11:19 - And the temple of God was 11:19 - And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there was lightning, testament: and there was lightning, and voices, and thunder, and an and voices, and thunder, and an earthquake, and great hail.earthquake, and great hail.

Chapter twelve introduces five key Chapter twelve introduces five key players who will play important roles in the players who will play important roles in the

drama of the great tribulation. Chapter drama of the great tribulation. Chapter twelve sets the ground to introduce the anti-twelve sets the ground to introduce the anti-

Christ in chapter thirteen. Christ in chapter thirteen.

Revelation 12Revelation 12

This is the first of a number of visions This is the first of a number of visions which form an interlude between the seven which form an interlude between the seven trumpets and the seven bowls.trumpets and the seven bowls.

Leading Roles in Chapter 12Leading Roles in Chapter 12

1. The Woman – Is she Mary, Israel, or the 1. The Woman – Is she Mary, Israel, or the Body of Christ? Body of Christ?

2. The Great Red Dragon/Serpent - Satan2. The Great Red Dragon/Serpent - Satan

3. The Man Child – Is it Jesus or the 3. The Man Child – Is it Jesus or the corporate Christ? corporate Christ?

4. Michael the Archangel and His Angels4. Michael the Archangel and His Angels

5. The Remnant of the Woman’s seed5. The Remnant of the Woman’s seed

The Woman Clothed The Woman Clothed With The SunWith The Sun

Rev. 12:1 - And there Rev. 12:1 - And there appeared a appeared a greatgreat sign in sign in

heaven; a woman heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, clothed with the sun,

and the moon under her and the moon under her feet, and upon her head feet, and upon her head a crown (stephenos) of a crown (stephenos) of

twelve stars:twelve stars:

God uses women to represent religions God uses women to represent religions or belief systems in the book of or belief systems in the book of

RevelationRevelation

There are four women mentioned in There are four women mentioned in revelation, two are evil and two are goodrevelation, two are evil and two are good

Evil – Jezebel & The Whore of BabylonEvil – Jezebel & The Whore of Babylon

Good – The clothed with the sun – The BrideGood – The clothed with the sun – The Bride

I Cor. 10:32 - Give none offence, neither to the I Cor. 10:32 - Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

Who does the woman represent?Who does the woman represent?

Roman Catholic Church - MaryRoman Catholic Church - Mary

Dominionists/LDR – The Body of ChristDominionists/LDR – The Body of Christ

Futurists - IsraelFuturists - Israel

The woman is Israel who came forth from the The woman is Israel who came forth from the righteous seed of Seth. In Gen 3:15, the first righteous seed of Seth. In Gen 3:15, the first

prophecy of the bible, Satan was told he prophecy of the bible, Satan was told he would be destroyed by the seed of a woman.would be destroyed by the seed of a woman.

The symbolism is only found in one place in The symbolism is only found in one place in the bible - Gen. 37:9-11 – Joseph’s dreamthe bible - Gen. 37:9-11 – Joseph’s dream

37:9 –11 - Then he had another dream, and he told 37:9 –11 - Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had another it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me." 10 When he told stars were bowing down to me." 10 When he told

his father as well as his brothers, his father his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers had? Will your mother and I and your brothers

actually come and bow down to the ground before actually come and bow down to the ground before you?" 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his you?" 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his

father kept the matter in mind.father kept the matter in mind.

12:2 12:2

She was pregnant and cried She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about out in pain as she was about

to give birthto give birth

Is, 26: 17-18 - As a woman with child and about to Is, 26: 17-18 - As a woman with child and about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pain, so give birth writhes and cries out in her pain, so were we in your presence, YAHWEH. 18 We were were we in your presence, YAHWEH. 18 We were with child, we writhed in pain, but we gave birth with child, we writhed in pain, but we gave birth to wind. We have not brought salvation to the to wind. We have not brought salvation to the earth; we have not given birth to people of the earth; we have not given birth to people of the world. world.

I believe the birth pangs represent all the I believe the birth pangs represent all the discomfort and pain Of Israel Who discomfort and pain Of Israel Who

desperately desired Messiah to come to bring desperately desired Messiah to come to bring relief and blessing, and to bring justice relief and blessing, and to bring justice

against the nations.against the nations.

Is. 66: 6-11 - Hear that uproar from the city, hear Is. 66: 6-11 - Hear that uproar from the city, hear that noise from the temple! It is the sound of that noise from the temple! It is the sound of

YAHWEH repaying His enemies all they deserve. YAHWEH repaying His enemies all they deserve. 7 "Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; 7 "Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, before the pains come upon her, she delivers a she delivers a

man child.man child. 8 Who has ever heard of such a thing? 8 Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be

born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? moment?

Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children. 9 Do I bring to the moment of to her children. 9 Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says YAHWEH. birth and not give delivery?" says YAHWEH.

"Do I close up the womb when I bring to "Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?" says your God. 10 "Rejoice with delivery?" says your God. 10 "Rejoice with

Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn

over her. 11 For you will nurse and be satisfied at over her. 11 For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts;her comforting breasts;

There is no doubt that the imagery of There is no doubt that the imagery of Revelation twelve is drawn from Revelation twelve is drawn from

Isaiah.Isaiah.

Can a country be born in a day or a nation be Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment?brought forth in a moment?

Zech. 12:9 - On that day I will set out to destroy all Zech. 12:9 - On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem. 10 "And I will the nations that attack Jerusalem. 10 "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants

of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced , They will look on me, the one they have pierced , and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an

only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.grieves for a firstborn son.

Rev. 11:26 - And so all Israel shall be saved : as it Rev. 11:26 - And so all Israel shall be saved : as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the is written, There shall come out of Zion the

Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:Jacob:

The sun and moon are Jacob and The sun and moon are Jacob and RachaelRachael

The 12 stars are Israel, the children The 12 stars are Israel, the children of Jacobof Jacob

The Great Red Dragon The Great Red Dragon

12:3 12:3

And there appeared And there appeared another sign in another sign in

heaven; and behold a heaven; and behold a great red dragon, great red dragon,

having seven heads having seven heads and ten horns, and and ten horns, and seven crowns upon seven crowns upon

his heads.his heads.

This is the first appearance of Satan as a This is the first appearance of Satan as a Dragon, who is also the serpent in Gen 3:1,15. Dragon, who is also the serpent in Gen 3:1,15.

(see Rev. 12:9) (see Rev. 12:9)

He is red because because of all the blood he He is red because because of all the blood he has been responsible for on the earth. has been responsible for on the earth.

Jn. 8:44 – “He was a murderer from the Jn. 8:44 – “He was a murderer from the beginning”.beginning”.

He has seven Heads – Satan’s Seat He has seven Heads – Satan’s Seat

He has ten horns – Satan’s AllianceHe has ten horns – Satan’s Alliance

He has seven crowns (diadems) on each head He has seven crowns (diadems) on each head

Complete authorityComplete authority

This description will also be seen of the Anti-This description will also be seen of the Anti-Christ who bears the image of the Dragon in Christ who bears the image of the Dragon in

chapter 13 and 17.chapter 13 and 17.

12:4a - And his tail 12:4a - And his tail drew the third part drew the third part

of the stars of of the stars of heaven, and cast heaven, and cast

them to the earth:…them to the earth:…

Who are the stars of heaven? Who are the stars of heaven? 1. Pastors?1. Pastors?

In John 1 the seven stars are the angels of the In John 1 the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches – A letter was written to each. seven churches – A letter was written to each. Some teach this means apostasy. False teachers Some teach this means apostasy. False teachers are called “wandering stars” in Jude 13.are called “wandering stars” in Jude 13.

2. Political Powers? 2. Political Powers? Dan. 8:8 And it waxed great, even to the host of Dan. 8:8 And it waxed great, even to the host of

heaven; and some of the host and of the stars it heaven; and some of the host and of the stars it cast down to the ground, and trampled upon them. cast down to the ground, and trampled upon them.

3. Fallen angels? 3. Fallen angels?

12:4b - …and the dragon stood before the woman 12:4b - …and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, to devour her which was ready to be delivered, to devour her

child as soon as it was born.child as soon as it was born.

From Gen. 3:15 throughout history Satan has From Gen. 3:15 throughout history Satan has tried to destroy the woman and the seed.tried to destroy the woman and the seed.

It started with the murder of Able.It started with the murder of Able.Attempted total corruption of the human raceAttempted total corruption of the human race

The desire to bless of IshmaelThe desire to bless of Ishmael

The desire of Esau to kill JacobThe desire of Esau to kill Jacob

The attempted destruction of Israel by PharaohThe attempted destruction of Israel by Pharaoh

The attempted destruction of the Jews in CanaanThe attempted destruction of the Jews in Canaan

The Babylonian conspiracy of HamaanThe Babylonian conspiracy of Hamaan

The attempt of Herrod to kill baby JesusThe attempt of Herrod to kill baby Jesus

All this means only one thing!!!All this means only one thing!!!

Satan may get an “A” for effort but there is Satan may get an “A” for effort but there is one ever present reality that overshadows his one ever present reality that overshadows his efforts, and that is:efforts, and that is:

Jesus Christ is Lord!!!Jesus Christ is Lord!!!Satan is a “Loser”Satan is a “Loser”

The Man ChildThe Man Child

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

Look at His authority Look at His authority all nations – rod of ironall nations – rod of iron

Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree of Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree of YAHWEH. He has said to Me, You are My YAHWEH. He has said to Me, You are My Son; today I have begotten You. Son; today I have begotten You.

Psa 2:8 Ask of Me, and I shall give the Psa 2:8 Ask of Me, and I shall give the nations for Your inheritance; and the nations for Your inheritance; and the uttermost parts of the earth for Your uttermost parts of the earth for Your possession. possession.

Psa 2:9 You shall break them with a rod of Psa 2:9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. potter's vessel.

Rev 2:26 And he who overcomes and Rev 2:26 And he who overcomes and keeps My works to the end, to him I will keeps My works to the end, to him I will

give power over the nations. give power over the nations.

Rev 2:27 And he will rule them with a rod Rev 2:27 And he will rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of a potter they will of iron, as the vessels of a potter they will

be broken to pieces, even as I received be broken to pieces, even as I received from My Father. from My Father.

12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared of God, that they where she has a place prepared of God, that they

should feed her there a thousand two hundred should feed her there a thousand two hundred [and] sixty days.[and] sixty days.

Star WarsStar Wars

Battle of the AngelsBattle of the Angels

12:7a - And there was war in heaven:12:7a - And there was war in heaven:

12:7b - …Michael and his angels fought against the 12:7b - …Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

12:8 - And prevailed not; neither was their place 12:8 - And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.found any more in heaven.

12:9a - And the great dragon was cast out, that old 12:9a - And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives

the whole world:the whole world:

12:9b - he was cast out into the earth, and his 12:9b - he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.angels were cast out with him.

When does this war take When does this war take place?place?

12:10 - And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 12:10 - And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the Now is come salvation, and strength, and the

kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which

accused them before our God day and night.accused them before our God day and night.

12:11 - And they overcame him by the blood of the 12:11 - And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and

they loved not their lives unto the death.they loved not their lives unto the death.

12:12a - Therefore rejoice heavens, and you that 12:12a - Therefore rejoice heavens, and you that dwell in them. dwell in them.

12:12b - Woe to the 12:12b - Woe to the inhabitants of the earth inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the and of the sea! for the

devil is come down unto devil is come down unto you, you,

……having great having great wrath, because he wrath, because he knows that he has knows that he has but a short time. but a short time.

12:13 - And when the dragon saw that he was cast 12:13 - And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man [child].brought forth the man [child].

12:14 - And to the woman were given two wings of 12:14 - And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. serpent.

Matt. 24:15 - therefore when you shall see the Matt. 24:15 - therefore when you shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel

the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoever the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoever reads, let him understand:) 16 Then let them reads, let him understand:) 16 Then let them

which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his him which is in the field return back to take his

clothes. clothes.

12:15 - And the serpent cast out of his mouth 12:15 - And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the might cause her to be carried away of the

flood. flood.

16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

12:17 - And the dragon was angry with the woman, 12:17 - And the dragon was angry with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her and went to make war with the remnant of her

seed, which keep the commandments of God, and seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.have the testimony of Jesus Christ.