The Seventh Trumpet and the Man Child
Lyn Mize
I. The Sounding of the Seventh Trumpet (Rev. 11:15-19)
I. The Sounding of the Seventh Trumpet (Rev. 11:15-19)
(Rev 11:15-19 KJV) And the
seventh angel sounded; and there were great
voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this
world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and
of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and
ever. {16} And the four and twenty elders,
which sat before God on their seats, fell upon
their faces, and worshipped God, {17} Saying,
We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
which art, and wast, and art to come; because
thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and
hast reigned. {18} And the nations were angry,
and thy wrath is come, and the time of the
dead, that they should be judged, and that
thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants
the prophets, and to the saints, and them that
fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest
destroy them which destroy the earth. {19} And
the temple of God was opened in heaven, and
there was seen in his temple the ark of his
testament: and there were lightnings, and
voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake,
and great hail.
The sounding of the seventh trumpet does not occur in an instant or moment of time, but it lasts for a period of days, weeks or even months during which time the seven bowls of God's judgments are unleashed upon the earth. It is the seventh trumpet that culminates in Christ's complete takeover of the earth. There is a resurrection, and there is the sheep and goat judgment of the nations, along with the judgment of Israel. The Antichrist and the False Prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire, and Satan is confined to the bottomless pit for the millennium.
15. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.
a. The seventh presence angel sounds the seventh trumpet, and there is great rejoicing in heaven over the kingdom of this world becoming the kingdom of our Lord. The word kingdoms used two times in this verse is correctly translated kingdom in most translations. It is the kingdom of the world that has now become under the authority and control of Jesus Christ. The clause "he shall reign forever and ever" is literally translated he shall reign unto the ages of ages. This confirms that his reign does not end with the millennium. He will not reign with a "rod of iron" after the millennium, because sin and death will be conquered, and it will not be necessary to rule with an iron hand. Righteousness will dwell upon the earth after the millennium, and the strong arm of the Lord will not be necessary to maintain order.
b. In contrast to earlier announcements where only one voice spoke, the announcement of the kingdom belonging to Jesus Christ was made by great or loud voices in heaven. The significance of the event is multiplied in the number of the voices.
16. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
a. The 24 elders have appeared 7 times before in the book of Revelation. They fall down twice in chapter 5 to worship (Rev.5:8, 14), but this time they completely prostrate themselves with their faces on the heavenly pavement. This also emphasizes the significance of the event taking place.
17. Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
a. The 24 elders give thanks to the Lord for exerting his power and reigning upon the earth. The phrase "and art to come" is not in the oldest manuscripts. The American Standard 1901, The New American Standard and the New International Version leave this phrase out. Jesus Christ has already come at the time this is taking place, so the phrase is a redundancy.
b. The four living creatures are conspicuously absent in this chorus of praise and worship, and it causes some to wonder where they are at this moment in time. One possible solution is that the four living creatures represent the Bride of Christ, and the Bride is preparing herself for her grand presentation.
c. There are other hints in Scripture that the Bride will not return with Jesus Christ when He comes in power and glory to deal with his brethren (i.e., the Jews) and the nations (i.e., the Gentiles).
18. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
a. The nations (i.e., Gentiles) were angry (past tense), but the wrath of the Lord is present (present tense), and the time of judging the righteous dead is now present. Please note that only reward is mentioned in this context, since only the elect Gentiles and elect Jews will be resurrected at the end of the tribulation period so they can receive their rewards. There are three classes of believers who will receive rewards at this time. "Thy servants the prophets" are all those who are resurrected at this time who have been witnesses for the Lord. This would be the highest class of the three. "The saints" would be all those who separated themselves unto the Lord. This is the second class. "Them that fear thy name" represent the lowest class who did not separate themselves from the world, but they did fear the Lord. Of course, these three groups of believers do not include any of the Church, for the whole Church has been in heaven since the middle of the tribulation period. All members of the Church will have already been judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The unrighteous dead will not be resurrected for judgment until the end of the millennium. Theirs is the White Throne Judgment.
b. This is also the time when those unsaved who are still alive on the earth must be killed, since they cannot enter into the earthly aspect of the kingdom. The phrase "and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth" is referring to these people. They will be subsequently resurrected at the end of the millennium for the White Throne Judgment.
19. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
a. Chapter 11 should have ended with verse 18. Verse 18 gives the last historical action of the tribulation period in the judgment of those resurrected at the end of the tribulation period. This verse introduces a new series of events, and it is actually the beginning of the events described in Chapter 12.
b. The description of verse 19 picks up again in the middle of the tribulation period and describes the sequence of events pertaining to the nation of Israel, the casting out of Satan out of the first heaven, and the rapture of the main body of the Church.
c. The opening of the temple of God takes us back to the middle of the tribulation period described in chapter 8 of Revelation. The lightnings, voices, thunderings, and earthquake are even a repeat of Rev. 8:5 to show us that God is now going to give us some more details of the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period by picking up again at the point where The Seven Presence Angels appear to pour out judgments on the earth during the day of the Lord. The "great hail" is a reference to the fire from the censer that was cast down to the earth. This verse is as follows:
(Rev 8:5 KJV) And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
d. The opening of the temple of God is also a cue that God is about to deal with his people, the nation of Israel, which also is the time of Jacob's trouble. This is the last half of the tribulation period when God allows Antichrist to afflict his chosen people, the Jews.
e. The appearance of the Ark of the Covenant is also an unmistakable tip-off that God has gone back to the middle of the tribulation period for the express purpose of dealing with Israel. This will be seen more clearly as we read and study chapter 12.
J. The Woman Clothed with the Sun and the Male Child. (Rev. 12)
(Rev 12 KJV) 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: {2} And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. {3} And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. {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. {5} And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. {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. {7} And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, {8} And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. {9} And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. {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: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. {11} And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. {12} Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. {13} And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. {14} And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she 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. {15} And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. {16} And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. {17} And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
As explained above from Rev. 11:19, which introduces the events in chapter 12, we have now gone back to the middle of the tribulation period for more details of the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period. This chapter describes the casting of Satan and his angels out of the first heaven down to the earth, since he no longer has authority to rule over the earth from the "heavens." It also describes the rapture of the Church and the fleeing of Israel into the wilderness to escape the persecution of Antichrist who is now indwelled by Satan himself.
This chapter uses a sign or figure to outline the above sequence of events. The figure is described in the first six verses, and verses 7-17 explain the figure. It is left up to the reader to identify the woman and the man child, but ample clues are given in order for the reader to search the Scriptures and make a positive identification of both the woman and the man child. The actual Greek words used in the figure are extremely helpful in making the identification.
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:
a. The wonder or sign that appears in heaven is the cue that this sign and the ones associated with it are not to be taken literally. The signs are representative of something else, and they are not to be taken literally. The fact that the Bible gives us cues when something is not to be taken literally is also proof that the passages of Scripture that do not give us these cues can be taken literally.
b. The woman does not represent Mary, Christ or the Church. The description of the woman is an allusion to Genesis 37:9-11, where these heavenly bodies represent Jacob and Rachael as the father and mother of the nation of Israel, and the eleven stars represent the eleven brothers of Joseph. The crown of 12 stars represents the rule over the nation of Israel through the patriarchs of the 12 tribes of Israel. In the Old Testament, Israel is often represented as the wife of Jehovah, and she is represented as an unfaithful wife. Here the woman represents the godly remnant of Israel who is faithful to God. This remnant of faithful Jews was the mother to the Church when it was established at the time of Christ, and it will be closely associated with the Church during the first half of the tribulation period.
2. And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
a. The woman, the faithful remnant of Israel, is pictured as suffering trials and afflictions right along with the child, the overcoming Church, during the first half of the tribulation period. Israel as a nation will not experience persecution during the first half of the tribulation period, but the faithful remnant of Jews who turn to Christ at the onset of the tribulation period will suffer right along with the main body of the Church, which remains on the earth for the persecution of Antichrist.
3. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
a. This verse introduces another sign of a red dragon. The dragon is clearly a sign for Satan, who up until this point has been the authority over the Gentile nations represented by the seven heads and ten horns. The seven heads represent the seven Gentile empires of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and New Babylon. The ten horns represent the final form of Gentile rule, which is a revival of the sixth empire of Rome. Antichrist will have been leader over the seventh empire of New Babylon, and the eighth empire of revived Rome (Rev. 17). Both Antichrist and the empire of Rome are thought to be dead by the world, but both are "resurrected" to life again, and they form the final form of Gentile rule upon the earth. Antichrist as the head of New Babylon is the Little Horn of Daniel 7:8, and he is the prophetic fulfillment of Daniel 8:9. The literal fulfillment of Daniel 8:9 was Antiochus Epiphanes. The difference between the literal fulfillment and the prophetic fulfillment of a passage of Scripture is very confusing to many Bible scholars.
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.
a. It is important to understand that this whole scenario is figurative, and it is not to be taken literally. The Dragon is Satan and he was responsible for one-third of the angels, represented as stars of heaven, rebelling against God. At this point in time at the middle of the tribulation period, Satan and the angels who rebelled with him will be cast out of the first heaven down to the earth. The child that is about to be delivered is the overcoming Church, and Satan on the earth is ready to devour the Church just as it is about to mature to the point of sonship. It is very important to recognize that the transliterated Greek word for child in verse 4 above is teknon, and this is the word for an immature child.
5. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
a. This verse is key to the identification of the "man child" as the overcoming Church during the middle of the tribulation period. In contrast to verse 4 above that used the Greek word for an immature child, the transliterated Greek word for child in this verse is huios, and this is the word for a mature son. The picture is that of the Church just as it matures in the faith to the point of sonship, and Satan is intent upon destroying it just as it matures.
b. The "man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron" is a clear reference to the overcoming Church, which has to go through tribulation in order to mature. This is confirmed by the following verse that refers specifically to the church of Thyatira who is cast into great tribulation (Rev.2:22 ):
(Rev 2:26-27 KJV) And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: {27} And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
c. Another conclusive proof that the man-child is the overcoming Church is the clause "and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne." This is a clear reference to the rapture of the Church. The Greek word for child reverts back to the Greek word teknon, which refers to the entire Church, overcomers and non-overcomers. The Greek word for "caught up" is harpazo, and this is the identical word used in 1 Thess. 4:17 to describe the rapture of the Church. This Greek word is only used four times in Scripture. The other two times are 2 Cor. 12:2,4 where Paul was caught up to the third heaven. It is important to note that Jesus Christ was not "caught up" to heaven. Jesus Christ ascended into heaven under his own power.
d. It should be clear from the above that the man-child that is to rule the nations is the overcoming Church. The man-child can not be Jesus Christ for several reasons. First, the man child as a sign can not be taken literally since the text states emphatically that it is a sign. The woman is not a real woman, and the man child is not a real man child. Both represent something else. Secondly, this action takes place in the middle of the tribulation period just before the Day of the Lord, and Jesus went to heaven almost 2000 years earlier. Also, Jesus ascended into heaven under his own power. The Greek word used for Jesus being taken up to heaven is epairo, and the emphasis in this word is the raising up of oneself. Thirdly, Jesus Christ is never referred to in the Scriptures with the Greek word teknon. Fourthly, it is the Church that is described as ruling with a rod of iron in Rev. 2:27, and not Jesus Christ. It is true that Jesus Christ will rule with a rod of iron (Rev. 19:15), but the overcoming Church will also rule with a rod of iron with Him.
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.
a. This verse ends the description of the figure, and the following verse begins the explanation of the figure. The faithful remnant of Israel will be left on the earth after the Main Harvest rapture of the Church. Therefore, Israel will be required to flee from the wrath of the Dragon (i.e., Satan) who will be indwelling Antichrist at this point in time.
b. The remnant of Israel will flee Jerusalem, and they will flee into the wilderness, which is on the other side of the Jordan River. It is a widespread belief that they will flee to the ancient city of Petra for safety. A missionary group has already stored numerous Bibles in the caves of Petra in moisture proof containers that will presumably be read and studied by this remnant of Jews. There will obviously be other preparations by God to protect this remnant and feed them for the 3 1/2 years that they will be in hiding.
c. Rev. 11:19-12:6 has been an overview of the figure or sign in heaven, which has been a brief description of the events in the middle of the tribulation period, and the flight of faithful Israel into the wilderness for the last half of the tribulation period. Rev. 12:7-17 is an explanation of the figure that was just given, so it repeats some information that was given in the figure, and it provides additional details. This style of writing is common in Scripture.
7. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
a. This verse explains verse 4, and it gives additional details to verse 4 where Satan and his angels were cast to the earth. This verse states that Michael, the Presence Angel who watches over Israel (Dan. 12:1), and his angels fought against the dragon (i.e., Satan) and his angels.
8. And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
a. Satan and his angels lost the war, and Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven. Satan currently operates from his sphere of authority in the first heaven, which is the atmosphere immediately above the earth. In the middle of the tribulation period, Jesus Christ exerts his authority to reign over the earth from the heavens, and Satan is no longer permitted to exercise his authority in the first heaven.
b. We also know from Job 1:6 that Satan still has access to the third heaven. This is reasonable and logical since Satan is still the god of this world, but he is still subject to the will and control of God the Father. Satan is analogous to a rebellious teenager who lives outside of the father's household, but he occasionally returns to have brief discussions with the father. The time is coming in the middle of the seven-year tribulation period when Satan will be banned from all three heavens. His only place to go will be the earth where he will indwell the body of Antichrist.
9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
a. Satan and his angels are cast down to the earth. Satan no longer has authority to rule over the earth from the heavens, and his angels have also lost their positions of authority. It is at this time that Satan incarnates Antichrist and turns against Israel.
b. This verse explains the figure of the dragon, and it unquestionably identifies the dragon as Satan. It also identifies the figure of the stars as the angels who followed Satan in his rebellion. God the Holy Spirit leaves it up to us to identify the woman and the man-child, but he gives us numerous clues that can be found in the Scriptures.
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: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
a. The Day of Christ refers to the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church, and it refers to the events in heaven after this rapture of the Church. It is a time of great salvation for the bodies of all Christians, and the souls of many Christians. It is also the time when the kingdom of God is established, and the power of Christ is made manifest.
b. Satan has been the accuser of the brethren (i.e., Christians) right up until the time that he is cast out of heaven, and the brethren are raptured or caught up to heaven. This verse is further confirmation that the Church remains on the earth up until the middle of the tribulation period, since Satan can not accuse the brethren who have already been resurrected into their glorified bodies. Satan can only accuse Christians who are still subject to temptation by their old flesh natures. It would be useless to accuse Christians who have already completed their lives on the earth, as their judgments will have already been inalterably set. The Greek word for Devil is diabolos, and the verb is diaballo, which mean, "defaming," "slandering" or "accusing." Satan is the master accuser of the brethren, and he will continue this right up until he is cast down to the earth, and the Church is caught up to heaven.
11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
a. This verse is a description of those Christians who became overcomers during the first half of the tribulation period.
b. These Christians have now been resurrected, but they overcame Satan during the first half of the tribulation by the blood of the Lamb, which cleansed them of all of their sins, and the word of their testimony, which is the preaching or profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This outward profession of faith was made during the most difficult times imaginable.
c. "They loved not their lives unto the death" shows that they crucified the old flesh nature and died to themselves. This would be true both literally and figuratively, since many will have been put to death during the first half of the tribulation period. Many will have died to self even though they were not physically martyred.
12. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
a. This verse is a classic depiction of the difference between the Day of Christ, which takes place in heaven, and the Day of the Lord, which takes place on the earth. Both occur at the same time, but one takes place in heaven, and the other takes place on the earth. There is great rejoicing in heaven since the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church has taken place. There is great woe upon the earth, since Satan is now upon the earth, and the inhabiters of the earth and sea are now going to experience his wrath, in addition to the wrath of God.
b. Satan knows that his time is short until he will be locked up in the bottomless pit.
13. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
a. God will actually use Antichrist incarnated by Satan to afflict and persecute the nation of Israel until one-third of the nation finally turns to God, and His Son Jesus. Israel as a nation will accept Jesus as their Messiah at the end of the tribulation period.
b. The man-child has been raptured to heaven, so Satan can not persecute the Church at this point, but he can persecute the Jews, and this is what he does.
14. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she 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.
a. The explanation of the figure continues, and additional figurative language is used to explain the figure. Since the figure itself (i.e., the woman) is used in the explanation, the "two wings of a great eagle" would also be a figure. This figure is derived from Ex. 19:4 and Dt. 32:11-12, and other passages of Scripture where God employs the strength of an eagle to illustrate his faithfulness in his care for Israel. The eagle is often used as a figure for the divinity of God, so the eagle represents supernatural assistance from God himself.
b. This same flight is described in the Jewish section of the Olivet Discourse in Mat. 24:16. Christ warns the Jews that they are to flee into the mountains when the abomination of desolation (i.e., Antichrist) sets himself up in the temple.
c. "Into her place" is thought by many students of the Bible to be the ancient city of Petra, where the faithful remnant will be cared for during the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period. Two Old Testament types for this supernatural care of Israel in the wilderness are Elijah being cared for by God in the wilderness by the brook Cherith, and Israel being cared for in the wilderness for 40 years. Ravens will not even care for their own young, but they brought food to Elijah in the wilderness. This demonstrates the supernatural aspect of God's care for Elijah, since the behavior of the ravens was against their own nature. God also supernaturally fed Israel with manna during their wondering in the wilderness. God will also supernaturally care for Israel during the last half of the tribulation period.
d. Noah in the ark is another type of God's supernatural protection of Israel during the last half of the tribulation period.
e. "A time, and times, and half a time" is 3 1/2 years that Israel will be protected "from the face of the serpent." This time period is given as 1260 days in verse 6 above.
15. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
a. Figurative language continues to be employed, so it is inconsistent to take the flood as a literal flood—as some theologians have done. The phrase "as a flood" clearly demonstrates that this is not a real flood of water. It is simply a figure demonstrating the total effort of Satan to completely destroy the nation of Israel. It means that Satan will do everything in his power to annihilate the nation of Israel.
b. Zec. 13:8 confirms that Satan will actually destroy two-thirds of the nation of Israel, so this demonstrates the extent of the effort that Satan will expend in accomplishing his purpose of destroying Israel, which is God’s elect people.
c. "Cast out of his mouth" means that by the power of words or language, Satan using the voice of Antichrist causes "water as a flood" to pursue "after the woman." The word for water is hudor, and it means streams of water like a flood. It can mean seawater as well as fresh water. Fresh water is a symbol or figure for the Holy Spirit, but water of the sea symbolizes the many Gentile nations of the world. For example, "many waters" denote many people or nations in Rev. 17:1,15. Therefore, this verse simply means that Satan in the form of Antichrist will give the orders for the nations of the world to descend on Israel "like a flood" in order to destroy her. This event is confirmed in the following Scripture:
(Zec 14:2-4 KJV) For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. {3} Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
d. It is clear from these verses that even though it is God who brings all nations against Israel, He will use Antichrist to accomplish his purpose, which is to miraculously save a remnant of the Jews at the last moment just before they are totally annihilated.
e. "Carried away of the flood" simply means to be completely overwhelmed and destroyed by the nations of the world. The above reference in Zechariah confirms that the Lord Jesus Christ himself will fight on the side of Israel. The following verse shows how the woman (i.e., the remnant of Israel) will be saved at the time that Jesus Christ fights against the nations of the world.
16. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
a. Figurative language is still being employed in this verse. The earth is personified and actually becomes instrumental in the protection of Israel. We must continue in Zechariah to see how the earth helps the woman.
(Zec 14:4-5 KJV) And his feet 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 ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye 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 thee.
b. As explained in Zechariah, when Jesus returns in power and glory, his feet will touch down on the Mount of Olives, and the mountain will split in the middle by a great earthquake. The remnant of Israel will flee through the valley created by the earthquake as they run toward their Messiah, Jesus Christ. The nations of the earth will pursue after the woman in order to destroy her, but the earth will open up and swallow "up the flood."
c. Zechariah states that the valley reaches all the way to Azal. Azal is a Hebrew expression that simply means "the other side," and it has reference to the other side of the Mount of Olives. The expression also means "nearby" "side" or "beside," and presents an amazing spiritual lesson. Israel is in imminent danger of total annihilation at the time that Jesus appears on the Mount of Olives. As his feet touch the mount, it splits in two and Jesus continues to descend to the valley. Israel runs to his "side", and the earth swallows up the nations that follow.
d. One type in the Old Testament for this sequence of events is the salvation of the nation of Israel from the Egyptians as Israel flees through the Red Sea, and the Red Sea swallows up the Egyptian army. The following song of Moses and the children of Israel describe this deliverance of the nation of Israel from the hand of Pharoah, a type of Antichrist:
(Exo 15:1-13 KJV) Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. {2} The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. {3} The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. {4} Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. {5} The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. {6} Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. {7} And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. {8} And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. {9} The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. {10} Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. {11} Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? {12} Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. {13} Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
e. Verse 12 above is a clear reference to the time in the future when the earth will swallow up the enemy of Israel as the antitype of the above passage of Scripture.
f. This valley created through the Mount of Olives will also be the winepress of the wrath of God. The unsaved living of the world will be supernaturally cast into this valley, and trampled by the Lord Jesus Christ. This valley will turn south after it goes through the Mount of Olives, and it extends to the Gulf of Aqaba, which is a distance of 200 miles. It is in this narrow valley that the blood will flow up to the horses’ bridles when Jesus tramples the winepress of the wrath of God.
17. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
a. Satan in the form of Antichrist will be infuriated when the woman turns to Jesus Christ, and is saved and protected by him, and the armies of Antichrist are destroyed in the valley. Therefore, Satan will immediately began "to make war with the remnant of her seed." "The remnant of her seed" is the Gentiles of the earth who were saved during the first half of the tribulation period. They are still upon the earth in their bodies of flesh and blood, and they are keeping the commandments of God. They "have the testimony of Jesus Christ," and this simply means that they were saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. These are the sheep in the sheep and goat judgment (Mat. 25:31-46), and they will enter into the earthly aspect of the kingdom of God because of the way that they treated the Jews during the time of Jacob's trouble.
Summary of Chapter Twelve
It is very important to understand that the figurative exegesis of Scripture is only warranted when the Scriptures clearly demonstrate that the passage of Scripture in question is to be understood figuratively. Chapter 12 began by explicitly stating that this vision in heaven was a sign and not a literal event. There were numerous other clear indications in the chapter that the passage was not to be taken literally.
There are some rules that must be employed when performing an exegesis of a passage of Scripture that is figurative. The first rule is that the understanding of the symbols must come from other passages of Scripture, and they must be consistent throughout the Bible. The second rule is that the passage being explained must have also been explained literally in some other part or parts of the Bible. The third rule is that the entire passage of Scripture being explained must fit together in a structured and coherent format. If there are any verses, clauses, or phrases that do not fit neatly into the exegesis, then further inquiry of the Holy Spirit should be made before the exegesis continues.
This warning about the exegesis of a figurative passage of Scripture is given because numerous theologians have attempted to make the whole book of Revelation a figurative discourse when the great majority of the book is to be taken literally. Only those passages, which are clearly indicated as being figurative, should be understood figuratively.
The sounding of the seventh trumpet does not occur in an instant or moment of time, but it lasts for a period of days, weeks or even months during which time the seven bowls of God's judgments are unleashed upon the earth. It is the seventh trumpet that culminates in Christ's complete takeover of the earth. There is a resurrection, and there is the sheep and goat judgment of the nations, along with the judgment of Israel. The Antichrist and the False Prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire, and Satan is confined to the bottomless pit for the millennium.
15. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.
a. The seventh presence angel sounds the seventh trumpet, and there is great rejoicing in heaven over the kingdom of this world becoming the kingdom of our Lord. The word kingdoms used two times in this verse is correctly translated kingdom in most translations. It is the kingdom of the world that has now become under the authority and control of Jesus Christ. The clause "he shall reign forever and ever" is literally translated he shall reign unto the ages of ages. This confirms that his reign does not end with the millennium. He will not reign with a "rod of iron" after the millennium, because sin and death will be conquered, and it will not be necessary to rule with an iron hand. Righteousness will dwell upon the earth after the millennium, and the strong arm of the Lord will not be necessary to maintain order.
b. In contrast to earlier announcements where only one voice spoke, the announcement of the kingdom belonging to Jesus Christ was made by great or loud voices in heaven. The significance of the event is multiplied in the number of the voices.
16. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
a. The 24 elders have appeared 7 times before in the book of Revelation. They fall down twice in chapter 5 to worship (Rev.5:8, 14), but this time they completely prostrate themselves with their faces on the heavenly pavement. This also emphasizes the significance of the event taking place.
17. Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
a. The 24 elders give thanks to the Lord for exerting his power and reigning upon the earth. The phrase "and art to come" is not in the oldest manuscripts. The American Standard 1901, The New American Standard and the New International Version leave this phrase out. Jesus Christ has already come at the time this is taking place, so the phrase is a redundancy.
b. The four living creatures are conspicuously absent in this chorus of praise and worship, and it causes some to wonder where they are at this moment in time. One possible solution is that the four living creatures represent the Bride of Christ, and the Bride is preparing herself for her grand presentation.
c. There are other hints in Scripture that the Bride will not return with Jesus Christ when He comes in power and glory to deal with his brethren (i.e., the Jews) and the nations (i.e., the Gentiles).
18. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
a. The nations (i.e., Gentiles) were angry (past tense), but the wrath of the Lord is present (present tense), and the time of judging the righteous dead is now present. Please note that only reward is mentioned in this context, since only the elect Gentiles and elect Jews will be resurrected at the end of the tribulation period so they can receive their rewards. There are three classes of believers who will receive rewards at this time. "Thy servants the prophets" are all those who are resurrected at this time who have been witnesses for the Lord. This would be the highest class of the three. "The saints" would be all those who separated themselves unto the Lord. This is the second class. "Them that fear thy name" represent the lowest class who did not separate themselves from the world, but they did fear the Lord. Of course, these three groups of believers do not include any of the Church, for the whole Church has been in heaven since the middle of the tribulation period. All members of the Church will have already been judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The unrighteous dead will not be resurrected for judgment until the end of the millennium. Theirs is the White Throne Judgment.
b. This is also the time when those unsaved who are still alive on the earth must be killed, since they cannot enter into the earthly aspect of the kingdom. The phrase "and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth" is referring to these people. They will be subsequently resurrected at the end of the millennium for the White Throne Judgment.
19. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
a. Chapter 11 should have ended with verse 18. Verse 18 gives the last historical action of the tribulation period in the judgment of those resurrected at the end of the tribulation period. This verse introduces a new series of events, and it is actually the beginning of the events described in Chapter 12.
b. The description of verse 19 picks up again in the middle of the tribulation period and describes the sequence of events pertaining to the nation of Israel, the casting out of Satan out of the first heaven, and the rapture of the main body of the Church.
c. The opening of the temple of God takes us back to the middle of the tribulation period described in chapter 8 of Revelation. The lightnings, voices, thunderings, and earthquake are even a repeat of Rev. 8:5 to show us that God is now going to give us some more details of the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period by picking up again at the point where The Seven Presence Angels appear to pour out judgments on the earth during the day of the Lord. The "great hail" is a reference to the fire from the censer that was cast down to the earth. This verse is as follows:
(Rev 8:5 KJV) And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
d. The opening of the temple of God is also a cue that God is about to deal with his people, the nation of Israel, which also is the time of Jacob's trouble. This is the last half of the tribulation period when God allows Antichrist to afflict his chosen people, the Jews.
e. The appearance of the Ark of the Covenant is also an unmistakable tip-off that God has gone back to the middle of the tribulation period for the express purpose of dealing with Israel. This will be seen more clearly as we read and study chapter 12.
J. The Woman Clothed with the Sun and the Male Child. (Rev. 12)
(Rev 12 KJV) 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: {2} And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. {3} And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. {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. {5} And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. {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. {7} And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, {8} And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. {9} And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. {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: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. {11} And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. {12} Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. {13} And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. {14} And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she 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. {15} And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. {16} And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. {17} And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
As explained above from Rev. 11:19, which introduces the events in chapter 12, we have now gone back to the middle of the tribulation period for more details of the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period. This chapter describes the casting of Satan and his angels out of the first heaven down to the earth, since he no longer has authority to rule over the earth from the "heavens." It also describes the rapture of the Church and the fleeing of Israel into the wilderness to escape the persecution of Antichrist who is now indwelled by Satan himself.
This chapter uses a sign or figure to outline the above sequence of events. The figure is described in the first six verses, and verses 7-17 explain the figure. It is left up to the reader to identify the woman and the man child, but ample clues are given in order for the reader to search the Scriptures and make a positive identification of both the woman and the man child. The actual Greek words used in the figure are extremely helpful in making the identification.
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:
a. The wonder or sign that appears in heaven is the cue that this sign and the ones associated with it are not to be taken literally. The signs are representative of something else, and they are not to be taken literally. The fact that the Bible gives us cues when something is not to be taken literally is also proof that the passages of Scripture that do not give us these cues can be taken literally.
b. The woman does not represent Mary, Christ or the Church. The description of the woman is an allusion to Genesis 37:9-11, where these heavenly bodies represent Jacob and Rachael as the father and mother of the nation of Israel, and the eleven stars represent the eleven brothers of Joseph. The crown of 12 stars represents the rule over the nation of Israel through the patriarchs of the 12 tribes of Israel. In the Old Testament, Israel is often represented as the wife of Jehovah, and she is represented as an unfaithful wife. Here the woman represents the godly remnant of Israel who is faithful to God. This remnant of faithful Jews was the mother to the Church when it was established at the time of Christ, and it will be closely associated with the Church during the first half of the tribulation period.
2. And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
a. The woman, the faithful remnant of Israel, is pictured as suffering trials and afflictions right along with the child, the overcoming Church, during the first half of the tribulation period. Israel as a nation will not experience persecution during the first half of the tribulation period, but the faithful remnant of Jews who turn to Christ at the onset of the tribulation period will suffer right along with the main body of the Church, which remains on the earth for the persecution of Antichrist.
3. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
a. This verse introduces another sign of a red dragon. The dragon is clearly a sign for Satan, who up until this point has been the authority over the Gentile nations represented by the seven heads and ten horns. The seven heads represent the seven Gentile empires of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and New Babylon. The ten horns represent the final form of Gentile rule, which is a revival of the sixth empire of Rome. Antichrist will have been leader over the seventh empire of New Babylon, and the eighth empire of revived Rome (Rev. 17). Both Antichrist and the empire of Rome are thought to be dead by the world, but both are "resurrected" to life again, and they form the final form of Gentile rule upon the earth. Antichrist as the head of New Babylon is the Little Horn of Daniel 7:8, and he is the prophetic fulfillment of Daniel 8:9. The literal fulfillment of Daniel 8:9 was Antiochus Epiphanes. The difference between the literal fulfillment and the prophetic fulfillment of a passage of Scripture is very confusing to many Bible scholars.
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.
a. It is important to understand that this whole scenario is figurative, and it is not to be taken literally. The Dragon is Satan and he was responsible for one-third of the angels, represented as stars of heaven, rebelling against God. At this point in time at the middle of the tribulation period, Satan and the angels who rebelled with him will be cast out of the first heaven down to the earth. The child that is about to be delivered is the overcoming Church, and Satan on the earth is ready to devour the Church just as it is about to mature to the point of sonship. It is very important to recognize that the transliterated Greek word for child in verse 4 above is teknon, and this is the word for an immature child.
5. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
a. This verse is key to the identification of the "man child" as the overcoming Church during the middle of the tribulation period. In contrast to verse 4 above that used the Greek word for an immature child, the transliterated Greek word for child in this verse is huios, and this is the word for a mature son. The picture is that of the Church just as it matures in the faith to the point of sonship, and Satan is intent upon destroying it just as it matures.
b. The "man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron" is a clear reference to the overcoming Church, which has to go through tribulation in order to mature. This is confirmed by the following verse that refers specifically to the church of Thyatira who is cast into great tribulation (Rev.2:22 ):
(Rev 2:26-27 KJV) And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: {27} And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
c. Another conclusive proof that the man-child is the overcoming Church is the clause "and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne." This is a clear reference to the rapture of the Church. The Greek word for child reverts back to the Greek word teknon, which refers to the entire Church, overcomers and non-overcomers. The Greek word for "caught up" is harpazo, and this is the identical word used in 1 Thess. 4:17 to describe the rapture of the Church. This Greek word is only used four times in Scripture. The other two times are 2 Cor. 12:2,4 where Paul was caught up to the third heaven. It is important to note that Jesus Christ was not "caught up" to heaven. Jesus Christ ascended into heaven under his own power.
d. It should be clear from the above that the man-child that is to rule the nations is the overcoming Church. The man-child can not be Jesus Christ for several reasons. First, the man child as a sign can not be taken literally since the text states emphatically that it is a sign. The woman is not a real woman, and the man child is not a real man child. Both represent something else. Secondly, this action takes place in the middle of the tribulation period just before the Day of the Lord, and Jesus went to heaven almost 2000 years earlier. Also, Jesus ascended into heaven under his own power. The Greek word used for Jesus being taken up to heaven is epairo, and the emphasis in this word is the raising up of oneself. Thirdly, Jesus Christ is never referred to in the Scriptures with the Greek word teknon. Fourthly, it is the Church that is described as ruling with a rod of iron in Rev. 2:27, and not Jesus Christ. It is true that Jesus Christ will rule with a rod of iron (Rev. 19:15), but the overcoming Church will also rule with a rod of iron with Him.
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.
a. This verse ends the description of the figure, and the following verse begins the explanation of the figure. The faithful remnant of Israel will be left on the earth after the Main Harvest rapture of the Church. Therefore, Israel will be required to flee from the wrath of the Dragon (i.e., Satan) who will be indwelling Antichrist at this point in time.
b. The remnant of Israel will flee Jerusalem, and they will flee into the wilderness, which is on the other side of the Jordan River. It is a widespread belief that they will flee to the ancient city of Petra for safety. A missionary group has already stored numerous Bibles in the caves of Petra in moisture proof containers that will presumably be read and studied by this remnant of Jews. There will obviously be other preparations by God to protect this remnant and feed them for the 3 1/2 years that they will be in hiding.
c. Rev. 11:19-12:6 has been an overview of the figure or sign in heaven, which has been a brief description of the events in the middle of the tribulation period, and the flight of faithful Israel into the wilderness for the last half of the tribulation period. Rev. 12:7-17 is an explanation of the figure that was just given, so it repeats some information that was given in the figure, and it provides additional details. This style of writing is common in Scripture.
7. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
a. This verse explains verse 4, and it gives additional details to verse 4 where Satan and his angels were cast to the earth. This verse states that Michael, the Presence Angel who watches over Israel (Dan. 12:1), and his angels fought against the dragon (i.e., Satan) and his angels.
8. And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
a. Satan and his angels lost the war, and Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven. Satan currently operates from his sphere of authority in the first heaven, which is the atmosphere immediately above the earth. In the middle of the tribulation period, Jesus Christ exerts his authority to reign over the earth from the heavens, and Satan is no longer permitted to exercise his authority in the first heaven.
b. We also know from Job 1:6 that Satan still has access to the third heaven. This is reasonable and logical since Satan is still the god of this world, but he is still subject to the will and control of God the Father. Satan is analogous to a rebellious teenager who lives outside of the father's household, but he occasionally returns to have brief discussions with the father. The time is coming in the middle of the seven-year tribulation period when Satan will be banned from all three heavens. His only place to go will be the earth where he will indwell the body of Antichrist.
9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
a. Satan and his angels are cast down to the earth. Satan no longer has authority to rule over the earth from the heavens, and his angels have also lost their positions of authority. It is at this time that Satan incarnates Antichrist and turns against Israel.
b. This verse explains the figure of the dragon, and it unquestionably identifies the dragon as Satan. It also identifies the figure of the stars as the angels who followed Satan in his rebellion. God the Holy Spirit leaves it up to us to identify the woman and the man-child, but he gives us numerous clues that can be found in the Scriptures.
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: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
a. The Day of Christ refers to the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church, and it refers to the events in heaven after this rapture of the Church. It is a time of great salvation for the bodies of all Christians, and the souls of many Christians. It is also the time when the kingdom of God is established, and the power of Christ is made manifest.
b. Satan has been the accuser of the brethren (i.e., Christians) right up until the time that he is cast out of heaven, and the brethren are raptured or caught up to heaven. This verse is further confirmation that the Church remains on the earth up until the middle of the tribulation period, since Satan can not accuse the brethren who have already been resurrected into their glorified bodies. Satan can only accuse Christians who are still subject to temptation by their old flesh natures. It would be useless to accuse Christians who have already completed their lives on the earth, as their judgments will have already been inalterably set. The Greek word for Devil is diabolos, and the verb is diaballo, which mean, "defaming," "slandering" or "accusing." Satan is the master accuser of the brethren, and he will continue this right up until he is cast down to the earth, and the Church is caught up to heaven.
11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
a. This verse is a description of those Christians who became overcomers during the first half of the tribulation period.
b. These Christians have now been resurrected, but they overcame Satan during the first half of the tribulation by the blood of the Lamb, which cleansed them of all of their sins, and the word of their testimony, which is the preaching or profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This outward profession of faith was made during the most difficult times imaginable.
c. "They loved not their lives unto the death" shows that they crucified the old flesh nature and died to themselves. This would be true both literally and figuratively, since many will have been put to death during the first half of the tribulation period. Many will have died to self even though they were not physically martyred.
12. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
a. This verse is a classic depiction of the difference between the Day of Christ, which takes place in heaven, and the Day of the Lord, which takes place on the earth. Both occur at the same time, but one takes place in heaven, and the other takes place on the earth. There is great rejoicing in heaven since the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church has taken place. There is great woe upon the earth, since Satan is now upon the earth, and the inhabiters of the earth and sea are now going to experience his wrath, in addition to the wrath of God.
b. Satan knows that his time is short until he will be locked up in the bottomless pit.
13. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
a. God will actually use Antichrist incarnated by Satan to afflict and persecute the nation of Israel until one-third of the nation finally turns to God, and His Son Jesus. Israel as a nation will accept Jesus as their Messiah at the end of the tribulation period.
b. The man-child has been raptured to heaven, so Satan can not persecute the Church at this point, but he can persecute the Jews, and this is what he does.
14. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she 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.
a. The explanation of the figure continues, and additional figurative language is used to explain the figure. Since the figure itself (i.e., the woman) is used in the explanation, the "two wings of a great eagle" would also be a figure. This figure is derived from Ex. 19:4 and Dt. 32:11-12, and other passages of Scripture where God employs the strength of an eagle to illustrate his faithfulness in his care for Israel. The eagle is often used as a figure for the divinity of God, so the eagle represents supernatural assistance from God himself.
b. This same flight is described in the Jewish section of the Olivet Discourse in Mat. 24:16. Christ warns the Jews that they are to flee into the mountains when the abomination of desolation (i.e., Antichrist) sets himself up in the temple.
c. "Into her place" is thought by many students of the Bible to be the ancient city of Petra, where the faithful remnant will be cared for during the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period. Two Old Testament types for this supernatural care of Israel in the wilderness are Elijah being cared for by God in the wilderness by the brook Cherith, and Israel being cared for in the wilderness for 40 years. Ravens will not even care for their own young, but they brought food to Elijah in the wilderness. This demonstrates the supernatural aspect of God's care for Elijah, since the behavior of the ravens was against their own nature. God also supernaturally fed Israel with manna during their wondering in the wilderness. God will also supernaturally care for Israel during the last half of the tribulation period.
d. Noah in the ark is another type of God's supernatural protection of Israel during the last half of the tribulation period.
e. "A time, and times, and half a time" is 3 1/2 years that Israel will be protected "from the face of the serpent." This time period is given as 1260 days in verse 6 above.
15. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
a. Figurative language continues to be employed, so it is inconsistent to take the flood as a literal flood—as some theologians have done. The phrase "as a flood" clearly demonstrates that this is not a real flood of water. It is simply a figure demonstrating the total effort of Satan to completely destroy the nation of Israel. It means that Satan will do everything in his power to annihilate the nation of Israel.
b. Zec. 13:8 confirms that Satan will actually destroy two-thirds of the nation of Israel, so this demonstrates the extent of the effort that Satan will expend in accomplishing his purpose of destroying Israel, which is God’s elect people.
c. "Cast out of his mouth" means that by the power of words or language, Satan using the voice of Antichrist causes "water as a flood" to pursue "after the woman." The word for water is hudor, and it means streams of water like a flood. It can mean seawater as well as fresh water. Fresh water is a symbol or figure for the Holy Spirit, but water of the sea symbolizes the many Gentile nations of the world. For example, "many waters" denote many people or nations in Rev. 17:1,15. Therefore, this verse simply means that Satan in the form of Antichrist will give the orders for the nations of the world to descend on Israel "like a flood" in order to destroy her. This event is confirmed in the following Scripture:
(Zec 14:2-4 KJV) For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. {3} Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
d. It is clear from these verses that even though it is God who brings all nations against Israel, He will use Antichrist to accomplish his purpose, which is to miraculously save a remnant of the Jews at the last moment just before they are totally annihilated.
e. "Carried away of the flood" simply means to be completely overwhelmed and destroyed by the nations of the world. The above reference in Zechariah confirms that the Lord Jesus Christ himself will fight on the side of Israel. The following verse shows how the woman (i.e., the remnant of Israel) will be saved at the time that Jesus Christ fights against the nations of the world.
16. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
a. Figurative language is still being employed in this verse. The earth is personified and actually becomes instrumental in the protection of Israel. We must continue in Zechariah to see how the earth helps the woman.
(Zec 14:4-5 KJV) And his feet 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 ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye 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 thee.
b. As explained in Zechariah, when Jesus returns in power and glory, his feet will touch down on the Mount of Olives, and the mountain will split in the middle by a great earthquake. The remnant of Israel will flee through the valley created by the earthquake as they run toward their Messiah, Jesus Christ. The nations of the earth will pursue after the woman in order to destroy her, but the earth will open up and swallow "up the flood."
c. Zechariah states that the valley reaches all the way to Azal. Azal is a Hebrew expression that simply means "the other side," and it has reference to the other side of the Mount of Olives. The expression also means "nearby" "side" or "beside," and presents an amazing spiritual lesson. Israel is in imminent danger of total annihilation at the time that Jesus appears on the Mount of Olives. As his feet touch the mount, it splits in two and Jesus continues to descend to the valley. Israel runs to his "side", and the earth swallows up the nations that follow.
d. One type in the Old Testament for this sequence of events is the salvation of the nation of Israel from the Egyptians as Israel flees through the Red Sea, and the Red Sea swallows up the Egyptian army. The following song of Moses and the children of Israel describe this deliverance of the nation of Israel from the hand of Pharoah, a type of Antichrist:
(Exo 15:1-13 KJV) Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. {2} The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. {3} The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. {4} Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. {5} The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. {6} Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. {7} And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. {8} And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. {9} The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. {10} Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. {11} Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? {12} Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. {13} Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
e. Verse 12 above is a clear reference to the time in the future when the earth will swallow up the enemy of Israel as the antitype of the above passage of Scripture.
f. This valley created through the Mount of Olives will also be the winepress of the wrath of God. The unsaved living of the world will be supernaturally cast into this valley, and trampled by the Lord Jesus Christ. This valley will turn south after it goes through the Mount of Olives, and it extends to the Gulf of Aqaba, which is a distance of 200 miles. It is in this narrow valley that the blood will flow up to the horses’ bridles when Jesus tramples the winepress of the wrath of God.
17. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
a. Satan in the form of Antichrist will be infuriated when the woman turns to Jesus Christ, and is saved and protected by him, and the armies of Antichrist are destroyed in the valley. Therefore, Satan will immediately began "to make war with the remnant of her seed." "The remnant of her seed" is the Gentiles of the earth who were saved during the first half of the tribulation period. They are still upon the earth in their bodies of flesh and blood, and they are keeping the commandments of God. They "have the testimony of Jesus Christ," and this simply means that they were saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. These are the sheep in the sheep and goat judgment (Mat. 25:31-46), and they will enter into the earthly aspect of the kingdom of God because of the way that they treated the Jews during the time of Jacob's trouble.
Summary of Chapter Twelve
It is very important to understand that the figurative exegesis of Scripture is only warranted when the Scriptures clearly demonstrate that the passage of Scripture in question is to be understood figuratively. Chapter 12 began by explicitly stating that this vision in heaven was a sign and not a literal event. There were numerous other clear indications in the chapter that the passage was not to be taken literally.
There are some rules that must be employed when performing an exegesis of a passage of Scripture that is figurative. The first rule is that the understanding of the symbols must come from other passages of Scripture, and they must be consistent throughout the Bible. The second rule is that the passage being explained must have also been explained literally in some other part or parts of the Bible. The third rule is that the entire passage of Scripture being explained must fit together in a structured and coherent format. If there are any verses, clauses, or phrases that do not fit neatly into the exegesis, then further inquiry of the Holy Spirit should be made before the exegesis continues.
This warning about the exegesis of a figurative passage of Scripture is given because numerous theologians have attempted to make the whole book of Revelation a figurative discourse when the great majority of the book is to be taken literally. Only those passages, which are clearly indicated as being figurative, should be understood figuratively.
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