Hell's War Against Heaven pt. 1

One of the reasons Revelation is difficult for some people to understand is because of its “back and forth” style. One minute we’re on earth, the next in heaven. One minute we’re looking at the beginning of the tribulation, the next we’re dealing with the end and the millennial reign. In one chapter, perhaps two, we’re looking at the judgments, then in the next chapter, possible three or four, we’re looking behind the scenes.

That is what chapters 12-14 are, behind the scenes. God is filling in the blanks for us of what is going on during the tribulation. There is a ton of information in chapter 12, and I cannot possibly explain it all in one message, so today we begin looking at “Hell’s War Against Heaven, Part 1”. Read the first nine verses with me...

There are some that will read this passage and walk away feeling confused about its meaning, but you don’t have to be one of them.

Understanding this passage will help you in understanding nearly all of prophetic Scripture!

What is so important about this passage?

Notice first the...

Signs in the Heavens 1-4

Of significance is the word “heaven” in verses and 4, and then again it appears in verse 7. The word “heaven” has essentially three meanings and we must understand the context to know what we are talking about. The word “heaven” can refer to either the sky as we see it in the daytime the first heaven, the stellar heavens as it appears at night the second heaven, or the dwelling place of God aka “Heaven”.

In this passage we see all three!

The first sign appears in the second heaven, it is the sign of...

The Woman

Many have asked, “Who is this woman?”

Let me begin by saying God does not intend us to understand this to be a literal woman.

The word “wonder” = sign

God is telling us from the beginning that this sign is symbolic, or representative

Plainly, this woman that John sees, is not a real woman, but rather she is representative of something that is real.

How do we know this is not a real woman?

Consider her clothing - clothed with the sun

Consider her standing - she is seen with the moon under her feet...

Consider her crown - of importance is that this is a victor’s crown, and “overcomers” crown. That word “overcome” has been used many times in Revelation and is significant here.

Who then is the woman if she is not a literal woman?

She is not Mary as the Catholic church declares.

She is not the church as many protestant churches declare.

The only feasible explanation to the identity of this woman is that she is representative of Israel! However do we reach this conclusion? We let the Bible interpret itself!

She is clothed with the sun, the moon is under her feat, and she has a crown of 12 stars...

Listen to Genesis 37:9-10, Joeph is speaking here: “9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. 10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?”

Not only that, but in verse 7 we are introduced for the first time in Revelation to the archangel Michael.

This is significant, because Michael is only mentioned five times in the entire Bible, and each time He is linked directly to Israel.

Daniel 10:13Daniel 10:13 “13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.”

Daniel 10:21Daniel 10:21 “21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.”

Daniel 12:1Daniel 12:1 “1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

Jude 9Jude 9 “9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”

Revelation 12:7Revelation 12:7 “7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,”

The last mention of Michael in the Bible is reference once again to His linkage with Israel as their defender.

Notice that the woman is seen to be “with child” (pregnant).

Isaiah 9:6 “6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

This verse is not a Christmas verse. It is a promise to Israel!

“For unto ‘US’ a child is born, unto ‘US’ a son is given”

Who is the ‘US’ Isaiah was writing to?

His people, Israel!

And the government shall be upon his shoulder...

Over whom will Jesus rule?

Over the world for certain, but from where? From Judah

The first sign, the woman, represents Israel. The second sign appearing the first heaven, but seen also in the third is...

The Dragon

Let’s not sugarcoat this, we all know this is a reference to Satan.

Listen, there are churches today, pastors today that deny the existence of Satan, that won’t preach on him, won’t preach on hell, want preach on the need to repent

Church, let it be known today, I am not one of them. Satan is real, he is the eternal enemy of God and the people of God, whether Israel or the church, and we MUST understand and accept the fact of his existence.

“How can we be certain this dragon is Satan, and not ancient Rome or some distant human enemy we do not know yet?

We let Scripture interpret SCripture that’s how!

Revelation 12:9 “9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

I’d say that’s pretty clear.

That old seprent goes all the way back to Genesis three and the sin of Adam and Eve.

Here is called the devil meaning the “accuser” or the “Slanderer”.

Friends right now Satan is standing before the throne of God accusing you, accusing me of some sin we have committed and not forsaken.

But Jesus Christ is our advocate, our defender. Friends it is important that you resist the devil, that you run to Jesus that you let the Holy Spirit keep you from sin so that the enemy cannot accuse you, and if he does, let it be with lies.

He is called plainly Satan meaning adversary. He is against God, and if you are with God he is against you.

I hold that this sign took place in the first heaven because Ephesians 2:2 “2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” but his influence carried over into the place where God dwells

Verse 4 ells us he drew a third of the “stars of heaven”

These stars we believe to members (formerly) of the angelic host

These would be the angels that followed with Satan in his rebellion against God

How many exactly is 1/3? No one knows, but its a lot!

Notice also his influence

Seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns

I cannot do this verse justice today. The meaning of the heads, the horns, and the crowns will be made evident in chapters 13 and 17.

Let this suffice for today, this is a reference to the antichrist ans his political rule in the last days of the tribulation.

That Satan is the enemy of God and the people of God should come as no surprise to you.

Satan is waging war against heaven today. Guess what? You don’t get the privilege of sitting on the sidelines. You are involved in this war whether you like it or not. There is really only one question left to answer: Which side are you on? Let’s bow our heads for prayer.

As Gwen and Todd make their way forward this morning, with every head bowed and every eye closed today would you be honest with yourself and honest with God. Do you, right now know who’s side you are on? If the rapture took place today, I wonder, how many of you could say, “Pastor I know if the rapture happened today I’d be taken to heaven”, if you have that assurance, will you raise your hand?

How many of you today would be honest, “Pastor, I am not certain where I would be if the rapture happened, but I would like to be.” I am not going to embarrass you, I won’t call your name, but I would love to pray for you, would you raise your hand right now?

Let’s stand and sing one verse...

Son on the Earth 5-6

Struggle in Heaven 7-9