![[20240501-RevelationHeader.jpg]] ![[The Woman the Child and the Dragon 12.1-6#^b96999]] According to Chuck Missler[^missler], > [!quote] > Revelation 12 is actually a summary and prophecy of the entire history of God’s redeeming work through His chosen people. It is also a summary of Satan’s war against God from Genesis throughout the Old Testament, through the Gospels and to the Cross. But subsequent chapters of Revelation show us that God will, of course, be the victor, and He will share the spoils with His redeemed. Chapter 12 overlaps the Tribulation period, even though if follows the victory that [[Revelation Chapter 11|chapter 11]] concluded with. ***How do we know that?*** We know that due to the use of the 1,260 days in [[Revelation 12.6|verse 6]] (compare with [[Revelation 11.3|Revelation 11:3]]). The chapter opens with a sign in the heavens: the Woman. ***Who or what could the sign of the woman mean?*** There are a couple of views: 1. The woman could be Mary, the mother of Jesus. 2. The woman could be Israel. 3. The woman could be the Church. 4. The woman could be the People of God (natural and spiritual Israel). There are some observations we had about these options that might help us narrow it down. 1. The twelve stars. These could be the 12 apostles. They could be the 12 tribes of Israel (especially considering Joseph’s dream in [[Genesis 37.9|Genesis 37:9]]). Some have noted this could represent the Zodiac. 12 could speak to government or represent an organizational aspect of God’s people. 2. The woman is pregnant. This makes it unlikely that this is the church because the New Testament refers to the Church as the virgin bride of Christ (cf. [[2 Corinthians 11.2|2 Corinthians 11:2]], [[Revelation 19.7-8|Revelation 19:7-8]]). 3. The woman is carrying a male Child. The Child is the Messiah. Mary carried the literal Messiah, Jesus. From Israel the Messiah was brought forth according to Scripture. The Church is the body of Christ and we carry the Spirit of Christ in the world. 4. The woman is clothed with the sun. This could represent God’s glory or light or revelation ([[Isaiah 60.1-2|Isaiah 60:1-2]], [[Malachi 4.2|Malachi 4:2]]). Based on the other symbols, the sign of the Woman is probably not referring to Mary or to the Church. It is more likely to be the Covenantal nation of Israel or the natural/spiritual Israel. Then there is a second sign: the dragon. ***Who or what does the dragon represent?*** According to [[Revelation 12.9|verse 9]] the dragon is referring to the serpent, the Devil, and Satan the deceiver. These are all the same being. Are there other references to the dragon or serpent in the Scripture? Yes, Leviathan or Rahab (see [[Psalm 89.10|Psalm 89:10]], [[Isaiah 51.9-10|Isaiah 51:9-10]], [[Job 26.12-13|Job 26:12-13]], [[Psalm 74.13-14|Psalm 74:13-14]]). ***What did the dragon do?*** He drew a third of the stars of heaven (angelic beings) in his rebellion against God. He also sought to kill the Child (cf. [[Genesis 3.14|Genesis 3:14]]). ***Who is the Child?*** The Child is Jesus, the Messiah. He is going to rule, or *shepherd*, with a rod of iron (see also [[Psalm 2.9|Psalm 2:9]] for a Messianic prophecy concerning the rod of iron). Jesus is the Great Shepherd ([[Hebrews 13.20-21|Hebrews 13:20-21]]). The shepherd uses the rod for correction (cf. [[Psalm 23.4|Psalm 23:4]]) ***What is the significance of God preparing a place for the woman in the wilderness?*** Despite the tribulation and difficulty that the wilderness represents, she was not alone. God provided for her and protected her in the midst of these things. > [!todo]- For Further Study: Provision in the Wilderness > There are other stories in Scripture that show God’s provision or protection in the Wilderness. Do a study on these stories. ***What other lessons can be learned from these stories?*** Here are some passages to get you started: [[1 Kings 17.1-7|1 Kings 17:1-7]], [[1 Kings 19.1-14|1 Kings 19:1-14]], [[1 Kings 19.18|1 Kings 19:18]], [[Luke 4.1-13|Luke 4:1-13]]. ![[Satan Thrown Out of Heaven 12.7-12#^54fc7c]] The scene shifts and speaks of a war in heaven. ***Who is fighting the war?*** It’s Michael and his angels versus the dragon (Satan) and his angels. Notice that God is not mentioned here (God has no equal). ***Who is Michael?*** We see that he is the angel leading the angels who serve God. The scripture identifies him as an archangel ([[Jude 1.9|Jude 9]]). He is called one of the “chief princes” and specifically the chief prince who watches over Israel ([[Daniel 10.13|Daniel 10:13]], [[Daniel 10.21|Daniel 10:21]], [[Daniel 12.1|Daniel 12:1]]). ***What was Michael’s role or responsibility and what does it tell us about angels and fallen angels?*** He was responsible for and had jurisdiction over Israel. In the texts from Daniel we are told that the angel who spoke to him was battling against the “prince of the kingdom of Persia” until Michael came to help him. There are different tiers of spiritual beings, each having different roles, territories, and power. There are those who serve the will of God and those who follow the dragon. > [!todo]- For Further Study: Principalities and Powers > Do a topical study on principalities and powers. ***How does the Scripture relate these to spiritual warfare?*** ***How does this intersect with the topic of authority?*** ***How should we view them and relate to them as Christians?*** Here are some passages to get you started: [[Ephesians 6.12|Ephesians 6:12]], [[Colossians 1.16|Colossians 1:16]], [[Colossians 2.15|Colossians 2:15]], [[Romans 8.38-39|Romans 8:38-39]], [[Ephesians 3.10|Ephesians 3:10]], [[1 Corinthians 15.24|1 Corinthians 15:24]], [[Ephesians 1.20-21|Ephesians 1:20-21]]. Be sure to read the context of each passage. Do a search for the term “principalities” in your concordance to find more verses about this topic. ***What happens to the dragon and his angels?*** They were cast out of heaven and into the earth. ***What was the outcome of this defeat?*** The victory of the people of God was secured. ***How does God’s people overcome and enter into this victory?*** Through the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. The blood erases the accusations the accuser was making (cf. [[Colossians 2.14|Colossians 2:14]], [[1 John 1.9|1 John 1:9]]). They testified of Jesus—that God fulfilled His promises and the Messiah fulfilled the righteous requirement of God’s Law. ![[The Woman Persecuted 12.13-17#^ef2063]] ***In the midst of persecution, what does God do for the woman?*** God protects and provides for her. ***Are there any parallels to this in the Bible?*** This passage has some parallels to the Exodus journey. Notably, God carried Israel on “eagle’s wings” from Egypt to Sinai (cf. [[Exodus 19.4|Exodus 19:4]]). ***How long is the woman protected in the wildreness, and what does it mean?*** Again we see the “time and times, and half a time,”which is repeatedly used in *Revelation* to signify the tribulation period (see also [[Daniel 7.25|Daniel 7:25]], [[Daniel 12.7|Daniel 12:7]]). ***What does the flood represent?*** The flood speaks to the ungodly or ungodliness (cf. [[Psalm 18.4]], [[2 Samuel 22.5]]). As declared by Isaiah the prophet, when the enemy comes in like a flood, God will protect His people ([[Isaiah 59.19|Isaiah 59:19]]). ***Who are the rest of the woman’s offspring that the dragon goes after when he can’t get to her?*** These are the believers who follow Jesus in faith and obedience (they keep commandments and have the testimony of Jesus). They ;are willing to die for their faith ([[Revelation 12.11|v11]]). > [!todo]- For Further Study: The Earth Opens Up > There was another situation in the Bible where judgment came in the form of the earth opening up and swallowing wickedness. Read the story of Korah, Dathan and Abiram and their rebellion against God and Moses (Numbers 16). ***What parallels do you see? Are there insights that help provide insight to this passage in Revelation?*** ***What is the key application for us from this passage?*** The enemy can not overcome God and God protects His people. If we are His people we can trust Him during difficult times. [^missler]: Chuck Missler, [_Learn the Bible in 24 Hours: An Overview of the Whole Bible_](https://ref.ly/logosres/0b2a6335c77bdb02ca385824c51bd48e?art=r30&off=20088&ctx=eth+Week+of+Daniel.%0a~Revelation+12+is+act) (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2011). --- [[Studies]] | [[Revelation]] | [[Revelation Chapter 11]] | [[Revelation Chapter 13]]