Two-Edged Sword Ministries
A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.
She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born.
She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron sceptre. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. There she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.
She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born.
She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron sceptre. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. There she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.
The woman in this vision is described as having the victory crown of 12 stars, she was crying from labour pains, she gave birth to a son who is to rule all the nations, her child was snatched away and taken to Gods throne and the woman fled into the wilderness where she could be taken care of for 1 260 days. From this description we can see clearly she is referring to Israel. Israel gave birth to a son that is to rule all the nations with an iron sceptre. We see in the millennium kingdom of Christ, that Jesus is to rule the earth for 1000 years with an iron sceptre. Where else did we read this … That's right , Rev 2 : 27 in the message to the church of Thyatira : "He will rule them with an iron sceptre; he will dash them to pieces like pottery ". (NIV)
We see the same verse relating to Jesus Christ in his millennium kingdom rule later in Rev 19 : 15. It is confirmed with the statement that says, "the child was snatched away and taken to Gods throne". So .... which nation gave birth to Jesus? …. You are right, the Jewish nation - ISRAEL !
As from the description, the woman is clearly referring to Israel, many scholars refer to these 12 stars as being representative of the 12 tribes of Israel. We know that this woman is crying from labour pains. This in itself is suggesting persecution; and we will confirm this in a few paragraphs time. To sum up, the woman is Israel. She is protected from “something” for 1 260 days. What is this something. … Well to understand this, lets examine the other sign in the heavens.
We see the same verse relating to Jesus Christ in his millennium kingdom rule later in Rev 19 : 15. It is confirmed with the statement that says, "the child was snatched away and taken to Gods throne". So .... which nation gave birth to Jesus? …. You are right, the Jewish nation - ISRAEL !
As from the description, the woman is clearly referring to Israel, many scholars refer to these 12 stars as being representative of the 12 tribes of Israel. We know that this woman is crying from labour pains. This in itself is suggesting persecution; and we will confirm this in a few paragraphs time. To sum up, the woman is Israel. She is protected from “something” for 1 260 days. What is this something. … Well to understand this, lets examine the other sign in the heavens.
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Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. [ Rev 12:3-4 NIV]
And we read that a war is fought in heaven :
And we read that a war is fought in heaven :
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And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.
But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down - that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
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Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
"Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! ! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury , because he knows that his time is short." [ Rev 12:7-12 NIV]
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The red dragon is pictured as having 7 heads, 10 horns and 7 crowns. What is the Antichrists' kingdom in the world described as … Yes you right, the dragon heads this kingdom. Which is quiet easily since the antichrist is running the show. As soon as the antichrist takes over this kingdom, later subject to the power of the dragon; it is known as the eigth kingdom.
Now the original beast in Revelation has 10 heads but we know with reference to Daniel 7 : 4 – 6; that the antichrist emerges and takes over 3 kingdoms and thereafter; there are 7 kings that rule with the beast for one hour until it is finally destroyed. The description of the dragon as red ; implies that the dragon is ready for war and is swift in his approach.
Now the original beast in Revelation has 10 heads but we know with reference to Daniel 7 : 4 – 6; that the antichrist emerges and takes over 3 kingdoms and thereafter; there are 7 kings that rule with the beast for one hour until it is finally destroyed. The description of the dragon as red ; implies that the dragon is ready for war and is swift in his approach.
Where else have we seen 1/3rd of the stars thrown down? ... Do you recall the forth trumpet being blown. [Rev 8 :10–11]. This means that the dragon is thrown down before the beast of the pit is thrown down that kills the two witnesses.
By the way, remember that authority is given to satan for 42 months ; thereby eliminating any dispute with regard to when he arrives. He only arrives at the start of the second half of the tribulation.
Also note the beast from the pit “Abaddon” emerges with all the demons after trumpet # 5 and therefore the two witnesses can only be killed after trumpet 5 is blown.
By the way, remember that authority is given to satan for 42 months ; thereby eliminating any dispute with regard to when he arrives. He only arrives at the start of the second half of the tribulation.
Also note the beast from the pit “Abaddon” emerges with all the demons after trumpet # 5 and therefore the two witnesses can only be killed after trumpet 5 is blown.
The name “ Michael” means “who is like God ?”. In Dan 12:1, he is described as the great prince. He has always been present when events have related to Israel. He is strong and powerful and has many angels at his allegiance; with full power to challenge Satan. We also read in 1 Thes 4 : 16; that Michael will be present at the rapture of the churches.
The “demons” are cast down to earth. Yes, the dragon is identified as Satan and he is thrown out of the second heavens onto planet earth! Now a lot of Christians believe that the devil and demons were thrown down to earth a long time ago. They were not – they were cast out of heavens, but they have not yet been cast down to earth. Read Eph 6 : 10 – 12 for guidance. We see that only with the 4th or 5th trumpet that Satan is cast down to earth.
So why is the devil furious? Well, he just got a good kick and he knows that he is in deep trouble. Being angry, he is extremely powerful and a warning is sounded to the earth.Being finally swept out of heaven, he gathers for his final conflict against man and our Creator. So where does Satan look to venture all this wrath ?
Well he looks to Israel, but the Israelis have fled to a spiritual safe-haven for 1 260 days – no doubt Mount Zion – but we’ll come back here later.
The dragon chases the Israelites and pours water like a river after the woman. The earth swallows the water up – perhaps like an earthquake as described in Number 16 where the earth opened up and swallowed Korah’s men. Also notice that after the sixth seal, God warns the Israelites to head for the mountains and not to return home. This shows that there is a clear relationship between the devil being finally cast donw to the earth and the last three and a half years of the tribulation.
Well he looks to Israel, but the Israelis have fled to a spiritual safe-haven for 1 260 days – no doubt Mount Zion – but we’ll come back here later.
The dragon chases the Israelites and pours water like a river after the woman. The earth swallows the water up – perhaps like an earthquake as described in Number 16 where the earth opened up and swallowed Korah’s men. Also notice that after the sixth seal, God warns the Israelites to head for the mountains and not to return home. This shows that there is a clear relationship between the devil being finally cast donw to the earth and the last three and a half years of the tribulation.
So what does the devil do Now ?
Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring--those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus. [Rev 12:17 NIV]
We have already discussed that during the tribulation there are many people that turn to God and believe in the Christ. The offspring of Israel are Christians; as Christ was a Jew. This is why we believe in the old and new testaments. We are children of Abraham and sons of God through the blood of Christ. The last 3 1/2 years on the earth before Christ's second coming, is one on one ... with Satan himself.
Two-Edged Sword Ministries - South Africa
Copyright © May 2003 [ T.E.S. Ministries ]
All rights reserved.
First revision, November 2006 [2.0]
Second Revision: March, 2009 [3.0]
All rights reserved.
First revision, November 2006 [2.0]
Second Revision: March, 2009 [3.0]
Scripture quotations marked " NIV " are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by Permission of Zondervan Publishing house [10]