there.
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He will be assigned the most horrible punishment of any creature ever made.
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Right now he spends most of his time in heaven.
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He spends most of his efforts before the throne of God, accusing the brethren and trying to accomplish what he always has been striving for – to over throw God’s plan, God’s purpose, and God’s people.
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He is constantly reminding God of our sins, our failures.
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But God…
Satan and his demons will be cast out of heaven and down to earth – never again to return!
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His final destination will be the Lake of Fire.
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The battle has been won – Jesus is the victor!
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Those God holds in the palm of His hands, no one – not even Satan, can snatch them from Him!
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There was so much more interesting things that John MacArthur mentions in his sermon titled “The War of the Ages, Part 2. Also at got questions.
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Praise God we have the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord!!
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@Margaret W. – Praise God for that 3rd opinion, and that your pain is being addressed!
@Adrienne – Prayers that you will recover quickly from the flu.
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Happy Tuesday sweet She’s! Hallelujah we are sealed until the day of redemption!! ❤️
Amen! ❤
Love your clear points!
In all my years of reading through Revelation, I finally had some understanding of it today. I did a little extra digging and some things I hadn’t considered before stood out…
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At this present time, Satan is not in hell.
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He has never been in hell.
.
When he finally does get there – he won’t be in charge.
.
When he arrives in hell he will be the lowest being there.
.
He will be assigned the most horrible punishment of any creature ever made.
.
Right now he spends most of his time in heaven.
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He spends most of his efforts before the throne of God, accusing the brethren and trying to accomplish what he always has been striving for – to over throw God’s plan, God’s purpose, and God’s people.
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He is constantly reminding God of our sins, our failures.
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But God…
Satan and his demons will be cast out of heaven and down to earth – never again to return!
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His final destination will be the Lake of Fire.
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The battle has been won – Jesus is the victor!
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Those God holds in the palm of His hands, no one – not even Satan, can snatch them from Him!
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There was so much more interesting things that John MacArthur mentions in his sermon titled “The War of the Ages, Part 2. Also at got questions. org
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Praise God we have the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord!!
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@Margaret W. – Praise God for that 3rd opinion, and that your pain is being addressed!
@Adrienne – Prayers that you will recover quickly from the flu.
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Happy Tuesday sweet She’s! Hallelujah we are sealed until the day of redemption!! ❤️
Late start due to server area in Atlanta!
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I am thinking this morning about Carman’s song,
The Champion- from the 80’s, I think.
My kids loved it and it reminds us that Jesus IS the CHAMPION in every way.
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I haven’t listened to the podcast so apologies if you already heard this, but here are a couple of notes from Jen’s Revelation study guide.
On page 88, Jen refers to Romans 8:29 re: the people in John’s vision.
Noted on page 89: “our souls are secure no matter what persecution or suffering we face.” Isaiah 49:27-31 is referenced here.
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Love, hugs,band prayers! ❤
Oof- typo!!
Oh, why not ‘band prayers’ since we love to share music!
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Thank you for sharing Jen’s notes. Praying your internet works well.
Isaiah 49 ends at v. 26. Could you check that reference again, please?
Supposed to say 40, Margaret! Thanks so much for catching that typo and bringing it to my attention!!! ❤❤❤
*** SCRIPTURE REFERENCE should be: Isaiah 40:27-31!
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Apologies for that typo from fat fingers!
Colossians 2:14 always sticks out to me in the NLT version-
“He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.“
Hallelujah! Thank you, Lord God, for defeating the enemy! I pray, Lord, that I would live in remembrance of that and share Your Good News with everyone.
Amen! ❤️
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Amen
How did they overcome the enemy? By the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, for they lived not their CB lives even unto death! Rev 12:11
We need to share our testimonies, it’s how we overcome the enemy! This just stuck out to me today. Share with believers and unbelievers what God has done for you.
Praying for boldness! Praying for all of you!!
The sharing of testimonies stuck out to me today too and was convicting!
We have to share our testimonies! People need to know how Jesus saved us.
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I agree, I encourage that in all my groups! Tell, Share, write it down…!! Don’t bury your testimonies! I encouraged a lady at our group today to thinned pray on how to tell and share something she keeps more private. she attempted suicide several times. But God saved and healed her, so although it’s not something we want to share, it can be used to help, save, encourage, give hope to someone(s) that needs to hear her story! And that is true for all of us!
Revelation is not light reading at all and again today is no exception. Its a lot and feel like so much is over my head and I always need to further think on this, reread passages, the comments to gain a better understanding. The podcast is SO helpful, overflowing with information, scripture connections and insight. Thank you SRT and I always really learn so much from Jen Wilkin.
What I can understand at first read today is that the Lord provides provision, He sustains us, He protects us. His promises are true, He redeems, He restores and our victory is in Him. Thank you Lord! I think many times when we are unsure or confused by the things in scripture we can get bogged down and stalled. We can however focus in on what we DO understand and trust, rely and pray for Holy spirit to bring us clarity for the unknown and studying in a group like this is so helpful.
May we have eyes to see, hearts tender and receptive, and minds open to a greater understanding as we study together. ❤️
Yes! Focus on Jesus.
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“…the Lord provides provision, He sustains us, He protects us. His promises are true, He redeems, He restores and our victory is in Him.“
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I do get confused trying to decipher and understand Revelation (and many other Bible passages :) ). Sometimes I just need the overview!
I will say, I rely heavily on good Bible teaching resources, Bible commentaries, and all the She’s comments in my quest to understand. ❤️
My brain hurts. (I have the flu and all this coughing is making my brain slam against my skull! Owww!!!) Please pray for me. I am going to attempt reading, but the first comment I see is from JESSICA THOMAS and says, “Woah that’s heavy!”
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I’m scared! (Today’s title tipped me off anyway that it was gonna be a tough read!
Prayers Adrienne.
❤ ❤ ❤ and prayers!
Praying for alleviation of your symptoms and understanding and peace in the reading. ❤️
Praying for healing of the flu, Adrienne
Praying you feel better soon❤️
Woah thats heavy!
Amen
What a great reminder that this is battle. Over the last few years, I have faced the most trying times of my life so far. During the worst of it, I would wake up each day and pray through the list of God’s armour (Eph 6:10-18) as I asked him to prepare me for the day ahead. I am not sure when I fell out of that habit. Funny thing that, how complacency sneaks up on us. I recall though, that with all this armour, my greatest encouragement came from knowing that this war is won already.
One of the things that has struck me most in my readings in Revelation this time through, is the prayers of the saints as incense always before God. And how fire from the altar was added and thrown to earth. That really spoke to me about prayer being acknowledged and being powerful. It makes some why it is included with the list of armour – to always keep on praying for all the saints.
Cathy, I love this perspective and definitely need to go back and read this. And yes, complacency can sneak up on all of us so easily. Praying that we always remain aware to when that is happening.
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I too was struck by that as I was reading and somewhat convicted, critiquing my own prayer life. Our prayer life is important and plays a vital part in Gods plan upon the earth. Thank you for your comments!❤️
Holy Spirit, sustain us in the conflict we face today. When the enemy accuses, remind us of the Lamb who silences every accusation.
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When we are pursued, carry us on wings of Your strength.
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When discouragement floods in like a river, lift up a standard against it and deliver us.
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Father, fix our eyes on the hope You’ve promised—
a world redeemed,
creation restored,
a kingdom where the Lamb reigns without rival,
and every work of the serpent undone forever.
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Until that day, protect Your people in this wilderness. Guard our hearts, strengthen our faith, and give us courage to bear witness to Christ’s victory.
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Thank You that the battle is won, the Savior has come, and the final triumph is certain.
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May Your promise anchor our souls and fill us with hope as we walk in Your grace.
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In the mighty name of Jesus, the victorious One. Amen.
Amen, amen, amen❤️
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Hallelujah and Amen
Amen!❤️
Thank you Kimberly for the beautiful prayer. Amen
Made me start singing the words…”we’re fighting a battle, you’ve already won. No matter what comes our way…you have overcome!( Can’t think of the name or artist though! Josh Baldwin maybe? He is doing a concert at our church this Saturday night!! yay!!)
AMEN Sis !
Amen. ❤️
Amen❤️
Rev. 12:6 “The woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, to be nourished there for 1,260 days.”
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Vs. 14 “The woman was given two wings of a great eagle, so that she could fly from the serpent’s presence to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, times, and half a time.”
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It’s beautiful the way God will make provision and protection for the woman (Israel) during the dragon’s rampage on the earth.
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MARGARET W – good for you seeking a third opinion about your knee! Praying the “rest” will be just what is needed.
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SEARCHING – how is your sister’s friend who fell?
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MEG ALBA – praying your husband will receive his back pay in the next few days.
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A WALTON – praying the clot in your mom’s leg is disolving as expected.
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SAMANTHA M – praying the Lord has brought you healing from the infection
Fall – mostly recovered, thank you!
Was your husband able to find a good plumber Kelly?
We found a plumber, now arguing with the ciry about permits needed to do the work…grr. Count it all joy, right?
Oh my..
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The first three paragraphs, fine. Understood!
The middle, not so sure, i felt lost in understanding.. I’m going to re-read, re centre, realign to see if I get it!
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Last paragraph, I Understood.
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Victory is ours by the blood of the Lamb- no matter the suffering.. He has covered us!
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Got it!
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BUT GOD.
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AMEN.
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Happy Tuesday, my dears. Prayerful today is a Blessed day for all.
I love you.
hugs.
Tina. x❤️
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Same, Tina! ❤
“The first three paragraphs, fine. Understood!
The middle, not so sure ” You’re so cute Tina ❤️
Alleluia!
Amen