Revelation 12:1-17
Q.1. Who are the key players in redemption history? Who is the dragon? How great is his power? Who has placed a limit on him? What do we learn about Jesus? – (Rev.12:1-9)
This chapter is a summary of the battle throughout the earth’s history, for the souls of people. One of two of the key players is the red dragon (Rev.12:3). We are told who he is – the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him (Rev.12:9). In the past he succeeded in mounting a rebellion in the heavenlies – and his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth (Rev.12:4). He has controlled the empires of the world ever since (Rev.12:3 c.f. Dan.7:15-25). The other One, according to the descriptions, is clearly Jesus Christ – she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne (Rev.12:5). This Son Who was caught up to God and His throne, portrays the ascension and glorification of Christ. This means that the woman is either Mary or the nation of Israel. Though some of the references apply to Mary, what is to happen relates to an attack on Israel and – the rest of her children who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus (Rev.12:17 c.f. Rev.7:4-9; 12:1-2,4 ,5 ,13-17). Satan has much power but could not even withstand the power of the archangel Michael, let alone the Creator, the Lord Jesus (Rev.12:7). He was thrown down to earth where he wages war against the souls of men (Rev.12:8-9). Satan’s ability to deceive, and his time, are limited by God.
Q.2. Is there any doubt about the ultimate Winner? How does Satan operate? How can believers defeat him? How do we account for the increase in evil? – (Rev.12:7-12)
Jesus and His angels are stronger than Satan and his demons. Even before the end, the Winner is proclaimed – Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come … (Rev.12:10). God, in His foreknowledge, has already secured the victory, although it is yet future in time. John was given two insights into Satan’s operations: (i) he – deceives the whole world (Gen.12:9). (ii) he – accuses our brethren before our God day and night (Gen.12:10). However, we have an unshakable defence – and they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death (Rev.12:11). Though the Endtimes prophecies speak of the rise of ungodliness, the speed and depth of evil in our day is surprising. John was told the reason for this – … Woe to the earth and the sea because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time (Rev.12:12).
Q.3. Who is the woman? Why is she the target of Satan’s attacks? How is the church connected to Israel? How are believers described? – (Rev.12:13-17 c.f. Eph.2:19-20; 3:4-6)
The woman is a persecuted Israel, who will survive in the last half of the Great Tribulation (Rev.12:13 c.f. Rev.7:4-8, 13-17; 11:3-7). Satan hates Israel, and especially those from Israel and the nations who – hold to the testimony of Jesus (Rev.12:13-17). The connection between Israel and the church was the mystery revealed to Paul – 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Eph.3:4-6 c.f. Rom.11:11-26; Eph.2:19-20). All believers in Messiah Jesus are Heaven bound. Satan uses the nations to persecute the saints. They were described as – … the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus (Rev.12:17).Â