What CHILD+ is This ?
2021 ADVENT MEDITATION #3
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.
Revelation 12:5
~
Revelation 12
12:1 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 -- a STEPHANOS -- of twelve stars:
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
3 And there appeared another wonder in Heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
First, let us look at a few words in the literal Greek in this verse.
This great “red” dragon actually means he is flame-like, according to the Greek word used [ πυρος ].
That literal description reminds us of the glowing NACHASH, the copper-y, bright shining creature in the Garden of Eden which tempted Eve and lied to her. It was a NACHASH , but KJV translators simply termed it a “serpent”.
That leads us to believe that the great red dragon was not simply a flat-colored crimson but rather he was bright, shining, and likely GLOWING like a fire which undulates as heat moves among its hot coals.
This picture is Spiritual REALITY, not just a figment of the Apostle’s imagination.
Secondly, the word for CROWN here is NOT THE SAME kind of crown worn by the Woman in verse 1.
Here in verse 3, the crowns are DIADEMS. A word analysis shows that dia – means through or about. dem – is from a Greek word [ δέω ] which means to bind or to tie.
The literal picture from the Greek is that each of those 7 heads are BOUND or have a binding about the head.
Thus, a diadem is a HEAD-BAND which denotes POWER or AUTHORITY.
The implication is that a HEAD-BAND – a DIADEM -- is worn by one who has obtained power or authority, legally or illegally; he simply is identified as the one with the POWER.
Whereas, the STEPHANOS is worn by one who has been AWARDED the Wreath, being the VICTOR in a contest . . . a contest in which there is a JUDGE !
Unfortunately, both STEPHANOS and DIADEM have been reduced to the same common term in our English Bibles, “crown”, which in this verse sends a confused message to the reader.
Modern-day usage of “DIADEM” makes it equivalent to a jeweled tiara, that is, something regal made of a precious metal, bedecked with jewels, and formed of layers . . . very elaborate “head-bands”.
Thus, rulers wore DIADEMS which denoted power and authority.
In the recent past, some Roman Catholic popes wore a DIADEM , an elaborate crown which consisted of a head-band fastened to a layer of another material atop of it.
There were three such layers in the formal DIADEM worn by popes in the recent past, although modern-day popes have worn other head gear than that papal DIADEM.
For more details of the 3-DIADEM-ed Papal tiara, see this Roman Catholic website: https://www.thecompassnews.org/2018/11/the-pope-no-longer-wears-a-crown/
The beast which comes up out of the sea in Revelation 13 also wears a DIADEM.
Revelation 13:1
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns DIADEMS, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Interestingly, the 24 Elders around the Heavenly Throne wore the STEPHANOS and it was the STEPHANOS which they were casting down before the Throne as they sang “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY.”
The LORD JESUS worn a STEPHANOS of thorns in the Gospels during His+ pre-crucifixion sufferings. This is very note-worthy because a STEPHANOS was AWARDED to the VICTOR. The enemies of CHRIST did not realize what they were doing. His+ STEPHANOS was awarded to HIM+ because HE+ was already granted His+ Victory over the devil when HE+ submitted to the Crucifixion.
However there comes a change in Revelation 19:12 with The LORD JESUS wearing a DIADEM : A DIVINE, royal HEAD-BAND denoting POWER and AUTHORITY.
This CROWN was VERY LEGALLY OBTAINED !
LET US PRAY
O Heavenly FATHER,
I realize that the satan and his demonized men who are ruling all areas of society have earthly power and authority to crush mankind, to crush Christians.
But I realize equally well that Your HOLY SON+ JESUS has given to us power and authority over the sharp-eyed demons and human scorpions, demonized men, according to Your Word in Luke 10:19.
Help me to WALK with CHRIST so thoroughly, so zealously that the satan can find NOTHING in me that agrees with the world nor with his wicked kingdom nor with him.
Help me to crucify my own Self-indulgence, Self-pleasing nature so that I can SERVE YOU MORE FULLY.
Root out of my life all things that offend you, big or little, so that satan can find no toe-hold in me to weaken me in this spiritual battle.
Let me carry --- untarnished by Self --- the LIGHT of Your SON+ JESUS into this dark and dying world during this Advent Season.
Help me point others to The LORD JESUS CHRIST; satan’s wrath is making it harder and harder for mankind to live.
Grant my desire, O HOLY FATHER, and strengthen me to receive the answer to my request. My spirit is willing, but my flesh is indeed weak.
I, too, long for the STEPHANOS, the crown awarded to the Victor.
This I pray in the unblemished Name of JESUS CHRIST, Who+ came once to deliver man from sin , wearing a Blood-stained STEPHANOS given to HIM+ by wicked men who knew not what they were doing.
BUT WHEN HE+ COMES AGAIN to deliver planet earth from satan’s grip, His+ Blood-stained thorn-laden STEPHANOS will be changed into a DIVINE DIADEM.
And thankfully, thankfully so.
MARANATHA ! COME, LORD JESUS, Come. Amen.
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