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Revelation Chapter 12

This is with out doubt the most controversial chapter I will write on. Let me point out to the reader, you must draw your own conclusions. I am just going to issue you what may be a new way of looking at this chapter and why I think it is a valid view.

Remember my comments are in red, the blue is commentary from Henry’s or Believers Study Bible.

Revelation 12: (v. 1-6) A description of the church of Christ and of Satan, under the figures of a woman and of a great red dragon.

(v. 7-12) Michael and his angels fight against the devil and his angels, who are defeated.

(v. 13,14) The dragon persecutes the church.

(v. 14-17) His vain endeavours to destroy her, He renews his war against her seed.

A description of the church of Christ and of Satan, under the figures of a woman and of a great red dragon

(Rev 12:1 KJV) 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:

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Notice that God said in our image, this shows more then one person being talked too. It is my feeling that this woman was present at creation. Often we are taught that there is no female gender in heaven. I do not agree, in fact the Bible does not say there is no female gender in heaven.

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

This verse is often used out of context to say no females in heaven, that is not what this verse is talking about at all, in fact its talking about the saving grace of Christ.

Mat 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

Mat 22:31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

Mat 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

These verses also are used to prove the point; yet again these verses are not about male and female but to point out no marriage between man and woman, why? Because the church is Christ’s bride as well as if a man and woman are married they are already one.

Mat 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Mat 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

As you look at the next verses think of this as well, the Greeks believed in other gods and wars in heaven. I should think for the historical things written from them that it may have some merit. Look at this chapter openly and try to see it as written with out trying to make it what you have always been taught. Lets look at another passage that I think gives more to say they could be right.

The wickedness of the world which provoked God's wrath

(Gen 6:1 KJV) And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

Gen 6:1: Verses 1-7. The most remarkable thing concerning the old world, is the destroying of it by the deluge, or flood. We are told of the abounding iniquity of that wicked world: God's just wrath, and his holy resolution to punish it. In all ages there has been a peculiar curse of God upon marriages between professors of true religion and its avowed enemies. The evil example of the ungodly party corrupts or greatly hurts the other. Family religion is put an end to, and the children are trained up according to the worldly maxims of that parent who is without the fear of God. If we profess to be the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, we must not marry without his consent. He will never give his blessing, if we prefer beauty, wit, wealth, or worldly honours, to faith and holiness. The Spirit of God strove with men, by sending Enoch, Noah, and perhaps others, to preach to them; by waiting to be gracious, notwithstanding their rebellions; and by exciting alarm and convictions in their consciences. But the Lord declared that his Spirit should not thus strive with men always; he would leave them to be hardened in sin, and ripened for destruction. This he determined on, because man was flesh: not only frail and feeble, but carnal and depraved; having misused the noble powers of his soul to gratify his corrupt inclinations. God sees all the wickedness that is among the children of men; it cannot be hid from him now; and if it be not repented of, it shall be made known by him shortly. The wickedness of a people is great indeed, when noted sinners are men renowned among them. Very much sin was committed in all places, by all sorts of people. Any one might see that the wickedness of man was great: but God saw that every imagination, or purpose, of the thoughts of man's heart, was only evil continually. This was the bitter root, the corrupt spring. The heart was deceitful and desperately wicked; the principles were corrupt; the habits and dispositions evil. Their designs and devices were wicked. They did evil deliberately, contriving how to do mischief. There was no good among them. God saw man's wickedness as one injured and wronged by it. He saw it as a tender father sees the folly and stubbornness of a rebellious and disobedient child, which grieves him, and makes him wish he had been childless. The words here used are remarkable; they are used after the manner of men, and do not mean that God can change, or be unhappy. Does God thus hate our sin? And shall not we be grieved to the heart for it? Oh that we may look on Him whom we have grieved, and mourn! God repented that he had made man; but we never find him repent that he redeemed man. God resolves to destroy man: the original word is very striking, 'I will wipe off man from the earth,' as dirt or filth is wiped off from a place which should be clean, and is thrown to the dunghill, the proper place for it. God speaks of man as his own creature, when he resolves upon his punishment. Those forfeit their lives who do not answer the end of their living. God speaks of resolution concerning men, after his Spirit had been long striving with them in vain. None are punished by the justice of God, but those who hate to be reformed by the grace of God.

 

(Gen 6:2 KJV) That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

(Gen 6:3 KJV) And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

(Gen 6:4 KJV) There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

These verses have always been talked about and debated. Over the years I have heard it was angels, it was just godly men. Well call me nuts, yet it says sons of God and that is what I accept. Also Jesus was never said to be Gods only son, but his only begotten son [one born in the flesh]. So as I see it Gods wrath was not just with mankind, but also because of the acts committed by his sons which produced giants. Add these things to this chapter it gives you a different view of the heaven of old. It would also point to why there was a war in heaven it is easy to see how Satan may have been jealous.

Rev 12:1: Verses 1-6. The church, under the emblem of a woman, the mother of believers, was seen by the apostle in vision, in heaven. She was clothed with the sun, justified, sanctified, and shining by union with Christ, the Sun of Righteousness. The moon was under her feet; she was superior to the reflected and feebler light of the revelation made by Moses. Having on her head a crown of twelve stars; the doctrine of the gospel, preached by the twelve apostles, is a crown of glory to all true believers. As in pain to bring forth a holy family; desirous that the conviction of sinners might end in their conversion. A dragon is a known emblem of Satan, and his chief agents, or those who govern for him on earth, at that time the pagan empire of Rome, the city built upon seven hills. As having ten horns, divided into ten kingdoms. Having seven crowns, representing seven forms of government. As drawing with his tail a third part of the stars in heaven, and casting them down to the earth; persecuting and seducing the ministers and teachers. As watchful to crush the Christian religion; but in spite of the opposition of enemies, the church brought forth a manly issue of true and faithful professors, in whom Christ was truly formed anew; even the mystery of Christ, that Son of God who should rule the nations, and in whose right his members partake the same glory. This blessed offspring was protected of God.

(vv. 1-5) The woman clothed with the sun cannot be the church. Christ gave birth to the church, not the church to Christ. The 12 stars upon her head are a certain indication that she should be identified as Israel. The Child which she delivers is the Christ (v. 5). The dragon who drew a third of the stars, probably a reference to the angelic hosts, from heaven is Satan (v. 4). Thus, a panorama of messianic history from the birth and the ascension of Jesus to the three and one-half years of persecution of the nation of Israel is revealed.

(Rev 12:2 KJV) And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

I feel this is talking bout Jesus mother in heaven.

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

John 16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

John 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

John 1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

1 Pet 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

I feel these verses do in fact show that Christ was with the father even before the world was created. This also leaves room for others to have been there, they were not our god but could have been seen by the Greeks as Gods. We know the Bible teaches us that there is only one called God and he created all things. Yet heaven was a kingdom, filled with angels and others. This does not take away at all from the kingdom he is preparing for us, but in fact lends to the need of the new kingdom. For He has promised us a new heaven and new earth which will be only for us here now to enjoy.

(Rev 12:3 KJV) 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.

(Rev 12:4 KJV) 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.

This would appear to take place after God created the world and no doubt Adam and Eve. I would think that while in the garden the world was being populated, for this was the charge of Adam and Eve.

Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Gen 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

The Question has often been asked then who was the dragon, I think it was Satan, when he appeared to Eve he was beautiful. The ideal dragons are ugly is not always so. This would appear to be the mother of Christ, it makes no sense to be a representation of the church or Israel.

(Rev 12:5 KJV) And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

Jesus as you can see in the verses above from John shows us he was with God and commissioned by God as the one given this charge. Yet in chapter two of Rev. we see the same promise is passed on to them that overcome this world.

(Rev 12:6 KJV) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

This gives us some ideal of how long the war in heaven took place, not how long man was in the garden. It also would seem that heaven is very large and has places that are wilderness. I used to wonder where did God come up with the ideals he used to make man and all the animals even the ideal of the layout for the world. It would appear to me, he created in earth a place much like heaven. He said he made man in his own image, so this shows a good deal of insight in to the mind of God. He wanted to start over, and in so doing correct the problems of his own world. You then can often see his disappointment in us, his creation, and understand why. For Satan set out to destroy his plan but cannot do it for God made a way of salvation that did not exist before, one made not of works but of love and commitment.

 

Michael and his angels fight against the devil and his angels, who are defeated

(Rev 12:7 KJV) And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

Rev 12:7: Verses 7-11. The attempts of the dragon proved unsuccessful against the church, and fatal to his own interests. The seat of this war was in heaven; in the church of Christ, the kingdom of heaven on earth. The parties were Christ, the great Angel of the covenant, and his faithful followers; and Satan and his instruments. The strength of the church is in having the Lord Jesus for the Captain of their salvation. Pagan idolatry, which was the worship of devils, was cast out of the empire by the spreading of Christianity. The salvation and strength of the church, are only to be ascribed to the King and Head of the church. The conquered enemy hates the presence of God, yet he is willing to appear there, to accuse the people of God. Let us take heed that we give him no cause to accuse us; and that, when we have sinned, we go before the Lord, condemn ourselves, and commit our cause to Christ as our Advocate. The servants of God overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb, as the cause. By the word of their testimony: the powerful preaching of the gospel is mighty, through God, to pull down strong holds. By their courage and patience in sufferings: they loved not their lives so well but they could lay them down in Christ's cause. These were the warriors and the weapons by which Christianity overthrew the power of pagan idolatry; and if Christians had continued to fight with these weapons, and such as these, their victories would have been more numerous and glorious, and the effects more lasting. The redeemed overcame by a simple reliance on the blood of Christ, as the only ground of their hopes. In this we must be like them. We must not blend any thing else with this.

 

(Rev 12:8 KJV) And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

So Satan did not win in heaven and he is doomed to lose again. The best he can hope for is to do as much damage to Gods "new world" as he can. To steal love from our hearts and implant in man kind the same nature that he has. Yet we have a choice, God gave that to us. We do not have to suffer the same end as Satan. I think the reason God did not just destroy Satan is two folds. One as a heavenly being who no doubt has eaten of the tree of life, he could not, and second, in order for the end new kingdom to be what God wanted it had to be filled only with those that served him and were faithful out of love.

(Rev 12:9 KJV) And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Now you know how he ended up in the garden to deceive Eve. And why we have him here yet today.

(Rev 12:10 KJV) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Look at this closely, the power of Christ, Jesus was there, the plan of salvation now put in place.

Mat 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

2 Tim 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

1 Pet 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

1 Pet 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

(Rev 12:11 KJV) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Several promises in the book focus on those who overcome. The method of "overcoming" is the atonement of Christ and the testimony concerning His sacrifice. Only He is sufficient to expel Satan.

(Rev 12:12 KJV) Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. 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.

So Satan knows his days are numbered and though is lose to try and destroy we have the key to victory though the lamb (Christ).

Rev 12:12: Verses 12-17. The church and all her friends might well be called to praise God for deliverance from pagan persecution, though other troubles awaited her. The wilderness is a desolate place, and full of serpents and scorpions, uncomfortable and destitute of provisions; yet a place of safety, as well as where one might be alone. But being thus retired could not protect the woman. The flood of water is explained by many to mean the invasions of barbarians, by which the western empire was overwhelmed; for the heathen encouraged their attacks, in the hope of destroying Christianity. But ungodly men, for their worldly interests, protected the church amidst these tumults, and the overthrow of the empire did not help the cause of idolatry. Or, this may be meant of a flood of error, by which the church of God was in danger of being overwhelmed and carried away. The devil, defeated in his designs upon the church, turns his rage against persons and places. Being faithful to God and Christ, in doctrine, worship, and practice, exposes to the rage of Satan; and will do so till the last enemy shall be destroyed.

The dragon persecutes the church

(Rev 12:13 KJV) And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

I do not think this is the church, think for a moment of all that has been said before. How would one hurt a mother the most? By hurting her child, each day that Satan exists he strikes the mother, when Jesus was hung on the cross the pain he mother felt.

His vain endeavours to destroy her, He renews his war against her seed

(Rev 12:14 KJV) 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.

(Rev 12:15 KJV) 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.

(Rev 12:16 KJV) 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.

(Rev 12:17 KJV) 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.

Now it speaks of the church those of today. If we are the seed of Christ though the born again relationship, then we are also her seed. So was then Adam and Eve and he seeked to destroy them.

Revelation 13: (v. 1-10) A wild beast rises out of the sea, to whom the dragon gives his power.

(v. 11-15) Another beast, which has two horns like a lamb, but speaks as a dragon.

(v. 16-18) It obliges all to worship its image, and receive its mark, as persons devoted to it.

A wild beast rises out of the sea, to whom the dragon gives his power

(Rev 13:1 KJV) And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Rev 13:1: Verses 1-10. The apostle, standing on the shore, saw a savage beast rise out of the sea; a tyrannical, idolatrous, persecuting power, springing up out of the troubles which took place. It was a frightful monster! It appears to mean that worldly, oppressing dominion, which for many ages, even from the times of the Babylonish captivity, had been hostile to the church. The first beast then began to oppress and persecute the righteous for righteousness' sake, but they suffered most under the fourth beast of Daniel, (the Roman empire,) which has afflicted the saints with many cruel persecutions. The source of its power was the dragon. It was set up by the devil, and supported by him. The wounding the head may be the abolishing pagan idolatry; and the healing of the wound, introducing popish idolatry, the same in substance, only in a new dress, but which as effectually answers the devil's design. The world admired its power, policy and success. They paid honour and subjection to the devil and his instruments. It exercised infernal power and policy, requiring men to render that honour to creatures which belongs to God alone. Yet the devil's power and success are limited. Christ has a chosen remnant, redeemed by his blood, recorded in his book, sealed by his Spirit; and though the devil and antichrist may overcome the body, and take away the natural life, they cannot conquer the soul, nor prevail with true believers to forsake their Saviour, and join his enemies. Perseverance in the faith of the gospel and true worship of God, in this great hour of trial and temptation, which would deceive all but the elect, is the character of those registered in the book of life. This powerful motive and encouragement to constancy, is the great design of the whole Revelation.