8-4-2019 A Time of War Revelation 12:7-17
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Introduction:
A pastor once said “One of the greatest indicators of our faith’s strength is our commitment to the church and to bringing others to Christ which is the Gospel ministry.”
--T.j. Conwell
Last Wednesday evening was interesting! We had our prayer and Bible study at McDonald’s AND we got to witness to two ladies: Jane and Judy as well as a quiet man named Doug. This took courage to those who attended the service!
This brings to mind some scriptures:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
and
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
and even
For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of this person when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
So who were these brave souls here from Grace that were going out to the public Wednesday night unashamedly? Well… obviously I was one of them, but what might not be as obvious to most of us here is that it was none of the rest of us here. Only one other brave soul came... — Davin Kotila, who was fully aware of the plans for that night, and he is not even a regular attender of Grace Baptist Church.
If pastor T.j. Conwell is correct, what does that say about the condition of our church?
“One of the greatest indicators of our faith’s strength is our commitment to the church and to bringing others to Christ which is the Gospel ministry.” I hope to see more of you there this next Wednesday evening.
The topic of witnessing directly applies to the passage we find ourselves at this morning in the book of Revelation
Transition:
This third grand interlude started with chapter 12 verse 1 continues to the end of chapter 14 with this morning’s passage a description of the heavenly war between Michael and Satan starting in ch 12:7. Last week’s beginning to chapter 12 introduced the main characters in this overarching historic combat drama: the woman, the son, and the dragon (12:1–6). Now we learn of a heavenly war that results in Satan’s defeat and expulsion from heaven.
Scripture Reading:
7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back,
8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”
13 And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.
14 But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.
15 The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood.
16 But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.
17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.
This crucial battle is located at the cross and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. As you may recall from last week, these were “signs” from heaven which jumps around in the history of mankind. This makes sense with a God who is eternal and resides outside of time. As a defeated and desperate foe whose territory has been restricted to earth, Satan now turns his wrath against God’s people. But followers of Jesus can overcome the devil by relying upon Christ’s victory and by persevering in their faithful witness to our Lord.
Transition:
We saw briefly last week that this war began in the Garden of Eden [[Gen. 3:15]]:
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
Now we are at a time when this war will finally come to an end:
I. The War in Heaven (vv.7-9)
I. The War in Heaven (vv.7-9)
and the end of this war starts in Heaven
Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back,
Satan’s power is confined to the earth as War breaks out in Heaven.
but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
As I’ve said before: Satan is a dangerous, but defeated, enemy
Nostalgia: Do you remember the sound it would make? That fifty-pound mechanism of teeth and muscle would rush the fence and bark as if the house was on fire, even though it was only you, an eight-year-old kid on the way to your buddy’s house. Many of us have memories of “the neighbor’s dog,” a fierce animal that could scare us to death. But if our neighbors were responsible—and we will assume they were—that dog was limited. It could bark. It could strain against its chain. It could make a lot of noise, but that dog would not reach you if you just kept on walking. It had a clear boundary. Sealed in Christ Jesus, we can be sure that we too are protected from the beast.
Though Satan might rage and threaten, he cannot ever launch an attack that takes God by surprise. He has a boundary.
And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
“he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down”
Has this part already happened in history? YES & NO
YES, satan was thrown down sometime before Adam & Eve. NO, not quite like what we see here in context with the following verses.
Today, Satan seems to have access to the heavens. Satan is kept under control by the authority of YHWH. It’s not until he is cast out that is he truly free to reign over the Earth; even today, Satan is under God’s authority
John is seeing Satan and his angels being cast out - cast to the Earth - Reading this in context gives the impression that Satan no longer has access to God’s throne as he had.
Remember that Satan approached YHWH and asked to tempt Job in the first couple chapters [[Job 1:6-7]].
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”
Satan and his angels lose the position they had since the fall of man
They are cast to the Earth and only allowed to operate here. Satan’s fall is amplified here, but this is the second fall
This falls happens when Michael finally throws him out!
Who is Michael??
- The angel Michael is mentioned five times in the Bible
7th Day Adventists & JW’s claim Michael is Jesus and they use this passage with a few others to support it
He is a defender of the people of Israel according to Daniel 12:1
1 “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.
-- He is called “arch” angel or chief angel in Jude
Both, Jesus (Matthew 24:15), and Michael in Daniel 12:11, link this period, to the Abomination of Desolation:
“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
the Abomination of Desolation which occurs at the middle of Daniel’s 70th week
And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.
-- At the middle of the Tribulation, Michael’s angelic forces are finally allowed to expel Satan and his angels from their heavenly access
- Michael and Satan are old enemies …
-- Conflict in the bible dates back to death of Moses, when Michael dared not rebuke Satan, but left it to Lord
-- Satan was a cherub who covered the throne of God (Ezekiel 28:16), while Michael was the archangel in charge of the angelic host (Jude1:9 refers too)
God used Michael to do His work, and He chooses to use his people
We have a work to do today—make disciples! How well are we doing our work here?
And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
How much worse could it get with Satan free to do as he chooses to this world, and to the inhabitants?
Transition:
Here, he no longer has access to God’s throne, what is the result?
II. The Rejoicing in Heaven (vv.10-12)
II. The Rejoicing in Heaven (vv.10-12)
Somewhat similar to when that old, burnt-out, embittered co-worker finally retires—everybody celebrates! “Ding-Dong the witch is dead”
10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
But this hasn’t happened yet...
Today, Satan spends his time pleading to God about how we have sinned and deserve death.
-- This accuser of the brethren could only accuse us of wrong-doing if he had access to YHWH! Otherwise, his insults and his comments would go unheard!
- This verse shows that there is more to God and Satan’s relationship than someone who merely does evil - but he is the one who constantly seeks to remind God of our sins and of the things we have done wrong in life.
-- Thankfully, we have assurance in Psalm 103:12 which says,
As far as east is from west, so he has removed far from us the guilt of our transgressions.
1 John 2:1 solidifies our protection before the Father
My little children, I am writing these things to you in order that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one,
whatever the accuser says, means nothing when we are forgiven - this is Good news -
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
APP: This is the cause for rejoice in heaven!
We have eternal victory over sin, death, hell, and the grave through Jesus
-- This voice that John hears offers us a glimpse of the key to eternal life:
The Blood of the Lamb, the first key is understanding our position in Heaven. Satan power is removed because of the blood of Christ - this is our license to succeed!
Word of their testimony, to live the life an overcomer, means to operate in God’s power. The saints who are victorious in the tribulation, will proclaim the Gospel to Satanic world. (2 Tim. 1:7-8) In order to claim this, you have to tell your testimony!
IMP: You should be able to give your testimony in 30 seconds by answering these few questions: What, When, How, Where, and Why? - It does not have to be elaborate, but straight to the point
3. Not Love their lives: The third secret we learn for victorious Christian living, is to not fall in love with what this world offers. Those who claim victory are those who chose Jesus Christ
- APP: This is the HARD PART!
Giving your life to Jesus, and not living for yourself!- If you want victory in your life: these principles must be followed!
You have No victory today? How are you living … for God or yourself?
Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”
“great wrath” “fury”--enhanced rage -- more than mad, but out of control with anger.
Transition:
The dragon failed to devour the male child and also lost his battle with the archangel Michael. The wounded and cornered serpent now turns his rage against the woman, the messianic community who gives birth to the Messiah, as well as her other children.
III. The War on Earth (vv.13-16)
III. The War on Earth (vv.13-16)
Because Satan has been cast to the Earth, he is on a MissioN!-- His focus is on destroying who claims to love Jesus, the Christ:
And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.
This is a very important point in understanding why Satan targets Israel
-- Satan understands God’s word (he knows what the Bible says)
-- He understands if there is no Israel they cannot accept Jesus Christ
-- Accepting Christ by Israel is the completion of God’s promise to redeem
- Satan attempts to exterminate the Jewish race
-- This annihilation begins in Israel
But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.
“was given {passive voice} the two wings of the great eagle”
The woman, who is Israel, is supernaturally protected from Satan
-- They have followed Jesus’ advice in Matthew 24:15 to flee into the wilderness when they see the “Abomination of Desolation” return.
Something important to note: God protects Israel throughout history
Quickly see with me [[Exodus 19:4-6]]
4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
This promise is given after they have escaped from Egypt, They continue to disobey and they suffer because of it, but they are still protected
APP: God will always protect Israel!
When Israel escapes, God promises to provide nourishment
As Israel continues to flourish in the wilderness, YHWH will reveal to them who their Messiah is and this will begin the opening of their eyes
But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.
Israel will spend 1,260 days in the wilderness -- This is the exact amount of time of the second half of the Tribulation
-- At the end of the Tribulation, Israel as a nation, will acknowledge who Jesus, the Christ is
The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood.
The river of venom spewing from the serpent’s mouth represents Satan’s lies, deceit, false teaching, slander, accusations, counterfeit miracles, and persecution aimed at destroying God’s people
But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.
I think the implication here is that the Messiah needed to die first in order to complete Isaiah 53 - and through that death we ALL have redemption in Jesus Christ!
He returns not as a lamb … but as the mighty lion of the Tribe of Judah
Transition:
This war, so far, is not going like satan wanted:
IV. The Result of the War on Earth (v.17)
IV. The Result of the War on Earth (v.17)
The accuser will stop at nothing to take out his revenge:
Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.
At this time in history, the remnant is those who are left on the Earth, Before this time WE are the remnant as we serve the true and living God.
When Israel (the woman) escapes Satan’s grasp, he goes out to make war with ANYONE else who says they believe in Jesus Christ
Satan puts into action plan to separate any who have allegiance to Jesus. He makes war with the rest of the women’s off-spring-- With those who claim to know and serve Christ are to be hunted down
This is happening to some degree right now: he wants to separate us here at Grace Baptist Church.
So What?
So What?
John 14:3 says
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
- So, if God has prepared the place … what are we afraid of doing?
J. Scott Duvall says:
Revelation God’s Word Calls Us to Faithful Witness
All too often, Revelation is treated like a puzzle book, as if God had given it to us so that we could sharpen our powers of conjecture. Sadly, many people most interested in this book are satisfied to sit around and debate fine points, ignoring the point of it all: God gives us a glimpse of his ultimate victory so that our lives here and now will be a witness. We are like recipients of a precious gift who persist in debating about the type of knot used to tie the bow instead of opening up the present to enjoy what is inside.
So What?
So What?
How does this apply to us?
-- WE KNOW THE ENEMIES BATTLE PLAN!
-- Because of what Jesus did on the cross we have a direct line to the Father
-- Through this access to God we ought to have comfort and safety to act.
Conclusion:
IMP: Those who are lost will NOT come to you -- You need to go to them!
This is the mission of the church -- This is where we need to challenge one another on today
Acting and taking the Gospel to others is WHAT we must do - Time is short … so what are we doing?