Max's Weekly Musings
Vol. 10, No. 1, for the week of January 1-6, 2007
Revelation 12

This begins my 10th year of writing this almost weekly commentary on the Word of God and on the day in which we live.  Much has happened since those days in 1997.  Back then, our nation was obsessed with the scandals taking place in the White House with President Clinton.  Israel was mired in an occupation of Lebanon that was not going well.  Since those days we have witnessed 9/11 attack and the war on terror, first in Afghanistan and then in Iraq.  We have witnessed the second intifadah in Israel that was ended only when the Palestinians began to fight among themselves following the death of Yasir Arafat in 2004.  And the world continues to be in a topsy-turvy state.  Yet, one thing is absolutely true: God is still in control, and His Word can give us encouragement even for the most trying times in which we live. 

 

I trust your new year is off to a great start and that you are being encouraged by the presence of God in precious ways in your lives.  We don't know what this year will bring forth.  I can honestly say that I am excited about 2007.  This could be the year that Jesus comes!  I think the events of the world are aligning themselves in preparation for the coming of the King.  During this year I will try to keep you abreast of what is happening and relating it to Scripture.  These are exciting days to be students of the Word of God.  Let me remind you to not just hear what Brian Williams or Katie Couric or other newscasters have to say.  But also hear what God is saying.  Newscasters can only tell us what is happening...God tells us what is going to happen. 

 

So, with that thought in mind, let us return to our ongoing study in Revelation.  I believe we are ready for chapter 12, a very interesting chapter that introduces us to an ancient struggle that has contemporary application.  Revelation 12 is a description of war: first on earth, then in heaven, then focused back on earth.  Revelation 12 presents the conflict of the ages involving the nation of Israel, Jesus Christ, and Satan. 

 

I.  Who is this woman? - Revelation 12:1-2

 

    It is Israel

 

     1.  It is indicated by the sign or wonder of her appearance, similar to that of Joseph's dream in Genesis 37:9-11

     2.  It is seen in verses 2 and 5 where the woman is about to deliver a child and we read that child is Jesus

     3.  The Bible portrays Israel as a woman:

               Micah 4:9-10

               Isaiah 54:5

               Jeremiah 31:32

               Jeremiah 3:8

               Hosea 2:14-16

 

II.  Who is this dragon? - Revelation 12:3-4

 

    He is Satan - Revelation 12:9

    The use of a dragon to picture Satan itself indicates his intense cruelty

 

III.  Who are the stars and how does this relate to Satan's fall? - Revelation 12:4

 

    The word "stars" is a reference to the angels who followed Lucifer when he fell into sin - Isaiah 14:12-17.

    One third of the angels of heaven fell with Satan - 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6

 

IV.  Why did the dragon want to eat the child and how did he try? - Revelation 12:4

 

    A.  Satan hates this child because it has bee predicted from the very beginning that this child would bring about his destruction.  Satan knows he must destroy Christ or be destroyed himself.

 

    B.  This conflict began in Eden - Genesis 3:15.  To bring judgment upon Satan was one of the main purposes of Christ's coming to earth to die on the cross - Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8

 

    C.  How did Satan try to destroy Christ from the time of the Garden of Eden to Calvary?

 

          1.  Satan had Abel killed, thinking that he could destroy the lineage through which Jesus would come; Satan defeated - Genesis 4:26 - Seth came

          2.  The great corruption before the flood was another attempt to destroy the possible lineage through which Christ might come

          3.  Satan attacked Noah who did foolish things in his drunken state - Genesis 9:20-29

          4.  Satan caused Nimrod to bring about the first great rebellion against God after the flood and to formulate the basic pagan religion - Genesis 10:8-11

          5.  Satan caused Abraham to distrust God at crucial times in his life, especially with the birth of Ishmael - Genesis 16

          6.  Satan attempted to have Moses killed in Egypt at his birth - Exodus 1:16

          7.  Satan attempted to plant seeds of doubt in the mind of Moses when God was calling him to deliver the Israelites from Egypt - Exodus 4:1-13

          8.  Satan sought to do away with David who was the person through whom Christ would be born

          9.  At times in Israel's history, there were very few descendants who were possibilities to be in the lineage of Christ; example of Joash - 2 Kings 11:1-3

        10.  Haman tried to do away with the Jews altogether - Esther 3:8-9

        11.  Herod tried to kill Christ after His birth - Matthew 2:16

        12.  Satan tempted Christ in the wilderness for 40 days and nights, using the same tactics that had been successful with Adam and Eve

        13.  Satan incited the people to riot and they were going to throw Jesus over a precipice - Luke 4:28-29

        14.  Satan thought he was victorious at Calvary when Christ died  - 1 Corinthians 2:6-8

        15.  Satan tried to keep Jesus imprisoned in the tomb - Matthew 27:62-66

 

    But, praise God, on each occasion, Satan was defeated!  He is doomed!  Christ has achieved the victory!

 

V.  What is this war that takes place in heaven? - Revelation 12:7-12

 

    A.  Some scholars believe that the events described in these verses are yet future, most likely taking place about the middle of the Tribulation.  Other scholars hold that this is a reference to a war that occurred in heaven even before there was a beginning. 

 

    B.  Five titles for Satan - Revelation 12:9

        

          1.  Dragon - indicates his fierce nature

          2.  That old serpent - indicates his crafty character; takes us back to the beginning of time in the Garden of Eden

          3.  Devil - means accuser or slanderer - Job 1-2

          4.  Satan - means adversary - 1 Peter 5:8

          5.  The deceiver of the whole world - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Genesis 3:4-5; John 8:44

 

VI.  What is the war on earth again? - Revelation 12:13-17

 

    The attack of Satan during the last half of he Tribulation will be his last great effort to destroy the nation of Israel

 

Now, aren't you glad you know the Lord?  It is so good to put our trust in Jesus!

 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: The last thing one knows is what to put first.  (Blaise Pascal)