Revelation 12 – Lesson 16

 

Revelation 12:1-6 – The Woman and the Dragon

The events that follow are about the seventh trumpet, which are the last 7 judgments.  These are described in chapters 15 - 18.  Chapters 12, 13, and 14 summarizes the same period.  This period is called the Great Tribulation.  John wrote about events that happen before those troubles or judgments.  He takes us back to the original rebellion when Satan is cast to earth along with 1/3 of his angels.

John saw a great sign in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, moon at her feet and crown of 12 stars on her head.  She was with child and cried out being in labor and in pain as she was to give birth. (Rev. 12:1-2).  This woman is the nation of Israel and the child is Jesus.  This refers to the birth of Jesus and Christianity.  The pain is the period when Israel waited for the promised Messiah to come.

Then he saw another sign, a red dragon with 7 heads and 10 horns and on his head were 7 crowns.  This red dragon is Satan.  His tail swept away 1/3 of the stars and threw them to earth.  These stars are angels who followed Satan.  The dragon stood before the woman (Israel) ready to devour her child (Jesus).  She gave birth to a son who is to rule all the nations.  God protected her child and took Him up to His throne. (Rev. 12:3-5).  This refers to Jesus’ resurrection and is now setting on the right hand of God.  When He returns, He will rule over all nations and the King of Kings.

The dragon is described as red because of his blood thirsty character and nature and for his murderous and destructive personality.  His 7 heads, horns and crowns are evil governments that come from Satan himself.  He rules over them.  His tail sweeping 1/3 of the stars is the description of the original demonic uprising against God.  These are called fallen angels who serve Satan.

We learn more about Satan in these Scriptures:

Genesis 3:1-15 – he was more crafty than any of the wild animals, he lies and deceives, God cursed him.

John 8:44 – he is a murderer, not holding to the truth, no truth in him, he is a liar and the father of lies.

1 Peter 5:8 – he is the enemy and prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Satan influences human nature by tempting and deceiving through our desires – sinful desires of hearts to sexual impurities, exchanging the truth of God for a lie, worshipping and serving other things rather than God.  He causes people to be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, lovers of evil instead of good, and lovers of pleasures rather than of God. (Romans 1:26-32; 2 Timonthy 3:1-5).  But there is hope, because there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

Revelation 12:5-6 – God protected the infant and mother.  She woman fled into the wilderness prepared by God and there  nourished by 1,260 days.  During the last 3 ½ years Satan will try to kill all the Jews, but God will protect those who believe and will keep them safe.  I think this refers to a time when Israel will take refuge among the Gentiles nations where God will care for her during the Great Tribulation.

Revelation 12:7-9 – War In Heaven

John saw a war in heaven with Michael and his angels against the red dragon (Satan) and his angels.  This war will happen sometime during the tribulation.  Satan and his angels will be defeated and be thrown down from heaven forever. (Rev. 12:7-9)  Remember Satan use to be an angel, but wanted to be equal with God.  He was thrown out of heaven along with angels who followed him, but still could go back and forth from earth and heaven.  Michael is one of the chief angels of God.  In this war that John is seeing, Michael defeated Satan and his forces and now they had no access to heaven.   Not only will Satan be defeated in heaven, but he will be defeated on earth as well when he and his demons will be thrown into the Lake of Fire. 

We see in Job 1-2 that God is in control and Satan must ask God for permission before he messes with God’s people.  1 John 4:4 tell us that we are from God; He is greater than the one who is in the world (Satan).  This should give us great comfort and courage.

Revelation 12:10-12 – A Voice From Heaven

Then John heard a loud voice in heaven.  “Now have come the salvation, and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ.  For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.  They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” – Rev. 12:10-11

Phrases in verse 11 explained…

“They triumphed over him” – Satan was defeated by the cross.

Colossians 2:15 – He triumphed over them by the cross

James 4:7 – submit to God and we resist the devil, he will flee from you.

“By the blood of the Lamb” - When Jesus became the perfect Lamb sacrifice, Satan was defeated.  We have the ultimate victory through His sacrifice. 

Romans 5:9-11 – We have been justified by His blood shed on the cross, we can rejoice in God through Jesus whom we have now been reconciled.

Ephesians 1:6-10 – Through His blood we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins.

“And by the word of their testimony” - When we open our mouths and declare Jesus is Lord and believe in Him and what He did, we are saved.  When we speak His truths, we are witnesses for Him to others.

1 John 5:11-12 – The testimony is that God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son, if you believe in the Son, you have life.

Revelation 1:3 – Blessed are those who read, hear and take to heart the words of Revelation.

“They did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” - Life on earth is not valuable.  Only life in heaven is important.  That is where our home is.

Matthew 16:25-28 – Death to self is required to follow Jesus; following Him comes at a cost, but the alternative is to permanently lose your life.

John 15:13 – The greatest love is to lay down your life for friends.

SATAN IS REAL!  Satan is also called the serpent of old, the father of lies, a deceiver, and a murder.  His mission is to lead the whole world astray.  God is more powerful than Satan.  Satan is under God’s control and he can only do what God allows.  He cannot be everywhere at once like God.  He can temp only 1 person at a time, but his demons are everywhere.  He does not know the future, but only knows what God allows him to know.  He runs around the world seeking to devour anyone he can.  He knows his time is short so he is working extra hard.  He doesn’t bother the lost, because he already has them.  He is after the believer.  He causes trouble, doubt and sickness.  He accuses us before God, but we know we are triumphal.  We know who wins in the end.

While the war was going on in heaven, the devil was making havoc on earth releasing his fury.  He knows his time is growing short so his rage against God’s people grows. He works hard to deceive and destroy mankind.  He is not omniscient (all knowing), but he knows the Scripture that foretells his appointment with eternal judgment.  “Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.” – Rev. 12:12. 

Revelation 12:13-17 – God Protected the Woman

Satan could not kill the child (Jesus) so he turned his attention to the woman (Israel).  These are the believing remnant Jews and possibly Gentiles who are true believers and trust God.  God will protect them in the last 3 ½ years.  The dragon will try to hurt the woman, but will not be able.  God promised to protect Israel during the last days and He will do what He promised.  God will save Israel.   “Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring”. (Rev. 12:13-17)  Satan can’t get Jesus so he goes after His followers.

Many will suffer during those last 3 ½ years; even God’s people will die because of their belief in Jesus.  What a terrible time that will be. 

Romans 5:12-19 – God provided us with a Savior, Jesus Christ who overcame Satan, sin, and death.  Adam, through one sin brought sin into the world to all men; now all face God’s judgment.   Jesus, through one act of righteousness, brings justification and salvation to all who believe.

Next week we will study Revelation 13 and learn about the beast that comes out of the sea, which is the Antichrist.  You don’t want to miss that.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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