Revelation Chapter 12 Verses 1 – 2

 Folks have divided for centuries on the subject of who or what this

woman is however in the context of the entirety of scripture, it is quite

clear that this woman represents the nation of Israel. We have seen

this description before in the bible, “sun, moon, twelve stars,” and

even the idea of the “wife of God,” (albeit unfaithful) is given in the

Bible. Let’s start with the sign, vision, description, dream of the sun,

moon and twelve stars.

 In Genesis 37:9-10, “Then he dreamed still another dream and told it

to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And

this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.”

So, he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him

and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall

your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the

earth before you?””

 In Jacob’s response it is evident that he knew what the dream meant.

Who the 12 stars were…, the 12 tribes of Israel, the 12 sons of Jacob,

Joseph’s father…, and the sun and the moon represented Jacob himself

as the sun and Rachel as the moon…, and here’s the key…, Jacob of

course had his name changed by God to Israel.

 So, this dream of Joseph, foretelling the coming of the Messiah

through his line as the standout tribe of Israel, is seen by John as a sign

in heaven as this woman is clothed in the sun, with the moon there

under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars…, so this

woman is the entirety of a picture of Israel and from her is coming

forth a child…

 In addition to that, (and really that is specific and enough to

contextually conclude who this woman is), but the Bible speaks of

Israel being the symbolic wife (albeit unfaithful wife) of God. Not a

literal wife but symbolic as God pledged himself to Israel and made a

covenant with Israel specifically AND giving the promise of a son born

to all creation, all mankind, through that nation… It’s not mother-earth

and father-god, that’s complete heresy, but it is typological symbolism

to give OT prophetic context to the gospel!

 Ezekiel 16 (the whole chapter applies) but specifically in verse 8 we

read, “I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I

swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you

became Mine,” says the Lord God.”” Jeremiah 3:14, “Return, O

backsliding children,” says the Lord, “for I am married to you.” Hosea

2:19, “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in

righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy.”

 Isaiah 54 is another entire chapter relevant to this topic. We read

specifically in verse 5, “For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of

hosts is His name.” And so, in the context of the entirety of scripture,

this sign in heaven is a type, a picture, a vision of Israel as a woman

about to give birth and of course through Israel came the Messiah,

Jesus, the One Man…the One Man who could and would defeat sin,

death and Satan…and coincidentally…, well look at the next verse…

Revelation Chapter 12 Verse 3

 The dragon…a type, a symbol of Satan himself and actually what John

sees invokes all kinds of possible implications such as from where the

antichrist will reign as John sees seven heads wearing seven crowns

possibly referring to the city that throughout history has been called the

City of Seven Hills or Rome…, and ten horns referring to Satan’s

political base, the ten nation confederation that will emerge from the

revived Roman Empire which will be led by the Anti-Christ (Daniel

Chapter 2)….

Revelation Chapter 12 Verse 4

 We know that when Satan launched his rebellion against God, one third

of the angels were deceived by him and also were cast out of heaven…,

and to where were they cast? Jesus tells us in Luke 10:18, “I saw Satan

fall like lightning from heaven,” and here we get a completion of the

account as we see he wasn’t cast to hell (not yet), but he and the fallen

angels were thrown from heaven to the earth.

 And notice, the dragon waits on the Baby to devour Him as soon as He

is born. Understand, since time began, Satan has been hard at work

strategizing and plotting and planning how to thwart God’s plan of

redemption. (In your life too! God’s very plan for your life…, God’s

will and already purchased provision for your freedom and your hope…,

Satan wants it to take it from you!)

 So why is he after this child of Israel? It’s simple really…, if he can stop

Israel then there’s no Messiah and there’s no Jerusalem. He already

failed with the Messiah, but still relevant now…, if there’s no

Jerusalem then how is it that Jesus could return to rule and reign over

His people from Jerusalem!? The Word of God would be defeated if

Israel is wiped off the map!

 Now survey history and understand the horrible mystery of anti-

Semitism! Why such aggression and hatred for the Jew throughout

history, even continuing today? Now you know! Take out the people,

take out the place…capture the promise…

Revelation Chapter 12 Verses 5 – 6

 Jesus told the Jews in Matthew 24 that when they saw the abomination

that causes desolation that they should flee…because hostility like they

have never seen is about to be launched against them by the Antichrist

and we know that occurs at the mid-point of the Great

Tribulation…we’ve looked at that in weeks past as we’ve studied

through Revelation and notice here John says that the Jews will flee into

the wilderness where they will be for 1,260 days or 3.5 years…

 This Male Child is also, biblically, without a doubt speaking of Jesus. It

says here that the Male Child, “was to rule all nations with a rod of

iron.” Psalm 2:7-9, a Messianic Psalm, says, “I will declare the decree,

the Lord has said to Me, You are My Son, today I have begotten You.

Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the

ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod

of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Revelation Chapter 12 Verses 7 – 10

 John sees a war break out in heaven…, and as a result Satan and the

demons are cast out once and for all from heaven! Such an odd truth but

certainly one found in Job Chapter 1 and here in Revelation Chapter 12

that Satan (until the finality of the Revelation) somehow still has access

to heaven but notice…, no longer as John says here his place was no

longer and he was cast to the earth, cast down as it were and by who?

Michael! I love that! Satan is no match for the Lord.

 That’s one for the ledger. One to keep and remember. That as the enemy

launches out against you and takes a run at you, that he is no match for

Jesus. So, team up with the Lord!

 The loud voice says, “Our God and His Christ,” it’s Michael! And his

message is sure! “Now salvation and strength and the power of His

Christ has come because the accuser is defeated!”

 Remember Genesis 3:15? “The serpent shall bruise His heel but He

shall squash the serpent’s head.” From the beginning of mankind, to

this moment…here it is, condemnation and defeat finally pronounced

and executed upon Satan and now more than ever his condition is made

clear…that he is out, man…found out…he is overcome, yes by Jesus

but look, also…creation! Even YOU, you’re more than a conqueror

according to Romans 8, as you trust in and follow the Lord!

Revelation Chapter 12 Verse 11

 Satan is overcome! More literally conquered in the Greek. How? By the

blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony, AND…they did not

love their lives to the death. Wait a minute. I thought it was Michael

who was fighting back the insurrection! It was… Then this cannot be the

declaration of his victory. It’s the declaration of the victory not over

Satan’s insurrection, but over Satan’s accusation!

 We just read, “For the accuser of the brethren, who accused them

before our God day and night, has been cast down!” The accusation

against me stands. That’s why Satan was so persistent. In all justice of

my alone, Satan’s voice prevails. But I prevail, not by overcoming his

accusation with personal vindication, personal performance or personal

payment…, but he is conquered by the blood of the Lamb, and the word

of my testimony! That I believe in Jesus! That I have received Jesus!

And in that, invincibility in light of even my sin is delivered!!

Revelation Chapter 12 Verses 12 – 17

 Many here have guessed at what is meant by the eagle’s wings. Could

be America helping out Israel… And notice when he does not prevail

against her he turns to the next best thing… “The rest of her

offspring…” The Jews, as Jesus was a Jew… and he goes and makes

war with those who have the testimony of Jesus Christ. That’s the

church… And to this day, that war rages…