War in the Heavens and War in the Heavens and on Earthon Earth

Revelation 12Revelation 12

Revelation 12:1-2Revelation 12:1-2

Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.give birth.

The womanThe womanGenesis 37:9-11 Then he dreamed still another Genesis 37:9-11 Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, dream and told it to his brothers, and said, "Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this "Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me." So he told it to his father bowed down to me." So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?" And his brothers envied earth before you?" And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

The womanThe woman

As we shall see this woman has a lot to do As we shall see this woman has a lot to do with the Messiahwith the Messiah

Mary does not fit, why?Mary does not fit, why?

Israel does not fit, why?Israel does not fit, why?

Again whoever this is she is before and Again whoever this is she is before and after the Incarnation. after the Incarnation.

Thus it fits that she is the people of God, Thus it fits that she is the people of God, i.e., Israel and the Churchi.e., Israel and the Church

Revelation 12:3-4Revelation 12:3-4

And another sign appeared in heaven: And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.devour her Child as soon as it was born.

The Red DragonThe Red Dragon

7 heads; 10 horns; 7 diadems = fullness of evil7 heads; 10 horns; 7 diadems = fullness of evil

Heads – 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest Heads – 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Heads – Maybe it is the Leviathan Heads – Maybe it is the Leviathan

Heads- Maybe it is how the Devil manifests Heads- Maybe it is how the Devil manifests himself on earth, through the heads (people, himself on earth, through the heads (people, governments) he works throughgovernments) he works through

The Red DragonThe Red Dragon10 Horns – Great power10 Horns – Great power

7 diadems – great kingdom 7 diadems – great kingdom

Tail –This is where we get the idea that 1/3 of Tail –This is where we get the idea that 1/3 of the angels were thrown out of heaven with him. the angels were thrown out of heaven with him.

Daniel 8:10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; Daniel 8:10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.the stars to the ground, and trampled them.

So it could be his evil influence So it could be his evil influence

The Red DragonThe Red Dragon

Tried to eat the childTried to eat the childGenesis 3:15 And I will put enmity Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."heel."Patriarchs and barren wives; Moses; Patriarchs and barren wives; Moses; Judges; Kings; Captivity; Prophets; Birth; Judges; Kings; Captivity; Prophets; Birth; Life of ChristLife of Christ

Revelation 12:5Revelation 12:5

She bore a male Child who was to rule all She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.was caught up to God and His throne.

The ChildThe Child

The Messiah Psalm 2:9 You shall break The Messiah Psalm 2:9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’"to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’"

Revelation 2:26-27 "And he who overcomes, Revelation 2:26-27 "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— ‘He shall will give power over the nations— ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ — dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ — as I also have received from My Father;as I also have received from My Father;

The ChildThe Child

Speaks of the ascension Speaks of the ascension

Revelation 12:6Revelation 12:6

Then the woman fled into the wilderness, Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.thousand two hundred and sixty days.

WildernessWilderness

A desolate placeA desolate place

Like in Genesis 21:14-19 when Hagar is Like in Genesis 21:14-19 when Hagar is kicked out into the wilderness and God kicked out into the wilderness and God provides for themprovides for them

Lasted for 3 ½ years this is a time of Lasted for 3 ½ years this is a time of protection protection

Revelation 12:7-8Revelation 12:7-8

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.in heaven any longer.

War in heavenWar in heavenThis may have happened eons ago we do not This may have happened eons ago we do not knowknow

Ultimate what we do know is from Revelation Ultimate what we do know is from Revelation 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”and they did not love their lives to the death.”

This leads some to conclude what is described This leads some to conclude what is described here is the victory of Christ at the Cross and here is the victory of Christ at the Cross and the Resurrection the Resurrection

Revelation 12:9Revelation 12:9

So the great dragon was cast out, that So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.out with him.

Revelation 12:10Revelation 12:10

Then I heard a loud voice saying in Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast our God day and night, has been cast down.down.

Zechariah 3:1-4Zechariah 3:1-4

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?" Now Joshua was clothed plucked from the fire?" Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. Then He answered and spoke to the Angel. Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, "Take those who stood before Him, saying, "Take away the filthy garments from him." And to him away the filthy garments from him." And to him He said, "See, I have removed your iniquity from He said, "See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes."you, and I will clothe you with rich robes."

Revelation 12:11Revelation 12:11

"And they overcame him by the blood of "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.to the death.

Satan DefeatedSatan Defeated

Satan no doubt still mouths off, but he has Satan no doubt still mouths off, but he has no teeth, God is not listening.no teeth, God is not listening.

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?against us?

““the word of their testimony, and they the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”did not love their lives to the death.”

Bold witness of faith- in the early Church Bold witness of faith- in the early Church they were faced with death but did not they were faced with death but did not back downback downExample Polycarp Example Polycarp 1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I make 1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.the Holy Spirit.

Genesis 3 and Revelation 12Genesis 3 and Revelation 12

There is a woman, a serpent, and a child There is a woman, a serpent, and a child of promiseof promise

Revelation 12:12Revelation 12:12

"Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you "Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short because he knows that he has a short time."time."

The devil failed in stopping the child, the The devil failed in stopping the child, the MessiahMessiah

Therefore, he goes to plan B, attack the Therefore, he goes to plan B, attack the people of God, the womanpeople of God, the woman

How has Satan tried to attack the Church?How has Satan tried to attack the Church?

Revelation 12:13-14Revelation 12:13-14

Now when the dragon saw that he had Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.time, from the presence of the serpent.

Exodus 19:4-6Exodus 19:4-6

You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. ‘Now therefore, if brought you to Myself. ‘Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. ‘And you shall be to Me a earth is Mine. ‘And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."speak to the children of Israel."

Revelation 12:15-16Revelation 12:15-16

So the serpent spewed water out of his So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.had spewed out of his mouth.

Satan Attacks the ChurchSatan Attacks the Church

This could by physicalThis could by physicalThis could be spiritualThis could be spiritual1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.able to bear it.

Revelation 12:17Revelation 12:17

And the dragon was enraged with the And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.testimony of Jesus Christ.

Attack on IndividualsAttack on IndividualsSatan failed in his attack to destroy the Satan failed in his attack to destroy the Christ, he failed in his attack to destroy the Christ, he failed in his attack to destroy the Church, so he attacks individualsChurch, so he attacks individuals

How does Satan attack individuals?How does Satan attack individuals?

How can we resist the attacks of Satan?How can we resist the attacks of Satan?

Attack on IndividualsAttack on Individuals

Even in this Satan is not totally successful so in Even in this Satan is not totally successful so in the next chapter he calls in reinforcements the next chapter he calls in reinforcements

Remember the promise from Romans Remember the promise from Romans 16:19-20 For your obedience has become 16:19-20 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.Christ be with you. Amen.