The Woman Clothed With The Sun (part 1) - Revelation 12:1-5
This chapter brings us back to the beginning of the last 3½ years.
It contains extra information not mentioned earlier.
A great sign - a woman clothed with the sun.
Is this the Mary of Roman Catholicism? No.
Does she represent the European Union? No.
She is symbolic of Israel (see Genesis 37:9).
She is seen to be in labour pains, about to give birth.
Is the child Jesus Christ? No.
Does he represent the 144,000 thousand? No.
The child is symbolic of the Church (see Romans 8:19,22).
Israel has been in constant agony since the Roman Empire.
Modern Israel became a State in 1948.
But she still does not own all the land.
John sees a Red Dragon.
This Dragon represents the EU - the Treaty of Rome.
Two kingdoms revived in the last days:-
1. Israel. 2. Roman Empire.
The Dragon must also include the newly created EU army.
Satan too is known as The Dragon (Revelation 20:2).
He is the power and authority behind the Dragon system.
The stars are symbolic of the fallen angels (now devils).
They are sent to cause greater rebellion towards God.
The Dragon will seek to destroy the Church.
The Church was born in Israel on the Day of Pentecost.
We see here what we call the Rapture.
The Church will reign with Christ (Revelation 20:6).
Satan continues trying to destroy the Church and Israel.
He infiltrates the Church with demonically inspired preachers.
But God always protects His own, both the Church and the Jews.
The Woman Clothed With The Sun (part 2) - Revelation 12:6-11
Israel will flee for her life.
Jeremiah called this "Jacob's trouble" (Jer. 30:7).
Antichrist will turn against the Jews in second 3½ yrs (2 Thess. 2:4).
They will realise that he is not their Messiah.
They will flee into the wilderness (Petra?)
This is when "all Israel" turns to Christ (Rom. 11:25-26).
A heavenly war will be fought over Israel.
Satan will try to introduce the worst holocaust.
But her Guardian angel Michael will stop him.
a) God's angels watch over and protect His own (Ps. 91:11, Heb.1:14).
b) There are various ranks and orders of good and evil angels.
c) Michael defends and protects Israel (Dan. 12:1).
Satan has always sought to destroy the Jews and the Church.
This is his final attempt to accomplish his goal (see :12).
The battle's outcome is recorded in advance - and Satan knows it!
Satan will be cast down.
a) From where? Out of his present domain.
He is the prince of the power of the air (atmospheric region) (Eph. 2:2, 6:12).
b) To where? Down to earth.
This cannot be referring to his original fall.
He was not cast to the earth then.
Remember, He has never been to Hell!
He's called The Great Dragon … the Old Serpent.
This father of lies (Jn. 8:44) deceived Adam and Eve.
Now he comes to deceive the whole world.
To overthrow everything and everyone belonging to God.
Cause believers to fall through discouragement and sin.
He hates God and His children.
But even in such gloom praise is heard.
Praise for Christ's victory over the Devil.
Christ Millennial Kingdom removes Satan.
How do all believers overcome Satan (and the Antichrist)?
a) By the Blood of Christ - assurance of salvation.
b) By their testimony - declare Christ no matter what.
c) By their loyalty to Christ - even in the face of martyrdom.
True believers remain uncompromisingly firm.
The Woman Clothed with the Sun (part 3) - Revelation 12:12-17
The warning - Satan will be cast down to the earth.
He will seek to wreck and destroy through:
a) The Antichrist system.
b) Evil spirits.
He has only a short time to do his worst.
He knows he is on the losing team.
He is determined to take as many to Hell as possible.
He will try to destroy every Jew in the world.
Concentration camps may be set up.
This is the Final Solution.
Israel given the wings of an eagle.
Does this refer to an exodus by aircraft? (America?)
Can God not protect her Himself? (see Exodus 19:4).
The flood represents a mighty army.
This is Jacob's Trouble.
But God will protect His own (Isaiah 59:19).
The army is stopped somehow.
a) A natural catastrophe.
b) War that threatens Antichrist's kingdom (Daniel 11:40).
Where do they flee to? (Daniel 11:41).
Ammon, Edom, and Moab not under Antichrist's dominion.
All in modern-day Jordan.
The likely location is Edom - the site of Petra.
Frustrated, he will turn on the remnant.
a) Possibly those who did not flee.
b) Possibly those Jews who remained in other lands.
c) Surely includes those who have not submitted to him.
A time of extreme persecution.
But they can still be overcomers (:11)