WEEK 30
“The Woman Persecuted”
Date: February 26, 2003
Place: Allendale Baptist
Text: Revelation 12:13-17
I hope tonight to finish the 12th chapter of the book of Revelation, and stop there.
The first 10 verse of chapter 13 we will begin with next week, which contains a lot of information and I want to leave as much time as possible for time to pray.
As we closed last weeks study we saw the dragon and his followers were cast out of heaven after the war with Michael and his angels.
Verses 10-12 a shout went out from heaven declaring victory and heaven rejoiced at the dragon’s departure, but it was bad news for the earth dwellers.
The devil knows his time is short and he is determined to pour out his wrath as widely as possible.
His anger is vented especially against Israel, the nation from which the Messiah came.
Verse 13
This verse resumes the thought in verse 6. “Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.”
Throughout the account it is clear that the objective of the hatred of the dragon is the woman, Israel.
What he could not accomplish at the birth of Christ, the extermination of the Savior, he now seeks to compensate for the persecution of Israel and the remnant of her descendants.
Verse 14
“Wings of a great eagle”
I have told you how silly some get when they begin to try to interpret this book.
One so called commentator I read said he believes this is speaking of a great air force, which will protect the nation of Israel.
This verse gives us a graphic depiction of God’s providential protection of Israel.
Psalms 91:4 says; “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”
Isaiah 40: 31 says; “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with the wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
They will be protected by God in the “wilderness”, which means a place lacking human resources.
As I read this verse it reminds me that where we see no help, God meets our every need.
In this wilderness the remnant is cared for and protected from the devil’s attacks for 3 ½ years
Verse 15 & 16
Now some see this as an actual flood.
The chosen people of Israel have been delivered out of the water at the beginning of the wilderness march at the Red Sea and then again at the Jordan River before crossing into the Promised Land.
However, the floods of water could also be armies flowing like a river upon the remnant of Israel.
In Ezekiel’s picture of the last days, the king of the north is seen marching on Israel.
Satan will use every means possible to destroy the people.
No nation will be there to stop him; only God. And He will destroy him with natural forces when he invades Palestine.
Ezekiel 38:22 says: “And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire and brimstone.”
“The earth opened it mouth and swallowed up the flood”
This may be referring to a great earthquake that occurs during this period.
Verse 17
“The rest of her offspring”
This may be referring to the 144,000 who are God’s witnesses during this period, but most likely means he will turn his rage upon every believer of Jesus Christ during the Great Tribulation.
All Anti-Semitism is Satan inspired and backed.
It was seen from the time of Pharaoh to the gallows of Haman to the cruel edict of Herod, through Hitler’s purge on the Jews in Germany, throughtout the tribulation.
Satan has led an attack against these people because of the man child-Jesus Christ.
What people?
“Who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ”
Those who trust Christ as Savior.
This is also speaking of the revealed truth from God and Christ contained in Scripture.
Obedience to God’s Word always marks a genuine believer.
