Revelation, Part 19
Revelation 11:19-12:4
Introduction
Last time we examined the book of Revelation, we were just about to conclude Chapter 11. We opened up the last three woes, and also concluded the history of the two witnesses and what their testimony will mean to this world.
We also had a hint shown to us of the rewards that the prophets, saints and those who respect the Lord would be given. This morning is a teaching message, to be used to understand future chapters.
This morning, we open up the beginning of the final three and a half years, starting with the final verse in Chapter 11 which also gives us a look into the Temple of Heaven.
Read Chapter 11:19
Pray
Point 1 - The Temple in Heaven
Verse 19 again shows us that God has a temple in heaven, one that is so magnificent that all the wonders of this world respond to it (thunder, lightening, earthquakes, etc.)
This same temple is discussed in Revelation 14, 16 and 17 and the temple on the Earth (in Jerusalem) was a mere shadow of this temple.
Paul writes to us in Hebrews 8:5 tells of this temple: “They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” God was specific in His plans … as He is specific in our lives.
Note something very special that John sees in the temple. He sees the actual Ark of the Covenant. As Old Testament history will reveal, the Ark was used to carry the 10 Commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron’s staff (the same staff that became a snake when thrown down before Pharaoh), and it was believed that whomever possessed the Ark would have great power.
As John looked into Heaven’s temple, he saw the power of God symbolized by the Ark. No one knows for sure if this is THE Ark as it has not been seen since Jeremiah supposedly hid it, but since John is seeing the Ark it must have great symbolism -- this Ark represents the Law that WE are to be judged by without Christ as our Savior.
Heaven at this time is preparing to wage war against evil, and John is about to have many mysteries explained to him -- as we are as well.
Background of Chapter 12:
John describes two great signs, he is shown the first sign is of a woman, she gives birth to a male-child, who will rule the nations, and he is “caught up” to the throne of God in Heaven. The second is of a great red dragon, which pursues the woman, who gave birth to the child.
John is being shown that this is now the time for the battle which began in the Garden of Eden, to finish. Satan tempted man as a way to get back at God, and here we see the final conflict about to unfold.
Once Satan is free to move about the Earth in the form of the Anti-Christ, he realizes he only has 3 ½ years to seek his vengeance on the Earth, and so he must move quickly. According to the Word, Satan does not waste any time in his plot, hence why he goes directly after the apple of God’s eye, Israel.
The final battles of this Earth will be waged in the hills outside of Israel, and it was in Jerusalem that the Messiah came into the world and was taken out as well. This small strip of land is extremely important to God, and so the devil goes after it specifically.
At the mid-point of the Tribulation, Satan takes control of the Anti-Christ which we will see later in Revelation Chapter 13. It is in Israel that the Anti-Christ will rebuild the temple, and demand the world to worship him (2 Thess 2:4 “He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”).
Now, let’s read Chapter 12:1-4 (5-6 as well).
Point 2 - The Woman
John sees a great sign in Heaven and he is describing an event he sees, taking place in Heaven.
Whether John is alone witnessing this event or all of Heaven sees the same drama unfold is not revealed. The Greek word for appeared, Optanomai (optical or optometry), means to physically see, not to dream or speak metaphorically.
John sees a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and on her head a crown of 12 stars (Greek word is Stephanos (rev 2) … victors crown). The identity of the woman has been the subject of much debate - but here are the four thoughts of who this woman is:
- The woman represents the church with the 12 stars representing the 12 apostles.
- The woman represents Mary with the 12 stars representing the 12 apostles.
- The woman represents Israel and the 12 stars represent the 12 tribes of Israel.
- The woman represents the redeemed and the 12 stars represent the apostles and tribes of Israel.
Hopefully, this will help you clarify who this woman is and why she is so important.
FALSE DOCTRINE: Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy has claimed that she is the woman in Revelation 12 and the man-child is her church Christian Science. Many cults use this chapter to justify their doctrines and to identify the women we just need to look at her qualifiers. IT IS FALSE!
The woman could not possibly be the church as some try to interpret her, since the church did not bring Christ into the world, but Christ brought the church.
The woman could be Mary, but after the birth of Jesus she was not chased after by the devil for 1260 days - so it is not Mary.
The crown of stars represent the 12 tribes of Jacob, this is mirrored in Joseph’s dream (Gen 37:9-10) where the son’s of Jacob are pictured as stars, and the moon and sun as Jacob and Rachel.
The first prophecy of the coming Messianic redemption involves Eve, her seed, the serpent and the serpent’s seed.
Through Eve, the woman, Israel comes into existence to bear the “Male seed” that redeems what Adam and Eve lost as a result of the Serpents deception. The serpent, an animal incarnated by Satan, deceived the woman to disobey God.
The Woman in this drama is clearly demonstrated to be Israel (the seed bearer of Messiah) thru whom the Messiah, Jesus Christ, (the child) entered the world. The drama of chapter 12 has the woman who gives birth to a male-child; the child is caught up to Heaven to rule the nations with an Iron scepter.
The male child with the iron scepter is referring to the Messiah. In Psalm 2:9, Messiah the king is pictured ruling the Earth with a rod of Iron. The Messiah is also to rule over the nations. The over-comers of the church of Thyatira are promised to reign with Christ with a rod of Iron. (Rev 2:27). The picture of the dragon is a representation of Satan’s effort to prevent Messiah birth throughout history.
Bringing a child into the world has always been a painful process, and this birthing of the Messiah into the world has become much anguish and pain for Israel. It is this pain that John is describing as there has always been conflict about who Jesus really is, especially to this world and to Israel, god’s chosen people.
Point 3 - The Red Dragon
John sees a red dragon appear in the heavens, and in the Greek translation the word used here is Purrhos which is to have the color of red (or fire). During the 2nd portion of the Tribulation, this dragon will be the tool that Satan will use to attack the Earth and intimidate the residents into doing what he says.
It is very important to understand what the dragon represents, and the understanding of the heads, horns, and diadems (crowns) that are worn on its head.
This dragon represents the kingdom of the coming Antichrist.
LOOK AHEAD:
The final kingdom of Antichrist will be a confederation of 10 nations making up a “Revived Roman Kingdom”. This is the “Prince who shall come” of Daniel 9:26 “After the sixty-two ’sevens,’ the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler (prince in KJV) who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.”
This prince makes a 7-year agreement with Israel and at the Midpoint stops sacrifice and enters the rebuilt Jerusalem Temple and proclaims himself God -- He then demands worship from the world.
BACK TO TODAY:
The dragon pictured here has 7 heads and 10 horns, the details of these heads and horns are explained in Revelation chapter 17 but real briefly here they are the 7 Kingdoms:
Egypt - tried to assimilate Israel
Assyria - Exiled 10 tribes of Israel, tried to exile Judah
Babylon - Destroyed Jerusalem, slaughtered Israrel
Persia - Attempted to destroy the Jews during the time of Ester
Greece - Antiochus Epiphanies, Abomination of Desolation 164 B.C.
Rome - Destroyed Jerusalem, over 1.5 million Jews died, rest expelled during John’s day.
Revived Kingdom - Future Kingdom during the Time of the Antichrist - Ten kingdoms unite under satanic power
The ten horns represent 10 future kings who at the Midpoint of the tribulation will turn over their power of their kingdom to the Antichrist - these 10 horns will be 10 literal Kingdoms that are established on this Earth. We must note here that these Kingdoms may be forming today - and again, our time may be VERY short to tell others about Jesus.
When Satan was expelled from Heaven, he took 1/3 of the angels with him - this is symbolized with his tail drawing away 1/3 of the stars. Prior to Jesus being born, King Herrod attempted to kill all children less than 2 years old - this is the dragon attempting to devour the child. Remember that all things tie into God’s Word, and here we see the importance of Mary and Joseph’s fleeing from Jerusalem to Bethlehem as Satan had empowered (or influenced) Herrod.
Had they not left, Jesus certainly would have been hunted down.
Conclusion
Our understanding of Chapter 12 is very important - in that we HAVE to see the importance of the signs of things coming. With this knowledge, we can continue to study and understand the plans the Lord has for us.
This morning we will not have a time of invitation since this was a specific teaching lesson, but I want to ask you to continue praying for our church, and for whom you may share Jesus with this week.
Pray
* Information researched through TruthNet.org
