CONFLICT INVOLVING SATAN
Revelation 12:1-17
Conflict involving Satan has been going on at least since he originally appeared as a serpent in the Garden of Eden. His relentless evil has been going on without mercy for all of that time. There are no kind ways to refer to such a beastly dragon as he. When you study about Satan in the Scriptures, you will notice that the existence of Satan is taught in seven Old Testament Books and in all of the New Testament Books. The greatest authority on the existence of Satan is that Jesus, Himself, taught of Satan (Matthew 13:39; Luke 10:18).
His name, Satan, means adversary; Devil means slanderer. Lucifer means son of the morning according to Isaiah 14: 12. He also carries the name, Beelzebub and Belial. As you can see, none of these names are very attractive.
Satan was cast out of his original position in heaven according to Ezekiel 28:13-15.
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone [was] thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou [art] the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee [so]: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
Satan will be cast out of Heaven midway the tribulation period when he fights against Michael the archangel. This is what our lesson will involve as we study Revelation chapter 12. This chapter will begin with the study of a great wonder involving a woman clothed with the sun. There are four representative women found in the Revelation. The first mentioned is Jezebel who represents false religion (Revelation 2:20) and the woman here mentioned pictures Israel. The third woman mentioned, the scarlet woman, represents the apostate church (Revelation 17:1). The final woman mentioned is the Lamb’s wife, who represents the true church.
There are several clues given that indicate that this woman represents Israel. In Genesis 37:9-11, we find that Joseph had an unusual dream. In that dream, he dreamed that the sun was a type of Jacob. He dreamed that the moon pictured his mother, Rachel and that the eleven stars were his brothers (the tribes of Israel) which bowed down and worshiped Joseph.
In several places in the Scriptures, Israel is referred to as a woman. (Isaiah 54:1-6; Jeremiah 3:20; Ezekiel 16:8-14; Hosea 2:19-20). With this brief background study, may we now consider the Conflict Involving Satan.
I. THE SATANIC WAR COMMENCED. (Vv. 1-12).
This scene opens with one of the seven wonders of Revelation. The first wonder is called a great wonder. In verse number three, we read of another wonder that is in great contrast to the first wonder. One being Israel, and the other being Satan. The last chapter ends with the temple of God being opened in heaven with the ark of the testament being seen. This Ark of the Covenant is identified straight back to Israel and the promises that God made to Israel. It is of no wonder, that the first great wonder is that of Israel in such close association with the mentioning of the ark. All of the activities that surrounded the revealing of the ark such as the thundering, lightning, earthquake, voices and great hail were there to signal attention to the fact that God was going to show His faithfulness to Israel, even though Satan was and still continued to be an enemy to Israel. Notice how Israel and Satan are referred to as wonders in our study.
A. The Great Wonders in Heaven. (Vv. 1-6).
As mentioned already, two of the seven wonders are mentioned in this chapter. The two are mentioned, one as the protagonist and the other as the antagonist. I say that in the sense that Israel, who gives birth to Jesus through Mary is the principle player and Satan as the true adversary that he is, is the antagonist. He has always been an enemy to God since he rebelled against God at the original fall. From that time on, he has been playing his very diabolical part, well. As crafty as Satan may be, he still loses.
1. Note the great wonder of the woman. (Vv. 1,2).
God so elected the woman as indicated by this great wonder to be the means whereby God’s redemptive plan would be carried out. In her prominent regal manner as indicated by her being clothed with the sun, and the moon under feet she assumes this role. This role was not of her choosing, but the electing or choosing of God. It is within God’s sovereign purpose that the nation of Israel was chosen as the vehicle for delivering the Christ-child. The woman is clothed with strength as indicated by the sun description. Just as the sun has a fixed orb and purpose, so does the woman Israel mentioned here. Just as the sun faithfully shines within its design, along with having its cloudy days, it still continues to shine. The woman Israel has always had its enemies who seemed to cloud its purpose, yet she continues to shine. Her prominence allows the moon to rest under her feet. In nature the moon does not receive the prominence of the sun; it only has its reflected glory. The nation of Israel has a sovereign purpose as ordained by God which does not diminish. Its glory is reflected in all that she touches. The nation of Israel has carried strong influence all along the way. There is not a Gentile people group that has not been touched by her sunlight. Even in Israel’s darkest hour her sovereign purpose continues to shine. From her came the Christ Child and Satan has fought this all of the way. There is also a crowning glory that involves all of the sons of Jacob. When you think of Israel, you can not do so without being reminded of how Israel was put together. Israel began with the twelve sons of Jacob. Whether it is the mentioned twelve stars here or the twelve stones on the high priest’s breastplate, it all points to Israel. This is all included in the great wonder of the woman.
a. note the way that she was clothed. (V.1a)
We have already given a description of how the woman was clothed. Now, may we look more closely at her as we look at our Text?
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: (Revelation 12:1).
We must remind ourselves that the word wonder as used here means sign. It is described as a great sign. This means that this wonder carries great significance. Signs are not always easy to read. Sometimes a sign is not easily read because of the distance one is from the sign. The closer that you get to the sign, the easier that it is to read.
If you read after some of the great commentators of the past, you will find that they all seemed to have either difficulty in interpreting, or very little to say concerning the signs of the Revelation prophecy. Matthew Henry, as an example, thought that this woman represented the New Testament church. He thought that the twelve stars represented the twelve apostles. A major problem with this interpretation is that you would have the church giving birth to the Messiah instead of Israel giving birth, by the Virgin Mary. Christ gave birth to the church rather than the church giving birth to Christ.
The old Puritan writer, Gill had very little to say about this particular great sign. Again, the reason being is that these great students of the Word were standing a long way from the sign. We now are closer to the Lord’s coming than ever before. The sign is almost in front of our noses. This is not to say that there is no difficulty in interpreting all that is to be said, for there will always be a measure of difficulty as God challenges us to a deeper study of His Word.
The woman clothed with the sun is Israel and it was through the seed of Abraham that the rays of spiritual sunlight shone so brightly. The prophets of old had insight as they predicted the coming of the Messiah. Even during the days of Old Testament apostasy, Isaiah shone as a bright light when he gave all of the prophecy concerning the promised seed. Even before Israel came there was prophecy concerning her arrival. There had to be a woman who would give birth to the Messiah. That prophetic Truth was uttered before we would even read of Abraham. It goes back to the Garden of Eden where the original sin on earth took place. In Genesis 3:14, 15 we have this ray of sunlight shinning brightly in a sin cursed darkened world.
And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou [art] cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
This is where the story of the woman in Revelation 12 has its beginnings. There must be this bridge of Truth kept intact throughout the Scriptures. There must be the scarlet thread that weaves ever so true throughout the Scriptures. God has always had a plan and a people to connect with His purposes. God’s sovereign design has always been. The woman clothed with the sun is lit by God’s sovereign purpose. Her clothing is her given right and privilege, after being appointed by God, to deliver the Christ-child.
b. note the way that she was crowned. (V.1b).
Before we consider the crowning, may we look at the moon being under her feet? As we considered already, the woman is the symbol of reflected glory. We alluded to this as being the glory of influence. Though the nation of Israel continues to be a rather small nation, it does wield a powerful influence. All religions may in some manner bridge back to the teachings and the influence of Israel. Most that is found in religion has been corrupted, but there is still the influence that has been made by Israel into those religions.
The glory of Israel has left its mark or influence on science, entertainment, literature, religion and certainly on government and politics. Yet, the outstanding contribution that Israel has given is the Messiah through the Virgin Mary.
c. note the way that she was with child. (V. 2).
Verse number 2 says, “And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.”
The world waited for such a long time after having received the promise that said that there was going to be the birth of God into the human race. This period was marked by great persecution and anticipation as the world awaited the coming of the Messiah. The persecution could be attributed to Satan and his influence. Romans 8:22, 23 picture very well this time beginning with the fall of man into sin.
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.
King Herod had a hatred for the Christ-child and issued an edict that all children under two years of age be killed. We will look at verses three through six and note how the second wonder mentioned was involved in eliminating the Christ-child.
2. Note The Great Wonder of the Wicked. (Vv. 3-6).
Please remember that the word wonder means sign. Notice the way the word is used in our Text and the vivid description that is given of the red dragon.
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 which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. (Vv. 3,4).
This wonder is identified as Satan in verse number nine. Even if the Scriptures did not identify Satan, it would be very obvious by the way he is described. This monstrous evil creature is described in such a manner as being a red dragon. The color red is the color of blood and identifies him as a murderer. Jesus called him such as he was speaking to the Pharisees in John 8:44.
Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Satan is a murderer and a liar with that reputation starting in the Garden of Eden and continuing until the end of the ages. He will be cast into the Lake of Fire as such.
a. note that the dragon was wicked in his appearance. (V. 3)
The way Satan is described shows him to be a powerful force with evil authority and also having a kingdom. He is seen with “seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.” This does nothing but show him to be a powerful ruling force that is an awful enemy to God and anything that pertains to Him. The seven heads and the seven crowns most likely picture his ruling force to be complete and universal. We recognize this as we count the number seven as symbolizing completeness. His evil activities are highly organized and he has a network that is greatly controlled to carry out his evil intentions.
The government that he controls has on its agenda ways of networking into the monetary, political, ecological, sociological, and religious systems of the world. He has an insatiable appetite for control and power. All the symbols listed in our Text that describe him show this to be true.
b. note that the dragon was wicked in his anger. (V. 4)
This verse shows how beastly Satan the dragon is. Can you see the picture that is being described in this verse of the dragon? I see this creature standing with his dangling seven heads attached to his dragon body with the color red dripping with blood. Even the crowns that I see are splattered with blood. His wickedness is so pronounced that his teeth are showing as he opens his mouth wide to devour the child of the woman as soon as it is delivered. That is the way that I would paint this horrible picture if I were the painter. I would also include eyes that are blazing with anger as though they were on fire. I do not see a pretty picture when I read the Text that is before us.
The wonderful part of all of this is that Satan’s time is nearly expired. He will soon be conquered. At which time, his power will be no more. Praise be unto God!
c. note that the dragon was wicked in his appetite. Vv. 4a-6)
This picture of Satan absolutely conveys to the reader of the Revelation Prophecy the attitude and the hatred that the dragon had towards the Christ-child. Here, the woman Israel gives birth to Jesus and then Jesus is caught up to God. This is a compressed or abbreviated version of what took place when considering the major events of the prophecy pertaining to Christ. Obviously, the emphasis is on the Christ going back to heaven at the ascension and then on what happens to the woman afterwards.
The next scene shifts in chronology to the last three and one half years of the Great Tribulation. Chronologically, verse six occurs after verses 7-12, and is equivalent to verse number 14.
B. The great war in Heaven. (Vv. 7-12)
With the swooping tail of Satan, he drew the third part of the stars of heaven and did cast them to the earth. This is probably the fallen angels who lined up with Satan. This war that will take place in heaven, as described in verses 7-10, will involve Michael and his angels. Satan who is an enemy to the Jews as indicated in our Text will have to face Michael the archangel. The Lord will have him to engage in this battle to forever disallow Satan and his fallen angels from going into heaven. Verse number 8 indicates this truth when it says, “neither was their place found any more in heaven.”
1. It was a war involving authority. (Vv. 7-9)
Satan is slowly losing his power. Though he has been permitted horrendous privileges from the time of his original fall, it will all come to an end. Verse 12 tells us that Satan knows that he has but a short time before he will forever be doomed. He will be bound for one thousand years in hell and then be released for a short period of time and after that period of time, known as the Battle of Gog and Magog; Satan will forever be finished in the Lake of Fire.
It is a mystery when you think that Satan was even permitted to go into Heaven after his fall. The reason that God permitted it will one day be revealed and it would do us no good to speculate. I just thank God that one day the Mystery of Iniquity will be over (2 Thess. 2:7).
2. It was a war against the accuser. (Vv. 10, 11)
Way back in the Book of Job, we discover that Satan was known as the accuser of the brethren (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7). The passage in Job shows the way that Satan would access Heaven with his presence and would accuse the brethren day and night. As I am writing this, I am wondering what level of spirituality that it would take for us to be accused before the Father. He may have a sophisticated way of doing it so that He is able to accuse more than one at a time. Again, this is all a mystery as to how he does it, but regardless, one day he will be through…
The way the dragon will be overcome is by “the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” There is and there will be power in the blood. This is the way we overcome Satan now is by the blood. Though the literal blood of Christ is not applied, it is the literal blood that pays for and washes away our sin. As the song says and demands, “Nothing but the blood of the Lamb!”
3. It was a war of anger. (V. 12)
With Satan knowing that he only has but a short time, the third and the final “Woe” is given. “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” This last three and one half years will be a terrible time of tribulation and trouble on the earth (cf. Jer. 30:7; Dan. 9:27; 12:1; Zeph. 1:15; Matt. 24:15-22).
Alas! for that day [is] great, so that none [is] like it: it [is] even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. (Jer. 30:7).
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. ( Dan. 9:27)
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Dan. 12:1)
That day [is] a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, (Zeph. 1:15)
(See also Matthew 24: 15-22)
Satan will proceed to finish out his “reign of terror” with an anger that has never before been witnessed. The next section will focus on Satan going after Israel, the woman which brought forth the man child.
II. SATANIC WAR CONTINUES. (Vv. 13-17)
There is a continual and relentless effort on the part of the dragon to annihilate the nation of Israel in an attempt to keep the Lord from setting up His kingdom. To do so would make null and void the promises that God made to David and Abraham.
A. The War Continues Against Israel. (Vv. 13-16)
The last three and one half years has been called the time of Jacob’s troubles, because of the intense persecution that Israel will go through. Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day [is] great, so that none [is] like it: it [is] even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
As intense as the Great Tribulation will be for the nation of Israel, they will be saved out of it. These people who are elected as a nation will be able to endure until the end and will hide under the wings of God’s sovereign purpose and mercy till their souls find deliverance. I do not speak of each soul individually as much as I am referring to the entire nation. The nation of Israel endured long enough to produce out of it the Christ-child and will come through the tribulation so that the Kingdom of God will be established upon the earth. The Kingdom Gospel and the Everlasting Gospel will be preached so that each individual, as well as the entire nation can look forward to that great day. There will be many precious souls saved during the tribulation.
1. She was persecuted. (V. 13)
And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man [child].
Though Satan knows that he has just a little time left, he still continues to do that which he is most known for. He is on the rampage going against anything that is of God. He knows that the nation of Israel is the “apple of his eye”.
Zec 2:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
2. She was protected. (Vv. 14-16)
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. 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.
Even as the wicked dragon is making every effort to destroy Israel, The Lord God Almighty is watching over them supernaturally. Those who are loyal to God as believers, He is providing deliverance from the immediate presence of God and is taking care of Israel with nourishment. It is possible that there will be saved Gentiles in all parts of the world contributing to her watch care.
In addition to God taking the church away so that it will not have to experience the tribulation, God is even going to shield as many of the Nation of Israel, who will be loyal to Him, from the Great Tribulation. Satan will pursue after the woman only to find that the earth is helping the woman. This is where I feel that the saved people groups of the earth will pitch in to help Israel. This is probably what is meant when the Scriptures tell us that “the earth helped the woman”.
When we are told that the “earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth”, this could be a way of describing how Satan’s propaganda efforts were countered by those who were sympathetic to the plight of Israel.
B. The War Continued With Great Intensity. (V. 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.
After Satan lost his battle with Michael the archangel, he turned his anger against the woman and made war with what was left of her seed. This could be the 144,000 witnesses that were introduced in chapter number seven. In their case, they will survive the attacks upon them, having been sealed and protected to do the Lord’s work. (Revelation 7:2-4)
CONCLUSION: As we recognize the end approaching, we should be more conscious of the Lord’s return and the need to be ready for His coming. The Lord will bring Satan down and sin will be no more. This also means that the pressures and the sorrows of life, which are in association with sin, will be no more. I am beginning to very much look forward to that day when the Lord returns.
