Revelation, Part 20 Series

Revelation Part 20

Revelation 12:5-9

Open to Revelation Chapter 12 but mark a place at Zechariah Chapter 12 and Matthew 24

Introduction

Last week we began with chapter 12 and we understood the roles of the woman and the dragon. The woman of course is Israel bringing forth the Messiah for the world – and the dragon represented Satan and his efforts to revolt against God and prevent the birth of Jesus.

Let’s press forward this morning - Chapter 12 has some application for the church and we need to respond!

Pray

Point 1 - The child - Jesus Christ (v5-6)

Remember that Isaiah predicted this would happen clearly in Isaiah 9:6-7, and this is the summary and conclusion of that prophecy.

Isaiah said that “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Jesus was to come into this world not only to save and bring God’s creation back to Him, but to rule the entire Earth. Because this particular passage in Revelation deals with this male child ruling the nations, this clearly indicates that they are referring to the birth and arrival of Jesus Christ.

When Jesus was caught (snatched) up, this is the story of the ascension from Acts 1:9 - when Jesus was taken up into the clouds before the disciples eyes, he gave a very important act of commission in Acts 1:8. This verse, is OUR mission today - to go into the world and not be discriminatory!

Acts 1:8 says “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

This next part is critical to understanding Israel’s role in the coming Tribulation. The phrase “the woman fled” refers to Israel escaping the persecution of the anti-Christ, and that they will be protected for 1260 days. This protection is for the second half of the Tribulation, and I believe that it is NOW when Israel realizes who Jesus is. (Go to Zechariah Chapter 12 and read verse 10. Zechariah 12:10 will be fulfilled when Israel emerges from their supernatural protection to behold Jesus the rejected Messiah. (Read))

Go to Zechariah Chapter 13:8-9

Zechariah 13:8-9 says “And it shall come to pass in all the land,” Says the LORD, “That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’”

This verse is the confirmation that 2/3 of Israel will be destroyed during this time but 1/3 will make it through, to the Millennium (the reign of Jesus after the defeat and binding of Satan for 1000 years).

God physically protects Israel by having the 1/3 that is left flee to the mountains. The survivors of Israel will be responsible for re-populating the earth, in the Millennium, where the Messiah Jesus Christ, will rule over the Earth with His saints.

Let me show you this biblically so you can see it for yourself.

Go to Zechariah Chapter 14:1-5 -- READ

Here is the confirmation of this prophetic promise from Jesus himself …

Go to Matthew 24:15-20 -- READ

Jesus has given us specific instructions to understand who He is, and that this time must happen - we are to understand that Israel will be protected, and here is your biblical foundation. Israel does not acknowledge Him until this time, but WE (you and I) have a responsibility to tell others!

Our actions are commissioned today, and were commissioned the moment that Jesus ascended - and today there is no time to waste.

Let’s look ahead now to the war taking place in heaven during this time …

Point 2 - The War in Heaven (v7-9)

We discussed last week that this coming war began in the Garden of Eden, and now we are at a time when this war will finally complete. There have been many battles along the way -- but the war is finally going to end.

At the middle of the tribulation period, at this point in chapter 12, Satan’s power is confined to the earth as War breaks out in Heaven. Satan and his angels loose the position they had since the fall of man, and are cast to the earth.