K-12. THE BOOK OF REVELATION CHAPTER 12.
Rev. 12:1. "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:"
If you remember John was told by Jesus to write down things which he has as already seen, the things which he is seeing presently and things which he shall see that shall be in the future. In other words, some of what John writes to us in the book of Revelation are things which had already taken place before John wrote them down, and part of chapter twelve is a clear example of John writing things that have already taken place even before the days of John. Here is what I mean by this. In Revelation 12:5 we can clearly see that this man-child that is caught up into heaven is speaking of Jesus, which has ALREADY ascended into heaven to God's throne before John was ever caught up into heaven and given this revelation. With that being said let us look at verse 1 of Revelation chapter 12, which says,
Rev. 12:1. "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:"
So then, the question has been asked: "WHO is the WOMAN being spoken of here in Revelation chapter twelve?" Well, by reading the context we see that the woman brings forth a man-child or a SON, who we clearly see as being Jesus. Therefore to ME, I clearly see the WOMAN as being ISRAEL, because Jesus comes from the lineage of the children Israel through the tribe of Judah. The SUN in the book of Genesis is called the GREATER light and the MOON is called the LESSOR light and we see the WOMAN being CLOTHED with the GREATER light. We also see that the LESSOR light is UNDER the feet of the WOMAN. So then, WHO is this LESSOR light that is UNDER the feet of Israel? We will get to the answer of this question later on in this study. But for now, I want you to notice that the WOMAN has upon her head a crown of TWELVE STARS. Now if you will turn in your Bibles to Genesis 37:9 and read where 11 STARS bow down to the TWELFTH STAR. "And he (speaking of Joseph) dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren (speaking of his 11 brothers), and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the SUN and the MOON and the ELEVEN STARS made obeisance to me."
Many Bible scholars teach that Joseph is a TYPE or shadow of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that Jesus will come from the lineage of Jacob, who was renamed ISRAEL. We also know that Jacob or ISRAEL had TWELVE sons who were divided into the TWELVE tribes of ISRAEL the nation. It is the tribe of JUDAH from which Jesus was prophesied to come forth. Please read Genesis chapter 49 verse 1, then skip down and read verses 8-12.
"And Jacob called unto his sons (the crown of TWELVES STARS), and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the LAST DAYS."
"8. Judah, you are HE whom your brethren shall PRAISE: your hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; your father's children (speaking of the 11 STARS in the dream that Joseph had) shall BOW DOWN BEFORE you. 9. Judah is a lion's whelp (Rev. 5:5,6 calls Jesus the LAMB of God and the LION of JUDAH): from the prey, my son, you are gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 10. The scepter shall NOT depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. 11. Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: 12. His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk."
In other words, not ONLY Israel, the WOMAN who is clothed with the GREATER light, shall bow down to Jesus when he comes again, but the MOON or the LESSOR light will serve the woman ISRAEL when Jesus comes again. Now I believe that the MOON is speaking of those who are in fact of the lineage of ISRAEL, but who did not receive the GREATER light. To ME the MOON represents the lineage of ISHMAEL, who are the Arabic people, which for the most part follow the teaching of ISLAM. I personally believe that all those, who follow the teaching of Islam will one day be UNDER the feet of Israel whom they will serve during the 1000 year reign of Jesus. We may get into this a little deeper later on in this study or you can read the study "WHO ARE THE TRUE JEWS?" but for now, let us move on to verses 2-5 of Revelation chapter 12.
Rev. 12:2. And she (speaking of Israel of the lineage of Jacob) being with child (speaking of Jesus) cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered (speaking of both the Old Testament where Israel was crying for a deliverer to save them from their oppressor AND is also speaking of Israel in the future where she will AGAIN cry out for her MESSIAH). Rev. 12:3. And there appeared ANOTHER wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon (The book of Revelation itself interprets who this dragon is a few verses later for us, so there is no argument that the dragon is that old serpent called the Devil and Satan, The word Satan means adversary or enemy of God, all the host of heaven and mankind), having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.(The seven heads of this red Dragon are the seven kingdoms that ruled in the Middle East surrounding the land of Israel. And the ten horns are the ten Islamic Muslim countries who will unite to make war with Israel in the last 3 1/2 years right before Jesus returns.) Rev. 12:4. 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.(Just briefly the STARS of heaven speak of 1/3 of the Angels who rebelled with Lucifer to take over God's throne. Satan appears to have some idea of God's plan involving a Son of man being raised up like unto Moses so he wants to kill this child as soon as he is born.) 5. And she (Israel) brought forth a man child (speaking of Jesus), who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne."
The word "STARS" in the Bible is sometimes used to refer to the ANGELS in HEAVEN. Please read Job 38:4-7 where Almighty God is asking Job if he was there when God created the foundation of the earth. Job 38:4-7. " Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if you have understanding.5. Who has laid the measures thereof, if you know? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 6. Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; 7. When the morning STARS sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" The sons of God here are one and the same as the STARS of the morning. In Genesis 6:1-6 we read that the sons of God sinned by taking human women to bear them children. And in Revelation 1:16 we are plainly told by Jesus that the seven STARS ARE the seven ANGELS. Therefore in verse 4, we see that Satan drew one-third of the STARS or one-third of the ANGELS from heaven over to side with him in his REBELLION to try and take over of the very throne of Almighty God. For a deeper understanding of this subject of this war in heaven please read "THE WAR IN HEAVEN-REVELATION !". And then in Rev. 12:7 we see that the dragon or Satan fought with HIS ANGELS against Michael and his angels. Again, for a deeper understanding of this WAR in the heavens that has been taking place before mankind was ever created please read the study "UNDERSTANDING WHY?" where I explain in detail this WAR that is being waged in heaven and WHY. Also, for a deeper understanding of the great falling away and the end time deception please read the study "WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT UFO'S?". All three of these study cover the war in heaven but from different perspectives so I encourage all my readers to take the time to read them all but for now, let us continue with Revelation 12:6-17, which says,
Rev. 12:6. "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."
Now that you have an overview of what is taking place let us go back to verse 6 and break each verse down little by little.
Rev. 12:6. "And the woman (which we know is Israel) FLED into the wilderness, where she (or where Israel) has a place PREPARED of God, that THEY should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days."
In other words, there is a time that is yet future that Israel will FLEE into the wilderness where God will have already PREPARED for her to be FEED by some people for 1260 days. A "SCORE" equals 20. Therefore three scores would then equal 60 or 60 days in this instance. So then, you have a thousand days plus two hundred days plus 60 days added together and you get 1260 days that Israel is FEED, which to me indicates that REMNANT of Israel is kept alive during this 1260 days in a place that has already been prepared by Almighty God in the WILDERNESS. Now I have some thoughts as to where this wilderness is located and I have some thoughts as to WHO is the THEY that feed Israel for these 1260 days, which I will share later on in this study. We know that the Islamic Muslim nations are not going to feed Israel because they are seeking to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. So to me, it either has to be Christians or a Christian nation who is an ally of Israel that will feed Israel for 3 1/2 years or 1260 days. In Revelation 12:14 we see that Israel will be carried by two wings of an EAGLE. The symbol of the United States of America is the Eagle. So one thought I have is that possibly this could be an emergency airlift for those who want to flee out of Judea and the surrounding countries and taken to safety in the United States. Obviously, the armies of Israel will not surrender their land and they will stay and fight to their last soldier. There are actually two times that Israel flees. One time is before the great tribulation and the second time is at the second coming of Jesus 3 1/3 later. In Matthew 24:15-21 Jesus warns those in Judea to FLEE into the MOUNTAINS when they see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, which is the abomination of desolation that begins the 3 1/2 years of great tribulation. I believe that the term mountain in this first fleeing is symbolic of kingdoms or nations, who are allies with Israel. The second time Israel flees is at the return of Jesus to recover the remnant of Israel. In this instance I believe that the mountains are literal and speak of the great valley created by the great earthquake when Jesus set foot on the mount of Olive prophesied in Zechariah chapter 14. I want to draw your attention to this period of 1260 days that is also described in the Bible as 42 months, 3 1/2 years, a time, times, and a dividing of time, and as a time, times, and half a time. Most of you already have knowledge of these speaking of the same period of time so I am not going to quote each verse, but rather just give you the references for you to look up on your own. Here are the references:[3 1/2 years or 1260 days is found in Revelation 11:3, and 12:6; 42 months is found in Revelation 11:2 and 13:5; Time, Times, and Half a Time is found in Revelation 12:14, Daniel 7:25 and 12:7.] Rather the repeat what most prophecy teachers have already covered concerning this 3 1/2 years of great tribulation I want to take a different approach to this 3 1/2 years. Please read James 5:17 where Elijah prayed and it rained not for 3 1/2 years.
"Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained NOT on the earth by the space of three years and six months."
Now compare this verse with Revelation 11:1-6, which teaches us that God will GIVE POWER to his two witnesses so that they can BOLDLY prophesy and give testimony of the one true and only Almighty God for 3 1/2 years and that it will NOT RAIN during the days of their testimony. Revelation 11:1-6.
2. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. 3. AND (or at this SAME time during this 42 month period of time) I will GIVE power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days (which is the same exact 1260 days of 3 1/2 years that Satan will make WAR with the SAINTS), clothed in sackcloth. 4. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth, and devours their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he MUST in this manner be killed.(Jesus WARNS us that whosoever lives by the sword will also die by the sword. One meaning of this may be that if Christians take up ARMS to kill those seeking to kill them FOR the sake of the GOSPEL, then those Christians will also be killed by the same method. Jesus warns us that he who seeks to SAVE his mortal life will lose his eternal life. So I believe verse 5 here is teaching us to PROPHESY the judgments of God upon those seeking to kill the Christians and the Jews for reason of our FAITH. I know that there are some Christians who are storing up weapons to defend themselves in the last days. There is a big difference between defending ourselves and our families from crime than it is to the laying down our lives freely to those who persecute us FOR the sake of Jesus. So the FIRE that proceeds forth from our mouth will be the word of Almighty God that is likened to fire in our bones that must be spoken forth with authority.) 6. These have POWER to SHUT heaven, that it RAIN NOT in the days of their prophecy (which is speaking of this 1260 days or 3 1/2 year period of time when Satan makes war with the saints and persecutes the WOMAN ISRAEL): and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will." If you remember that Elijah must come first before the Messiah comes. Jesus told us the John the Baptist was Elijah in Matthew 11:7-15. "And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went you out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8. But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9. But what went you out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.10. For (or BECAUSE) this is he, of whom it is WRITTEN, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, which shall prepare your way before you. 11. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14. And if you will receive it, this IS ELIJAH, which was for to come. 15. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
So then, just as John the Baptist came in the SPIRIT OF Elijah so will their be MANY in the last 3 1/2 years who shall also rise up in the SPIRIT OF Elijah working many miracles like Elijah such as prophesying that their will be NO RAIN in the days of their prophesying the judgments of God upon the world to repent of their sin. Remember that Revelation 11:1-6 says that God will GIVE power to his two witnesses and NOT that God will SEND down from heaven the two witnesses. Please read the study "THE TWO WITNESSES-WHO ARE THEY?" Let us go ahead and read the verses speaking of this last 3 1/2 year before the return of Jesus. I want you to read Revelation 13:5 where we see again this SAME 42 month or 1260 day or 3 1/2 year period of time.
"And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months."
We will tie all of these verses together as we continue this study of Revelation, but for now, I want you to see this SAME 3/12 year period of time written to us in a more HIDDEN way as a TIME, TIMES and DIVIDING of TIME in the book of Daniel 7:23-25, which says,
"Thus he said, The fourth BEAST shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces (from this verse we are told by scripture that the word "BEAST" means KINGDOM in Bible prophecy). 24. And the TEN HORNS out of THIS kingdom are ten KINGS that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(to me this verse clearly teaches us that the TEN kings in the book of Revelation are NOT ten kingdoms or regions of the world under the United Nations, but rather ten Islamic Muslim countries united together against Israel) 25. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and THINK to change times and laws: and they (the SAINTS) shall be given into his hand until a TIME and TIMES and the DIVIDING of TIME."
Now verse 25 to ME rules out the Roman Catholic church as being the antichrist system or false prophet who supposedly changed the seventh day Sabbath to Sunday, which some Christians dogmatically demand is the MARK of the beast. You see dear children of God, this verse says that this kingdom in the last days will THINK to change times and laws. The Muslims THINK that they will rule the ENTIRE world over the whole face of the earth to change the laws to Sharia law and also WANT to change the prime meridian International date timeline, which now runs through Greenwich, London in the United Kingdom to run through their holy city Mecca in Saudi Arabia. This is something you can research on your own, but for now, let us get back to the 3 1/2 years right before Jesus returns. So then, if a TIME represents ONE YEAR and TIMES represents TWO YEARS and the DIVIDING of TIME or the dividing or ONE YEAR represents 6 months or ONE HALF of a YEAR, then we again see a 3 1/2 year period of time where the SAINTS are persecuted and killed during this period of time right before the return of Jesus. Now let us read further in Daniel 12:1-10, which teaches us that this SAME period of 3 1/2 years, 42 months, 1260 days, and a time, times and the dividing of time are all speaking of the time of GREAT tribulation that Jesus told us about in Matthew chapter 24:21-31 as being a time of great tribulation of trouble to God's people such as has never been before nor shall ever be again. Here in Daniel 12:1 we read,
"And at that TIME (speaking of that time when this 3 1/2 year period of great tribulation shall be upon the whole earth) shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of your people: and there shall be a TIME of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.(Perhaps a better translation of this verse would be that at that time will BEGIN the delivering of God's people. I say begin or beginning of deliverance because the remnant of Israel does not actually receive eternal life AT the second coming of Jesus, but rather the remnant of Israel is delivered alive in their mortal bodies to go into the 1000 year reign of Jesus to be taught of the Lord. Then the righteous who die DURING the 1000 year reign of Jesus will be resurrected and given eternal life at the END of the Millennium. Please understand that there are TWO resurrections and in the next verse their APPEARS to be just one resurrection.) 2. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Revelation 20 teaches us that the REST of the dead are not raised until the END of the 1000 year reign of Jesus. The first resurrection is ONLY for Christians where both the living and dead in Jesus Christ are changed from mortal to immortal to live and reign WITH Jesus during the 1000 years over the remnant of Israel and those left alive of the nations who repented and called upon God to be saved at the second coming of Jesus.) 3. And they that be WISE shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the STARS forever and ever.(Jesus says that we shall be like the angels and also that we will judge the angels, as in, the fallen angels.) 4. But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the TIME of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. 5. Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. 6. And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, HOW LONG shall it be to the END of these wonders? 7. And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swore by him that lives forever that it shall be for a TIME, TIMES, and AN HALF; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. (and this agrees with Revelation 11:1-15, where the two witnesses of God have FINISHED their testimony and are killed and then raised from the dead to be caught up into the clouds before the EYES of their enemies who killed them right before the SEVENTH trumpet, is blown and the third WOE is poured out, which is the WRATH of God.) 8. And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the END of these things? 9. And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed TILL the TIME of the END. 10. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; BUT the WISE SHALL UNDERSTAND."
We read in both Matthew and Mark that about the abomination of desolation spoken by the prophet Daniel that those who read and UNDERSTAND then those who SEE this abomination of desolation who be in Judea should FLEE to the mountains. Let us read these words of Jesus in both Matthew and Mark first and then we will read this same account from the gospel of Luke where we will learn WHAT the abomination of desolation spoken by the prophet Daniel truly is according to the Bible as opposed to the speculations of men.
"When YOU (us the church) therefore shall SEE the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing the holy place, (whoso reads, let him understand:) 16. Then let them which be in Judea FLEE into the mountains: 17. Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: 18. Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20. But pray you that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day: 21. For THEN (at this time when we shall SEE the ABOMINATION of DESOLATION spoken of by the prophet Daniel) shall be GREAT tribulation (which shall last for 1260 days, or 3 1/2 years. or 42 months, or for a time, times and half a time), such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."
So then, the 3 1/2 tears of GREAT tribulation BEGINS when we, the church SEE the abomination of desolation. So WHAT is the abomination of desolation? Well, merely common sense teaches us that it is something that ALL Christians will SEE and understand as a TIME to FLEE Judea if so be one is in the area and surrounding countries of Judea. Jesus would not have told us to watch for something so important if only a few would be able to SEE it. And to me, the interpretation of the abomination of desolation being that antichrist sacrificing a pig in a rebuilt temple over in Jerusalem will not be headline WORLD news, because the media hides things like this from Christians. The abomination of desolation will be something that is seen by the WHOLE world but only the WISE will understand what is happening. Now please read this same account from Mark 13:14-20 and notice that the right AFTER verse that speaks about the abomination of desolation we see a FLEEING of Israel into the mountains or wilderness.
"But when you shall SEE the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that reads understand,) THEN let them that be in Judea FLEE to the mountains: 15. And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take anything out of his house: 16. And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. 17. But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 18. And pray you that your flight be not in the winter. 19. For in THOSE DAYS (speaking of those 1260 days) shall be affliction (the persecuting and killing of Christians and the Jews), such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. 20. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he has chosen, he has shortened the days."
So then, we see almost the exact same wording in both Matthew and Mark. However, when we read this exact same account in Luke 21:20-24 we do NOT see the words ABOMINATION of DESOLATION written immediately before the FLEEING of Israel into the mountains or wilderness. But instead of seeing the words "ABOMINATION of DESOLATION spoken of the prophet Daniel" we see the words "WHEN you shall SEE Jerusalem SURROUNDED BY ARMIES". Then those who are in Israel or the area of Judea are to FLEE to the mountains.
"And WHEN you shall SEE Jerusalem compassed (or surrounded) with ARMIES, then know that the DESOLATION thereof is nigh. (in other words, WHEN we SEE Jerusalem SURROUNDED by the Islamic Muslim armies seeking to wipe Israel off the face of the earth, then we are SEEING the ABOMINATION of DESOLATION spoken of by the prophet Daniel because it is these ARMIES that shall make Jerusalem and all of Israel DESOLATE. So then WHEN we SEE that Jerusalem is about to be destroyed by the ARMIES that are surrounding her) 21. THEN let them which are in Judea FLEE to the mountains (where God has a place PREPARED for Israel to be feed and nourished for 1260 days fro SATAN who seeks to destroy or wipe Israel off the face of the earth); and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let NOT them that are in the countries enter there into. (in other words, the WISE will not go sightseeing or vacationing or even do business IN Jerusalem nor in the surrounding area unless they just want to be killed. When Daniel says that the WISE will know it is generally understood that the wise is referring to Christians but I believe that God will make wise a REMNANT of his people Isreal as well so they will flee from Judea when they see that the destruction of Jerusalem is imminent.) 22. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. (the phrase "these be the DAYS" include the wrath of God which follow immediately AFTER the 3 1/2 years of great tribulation. And remember that the wrath of God is divided into two parts where half is poured out at the second coming of Jesus and the rest is poured out at the end of the Millennium. So the days of vengeance are not completely fulfilled until the end of the 1000 year reign of Jesus. But the focus of this verse seems to be upon the days of vengeance before the 1000 year reign of Jesus.) 23. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! For there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. (the THIS people may include Christians but to me, those days of vengeance will be God turning again to his people Israel the SECOND time. So to me, the time of JACOB'S trouble begins with the abomination of desolation and extends into the actual WRATH of God being executed by Jesus at his second coming. So the Jews seeing Christians being caught up into heaven will stir them to jealousy to repent and call upon Jesus to save them as well. Christians are NOT appointed to the WRATH of God but God's people Israel will be on the earth when Jesus executes the wrath of God. And when they call upon the name of the Lord to be saved then God will have mercy and lift his wrath lest all flesh be destroyed.) 24. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."
So then, this is Jacob's time of trouble or the last 3 1/2 years of the seventieth week of Daniel when the SINS of Israel will be accomplished. The wrath is Satan's wrath and not THE WRATH of Almighty God. Please read Revelation 12:12, which is getting ahead of ourselves in this verse by verse study, but something you need to see. "Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you that dwell in them. Woe to who inhabit the earth and the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time."
Satan knows that he only has 3 1/2 years left before Jesus returns to bind him for a 1000 years. And HIS wrath, speaking of Satan's wrath, will be great persecuting and killing the Christians and the Jews such and never before nor shall ever be again. Notice verse 24 where the THIS people are taken captive by the nations and that Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles is complete. We have TWO sets of Gentiles being spoken of here in verse 24. We have the Gentile Islamic Muslim armies seeking to kill every last Christians and Jew. And then we have the Gentile CHRISTIANS. Remember that God turned to the GENTILES who were not his people in order to provoke his people Israel to jealousy. So the Gentiles coming to FULL is speaking of the time when Gentiles will NOT repent of their sins to become Christians. Now let us go back to Revelation 12:7-12, which teaches us about a great WAR in HEAVEN between Almighty God and the ANGELS, who REBELLED against God to try and overthrow his throne.
Rev. 12:7 "And there was WAR IN HEAVEN: Michael and his angels fought AGAINST the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels," (Remember Daniel 12:1-4 where Michael stands UP for the people of God. This is the same war in heaven where Satan and his angels are cast down out of the heavens as ruling principalities and powers of the AIR to the surface of the earth.)
Before we move on to verse 10, I want you to read about this OLD SERPENT, who DECEIVES the whole world who was in the garden of EDEN in Isaiah 14:1-17
"For the LORD will have MERCY on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. 2. And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they (speaking of the WOMAN, Israel clothed with the SUN or the GREATER light) shall RULE OVER their oppressors (speaking of those, who follow the teachings of ISLAM, the MOON, that is under the feet of the WOMAN, ISRAEL). 3. And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give you REST (speaking of the 1000 year reign of Jesus) from your sorrow, and from your fear, and from the hard bondage wherein you have made to serve, 4. That you shall take up this proverb against the king of Babylon (speaking of Satan, who is the god or ruler of this present world system of Babylon), and say, How has the OPPRESSOR ceased! The golden city ceased! (the kingdom of God is called the CITY of our God on the sides of the north in Psalm 48 so likewise the kingdom of Satan is called that great CITY Babylon, which is the earth. Satan is the god of this present world SYSTEM. But in the world to come, the kingdoms of this present world will become the kingdom of Jesus. The OPPRESSOR will be BOUND for a 1000 years. And during the 1000 year reign of Jesus God's people, Israel, will RULE OVER the Muslims who are oppressing Israel now in this present world. The MOON will be UNDER the feet of Israel the woman.) 5. The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. 6. He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hinders.(Satan will have great wrath and anger towards God's people the Christians and the Jews showing no mercy. Satan or the dragon is the one who gives his power to the antichrist and the antichrist system in the last days. And we already see this mystery of iniquity at work and growing more and more in our day. The antichrist system to which I am referring is the Islamic Muslim antichrist system who hate Israel and Christians and quite frankly anyone who is not a Muslim. But Jesus will destroy this antichrist and his system at his coming. Please read the study "COULD ISLAM BE THE MARK OF THE BEAST?") 7. The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. (speaking of the 1000 year reign of Jesus) 8. Yea, the fir trees (speaking of the righteous) rejoice at you (Satan), and the cedars of Lebanon (the righteous), saying, Since you are laid down, no feller is come up against us (or since from the time that YOU were BOUND in the bottomless pit there has no one come against us to cut us down or accuse us before God). 9. Hell from beneath is moved for you to meet you at your coming (Satan's coming down to be bound in the bottomless pit): it stirs up the dead for you, even all the chief ones of the earth; it has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. 10. All they shall speak and say unto you, Are you (Satan) also become weak as we? Are you become like unto us? 11. Your pomp (or your PRIDE Satan) is brought down to the grave, and the noise of your viols: the worm is spread under you, and the worms cover you (still speaking of Satan). 12. How are YOU fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How are you (Satan that old serpent the great red dragon) cut down to the ground (or cast out of the midst of the heavens down to the surface of the earth?), which did weaken the nations (or which DECEIVES the whole world)! 13. For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (Lucifer rebelled against God BEFORE God ever created mankind and it is still Satan plan and desire to take over God's throne. Satan still THINKS he can win this war against God) 14. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.(this is speaking of the antichrist, this earthly king of Babylon in the LAST days, who receives his power from Satan, the god or ruler of the darkness of this present world. I believe that Satan himself will possess a Syrian Mulsim who will be seen by Muslims as the one prophesied in the Quan to unite Muslims to rule the world. But it also speaks of Lucifer when at one time his kingdom was the OLD earth where he was set up as the king over the earth by Almighty God before he REBELLED to take over God's throne and a great war in heaven broke out where the earth was made void and desolate in Genesis 1:1,2. Again please read the study "UNDERSTANDING WHY?" for a deeper understanding of why God even made mankind and particularly why God created mankind a little LOWER than the angels only to highly exalt us who OVERCOME to be like the angles and to JUDGE the fallen angels.) 15. Yet you (Satan) shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit (speaking of Satan, the Devil being BOUND in the bottomless pit for 1000 years). 16. They that see you shall narrowly look upon you, and consider you, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; 17. That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?"
For a deeper understanding on this subject of Satan being cast out of the midst of heaven please read the studies called "UNDERSTANDING WHY?" and "WHO IS LUCIFER?--IS LUCIFER SATAN?". But for now, let us continue with verse 10 of Revelation chapter 12 which says,
Rev. 12:10. "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 (or NOW that Satan and the ruling powers of darkness are CAST OUT of the MIDST of heaven there is given POWER and STRENGTH to the ANOINTED ones of Almighty God. Compare with charter 11 where the two witnesses the church and the 144,000 or Israel are GIVEN POWER): for (or BECAUSE) the ACCUSER of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."
The meaning of this verse is that Satan and his angels are cast down out of the MIDST of heaven, which is the AIR or the atmosphere of the earth speaking of the first heaven where they now rule as principalities and powers of the air HINDERING the prayers of the saints. In other words, the HINDERER, the one who HINDERS the church by HINDERING the PRAYERS of the saints like we are taught in Daniel chapter 10. And also HINDERS the saints by TEMPTING us to be WEIGHTED down by SIN, therefore let us lay aside every weight that HINDERS us will be cast out of the midst of heaven down to the surface of the earth where he can no longer hinder our prayers from being answered. So when we prophesy God's judgments on the world they will come to pass quickly. In some cases, God's answer will come as soon as we SPEAK or prophesy what will be. Remember Elijah said that it WILL BE just as HE spoke and that it would not rain again until HE says to let it rain again. For a deeper understanding of what I mean by Satan being the HINDER please read the study "THE RAPTURE-WHO IS THE ONE WHO HINDERS?". But for now, let us move on to verse 11 of Revelation chapter 12.
Rev. 12:11. "And they (speaking of the faithful believers) overcame him (speaking of WHOSOEVER will BELIEVE the promises of God overcoming Satan) BY the blood of the Lamb, AND BY the word of their testimony; and they (speaking of the faithful believers) loved NOT their lives unto THE DEATH."
This is something every believer needs to prepare their heart to face in the days ahead. This life we live in this present world is but a vapor or a mere moment in time when compared to ETERNITY. Therefore my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, be STRONG in the Lord and in the POWER of HIS MIGHT to be found FAITHFUL even unto death. For ONLY those who ENDURE unto the END shall be SAVED and receive ETERNAL LIFE in the world to come! This does not mean that every Christian will face martyrdom, but I believe that we ALL should be READY to face death for Jesus and that we ALL should know that whether we live or die we shall live with Jesus forever. Now on to verse 12, which says,
Rev. 12:12. "Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you that dwell in them (or KNOW and REJOICE those of you who are martyred during this time of GREAT tribulation for you shall be comforted and shall receive ETERNAL LIFE in the world to come). Woe (remember that there are three WOES given and this is speaking of the SECOND WOE) to the those who inhabit the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a SHORT TIME (speaking of the TIME that Satan is giving of 42 months or 1260 days or 3 1/2 years to make war with the saints)."
In other words, WOE or great warning to all who are on the earth during this time of great tribulation for Satan the Devil will have great wrath, because he knows that his TIME is short. For a deeper understanding of Satan KNOWING that his TIME is short and WHEN this TIME may be, please read the study "WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT UFO'S?". But for now let us continue this verse by verse study in the book of Revelation by reading verse 13-17 of chapter 12, which says,
Rev. 12:13. "And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man-child."
Or when Satan will be cast out of the heavenly realm in the AIR where he presently rules as the god of this world and finds that he can no longer HINDER the prayers of the saints like he used to do as the principalities and powers of the air, then Satan goes and persecutes the woman, which we know is Israel. I believe that this is when Satan himself will possess a man and the Islamic prophet or Mahdi will be revealed to Islam and to us who are watching. Satan may even possess this man called the Assyrian in the Bible and give him the power of working "false" miracles before the Muslim people so that he can unite the Arab Islamic Muslim world to make all-out war against Jerusalem to kill every Jew and Christian they can just like the Quran teaches them. This will be when many peaceful Muslims will either choose to side with the radical Muslims or be killed for sympathizing with the Jews and the Christians. At least this will be the case over in the Middles East and the Islamic Muslim dominated countries.
Rev. 12:14. "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she (the people of Israel who are in Judea) 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."
Now I personally believe that the TWO WINGS of a GREAT EAGLE represent the United States of America where many of the people in Israel who are wise enough to FLEE, when they SEE that Jerusalem is completely SURROUNDED by Muslim ARMIES, will be AIRLIFTED or FLOWN to the United States where they will be protected from Satan who is now given his power to a man known as the antichrist, who seeks to wipe Israel off the face of the earth during this TIMES, and TIME, and HALF a TIME or more clearly during this 3 1/2 years of GREAT tribulation by DECEIVING the Muslims who follow the teachings of ISLAM to kill the Christians and the Jews. We are already seeing this work of iniquity right now but I believe it will increase as the day of our Lord's return grows closer. What I mean by this is that many Christians are already seeing that Islam is the MARK of the beast but we have not yet seen exactly WHO will be the antichrist. In other words, the antichrist "system" has been revealed to us but the antichrist himself has not yet been made known to us fully.
Rev. 12:15. "And the serpent (Satan) cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he (Satan) might cause her (Israel) to be carried away of the flood (or to be DESTROYED by the FLOOD)."
The word "water" in the Bible sometimes speaks of a multitude of people and the word "flood" often speaks of a means to destroy. And since it will NOT RAIN for this 3 1/2 year period over in that area of the world at least, then this "water" cannot mean a literal flood, unless a dam is destroyed or a river is diverted somehow. So I myself see this flood as being a great ARMY of Muslims seeking to make Jerusalem desolate just like Luke 21 teaches us about Jerusalem being surrounded by ARMIES. Therefore Satan uses or DECEIVES a great multitude of people, namely the Muslims, to destroy Israel by a flood of armies surrounding Jerusalem.
Please read Zechariah 14:3-5, which teaches us that when Jesus comes again his feet shall touch the mount of Olives and the mountain shall split into two parts to create a valley for which Israel shall flee through. This could be as to how the earth helped the woman Israel from the flood of the Muslim armies that seek to destroy her in the LAST of the last of days AT the second coming of Jesus. It may be that the mountains will close back over the Muslim armies like the waters closed back up over the Egyptians in the Red Sea. Please read Zechariah 14:3-5.
4. And his feet (Yahweh's feet are symbolic speaking of Jesus) shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 5. And you shall FLEE to the valley of the mountains;(this is speaking of the second fleeing if God's people Israel out of Judea in the last days. Some who are wise will flee early on when they first see the imminent war on the horizon. Other will wait until Jerusalem is being overrun with Islamic Muslims armies and there is a great earthquake and they see the mountains opening to make a valley as a way of escaping) for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, you shall flee, like as you fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with you."
Just as a side note verse 5 teaches us that Almighty God the Father will come WITH his Son Jesus at the second coming of Jesus. My main point for you to read this passage of scripture is to see that ONE of the ways the EARTH will help Israel in the last days will be that great earthquake at the second coming of Jesus when the mount of Olives will open up creating a great valley for Israel to flee out of harms way of the Islamic Muslim armies seeking to wipe them off the face of the earth. Or it may be that the earth helping the woman is speaking of the LAND, as in, referring to other nations that will side with Israel to help fight the armies of those Muslim nations that are coming against Israel to destroy her. The word translated as earth also means the land. So the people in the land will come and help Israel. Let us continue with chapter 12 of Revelation.
In other words, those who are making WAR with the ISRAEL are OF SATAN. Verse 17 is very clear that those who make WAR or PERSECUTE or KILL the Jews and the Christians are of SATAN. So then, it should be CLEAR to ALL, that those, who follow ISLAM are of SATAN and therefore Muslims are the ENEMY of the one true and only Almighty God.
Here in verse 17 we also see the TWO groups of people who are the ONLY two groups of people who stand for the one true God. The REMNANT of her seed which keep the COMMANDMENTS of God is the Jews. And the other group of witnesses is the Christians who have the testimony of JESUS. Keep your eyes open for these TWO witnesses for God as you continue to read and study the book of Revelation. I will point them out as we come to them. This brings us to the end of Revelation chapter 12. We will take a CLOSER look at what I just said about the Muslims, who follow the teaching of ISLAM as being DECEIVED by SATAN to kill the Christians and the Jews and therefore they are the ENEMY of the one true and only Almighty God, but who they sincerely THINK that they are serving. In other words, Muslims THINK that they are serving the one true and only Almighty God by KILLING the Christians and the Jews, but in TRUTH they are serving SATAN the Devil. Thus their god Allah is Satan who is DECEIVING them. Please read John 16:2,3 where Jesus is speaking to us telling us that there will come a TIME when people will KILL us for our testimony of Jesus because they do NOT KNOW the one true and only Almighty God and his SON Jesus.
"They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the TIME comes, that whosoever KILLS you will THINK that he does God SERVICE. 3. And these things will they do unto you, BECAUSE they have NOT known the FATHER, NOR ME."
You see, those who do NOT know Jesus to be the SON OF Almighty God the FATHER do NOT know the one TRUE and ONLY Almighty God his God and FATHER. Neither the Jews NOR the Muslims truly HONOR the one true God because neither the Jew nor the Muslims HONOR Jesus, God's SON, as being the Messiah. Muslims DENY that Jesus is the SON OF Almighty God AND they DENY that the one true and only Almighty God has a SON. Muslims ALSO DENY that Jesus DIED on the CROSS for our SINS and for their sins. And since they DENY that Jesus was CRUCIFIED they ALSO do NOT believe that God raised Jesus from the DEAD. In other words, Muslims do NOT believe the word of TRUTH, the Holy Bible. They may SAY that they do, but in TRUTH they do NOT because they do NOT believe the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ. This brings us to the end of chapter 12 of the book of Revelation. Now let us begin Revelation CHAPTER 13 by clicking on the link. |
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