Monday June 07, 2004 01:02:48 PM -0400
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CHAPTER 12 1. Who is the mysterious woman described in this chapter? 2. What is the great wonder? A great red dragon which John sees? 3. Is Israel protected from Satan’s onslaught and by whom? 4. What is the strange war that takes place in heaven? Who are the participants and who wins? 5. What part does the angel Michael play in Israel’s past, Israel’s present and Israel’s future? 6. Is the devil a grotesque little Gremlin who spends his time stroking a fiery furnace? 7. What and who are “She Devils” 8. When does Satan realize time is running out? 9. What pictures the greatest period of Anti-Semitic slanders in all history? 10. What act of divine intervention stops this terrible persecution? 11. When is Satan’s anger the greatest? Chapter 12 As noted previously chapter 12-19 constitute a re-run of the tribulation hour as noted in chapter 6-11. Therefore at this point we come once again to the middle of the Tribulation and to the worse wave of Anti-Semitism the world has ever observed. This is what Jeremiah had in mind is chapter 30 v 17 “alas for that day…” Jacob is Israel as seen clearly in Romans 11 v 26. A number of great signs and occurrences are witnessed in this chapter. Each having to do with the horrendous judgments that are enveloping the earth, including the persecution being directed against Israel. These includes: (a). Great wonders verse 1; (b) a great red dragon verse 3; great wrath verse 12 as well as two wings of a great eagle verse 14. Verse 1 “and now there appeared…” In total the book of Revelation tells of four women. (a) Jezebel the high Priestess of Paganism chapter 2 v 20; (b) The Scarlet Woman, the high priestess of Apostasy chapter 17. (c) the lamb’s wife the representative of the true blood bought Church. (d) Israel in the text before us, meaning that the woman in chapter 12 is a picture of Israel. The Christian Science religious leader Mary Fry once claimed to be this woman. But who is this woman and why is she here? The term ‘wondering’ in this text comes from the Greek word SIGN. So we understand that this woman is a sign. What SIGN? The sign of ISRAEL. Let us prove this claim. The woman of Rev 12 v 1 “ a great and wondrous sign appeared in the heaven, a woman clothed in the sun….” was pictured in the dream of Joseph centuries ago, “and he dreamed another dream Gen 37 v 9-11. Clearly the woman clothed with the sun and wearing a crown of 12 stars upon her head just like in Joseph’s dream is Israel. The birth of this woman (Israel’s) son is predicted in Isaiah 66 v 7. Isaiah’s prediction finds fulfillment in the next verse Rev 12 v 2 “and she being with child….” Here we have the mother Israel bringing forth a man child who is the Lord Jesus Christ verse 5. This truth agrees with many New Testament text eg Romans 9 v 4 & 5; “ they are Israelites …” Christ in his flesh came from Israel and Satan, who is Christ adversary, the one who rebelled centuries ago against the authority of God Israel 14 v 12-14; is about to strike another blow, verse 3 & 4 “and there appeared…” The red dragon is undoubtedly Satan verse 9. The number 7 speaks of completeness and therefore the dragon 7 heads pictures his wisdom. It is written that Satan is full of wisdom. Ezekiel 28 v 12. God created him that way when he was the anointed Cherub or angel that coveted, Ezekiel 28 v 14. His ten horns speaks of universal power, just like the ten toes of Daniel’s image. Satan’s international control is possible because millions of demons jump at his command. He is the god of this world system. 2nd Cor 4 v 4. He is also the Prince of the power of the air. Ephesian 2 v 2 and the Prince of this world John 12 v 3. However since he is not OMNIPRESENT i.e. in all places at all times, Satan must rely on demonic hosts or angels in diversified places to administer his power. This explains why Christians are NOT fighting against flesh and blood only. Eph 6 v 12. Satan probably enlisted the angels who fell at the time of his rebellion when his tail drew the 1/3 part of the stars (meaning angels) of heaven and cast them to the earth. Similar reference is found in Jude13. At this point one may ask why is it that we use these text to discuss past, present and future history. The answer is simple, the scene we are about to witness speaks of the entire age long conflict from beginning to end. Its details are squeezed into these few verses before us. The same devil who attempted to destroy the woman or Israel’s son, in centuries past, Genesis 3 v 15 is now about to strike out against the woman herself via the greatest anti-Semitic purge in history. Hitler’s cruelty against the Jews will seem like a picnic compared to this holocaust. See what Daniel said in Dan 12 v 1, and Jesus himself said in Matt 24 21 & 22. The elect here ae Isralites of Roman 11 v 28. These following text verse 5 shows that the verses before us covers the age long conflict past, present and future. “For she brought forth a man child PAST – 2000 years ago – and her child was caught up under God and to his throne- PRESENT age of Grace - who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron- FUTURE - Verse 6 “ and the woman fled into the wilderness…..” During the final 42 months period, described as the Great Tribulation Rev 7 v 14, the children of Israel are protected by their God Jer 30 v 7; Daniel 12 v 1; Matt 24 v 22. He took care of them for 40 years as they wandered through the wilderness, and now he again proves his love to his ancient people by delivering them. At this point a shocking scene takes place: verse 6 – 9 “and there was war in heaven….” Some bible authorities believe that this war started at the time of the rapture in chapter 4 v 1. Since a war involves a number of battles this is possibility. The assumption is based on Daniel 12 v 1 & 2, these scholars reason that since those who are caught up in the rapture of the church MUST pass through the areas where Satan reigns the Aerial and Stella heavens, Satan becomes aroused and attempts to hinder the evacuation of them from the earth, however as he attempts to hinder this glorious event, angels, ministers of the saints, Hebrews 1 v 14, rushes to the rescue and the space confrontation begins. THIS HAPPENED IN THE PAST! Why couldn’t it happen again. WHERE DID THIS HAPPEN? Daniel 10 v 13. Here we are introduced to Michael the commander and chief of heaven’s armies. Daniel said “ but the Prince……” Here God is telling Daniel that Satan tried to hinder his prayers from being received, and God had to send Michael to battle the devil in the areas of his domain, the first and second heaven in order to make the answers a reality. Therefore it IS possible that Michael will again battle God’s adversary at the time of the rapture in order to allow Christians their entrance into the glory in a twinkling of an eye as promised in 1st Corinthians 15 v 51-54. Michael is mentioned 5 times in God’s word beginning in Daniel 10 v 13, we find him again in Daniel 10 v 21, where he is described to the children of Israel as Michael “your Prince”. His third mention is Daniel 12 v 1 “ at that time shall Michael…..” In Jude v 9 we find Michael the archangel contending with the devil over the body of Moses. Notice that every time Michael appears, he is connected with the children of Israel making it very plausible that he is at war with Satan in our present and fifth text defending the Jewish people. The war is on and it is the greatest aerial combat in history “Michael and his angels fought against…..” Are you shocked to see to discover SATAN in HEAVEN? Many people including some Christians imagine him as a little red horned creature dressed in a red uniform running around with a pitch fork. That folks is mythological nonsense!!! Satan is a magnificent creature to behold, in fact his beauty brought his ruins, Ezekiel 28 v 17. Not only is it a lie to picture Satan as a grotesque monstrosity, but it is equally false to place him in hell. He has NEVER been there. He is the god of this world system, the prince of the power of the air, and the prince of this world, as we have already observed. He has been in heavens 1 and 2, the Aerial and Stella heavens since his fall and he will remain there until he is cast to the earth in verse 9. It is also important to note that he is not cast into eternal hell, the lake of fire with the others he has duped until after the Millennium chapter 20 verse 10. As this battle is fought Satan is defeated. Satan is mighty but our God is ALMIGHTY, Satan can destroy but our God can destroy the destroyer, that’s why Christians should not fear the events of daily life, why! Because there is victory in Jesus, read 1st John 4 v 4 “greater is He…..” Satan demise began when he was cast out of the THIRD heaven in Isaiah 14 v 12-14 and continues in Rev 12 v 9 when he was cast of the first and second heavens and is completed when he is cast into the lake of fire chapter 20 v10. Jesus foresaw this hour when he said in John 12 v 31 “ the prince……” and again the prince of this world is judged, John 16 v 11. To the eternal Christ, Satan’s doom was as good as accomplished but with us time had to past, now the time has arrived, Satan and his angels prevailed not Verse 8. Michael and his angels zeroes in and the abiding location for Satan and his angels for centuries is found no longer . Instead the dragon, Satan which deceived the whole world is cast out into the earth and his angels with him, signaling the end of Satan’s reign in the Aerial and Stella Heavens. And the victory celebration begins. Verse 10 “ and I heard…..” The spontaneous praise session within this verse occurs because: . 1. Salvation from Satan’s atmospheric control has taken place 2. God’s strength has crushed Satan’s might 3. The kingdom is about to arrive 4. The power of Christ will be seen as he comes to set up his kingdom. Think of it, the united power of the Father and Son, cast the accuser of the brethrens out of heavens. Did you know that accusing the brethrens is Satan’s present ministry? He also uses some ministers and holier and thou church members to accomplish this goal. Every bit of slander against another sister or brother in Christ is simply the devil using an individuals minds and vocal cords. In fact the word “devil” means “slanderer” Titus 2 v 3 states “that the aged women likewise be in behavior……” meaning the aged women be not “she devil” a willing gossip, or a male gossip likewise etc….both are controlled by the power of the lying one who is Satan. Verse 9 when Satan is cast on to the earth the hot spots will be even hotter at that time there will be only one safe place an that is in the arms of the Lord Jesus through his shed blood. Verse 11 “and they overcame him by the …….” Notice these wise saints resisted Satan by the blood of Jesus, There is no other way to win a spiritual battle Hebrews 4 v 12, they also overcame Satan by their testimony and loved not their own lives unto death. Remember John states in Rev 2 v 10, a crown of life is promised. Though there is rejoicing in heaven, the picture is quite different on earth. Verse 12 ‘therefore rejoice…..” at this point Satan unleashes all his fury because he knows his time is short, he knows that in 42 months, 3 ½ years his reign will have ended so he launches the greatest anti-Semitic purge which begins verse 13, “ and when the dragon….” Immediately God intervenes, verse 14, “and to the woman……” this verse describes God in his sovereignty and love protecting his people for three and a half years. The eagle’s wings probably depicts an air lift or some miraculous speedy escape. God is probably reminding the children of Israel about his intervention to them and preservation in Pharaoh’s times and uses the pictures of wings to show them his goodness, Exodus 19 verse 4. Protection is promised to his people. Verse 15 “ and the serpent cast out of his mouth..” the flood undoubtedly portrays an onslaught of propaganda and anti-Semitic innuendoes slanders and slurs released internationally, but God promises differently see Isaiah 59 v 15. Verse 16 “ and the earth helped the woman” this verse too shows the miraculous deliverance God provided the children of Israel when God delivered them across the red sea. Exodus 15 v 9-12. Verse 17 “and the dragon was …” At this point Satan reaches the height of his anger.
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