Rev 12

Chapter 12: 1- 6 It’s important the we get the symbols correct in order to understand what is being said.

V1 A great and wondrous sign. This is the first of 7 signs or symbols named in the chapters 12, 13 , 14.

- The woman, representing Israel

- The dragon, representing Satan

- The man-child, referring to Jesus

- The angel Michael, head of the angelic host

- The offspring of the woman, representing Gentiles who come to faith in the Tribulation

- The beast out of the sea, representing the antichrist

- The beast out of the earth, representing the false prophet who promotes the antichrist

The woman- who is she? Some say the church, Roman Catholics say Virgin Mary (art work showing Mary with moon and sun and 12 stars), Mary Baker Eddy said it represented her. The correct interpretation requires we look at scripture.

See Gen 37:9-11. Scripturally, this woman clothed with the sun should be identified with Israel, according to Joseph's dream. In that dream, the sun represents Jacob, the moon represents Joseph's mother Rachel, and the eleven

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stars are the sons of Israel which bow down to Joseph. In this sign with twelve stars, Joseph is now "among" the other tribes of Israel.

V2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Who was she giving birth to: Jesus. This is why Satan has been after the Jews from the beginning. Gen 3: 15. Remember the promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

V3 Another sign in heaven, an enormous red dragon.

· Seven Heads (location Rome), Ten horns (10 nation union), Seven crowns on his heads (diadem not victors crown)

"From the similar description given in 13:1 and the parallel references in Daniel 7:7-8, 2, it is clear that the revived Roman Empire is in view … The seven heads and ten horns refer to the original ten kingdoms of which three were subdued

Rev 12: 9 -17

Current events: Lots of things are happening today if you will take the time to notice. 2015 year of light (Lucifer), Pope visits US, Blood Moons, Comet being tracked, Jade helm.

One thing in particular has caught my attention and it pertains to Rev 9: 1- 2.

CERN – location, history, purpose, scientific – occult religious connection.

V7- 9 A War in heaven: Michael and his angels verses the dragon and his angels.

The dragon is not strong enough and he and his coharts are hurled down to earth from heaven.

Who fights in this battle? This is truly a battle between equals. The dragon represents Satan (Revelation 12:9), and Satan is not the counterpart of God - God has no counterpart. If anyone, Satan is the counterpart of Michael, who seems to be the chief angel opposite this chief of fallen angels.

· The dragon is identified – ancient serpent, the devil, or Satan. (devil means slanderer)

· Up to this point the devil and his angels have access to heaven where he accuses the brethren. (Job)

· He leads the whole world astray

· Q – Michael who is he?

V10 – 12 Loud voice from heaven. You can almost hear the praise that the constant noise of the enemy is cast down.

· Overcome the accuser by the blood of the Lamb

· The word of their testimony

· They did not love their lives (Don’t fear those that can only take your life).

· Woe to earth, the devil is fill with fury and he knows his time is short.

· Q – When is this happening? The midpoint of the tribulation.

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Note: The Bible describes four different falls of Satan. Revelation 12:9 describes the second of these four falls.

- From glorified to profane (Ezekiel 28:14-16)

- From having access to heaven (Job 1:12, 1 Kings 22:21, Zechariah 3:1) to restriction to the earth (Revelation 12)

- From the earth to bondage in the bottomless pit for 1,000 years (Revelation 20)

- From the pit to the lake of fire (Revelation 20)

V13 – 17 War on earth

· Satan attacks Israel

· Two wings of a great eagle? Spiritual or Technological (America - symbolic eagle)

· The dragon spews water “like a river” to overtake the woman? Could be actual water or an army. How many make it? See Zec 13:8-9

· The earth protects Israel, opens up a hole to catch the flood. Consider Dathan and Abiram in the wilderness. Num 17:28 -34

· Dragon enraged at the “woman and her offspring”. Those saved during the tribulation possibly by the ministry of the 144,000 and two witnesses.

· Israel Flees to Petra (Is 16:1-5)

· Israel is out of the serpents reach. (Jordan is protected during this period.

· Article – discuss

· Petra – built by the Nabateans about the time of Christ. In the desert with no water source but was a city of some 30k. Now a ghost town. Arch digs have found that they were master hydrologists and created an oasis. They were wealthy for dealing in Frankincense and Myrrh. They were fed water by clay pipes that came from the rock that was split in the wilderness by Moses (Paul tells us that that Rock is Christ).

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Petra is a beautiful picture of Jesus to believers. He is our Rock our Fortress and our Strong tower. Petra is the place God has prepared for the Jews. Jesus promised us he has a place prepared for us as well.

John 14: 1-4 Read