The Book of Revelation

Chapter 12

INTRODUCTION: These are added visions giving further details about the last critical days of the tribulation. The actors of the tribulation time are seven; (1) THE WOMAN‑Israel. (2) THE DRAGON‑Satan. (3) THE MAN‑CHILD‑Christ. (4) MICHAEL-BEAST OUT OF THE SEA‑The world dictator. (7) BEAST OUT OF THE EARTH‑False prophet and religious leader of the world.

I. THE FIRST SIGN ‑ A WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN 12:1‑2.

NOTE: The word wonder would be better translated sign. In other words John is telling us that this is a symbol.

A. There have been many false interpretations about the woman.

1. Some have said she is Mary.

2. Some have said she is the church.

3. Some have said she is the leader of some particular sect.

B. The right interpretation is found in the scriptures.

1. We have just looked at the temple which certainly refers us to the Jews.

2. Many times in the Bible the sun, moon, and stars represent Israel. Gen. 37:9; Jeremiah 31:35‑36; Joshua 10:12‑14.

3. The 12 stars represent the 12 tribes of Israel.

4. The term woman is used many times to refer to Israel. Isa. 47:7‑9; Jeremiah 4:31; Micah 4:9‑10.

5. The fact that we know who the Man‑Child is and Christ came from Israel.

II. THE SECOND SIGN ‑ A RED DRAGON 12:3‑4.

A. Tile answer to who the dragon is, is found in 12:9; 20:2.

B. Why is the symbol of a dragon used for Satan?

1. Because the dragon is a symbol for all evil.

a. Ezk. 29:3, 4 pictured Pharaoh as such.

b. Because of violence and cruelty King Nebuchadnezzar was pictured as a dragon. Jeremiah 51:34.

2. Tile color red denotes the blood thirsty character of‑Satan.

C. He has seven heads and ten horns, seven crowns on his head.

1. The revived Roman Empire is in view. Dan 7:7‑8, 24.

2. This shows his power in government.

3. The ten horns are the ten kings He has power over.

D. His tail drew 1/3 part of the stars ‑ this seems to be the number of angels that fell when Satan sinned against God.

E. He stood before the woman.

1. To devour the child.

2. This reminds us of King Herod as well as what Satan has been trying to do all along.

III. THE MAN‑CHILD IS BORN. 12:5‑6.

A. He is to rule all nations with a rod of iron. Psalms 2:9; Rev. 19:15

B. He is caught up to God. This is what happened to Jesus after the resurrection.

C. The mother flees to the wilderness for 3 ½ years.

NOTE: God once before had to prepare Israel in the wilderness.

IV. MICHAEL AND HIS ANGELS FIGHT THE DEVIL 12:7‑9.

A. May be a battle of words Rev. 12:10. Look! Look, God what he is doing.

B. Michael is almost always related to the destiny of the Jewish people. Dan. 12:1

C. As a result of the war Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven.

V. VICTORY OF THE SAINTS – SATAN’S IS TIME IS SHORT 12:10‑12.

A. A voice is heard from heaven.

1. The voice would seem to be the 24 elders. Verse 10.

2. They refer to the ones accused as brethren.

3. They rejoice because Satan is cast down.

B. How the saints were able to overcome Satan.

1. The blood of the Lamb.

2. By the testimony they had.

3. They were willing to die for the cause of Christ.

C. They give the earth warning about Satan.

1. All the devils efforts will be here during the tribulation.

2. Satan knows his time is short so lie steps up his efforts.

VI. ISRAEL WILL BE PERSECUTED DURING THE TRIBULATION 12:13‑16

A. Satan launches his attack against Israel.

1. Satan started in the O.T. trying to destroy the Godly line.

a. He corrupted the whole world except for Noah and his family.

b. From Abraham to the Kings on into the N.T. Satan was trying to defeat God.

2. Satan is now making his last effort to defeat God.

B. Israel flees to the wilderness for 3½ years.

1. This is what Matt. 24:15‑22 seems to refer to.

2. The wings of eagles has been given to Israel before.

a. Exodus 19:4.

b. Deut. 32:11‑12.

3. They are protected by God.

C. Satan increases his persecution.

1. This may be literal but not likely.

The flood has been used in a symbolic way before.

Isa. 8:7‑8; 17:12‑13; Jer. 46:8.

3. They are protected in a supernatural way.

VII. THE GODLY REMNANT IS PERSECUTED 12:17.

A. The remnant means those that are left, a part of the Jews.

B. God has always had His remnant.

1. In Numbers 13‑14 Caleb and Joshua.

2. In Judges 4, Deborah and Barak.

3. 7,000 faithful ones in the days of Elijah, I Kings 19:18.

C. The group of Jews that do not flee are those who;

1. Keep the commandments of God.

2. They have a testimony for Christ.

NOTE: A testimony for Christ must be important because it is also mentioned in verse 11.