Chapter 12
-In the days of the voice of the seventh trumpet there is a
great sign in Heaven. A woman (this is Israel apparently) clothed with the sun
with the moon under her feet and a head of twelve stars was pregnant and crying
with birth pains and the agony of giving birth (Revelation 12:1-2). Another
sign appeared in Heaven with the red dragon, who had seven heads with seven
diadems and ten horns (this symbolizes great power, Daniel 7:7). His tail swept
down a third of the stars of Heaven and cast them to earth (this could possibly
mean the downfall of the demonic angels in antiquity). This dragon stands
before the woman so that when she bore her child he might devour it. This child
is the Messiah, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron (complete
strength), but He is caught away to Heaven (this is historical as well) and to
His throne (at the right Hand of God, Mark 16:19, Luke 22:69, Colossians 3:1,
Hebrews 10:12; 12:2, 1 Peter 3:22). The woman flees into the wilderness (if
this is futuristic and if this is literal it would more than likely be the
Judean wilderness as one goes toward the Dead Sea) for 3 ½ years where she has
a place prepared by the Lord to be nourished and cared for (Revelation 12:3-6).
This appears to be the later part of the tribulation period when the woman
(Israel) is hidden in a safe place while all hell is breaking loose on the
earth. This is a supernatural protection and deliverance, which shows the
Divine love of God for His people once again as this age of the Gentiles is
drawing to a close and the mystery of God is revealed (Revelation 10:7).
*Application* The Word says to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and God’s people
(Genesis 12:2-3, Psalm 122:6). He will protect His chosen, and we need to bless
them too. Pray for the peace and protection of Israel in these turbulent times
in which we live. God is on their side.
-Now a war ensues in Heaven between the archangel, Michael
(Jude 1:9), and his angels and the dragon (which is Satan, Revelation 12:9)
along with his demonic angels. This is the time (and it will take 3 ½ years to
do it) when the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of God and the
authority of Christ manifests itself in all fullness. This is when the saints
conquer the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony
as they loved not their physical lives, but give everything up for the Lord.
Heaven is rejoicing, but there is turbulent times ahead for the earth and sea,
for the devil has come down in great wrath knowing his time is short and defeat
is close at hand (Revelation 12:7-12).
-The evil one, the dragon, pursues Israel, the woman who had
given birth to the male child (Messiah), but the Lord supernaturally protects
as she is given two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the
serpent into the wilderness. The serpent tries to pour water like a river out
of his mouth to drown the woman and sweep her away with a flood, but the earth
(this is from God as well) came to help the woman as it opens up its mouth and
swallowed the river. This makes the dragon furious and he goes out to make war
with the rest of her offspring (this could mean the church or some other
remnant of Israel), of those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the
testimony of Jesus. This dragon stands on the sands of the sea with all his
venom (Revelation 12:13-17).
-*Application* The scene gets pretty desperate as the accuser
comes against God’s people, but God will always show up to help His elect.
Count on God to do the same for you if you have trusted in Him completely. Don’t
ever allow yourself to focus on the circumstances, they will frighten and
deceive you. Instead, focus on the cross of Christ and His righteousness
(Hebrews 12:1-2). He will deliver you! Trust, abide, and endure!
Verse to Memorize:
Revelation 12:11
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