Was it foretold in Bible prophecy?
A.K. Folami
In some circles, the Black woman has become Enemy #1. She is under attack from inside and outside the house. Some would have melanin-dominant women believe they are the root of most of the problems plaguing the Black community. Certain Black men blame them for their exodus and decision to date and marry women of other backgrounds. Commentators and researchers cite female headed households as the cause of a number of ills plaguing the Black family.
The attack is real and part of a conspiracy foretold long ago. You’re familiar with the Bible, right? The book of Revelations? Hold on! Don’t leave me now. You don’t have to agree. Just think on it.
I understand Revelations is a book FULL of symbols that have varying interpretations, depending on what your belief system is, if you choose to have one. Here I’m simply taking a few verses at their face value to make a point on this topic. Take the story in Revelations 12.
The chapter starts out referring to a pregnant woman crying in pain and about to deliver a boy. Along comes a seven-headed dragon with ten horns and seven crowns. Crowns obviously symbolize rulership or power. The book says, “The dragon stood in front of the woman … so that it might devour her child the moment he was born.”
The woman gives birth to this great son who is then placed directly in God’s care. (Remember, this is a book of symbolism). Then a war breaks out, the angels of heaven fighting the dragon and his angels. The latter lose the battle and the dragon, (now also called serpent, devil and Satan), and his entourage get tossed down to earth.
This all occurs at the “time of salvation” near the end of Satan’s rule and very close to what Christians call the second coming of Christ. Satan and his crew, the text explains, arrive full of anger and venom because they know their time is almost up. The books says, “When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.”
The woman is escorted to a place prepared for her where she receives protection outside of the serpent’s reach. That fails to stop the devil from seeking her life. “Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river. Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring – those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.” (Rev. 12:15-17, NIV)
Did you notice who the key figure in the story is? THE WOMAN. Why does Satan focus so much attention on destroying this woman? He wants to kill her but never succeeds in doing so. He is full of venom, hatred and anger toward this woman, notably because she gave birth to a son of great consequence.
Sisters, what if one way to view this is that the woman symbolizes the Black woman collectively? Yes, to a larger degree, women as a whole, but given the topic of this article, we’ll go with the former. I tend to think people of various faiths can agree that the signs of the times indicate we are in the “last days,” the time of Rev. 12. If true, then this is the time Satanic forces will come out heavily against THE WOMAN (and her offspring). Is that what we are experiencing today?
How many are referencing the state of the single Black woman and her children? How many critics are concluding female headed homes are the main reason for the difficulties Black boys and girls have and cause in the society? How many have given up hope on all three parties: the Black woman and her male and female children?
It is through the reproductive system of women that new life physically receives nourishment, grows and eventually pushes forth to enter the world. This may be the biggest difference between men and women, and this physical attribute of being able to carry and bring forth life is one of the key reasons, per Rev. 12, the devil wants to destroy the woman.
Have you ever considered what great value and purpose THE WOMAN has, that such a plot to get rid of her would be carried out by the strongest of Satanic forces? If not, do so. Remember what many motivators encourage today, “Know Your Worth.” Let’s promote self-healing amongst each other because there’s a lot we have to heal from. Let’s be true sisters and not contribute to this conspiracy that is against us all. Be encouraged. The book shows that, despite our enemy’s vicious attacks, we’re still standing in the end.
Bring Beauty Forward
A.K. Folami is a freelance writer and journalist who lives in Denver, Colorado. Her writings reflect the many things she continues to learn on her lifelong journey as an ever-evolving, changing and growing woman. Read more of her writings and thoughts on bringbeautyforward.com.