CHAPTER 12

VERSE 1: (Chapter 12)

The HISTORY of CHRIST

ISRAEL

"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:"

In Chapter 12 here, the Lord gives us His History lesson. The Lord is pausing here a moment, as His temple is opened, to remind us of important statistics. He is sharing with us vital events that have happened and then goes on to reveal to us what is going to happen. History, the calendar and events, and future events are all related and based around Israel.

"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet". This is referring to the nation of Israel. This is verified by the second part of this verse which says: "and upon her head a crown of twelve stars". The twelve stars are the twelve tribes of Israel. The twelve sons of Jacob. Revelation 7:4-8 lists the twelve "stars", the twelve tribes of Israel. The next verse also verifies that this is referring to Israel.

VERSE 2: (Chapter 12)

The HISTORY of CHRIST

ISRAEL Continued

"And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered."

This verse indicates that the Christ Child, Jesus, was to be born in Bethlehem in Israel. Many know the Bible account of the young, virgin lady named Mary. Mary had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, on foot or donkey, which is about 90 miles. "And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7).

Image by: JeffJacobs1990

Swaddling clothes signifies the foreshadowing of Jesus' death. The Lord is showing here that He came to this earth to be born of a virgin so He would die for our sins. If Jesus wouldn't have been born of a virgin, died on the cross, and rose from the grave ... we would never have a home in heaven. We would be forever doomed to hell, where all sin dwells ... including ours.

VERSE 3: (Chapter 12)

The History of Satan

A Description of Satan

"And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads."

During the time that the angel had appeared to Mary (Luke 1:28-35), there was a mutiny taking place in Heaven. This mutiny was started and led by Satan. Satan was very prideful. Satan was the most beautiful creatures in Heaven. He is described in Ezekiel 28:13-14: "Thou (Satan) hast been in Eden the garden of God (Serpent who tempted Eve); every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold (Satan was covered with the best of gems): the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. (Satan is also very musical.) Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: Thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." Satan, also called Lucifer, was very beautiful, musical, and had great authority in Heaven. Lucifer listed himself up in pride. Verse 17 of Ezekiel 28 states that Satan's "...heart was lifted up because of thy (his) beauty". Satan started a mutiny in Heaven against God.

VERSE 4: (Chapter 12)

The MUTINY

Attacks from SATAN

"And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born."

Satan was convinced in his heart that he should be God. He recruited one-third of all the angels in Heaven. "And his tail drew the third part of the stars (angels) of heaven". Satan convinced one-third of God's angels to join him. That is a lot of angels. Isaiah 14:13-14 tells us what Satan thought he could do ... "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." Satan gathered all the angels he could to try to overtake God throne.

Part of Satan's mutiny plan included stopping Christ. One third of the angels were "cast" to the earth. "...the dragon (Satan) stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child". The devil did not want Jesus to come and redeem people. Satan tried everything to stop Jesus. Satan used King Herod to try to kill Jesus when Jesus was barely two years old. "Then Herod ... sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men." (Matthew 2:16). Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Satan even caused Jesus' own disciple, Judas Iscariot, to betray Jesus to be put to death (Matthew 26:14-16). All these attempts from Satan to destroy Jesus failed. Why did Satan want to destroy Jesus so badly? Simply because Jesus is the Only One Who is pure enough to die for our sins and pay our penalty so we could have eternal life in Heaven. Satan does not want people to be saved. Satan wants to drag souls down into Hell. He is raging a battle against Jesus for the souls of human beings every day. Satan wants as many souls as he can get. There is a very real battle going on as Satan's demons fight and try to capture human souls. The Lord Jesus and His angels battle Satan and his demons constantly over precious souls. Remember 1 Peter 5:8 warns us to: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

VERSE 5: (Chapter 12)

The CHILD

JESUS

"And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne."

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manager" (Luke 2:7). Jesus was born in Bethlehem just like the Bible verifies ... "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." (Matthew 2:6). The Lord Jesus is the Messiah spoken of here.

Many Jews do not acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. It is easy to understand why. Many Jews are waiting for a king that will rule Israel. There are scriptures say that the Messiah will rule Israel, just like Matthew 2:6 says. But the Jews are not taking in all the scriptures nor the timeline concerning the Messiah. Here are a few to consider:

Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel."

(Compare with Matthew 1:18 and Luke 1:27-33)

Micah 5:2 "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (Compare with Luke 2:4. Matthew 1:1-17 gives the detailed lineage of Jesus.)

Hosea 11:1 "When Israel was a child, then I loved Him, and called my Son out of Egypt." (This verse was fulfilled in Matthew 2:15.)

Psalm 22:1 predicted Christ's death. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Jesus said this in Mark 15:34).

Psalm 22:8 "He trusted on the LORD that He would deliver Him: let Him deliver Him, seeing He delighted in Him." (People said this to Jesus in Matthew 27:43).

Psalm 22:16 "...They pierced my hands and my feet." (John 19:16-20 and John 20:27 "Then saith He to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold, my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side; and be not faithless, but believing."

Psalm 22 is a very graphic Old Testament scripture about the death of Christ. Jesus' bones ... hands, arms, shoulders, and pelvis ... were pulled out of joint (verse 14). The intense perspiring caused by intense suffering is in verse 14 also, along with the action of His heart being affected. Verse 15 shows the Lord's strength becoming weak. Verse 15 tells us Jesus was exhausted and extremely thirsty. Verse 16 records that Jesus' hands and feet were pierced. Verse 17 tells us that Jesus was made partially nude and humiliated. All these events in Psalm 22 are precise and were fulfilled in the crucifixion of Christ. Remember that crucifixion was a Roman, not a Jewish, form of execution. This proof in scriptures are irresistible.

Let's continue with our verse here in Revelation 12:5

The next part of our verse says ... "who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron:" During the thousand reign of Christ, the Lord will "rule all nations with a rod of iron". The Lord is informing us that at the end of the Great Tribulation period, He will rule the nations here on this earth for a thousand years. This is called the Millennium time. Millennium means one thousand years. After the battle of Armageddon, which we are going to study in chapter 19 of Revelation, God takes Satan and binds him in chains for a thousand years. The Millennium age is the thousand years where Satan is bound and the Lord rules the earth. As it is said here, Christ will rule with a "rod of iron". He will not be all lovie dovie. He will rule with a rod of iron. It may hurt. He may cause everyone to live by ALL the laws written in the Old Testament. There are many, many laws, not just the Ten Commandments. They are extremely hard to abide by.

straight rod made out of iron_edited.jpg

Psalm 2:9 foretells of the Lord ruling with a "rod of iron". "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." The Lord will rule all the nations with a rod of iron. He will dash nations in pieces, like a clay pot, those nations who will not obey Him.

Next in our verse, verse 5 of Chapter 12, we read: "...and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne." This verse is speaking of the Lord Jesus. Acts 1:9 verifies that when Jesus "...had spoken these things, while they beheld He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight." Everything Jesus did, He did openly for all to witness. Hebrews 10:12 states: "But this man (Jesus), after He had offered one sacrifice (Himself) for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God". Acts 7:55 records what Stephen said. "But he (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God". Mark 16:19 also verifies that it is the Lord Jesus Who sits on the right hand of God: "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."

VERSE 6: (Chapter 12)

ISRAEL

Protected by God

"And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days."

The "woman" is Israel. "A thousand two hundred threescore days" equals three and a half years. Right in the middle of the Tribulation Period when the antichrist sets up his image in the temple of God. Jesus gave verbal warning to Israel about this coming time in Matthew 24:15-21: "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with hild, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."

Verse 6 goes tells us that Israel will have "a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." This will be during the rule of the antichrist. God will protect Israel and take care of her. He has a place prepared for the people of Israel to flee to. We just read Matthew 24. Note that verse 16 says: "Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:" Mark 13:14b also declares..."Then let them which be in Judaea flee to the mountains". There is a mountainous area in the Jordan desert.

Back around 1800 BC, Isaac and Rebecca had twin sons named Jacob and Esau. Genesis 25 tells us about Jacob and Esau. Esau was the older of the twins but sold his birthright to Jacob (Genesis 25:33). Esau is called Edom in Genesis 25:30. In the desert of Jordon, there is an abandoned city that was carved into the rocks of the mountains. It is about twenty miles south of the Dead Sea. This is where most of Esau's decedents lived. They were called the Edomites. The Edomites carved houses, temples, and even businesses in the sides of the mountains. The cities that they built were carved right into the red colored cliffs of the mountains. This ancient civilization is called Petra, also known as the 'Rose Red City' because of the red colored cliffs. The Edomites had also carved canals to save rainwater in.

There are over 800 steps carved in just one area of the cliffs. There is only one entrance into this city of Petra. It is through a very long gorge with narrow passages. Because of this, it would be easy for a small army to defend this city. There are many, many caves in which people could barricade themselves in for protection. This would be an ideal place for the Jews to flee to during the Tribulation Period. Petra may be the place where God would shelter them. And isn't it amazing that Petra is called the 'Red Rose City'? Jesus is referred to as the 'Rose of Sharon' in Song of Solomon 2:1. And Jesus shed His 'red' blood for mankind so we could be saved. The red colored, 'Red Rose City', Petra may just be the place that God may use for His people, Israel, during the Great Tribulation Period. We don't know.

There are many videos on YouTube about Petra, the "Red Rose City" with virtual tours and beautiful pictures.

Please note that Israel fleeing into the wilderness is NOT during the Millennium Period. Just because verse 6 comes after verse 5 does not mean the Millennium time is going to happen first. No. Verse 5 is describing how Jesus will rule the earth during the Millennium after the Tribulation Period. Israel fleeing into the wilderness occurs during the Tribulation Period, not after it.

The Order of Events during the Tribulation Period are:

1. First three and a half years of peace during the Tribulation Period;

2. Israel flees into the wilderness as the antichrist comes on the scene;

3. The second half of the Tribulation Period occurs;

4. Satan is chained and bound for a thousand years;

5. The Millennium Period, Christ reigns with a rod of iron for the thousand years.

6. Satan is loosed and will face utter destruction in the Lake of Fire.

7. New Heaven and New Earth established.

VERSE 7: (Chapter 12)

The WAR in Heaven

Documented Again

"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought with his angels,"

Verses 3 and 4 of our chapter here (Chapter 12) tells us about the War in Heaven. We studied how Satan caused a Mutiny in Heaven because he wanted to rule. Satan wanted to be God. Satan took one third of all the angels that were in Heaven and turned them into Demons. Verse 7 picks back up from verses 3 and 4. God wants us to know these things. God wants us to know about the War in Heaven. God wants us to know about Satan. He even wants us to know that He has an extra strong angel named Michael that leads His army. And God wants us to know about Satan's end.

The Bible is telling us about the War in Heaven again here in verse 7. God tells us that His mighty angel, Michael, led the army of angels that fought against Satan. In the next few verses Satan is referred to as "the dragon".

A war of good angels fighting against evil angels.jpg

This verse reveals to us that Satan ... "the dragon fought and his angels". This is the war that went on in Heaven. Michael, the archangel, fought Satan, the dragon, in Heaven. This was a very fierce battle of angels. This battle affected Heaven and the earth. A very fierce battle indeed.

The next verse continues describing this War in Heaven ...

VERSE 8: (Chapter 12)

SATAN Lost The WAR

"And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven."

This verse informs us that Satan lost the War in Heaven. Michael and his angels had won the War in Heaven. When Satan and his demons lost this war, Satan and his demons were thrown out of Heaven. This is what it means when it says "neither was their (Satan and his demons) place found any more in heaven". They were thrown out of Heaven. This literally means that Satan and his demons can never enter into heaven ever again.

So where did they go??? Where did Satan and all of his demons go???

God tells us where Satan and his demons went in the very next verse...

VERSE 9: (Chapter 12)

SATAN Cast Out of HEAVEN

"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

Here it is confirmed that Satan was cast out of Heaven. Satan has many names. This verse calls Satan "the great dragon"; "that old serpent"; "the Devil"; and "and Satan". Satan was called "the great dragoon" because he fought in Heaven against God. Satan is called "that old serpent" because he deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Satan is called "the Devil" because he is the chief evil spirit that tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1). He is called "Satan" because he is an entity of religions that seduces humans into sin and falsehoods. This verse tells us that Satan "deceiveth the whole world".

So where did Satan and his demons go? God tells us right here in this verse ... "he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." God also warns us about Satan in 1 Peter 5:8: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour". God is warning us here that Satan is on the earth. Satan is our adversary (enemy). God warns us that Satan is like a "roaring lion". His mouth is wide open. He is roaring. Satan "walketh about". He is on the prowl. Satan is looking for as many people that "he may devour". Satan and his demon angels are roaming this earth. They are seeking for victims. Satan wants to drag as many people to hell as he can. Satan does not want anyone to go up to Heaven. Satan hates God. He is fighting now to keep souls away from God.

VERSE 10: (Chapter 12)

SALVATION Through CHRIST

SATAN the ACCUSER Cast Down

"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."

John is speaking here. John is the one who is writing all this down for us. John hears a "loud voice saying in heaven". John records this voice that is heard throughout heaven. This loud voice says: "Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ". This verse announces throughout all of Heaven that God won the victory over Satan. This verse loudly declares that "the accuser of our brethren is cast down". Heaven is rejoicing because Satan was cast out of Heaven.

Satan is called the accuser. Before Satan was thrown out of Heaven, he use to bring accusations to God. Job 1:6-12 tells of the account when Satan was in Heaven. Satan presented himself to God. Satan then accused Job to God. Zechariah 3:1b states: "...and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him".

This verse also tells us that Satan use to accuse "them before our God day and night". Satan doesn't rest. Notice carefully the tense of this verse. It says Satan "accused". The word "accused" is in the past tense. It is not in the present tense. In the past, Satan could approach God and bring all kinds of accusations against people. Today, Satan cannot accuse people to God. The next verse tells us why Satan is not allowed to bring accusations about us to God today.

VERSE 11: (Chapter 12)

OVERCOMING SATAN

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb", that is the answer to why Satan cannot accuse us today. Before Jesus died on the cross, Satan still had access to Heaven. He presented himself to God like Job 1:6 tells us. But when Jesus died and rose again, Satan was "cast down". Satan can no longer accuse us. It is "by the blood of the Lamb" (Jesus) that Satan is cast down. It is "by the blood of the Lamb" that we are saved. "By the word of their testimony" means we have the testimony that we have accepted Christ as our Saviour. Romans 10:10 verifies this: "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." You must ask Christ to come into your heart in order to be saved.

Lastly, this verse states: "and they loved not their lives unto the death". People overcome Satan by accepting the blood of Jesus to cover all their sins. When God gives you eternal life (John 10:28), you look forward to eternal life. You look forward to an eternal home in Heaven. We are all going to die (unless Raptured). Life on earth holds nothing eternal for us. Philippians 1:21 says: "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain". We will take nothing from this earth when we die. 1 Timothy 6:7 affirms us: "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." Being that we all must die, the greatest honor would be to die for our Saviour.

VERSE 12: (Chapter 12)

REJOICE

SATAN Has Very Little TIME LEFT

"Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."

Heaven is rejoicing because Satan can no longer accuse Christians. Satan will always try to get Christians to fall, but he is not allowed to approach God's throne with accusations. Everyone in Heaven is rejoicing...the angels, the twenty-four elders, the creatures, and all the saints that are there. Remember we studied in Revelation 6:10 how the martyred saints asked: "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" Even these saints are rejoicing because finally the end is near!

Next in this verse we read: "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea!" A woe is like a curse, but actually it is worse than a curse. It is devastation. Why is our world going to suffer devastation? This verse tells us: "for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath".

Remember we read in 1 Peter 5:8 that: "the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour". Satan is not walking about in heaven seeking whom he may devour, he is walking around here on the earth. And not only is he a "roaring lion" but he also has "great wrath". He is super mad! Satan is very upset because he knows he only has a little time left to take people to hell. He knows he only has a little time left before the Lord chains him in hell for a thousand years. Satan is very angry!

VERSE 13: (Chapter 12)

SATAN Tries to Persecute ISRAEL

"And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

Satan is the dragon. It is one of the Devil's many names. Satan was cast down to the earth because Jesus died on the cross. Jesus rose up from the grave, went up to Heaven, and cast Satan out. Satan can no longer have access to God like he did during the time of Job. Jesus died and rose again to stop Satan. This is why Satan can no longer accuse us to our Heavenly Father. We studied this in verse 10: "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser (Satan) of our brethren is cast down, which accused (past tense) them before our God day and night." Because Satan was cast out of Heaven, he decided to go after Israel. Satan knows Israel is God's chosen nation and people. Satan is attacking where he thinks it will hurt God most.

The rest of this verse says: "he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child." He is referring to Satan. Again, this verse is in past tense. Satan "persecuted". The "woman" here refers to the nation Israel. Yes, Mary gave birth to Jesus. There is a very good account of the human lineage of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17. The Old Scofield KJV 1611 Edition has great notes and cross references verifying Christ's lineage.

Mary gave birth to the Lord Jesus, but it was Israel which brought Him forth. Matthew 2:6 states: "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." The nation, Israel, "brought forth the man child", and the "Governor" is Jesus. Isaiah prophesied of this around BC 740: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

Below is an excellent chart on the detailed Genealogy of Jesus by Rose Book of Bible Chart, Maps, and Time Lines, used by permission.

VERSE 14: (Chapter 12)

GOD Protects ISRAEL

"And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent."

All through history, Israel has been persecuted. Satan has waged wars against Israel over and over again. During the Tribulation Period, Satan, in the form of the antichrist, will wage a major war against Israel. However, God protects His people.

This verse is to take place near the middle of the Tribulation Period. The history of the world has always been, and always will be, based on Israel. Israel is traced back to the Garden of Eden. The word history is derived from the meaning of the story of Jesus = His story = history. Someday, the world will see that history has always been about Christ. History is indeed His story. His story is contained in the Holy Scriptures from the beginning of time and goes to the end of time, from Genesis through Revelation, which we are studying now.

In our verse, "the woman", which is Israel will be given "two wings of a great eagle". Here God will give Israel an escape. God does not make it clear to us by what means He will use other than "two wings of a great eagle". The eagle symbolizes God-given glory. There are currently nine countries that display an eagle on their flags.

ALBANIA

AMERICAN SAMOA

AUSTRIA

EGYPT

GERMANY

RUSSIA

POLAND

UNITED STATES

ZAMBIA

It is possible that God may use one, or even two, of these countries to help Israel make her escape from the Antichrist. God does not tell us for certain, but it is a possibility ... "the woman (Israel) were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place". And this place of refuge for her may very well be Petra.

In Israel's place of refuge, God says Israel will be "nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent." This verse shows us that God will take extra special care of Israel during the second half of the Tribulation Period. "Time, and times, and half a time" equals three and a half years. The word "time" equals one year. "Times" has an "s" at the end of the word indicating two years. And then the "half a time" equals a half of a year. That adds up to three and a half years. The Tribulation Period is seven years long. The first three and a half years will be a fake peace time. This gives Satan time to set up his Antichrist. "The serpent" is the Antichrist. In the middle of the three and a half years, Satan reveals his Antichrist as he sets him up in the Temple of God. Satan will release great anger upon Israel and Israel will flee to her place of refuge that God has prepared for her "from the face of the serpent". Israel will flee from the Antichrist, "the serpent", and hide in the mountains where God will "nourish" her.

The Lord tells us in Matthew 24:15-22 about the second half of the Tribulation Period. These verses are referring to the beginning of the second half of the Great Tribulation Period. Jesus tells us that: "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, (that's the Antichrist) spoken of by Daniel the prophet (Daniel 9:27), stand in the holy place (Israel's temple), (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains (perhaps Petra); Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."

VERSE 15: (Chapter 12)

The SERPENT Tries to ATTACK

"And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood."

Satan, the serpent, has always tried to destroy mankind even in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:13 is where God confronts Eve about eating the forbidden fruit. This was her answer: "And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat." Satan is the serpent who is always beguiling and always trying to destroy the works of God.

In our verse we read: ""the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman". Notice the wording "as a flood". This is not a literal 'flood'. It has the characteristics of a flood. It is powerful, unstoppable, and can cover an entire area. Throughout the Bible, waters are sometimes referred to as being an army of nations. We see this in Isaiah 8:7-8: "Now therefore behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks: And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land (Israel)".

This is a historical account about the attacks from Assyria when Assyria invaded Israel. Assyria had a strong army of many soldiers. Assyria had such a great army that it was called the 'Assyrian War Machine' at the Battle of Qarqar. Qarqar is located in northwestern Syria. The Assyrian army, under king Shalmaneser, had over 35,000 military, including 20,000 infantry, 12,000 cavalry and 1,200 chariots.

God uses the word "waters" to illustrate how vast and how overpowering this military army will be, just like He did back in BC 854. Satan, the serpent, uses nations to do his attacks. In Revelation 20:7-8 we see Satan in control over nations and their armies: "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea." Satan will cause one last war against Israel. The phrase in our verse, "that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood". Simply means that he might destroy Israel.

VERSE 16: (Chapter 12)

ISRAEL is HELPED

"And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth."

In this verse, we see God's protection over His people. In Zechariah 2:8, we read what God says to Israel: "For thus saith the LORD of hosts; ... he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye." Israel is the apple of God's eye. Jews are very precious to Him. God caused the Assyrian Empire to fall to keep Israel safe. Even though the Assyrian 'War Machine' was the most efficient military force in the ancient world, God caused the Assyrian empire to fall around BC 612.

Notice that Satan is not called "the serpent" in this verse. This is because he is now really mad. Satan went from a slithering, sly snake to a fire breathing "dragon". God stopped Satan from harming Israel again, and Satan is furious.

All through Israel's history, Satan has tried to destroy her. Satan knows his stuff. He knew that Christ was going to be born as a Jew. Satan tried many attacks on Israel in hope of stopping the Messiah from being born. Satan had the king of Egypt keep the Israelites in bondage (Exodus 1:11). Haman was used by Satan to try to destroy the Jews (Esther 7:4). And King Herod had all the little children, two years old and younger, killed. Satan was trying to stop Jesus, the King of the Jews (Matthew 2:16).

VERSE 17: (Chapter 12)

SATAN is MAD

"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

Satan, the dragon, is now furious. According to Webster's dictionary, the word "wroth" means intensely angry. Satan was not just angry, he was intensely angry. Satan is furious. He is very, very upset. He failed in stopping the Messiah. Satan failed to kill the lineage (family line) of the Messiah. Satan failed to kill Jesus as a child, and he failed in trying to stop Christ on this earth. All Satan's chances to stop the Messiah were at an end. Remember, Satan can no longer approach Heaven to fight there. Satan had been cast out and Christ Jesus sits on the throne in Heaven.

So what can Satan do now? Give up? No, not the Devil. Now Satan, as a fierce, angry dragon, is making "war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God". Satan is now after "the remnant of her seed (Israel). Look at today's news. Nation after nation is wanting to go to war with Israel. Just recently, in our time, Hamas attacked Israel. If you look on a map, you will see that Israel is just a little country. Yet these big nations keep attacking her. This is all because Satan is very mad at Israel. Satan is very mad at God. Satan is after the "apple of God's eye", Israel.

But Israel is not the only one Satan is after. This verse also tells us that "the dragon" is also after those that "have the testimony of Jesus Christ". Satan know that Christ rose from the grave to provide salvation to whoever will ask for it. Anyone who has asked Christ to come into their heart and be their Saviour, will be attacked by Satan. Satan attacks in many forms; health issues, anger issues, financial problems, and even people like neighbors, friends, family and even church members. Satan will throw whatever he can at Christians to make them fall. This is why the Lord warned us in 1 Peter 5:8: "Be sober be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." Satan is now the fierce "dragon" roaming this earth to kill and destroy all that belongs to God.

We have just finished Chapter 12 of Revelation. Please note that Chapter 12 is an intermission time. It is repeating to us the history of Christ. From the declaration that Christ will come as a Jew in Israel (verses 1-2); Satan tried to prevent Christ from being born (verses 3-4); Christ is born and Israel will be protected even during the Tribulation Period (verses 5-6); the war in Heaven and Satan cast out (verses 7-12); Israel protected during the Tribulation Period (verses 13-16); and Satan continuing to war against all who name the name of "Jesus Christ" (verse 17). In the next chapter, the Lord brings us back to the earthly scene that will happen during the second half of the Great Tribulation Period.

Where will you go when it's your time to die?
You need to know this today. Tomorrow may be too late!
HINT: It is NOT through a church, baptism, or good works.

What Does The Future Hold ?
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CHAPTER 12