Weekly Devotion: A Beautiful Painting

A Beautiful Painting

Revelation 20:1-2, “And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.”

People hold all sorts of ideas when it comes to the book of Revelation. But the truth is simple. It is a book of John’s visions. Imagine that John paints a giant picture to comfort and encourage you. And that is exactly what Revelation 20 does.

What do we see in that painting? An angel, probably Jesus, comes down out of heaven. He manhandles Satan, that ancient serpent. He treats him like a belligerent criminal. He ties him up and throws him into prison, into the abyss, and locks the door with the key of heaven. God wins. Satan loses.

Revelation 12:11 tells us, “They (Christians) triumphed over him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb.” When did Jesus triumph over Satan and lock him away? Easy. On the cross! Jesus shed his blood for our sins, died for us, and rose to give eternal life. Jesus defanged the serpent, destroyed his power, conquered and locked him away.

What comfort this painting gives! Our guilt is gone. Our sin is covered with Jesus’ blood. Death has no power over Christians. Through faith in Jesus, we have eternal life. What a beautiful painting John colors in Revelation!