The Children of God and the Final Battle

In the twelfth chapter of the Book of Revelation we read about “A Woman clothed with the sun with the moon under her feet.” And a little later, we read: “The serpent spewed a torrent of water out of his mouth after the Woman to sweep her away with the current. But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth and swallowed the flood that the dragon spewed out of its mouth. Then the dragon became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus…” (Rev 12: 15-17) Many interpret the “Woman” of Revelation as the Church but a more precise identification comes from recognizing that the “Woman” gives birth to a Son, destined to rule all the nations. Of course, the Blessed Virgin Mary gives birth to the “Son destined to rule all the nations’ and so, to many, it is clear the she, Mary, is the Mother of Jesus and the Woman of Revelation. Like Cinderella’s slipper, this passage can be forced to describe the Church but it doesn’t really fit. The Church does not give birth to Jesus. Rather, Jesus founds the Church, not the other way around.

     What difference does it make? Well, it is of critical importance to understand who this “Woman” is because we are meant to help her — not ignore or insult her. And even more, just as earlier in this passage we see Michael leading the angelic forces as they engage in the great battle against Satan that began in Heaven, we begin to understand that it is Mary leading the human forces as we, the children of God, battle against Satan and his fallen angels. Over the centuries, God has communicated with His forces on earth, His children, through her. At many places, including Guadalupe, Rue de Bac, Lourdes, Fatima, Tres Fontaine, Akita, Kibeho, and most notably Medjugorje, our Heavenly Father communicates His Heavenly battle plan to us through the Blessed Virgin.

     Why would the all-powerful God do this? Well, though it is always a challenge to interpret the thoughts of God, it should be clear to all Christians that this battle is not just between God and Satan or even the faithful angels and the fallen angels. The battle involves us humans as well. God, of course, is all powerful and Satan has very limited power— like comparing the Empire State Building to a grain of sand. A battle between God and Satan would be over in an instant, like in the time it takes to squash a bug. The definitive battle, won by Christ on the cross was not the final battle, as is plainly evident by watching the evening news. No, two thousand years after the death and resurrection of Christ, the battle continues to rage and has spilled all over the planet. We are truly witnessing a world at war. This is not just a war between God and Satan or angels and demons but a war that involves each and every human being as well. And we have to choose a side in this battle. There are no spectators.

     This stage of the battle is being led by a woman, and not just any woman, but the Woman of Revelation. Her name is Mary, and she happens to be the Mother of Jesus and our Mother too. And obviously, she will not lose this battle because God is with her, and she is full of God’s grace. We know that Satan will ultimately be defeated. And it is a defeat that Satan will never recover from. Satan, a high angel, who fell through pride, will succumb to a mere human, a woman, who overcomes evil with good and conquers the pride of Satan through her humility.

     So, how does the earth, that is, how do we, help the woman? Well, the flood being spewed out of the mouth of the dragon is the river of sin and earthly pleasure being poured over the world right now. Since Satan cannot prevent God’s plan from unfolding, he is trying to drown it out. He is trying to disrupt the lines of communication, much like when the home crowd yells louder and louder at critical moments of a football game so that the visiting team cannot communicate with one another. How many times have we seen a team jump offsides because they could not hear the signal caller?

     This Heavenly battle that spilled onto the earth is not being fought with earthly weapons. No, it is being fought with spiritual weapons. To swallow the flood, the children of God must open their mouth, but not like the soldiers who drank leisurely from the river in the days of Gideon. No, we must be alert, vigilant like dogs, drinking sparingly and always on guard so that we can hear the master’s voice. And the master is speaking clearly, but softly to us in these times. The messages from the Blessed Virgin Mary through the ages, but especially at Medjugorje have been crystal clear. We are to overcome evil with good. We are to allow our personal holiness to influence those around us and inspire them to be good. We are to spread our peace, the peace that comes through prayer and conversion, into our families, our household, our communities, our countries and ultimately into the whole world. We are to use the five stones of prayer, fasting, conversion, reconciliation and peace to bind Satan and hurl him into hell. We are to overcome all the forces of evil let loose upon the world in our times.

     Is it possible? Could God really entrust the cosmic struggle at this critical moment to us weak, frail, faulty humans led by a woman? Well, yes. God, our loving Father wants us to enter fully into joy of the wedding feast of Heaven. But our wedding garment is being fashioned down here on earth. The way we conduct ourselves in the battle down here determines how we will celebrate there. Remember the guest who tried to enter without a wedding garment? Remember the two battle standards (flags) of St Ignatius of Loyola? Think of those who collaborated with the enemy during World War II. Could they celebrate fully the arrival of VE Day? Could they celebrate joyfully each year as that day came around again and again?                           

     We are talking about eternity and a celebration that will never end. How we conduct ourselves here and now influences how the battle goes. If we are strong in our faith, then the Church will be strong. If we are weak, then the Church will be weak.

     Even if we have chosen the wrong side previously, Our Lady is calling constantly for new recruits. Now is the time of decision. Now is the time to listen and act. Our Lady is looking for those who will pray, fast, convert, and reconcile with God and their fellow man so that they too can be messengers and apostles of peace. Do not ignore her call. Remember we are described in the Bible as the “rest of her offspring, (her children), those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus.” (Rev 12: 17)  We are her spiritual children, members of the family of God. How we live brings either honor or dishonor on the family. Do we want to strive for holiness in this hour of need when so many are choosing to fight under the wrong standard? Do we want to help others to enter the banquet? So, we get up off our bellies and,  we kneel on the bank of the river alert and attentive, rosary in hand.  We open our mouths for the Eucharist to find strength to fight against evil. We put God in the center