Revelation 12: Enter the Dragon
Now we are given three signs by John from his revelation of Jesus Christ and each will provide a deeper understanding of the message John is being given for believers.
In verse 1 we begin with the woman, who is described in celestial images. A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, arid on her head a garland of twelve stars.
We notice quickly that this particular sign is described as a great sign, and is the beginning of seven signs of the tribulation. These are:
The woman, representing Israel
The dragon, representing Satan
The man-child, referring to Jesus
The angel Michael, head of the angels
The woman's offspring, representing Gentiles who come to faith in the tribulation
The beast of the sea, representing the Antichrist
The beast from the earth, representing the false prophet
Because this image was clearly noted as a sign, we are not to expect this woman to appear on earth. She is a symbol. She is clothed with the sun, taking us back to Genesis 37:9-11, where Jacob's dream showed the sun representing Jacob (Israel), the moon as Jacob's mother, Rachel, and the eleven stars are the sons of Israel. Now in this vision Jacob is shown back among the sons as we are shown twelve stars now.
The woman gives birth in verse 2. We see later in verse 5 that this child is Jesus. The birth was painful, as were the times for Israel when Jesus arrived.
Verse 3 shows us a great dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven diadems (crowns) upon his heads. These characteristics represent fierce power, and great strength. He has royal authority showing his crowns. The seven heads and ten horns take us back to Daniel 7 showing the Roman empire of the time.
Verse 4 shows us the dragon looking toward earth. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to earth. He awaits the birth of the child, ready to devour it. The one third of the stars represent the rebel angels who were expelled from heaven with Satan, falling to earth to become his demons. The attempt to devour the child was seen on earth as Herod sought a location of the Christ child from the wise men and later slaughtered all male children under age two in Bethlehem. (Slaughter of the Innocents)
Verse 5 describes the beginning of the rule of Jesus, ruling with a rod of iron showing His return in triumph at His second coming. We saw this image in Psalm 2 and will see it again in Revelation 19. This woman image has been said to be the church, but it cannot be so, because Jesus gave birth to the church, not the other way around.
A place was prepared for the woman and she flees to the wilderness for 1260 days which is 3 1⁄2 years, the first half of the tribulation. This prepared place phrase uses the same Hebrew phrase as when Jesus later tells His disciples He will go to prepare a place for them ( and us) in John 14.
In verses 7-8 we see the war in heaven between Michael and the dragon. This figure has been taught by some as being Jesus but it is not so. Daniel 10 clearly teaches us that Michael is one angel prince among others. Jude 9 teaches that Michael would not rebuke Satan on his own authority when contending for the body of Moses, but uses the name of the Lord to prevail in that moment. Satan wanted to take the body of Moses to stop the plans that God had for the body shown later in Luke 9 when he was seen glorified. Daniel foretold the battle at the mid-point of the 70th week in Daniel 12.
Now we see that there was no longer a place found for them in heaven after this battle. But we must recall that Satan still has access there from time to time (Job 1 ), but can only do evil that is permitted him and no more. So the great dragon was cast out and is named for us to assure we clearly understand (Satan). He was cast down to the earth and in Luke 4 is said to be the price of the power of the air. Jesus said in Luke 10 that he saw this fall, which was like lightning, and in that moment Satan was changed from glorified to profane (Ezekiel 28: 14-16).
Two-thirds of the angels remained faithful and still serve the Lord in their original positions and function. In verses 10-12 we are given a joyful declaration from heaven. Heaven is to rejoice at this victory while there is woe for the earth as Satan has come down to walk it. But we are also given three keys to overcoming Satan on earth by the saints (believers):
" ... overcame him by the blood of the Lamb ... "
" ... and by the word of their testimony ... "
" ... and they did not love their lives to the death ... "
If believers are unwilling to cling to their earthly lives and stand for the Lord, even unto death, there is therefore no threat Satan can bring against them.
Verses 13-16 show that Satan attacks the woman and God protects her. The woman was given wings to fly and escape while the serpent (Satan) spews water in a flood to overtake her, but the earth is opened to accept the flood of water.
Now persecution is brought against the woman (Israel AND the faithful). From the time of Abraham, Israel has a critical role in God's plan of redemption. First, it was from Israel that the Redeemer would come. Ultimately, it will be in Israel where He returns to begin the 1,000 year reign as he comes back in glory. Satan has tried every way he can to hinder that plan from the moment he fell to earth until now.
The woman is nourished for a time and times, and a half time ( one + two + one half year), the last half of the tribulation time of seven years. The dragon was focused upon the destruction of Israel (the nation+ those believing Gentiles who came to Christ). These two groups are particular targets of Satan and his counterfeit Christ (the Antichrist) during the remainder of the tribulation.
THOUGHTS ON CHAPTERS 13-16
13 THE TWO BEASTS ARE INTRODUCED. ONE IS THE ANTICHRIST, A CIVIL & POLITICAL LEADER WHILE THE THE SECOND IS A RELIGIOUS LEADER, THE FALSE PROPHET. BOTH ARE SATAN CONTROLLED AND THEIR POWER COMES FROM HIM. THE ANTICHRIST IS ELOQUENT AND HE WILL COME TO BE WORSHIPPED BY ALMOST ALL. A MONUMENT IS CREATED AND IT SEEMS TO COME TO LIFE, A COUNTERFEIT TO GOD, AS ONLY HE CAN GRANT LIFE. THE MARK IS GIVEN TO THOSE WHO FOLLOW THE FALSE ONE, PERHAPS 666, (THE IMPERFECT NUMBER OF 6 PERTAINING TO MAN, WHO WAS CREATED ON THE 6TH DAY).
14 THE 144,000 ARE ON MT. ZION WITH CHRIST. A VOICE FROM HEAVEN SOUNDS LIKE "MANY WATERS", THUNDERING, AND THE 144,000 SING A NEW SONG. THESE ARE DESCRIBED AS VIRGINS, (MEANING SPIRITUALLY), FOLLOWERS OF THE LAMB, REDEEMED FROM MEN, FIRST FRUITS UNTO GOD, HAVING NO GUILE, AND WITHOUT FAULT.
THREE ANGELS FORETELL THE COMING JUDGMENT.
15-16 SEVEN LAST PLAGUES. JOHN SEES A SEA OF GLASS ON WHICH STAND THE TRIBULATION SAINTS, SINGING A SONG OF VICTORY.
THE PLAGUES ARE INTENSE ON THE EARTH:
HARMFUL SORES, THE SEA IS TURNED TO BLOOD, FRESH WATER IS ALSO TURNED, THE SUN IN INCREASED, DARKNESS APPEARS, THE RIVER EUPHRATES IS DRIED SO THAT THE EVIL ARMY CAN EASILY MARCH OVER DRY LAND INTO JERUSALEM, AND THE EARTH ITSELF IS CHANGED BY EARTHQUAKES. THE WRATH OF GOD HAS ARRIVED.