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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Revelation 10-11 – Lesson 15

 

Revelation 10-11 – The Little Scroll

John saw another mighty angel with a little book in his hand.  He put his right foot on the sea and the left on the land.  This must have been a very large angel with great authority.  What is about to be revealed will affect all people of the world.  He cried out like a roar of a lion and seven peals of thunder responded.  John doesn’t tell us what the thunder said, because a voice from heaven said, “Seal up what the seven peals of thunder have said, and do not write them down.” – Rev. 10:4.  This tells us there are still things about the future and we won’t know until that time.

Then the mighty angel lifted his right hand to heaven and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them that there will be no more delay – the Day of the Lord is coming.  The seventh angel will sound his trumpet.  Then the mystery of God is finished.  God had been merciful waiting for all people to come to Him, but there will be no more waiting.

Then John was told, “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land… Take it and eat it; and it will make you stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” – Rev. 10:8-9.  John ate the scroll or book which was sweet in his mouth, but it made his stomach sour and bitter. 

The words of the little book were the words of God so it was sweet, but why did it become so bitter?  Maybe it was that the contents were so awful and terrible.  There would be such persecution and desolation of earth that the thought of it made John sick to his stomach.  This book was a message to people on earth.  It was sweet because it came from God, but bitter because it told of troubles to come.  John was to prophesy again about the people, nations, and kings since he now knows the fate of all unbelievers so he must try to reach them before it’s too late.  God’s people would overcome in the end, but before that people would suffer greatly.  The message that there would be no more delay was sweet, but the actual end would be unpleasant or bitter.

John was told to prophesy again to all the nations about all that was revealed to him.  He was to focus on the Gentiles and their treatment of Israel and Israel’s response to God’s work.  He was to tell about the two witnesses.  He was to tell about Satan, the beast, false prophet and their persecution of Israel.  He was to tell about the 144,000, the fall of Babylon, and Jesus’ defeat of the nations.  He was also to tell about the punishment to the lake of fire for all unbelievers from all of history.  The world end would be soon.  The seventh trumpet was ready to sound.

Principle:  God mercifully waits for all people to come to Him.

Revelation 11:1-14 – The Two Witnesses

After eating the little book, John was given a measuring rod and told to measure the temple of God.  He was not to measure the court outside the temple, because during the last half of the 7 years (3½ years) or 42 months (1,260 days), the holy city (Jerusalem) will be given to the nations (Gentiles) who will tread it under foot.  Daniel 9 speaks of the 7 year period.  The Gentiles will abuse and disregard the city.  They will worship other gods and God will allow this to happen.  This final 3½ years will be the worst of all.

“I will grant authority to my two witnesses and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” – Rev. 11:3.  The witnesses are identified as olive trees and lampstands.  We saw in chapter 7 there would be 144,000 Jewish men preaching to the world, but these 2 witnesses here are special.  They have authority and would be known throughout the world.  Some believe these witnesses to be Moses and Elijah because of the miracles they performed in the Old Testament.  Some believe they are Enoch and Elijah because are the only two who did not die.  Some believes they are Peter and Paul because of their role as martyrs.  They will prophesy for 1,260 days.  They are wearing sackcloth which shows they are greatly grieved by the evil and unrepentance in the world around them.  The lampstands indicate they are prophesying by the power of the Holy Spirit.

People won’t like what they are preaching and will try to harm them.  When people try to harm them, fire will come out of their mouths and they will devour their enemies.  He said if anyone tries to harm them, this is how they must die.  These witnesses will have the power to shut up the sky during the time they are prophesying.  They will have the power to turn water into blood and send plagues to the earth. (Rev. 11:3-6).  God will protect them during this time, because God always protects His own.    

Then when the witnesses finish their testimony, the beast that comes out of the abyss in chapter 9 will make war with them and kill them.  The beast is Satan and is given authority by God to do this.  Nothing happens without God’s approval or authority. (Rev. 11:7).

Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city (Jerusalem) for 3½ days.  People won’t like what these men have to say and will be afraid of them.  Now that they were dead the people will rejoice., but their happiness will last only a short time.  After the 3½ days lying dead in the street, God will breathe life into them.  This is a beautiful picture of the resurrection for all the believing dead who wait in the grave.  John then saw the two witnesses stand up and great fear came over the people.  They were then called up to heaven. (Rev. 11:8-12).

Principle:  God always protects His own.

In that hour there was a great earthquake, 1/10 of the city fell, 7,000 people were killed, and the rest were terrified.  They gave glory to God, but it doesn’t say they repented.  They only recognized there was a God in heaven, but did not repent.  This is God’s judgment on the wicked people. (Rev. 11:13). 

John gives God’s promises about eternal life to all who believe:

John 11:25-26 – Jesus said if you believe in Him, you will live even though you die.

John 14:1-4 – Jesus said that He is preparing a place for us and will come back to take us with Him where He is.

1 Corinthians 15:20-28 – We all die as with Adam, but with Christ we are made alive.

Philippians 3:20-21 – Our citizenship is in heaven, everything in under Jesus’ control, and our lowly bodies will be transformed so we will be like His glorious body.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – Believers believe that Jesus died and rose again, He will come down from heaven to get us (those dead and those alive) and take us with Him to heaven to be with Him forever.

1 John 3:2 – We know we are children of God, but what will be has not been made know to us.  We do know when He appears, we will be like Him.

“The second woe is past; behold the third woe is coming quickly.” - Rev. 11:14.  It is now time for the third and final woe.

Revelation 11:15-19 – The Seventh Trumpet

As the seventh angel sounded his trumpet John was in heaven and heard voices saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” – Rev. 11:15.  Satan is no longer the ruler of the world.  God has reclaimed His rightful rule over the earth.  He is still in the cleansing process.  Soon we will see all the wicked followers of Satan judged in the bowl judgments in the following chapters.

The 24 elders fell on their faces and worshiped and thanked God.  Then the temple of God in heaven opened and the ark of His covenant appeared.  There were flashes of lightning, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm. (Rev. 11:16-19)

The time had come for God to reward or punish all who have died.  He will reward His servants.  He will reward those you believed in Him.  We can be confident that God will save His people even in times of trouble.  For the unbelievers He will punish those who oppose Him. (Rev. 11:18)

Then John saw God’s temple in heaven open and there he saw the ark of His covenant.  There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.  The twenty-four elders fell on their faces and worshiped God.  What an awesome sight!

Are you now a believer after studying Revelation?  If you weren’t before, I hope you are now.  It’s never too late.  God is waiting for you to surrender to Him.  See the bottom of this blog for His Plan of Salvation.

Principle:  God will save His people, but will punish all those who oppose Him.

Next week we will study Revelation 12.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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