Reviews and Views

Book of Revelation – Chapter 12

What follows in chapters 12 and 13 are things that have thus far remained unsaid in previous descriptions of the Trumpet period. Satan’s ruling passion is the theme of chapter 12, and Satan’s regent prince is the theme of chapter 13. 

What is Satan’s ruling passion? Simply put, to exterminate all the Jews. We will understand why as we explore chapter 12, which has to do with the woman, the war, and the woe.

Satan hates whatever God loves, which means Israel and anyone trusting in Jesus Christ for their eternal salvation. In verse 1, the woman is a sign, a great wonder in heaven, symbolizing Israel (becoming a nation again in 1948). In verse 2, she is about to give birth to a child. Birth to whom? Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

Another wonder in heaven is the great red dragon. Of course, we know this dragon to be a biblical symbol for Satan. The heads, the horns, and the crowns are symbols of the earthly power that Satan claims. The seven heads picture his wisdom (Ezekiel 28:12). The ten horns speak of his universal power, but he is not omniscient (all-knowing) or omnipresent (in all places at all times). The dragon symbolizes cruelty, blood-lust (an uncontrollable desire to kill or maim others), and power. He is the cause of the woman’s many sufferings.

The same devil who attempted to destroy the woman’s (or Israel’s) son in centuries past is now about to strike out against the woman herself (Israel) during the Great Tribution period (the last 3.5 years). In Satan’s initiall rebellion in heaven, one-third of the stars (angels) got thrown out of heaven along with him; the cast-outs actively sought to destroy Israel and still do. The devil waited for Jesus to be born to devour him. At the time, Herod was Satan’s tool. But Christ escaped the sword of Herold. He grew up, died for our sins, resurrected three days later, and was caught up to God in heaven and His throne.

The Great Tribulation period (last 3.5 years) carries the description “great” because of its intensity and immensity. Those days of the Great Tribulation become shorter for the elect’s sake. The “elect” here refers to the Jews. God protects the children of Israel.

The War. A war in space or heaven occurs in verses 7 thru 9. The archangel, Michael, and his angels fight against the great dragon (Satan) and those angels following him. The good angels fought to cast Satan and his angels out of heaven and down to earth. By succeeding, Satan no longer has any place in heaven. He no longer accuses the saints of their shortcomings before God. Some scholars believe that this war begins at the Rapture of the Church in chapter 4, verse 1.

NOTE:
Many scholars believe that three heavens exist.

ONE is the aerial heaven or first heaven, the atmosphere, and the multi-spheres extending above the earth. It is where our sky and clouds exist.

TWO is the stellar heaven or second heaven consisting of the cosmos or outer space where the sun, moon, and stars move.

THREE is heaven as we think of it, or the third heaven where God and Christ rule and reign with the angels. Refer to 2 Corinthians 12:2.

Satan was in the 3rd heaven until his fall. He is now in 1st heaven (the aerial heaven) and 2nd heaven (the stellar heaven) but no longer in the third heaven. He is “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). And there he remains, creating chaos and trouble for Israel and the saints. But in verse 9, he is cast to the earth only. Satan’s demise began upon being thrown out of the third heaven (see Isaiah 14:12-14).

Now out of all the heavens and on earth only, he knows that his end is coming and has only a short 3.5 years left. So the hot spot will be where men walk and breathe. The only place of safety will be in the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ through His shed blood. “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.” Revelations 2:10.

In the meantime, rejoicing and praise are heard in heaven because:

1. Satan’s lost his atmospheric control.
2. God’s strength has crushed Satan’s might.
3. The kingdom of Christ is about to arrive on earth.
4. The power of Christ will be evident as He comes to set up His kingdom.

In verses 13 and 14, the purge of the Jews takes place. But God intervenes immediately. He protects His chosen people (Israel) for the final 3.5 years. In verse 15, the flood portrays a volume of propaganda of anti-Semitic insinuations, slanders, and slurs released internationally. Yet the people of GOD are protected. It is at this point that Satan reaches the height of his anger. So he turns to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keeps the commandments of GOD and has Jesus Christ’s testimony. Those that are Tribulation saints will become Satan’s focus.

The Woe. With the devil (Satan) cast to the earth, his hatred grows strongly. It is Satan himself that personally supervises the last bloodbath of anti-Semitic persecution. Israel’s situation will be desperate, but God will encourage many Gentiles to render help to shield and shelter the Jews at significant personal risk.

Next, chapter 13 – the Two Beasts

February 7, 2024 - Posted by Bill Wyler | Bible, Last Days, Revelation | Bible, Future, GOD, Truth, war