Sermon Tone Analysis

Turn to and read Revelation 12:13-17.

The events recorded for us in Revelation chapter 12 span thousands of years of history.

As I have stated in the past, Revelation chapter 12 is a parenthetical chapter.

The events of Revelation chapter 12 are not chronological with the rest of the book of the Revelation.

In previous weeks we have looked at that old dragon, the devil.

For thousands of years, he has been a deceiver; he has been the accuser of the brethren; but praise the Lord, he is defeated!

And, we should rejoice in that fact.

However, that does not mean that there are not going to be a few more battles before Satan is finally cast into that lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Satan’s Hatred for Israel

The Jewish people have been persecuted longer than any other nation in history, and this last persecution will have the purpose of their complete and final destruction.

As a side note...

I believe that God has blessed the United States of America in large measure because of her support for the nation of Israel.

While there has always been an element in our country that would prefer that we, as a country, drop our support of Israel, that element has begun to find support in the highest levels of our government.

Just today, USA Today ran an article with this heading...

House committee chair calls for Rep. Ilhan Omar to apologize for ‘vile, anti-Semitic slur’

Could it be that we are beginning to see events that are preparing the way for the events of the book of the Revelation to take place?

As Christians, we should continue to support the nation of Israel regardless of our government’s “official” stand on the matter.

Now, back to Revelation chapter 12: God, as He has done so often before, will once again intervene on their behalf...

God’s Protection of Israel.

God prepares a special means of protection.

Notice that this “woman” is given “two wings of a great eagle” to allow her to flee from Satan.

As we will see shortly, God has miraculously protected Israel throughout its history, many times without Israel needing to “lift a finger.”

God prepares a special place of protection for this remnant of Jewish believers somewhere in the wilderness.

Turn to and read Hosea 2:14-23.

I am reminded of the importance that the wilderness played when David was been pursued by Saul.

We are not told where this place in the wilderness is but we are told that for 3 1/2 years - the last half of the Tribulation period, God will miraculously protect this remnant.

Satan’s Attacks Against the Remnant

It would seem that Satan is aware of where the Jewish Remnant is being hidden.

Almost as if they are “hiding in plain sight!”

While I do not believe that this attack, referred to in vs. 15, is a literal flood of water, Satan will mount what would seem to be an invincible attack against the godly remnant of Israel in their desert stronghold.

But, no matter the attack, God is more than capable of protecting His people.

Turn to and read Psalm 124:1-6.

Time will not allow us to look at all the times in which God has miraculously protected His people.

But, let’s look at one...

Turn to and read 2 Chronicles 32:1-3, 7-8, 19-22.

I love what 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 say...

The Earth Helps the Remnant

Whatever form the attack from Satan takes, the earth - God’s Creation - steps in to help the remnant!

The earth helps.

The earth opens its mouth.

The earth swallows the attack.

When the Egyptian armies were drowned in the Red Sea, Miriam sang of the deliverance in these words:

Not long afterward, a dangerous rebellion was thwarted in similar fashion:

With all of the talk in the United States about global warming and the need to “save our planet,” I would like to give another opinion.

Turn to and read Romans 8:19-23.

Creation - God’s creation - has been under the curse of sin since Adam.

And creation doesn’t like it; no, not one little bit!

Creation can’t wait to be freed from the curse of sin in the same way in which we eagerly await the freedom that will come when our bodies are freed from the curse of sin.

Because of that, I can only imagine that here in Revelation chapter 12, Creation says, “God, may we be of service?” “How can we help?”

Satan’s Hatred of Israel

We’ve kind of gone around in a full circle tonight...During the Great Tribulation, there will be an all out war against Israel and the remnant of Jewish believers.

I don’t think that we can imagine just how horrific Satan’s attacks will be.

But Satan will not - he can not - be victorious!

Notice how this remnant is described:

They have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

#1 - Have you received Jesus Christ as your Savior?

#2 - If so, then you have a testimony.

Are you being a testimony?

Are you being a witness?

They keep the commandments of God.

If we have the testimony of Jesus Christ, are we being obedient to the commands of God?

Tonight, allow me to finish with words written by Bible teacher, Lehman Strauss:

As we approach the end of this present Age of Grace, as age characterized by lawlessness and opposition to God and His Son, we Christians, even as those saints in the tribulation, must be loyal to God’s Word and to our Lord Jesus Christ.

A battle is raging today, and no man can remain neutral in the conflict.

You are either on the side of the Savior or on the side of Satan.

And be certain that the devil is not resting in his all-out effort to damn the souls of men.

Oh, how we need to watch and wait and work as we look for the coming of our Lord!

We dare not be indifferent in the light of the lateness of the hour.

Let us publish abroad the gospel of grace while we have opportunity.

- Dr. Lehman Strauss