Rev 12 reveals a woman, Child and dragon. It provides a historic overview stretching from the time before humans existed until the time just before Christ’s return.
We must first understand the symbols; woman, Child and dragon.
The Woman
Rev 12:1: 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 the Old Testament, God refers to Israel as a woman. Israel is God’s wife.
Isaiah 54:5-6: For your Maker is your husband; the LORD of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called. For the LORD has called you as a woman …
12 stars represent the 12 tribes of Israel. Remember Joseph’s dream in Gen 37:9-11 of the 11 stars bowing down to him – the 11 stars were his brothers.
The sun reflects redeemed Israel’s unique glory, brilliance and dignity while the moon under her feet reveals dominion.
The Child
The Child is Jesus
The Dragon
The dragon is Satan
Rev 12:9: And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan
Rev 12 – The Woman, Child and Dragon
Rev 12:1-2: 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. And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
Israel gave birth to Jesus who gave birth to the church on the cross. The woman is not the church, since the church did not bring forth Jesus, but rather Jesus brought forth the church.
‘And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered’ speaks of the birth of Jesus.
Rev 12:3-4: 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. 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 who was ready to be deliver, to devour her child as soon as He was born.
Stars of heaven speak of the angels.
‘and his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven’ speak of the fallen 1/3 of angels. Satan deceived 1/3 of angels to rebel against the Most High God and he was cast to earth with the angels who are called ‘fallen angels’ or ‘demons’.
Satan used Herod to try to kill Jesus the moment He was born reason it is said, ‘and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born’
Rev 12:5: And she brought forth a male child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne. The male Child is Jesus who was caught up to God, to His throne.
Jesus is the one who is to rule all nations with a rod of iron as prophesied
Psalms 2:7-9: I will declare the decree: the LORD has said unto me, ‘Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel’.
After Jesus is caught up, Rev 12 moves from past to the future – to the great tribulation period. This is the same gap in Daniel 70 weeks. Remember Daniel 70 weeks is only about Israel and Jerusalem. The gap in Daniel 70 weeks prophecy is the church-age.
In the great tribulation period, these are things prophesied in Rev 12;
1. Final war between Michael and Satan in heaven
Rev 12:7: And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
See War in heaven Michael against Satan and his angels
Though Satan was cast to earth years ago, he still has access to heaven where he accuses brethren as we see him accuse Joshua the High Priest in Zechariah (Zech 3).
In the great tribulation period, there will be final war in heaven when Michael with his angels will fight against Satan and the fallen angels, prevail against them and Satan will never access heaven again.
Rev 12:9-11: And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 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, who accused them before our God day and night. 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’.
Powerful weapon to overcome Satan is the blood of the Lamb, the word of testimony – Jesus Christ testimony and love not you’re live unto death as said, ‘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’ (Rev 12:11)
Heaven will rejoice when Satan will be cast down to earth never to access heaven again but woe to the earth
Rev 12:12: Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you that dwell in them. Woe to the inhibiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time.
2. Israel hidden by God for 1260 days (3 ½ years)
After being cast from heaven, Satan will come to earth with great wrath knowing he has a short time. He will war to wipe out Israel from earth.
Rev 12:13: And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the male child
But Israel will be hidden from the presence of Satan for 1260 days (3 ½ months)
Rev 12:14: 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.
God bore Israel through the wilderness on eagle wings
Ex 19:4: You have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself
3 ½ years is the last part of the 7 year tribulation period when Israel will be hidden from Antichrist (Satan) who will have risen to wipe them from the face of earth. It is God hiding them and ministering unto them.
Even the earth will help Israel out
Rev 12:15-16: 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. 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.
See in vision of Armageddon battle how Israel is protected and hidden by God
Since Satan will not have access to Israel, he will go against any person with Jesus Christ testimony. This are the gentiles who will not have taken the mark of the beast or swore allegiance to him (Satan).
Rev 12:17: 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.
The only people hidden from the Antichrist is only Israel thus Antichrist will prevail and kill gentiles who refuse to swear allegiance to him (Satan).
This is the time when you will have to die to see heaven – you refused Jesus blood therefore you must shed your own blood to inherit heaven; no grace. Those who accept the price Jesus paid will be raptured before the great tribulation period. See why church will not be in the great tribulation.
People who have refused grace and the blood of Jesus Christ paid on the cross, you will have to pay the price by your own blood to see heaven
Accept Grace today – God’s riches at Christ expense
Salvation is only by grace through faith
Repent Repent Repent
Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand
