A Study of Revelation GREAT TRIBULATION

A Study of Revelation PART 3 Revelation 11:1-16:21 GREAT TRIBULATION LESSON 3 Revelation 12:1-12:17 THE WAR IN HEAVEN Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. (Revelation 22:7) REV 12:1-17 REV 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. The identity of the woman is central to our understanding of this chapter. The Roman Catholic Church maintains that the woman is either the Church or the "Virgin Mary." The Catholic Church believes this represents Satan s attack against the Church, the true Israel of the OT [Old Testament] and NT [New Testament]. 1 This passage has been used to teach Mary's assumption into heaven and being crowned Queen of Heaven. 2 Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, claimed the woman represented herself, and the "dragon is mortal mind" attempting to destroy her new religion. 3 The woman is described as "a great wonder in heaven." The word translated "wonder" means "signs." It therefore represents something symbolic. It therefore cannot be the Church or Mary. 4 Now notice this prophecy of Joseph's dream from Genesis: GEN 37:9 And he [the patriarch Joseph] dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. 10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? 11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying. 1 Raymond E. Brown, S.S., Joseph A. Fitzmyer, S.J., Roland E. Murphy, O. Carm., THE JEROME BIBLICAL COMMENTARY, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1968, p. 482. Bracketed words are mine. The Catholic Douay version of THE HOLY BIBLE, New York, NY: The Douay Bible House, NT 1582, 1935; OT 1609, footnotes to Apocalypse [Revelation] chapter 12. 2 Jim Tetlow, MESSAGES FROM HEAVEN, A Biblical Examination of the Queen of Heaven s Messages in the End Times, Fairport, NY: Eternal Productions, 2002, p. 87. 3 LaHaye, REVELATION ILLUSTRATED AND MADE PLAIN, p. 161. 4 Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 138. LaHaye, REVELATION ILLUSTRATED AND MADE PLAIN, p. 161. Bullinger, COMMENTARY ON REVELATION, p. 387. 1

Genesis 37:9 is symbolic of Israel. The crown of twelve stars on the woman's head represents the twelve patriarchs that became the nation of Israel. The twelve stars represent the patriarch Joseph and his eleven brothers. It was Israel that brought forth the man-child that would bless the world. This cannot be the Church, because Israel gave birth to the Messiah. 5 The Sun represents Jacob and the Moon represents his wife Rachel in Joseph s dream. The Sun is a source of light; the Moon is a reflector of the Sun's light. These are symbolic of Israel as God's light-bearer to the world. Specifically the 144,000 Jewish witnesses will be God's light-bearers during the Tribulation. Today it is the church, you and I, which is God's "lamp stand." During the Tribulation it will be the remnant of Israel, particularly the 144,000 sealed Jews of Revelation 7, that is the light bearer. 6 The Great Red Dragon REV 12:3 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. This verse refers to Satan as a "red" dragon since Satan is the motivator of much of the bloodshed in man's history. 7 The "seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns" speak of a future government dominated by the Antichrist. These heads, horns, and crowns are symbols of the earthly power that Satan claims. 8 The dragon represents both Satanic power and the empire. 9 The seven heads represent succeeding evil world empires controlled by Satan leading up to the final world empire, revived Rome. We will discuss this beast in further detail in another lesson, but the heads represent Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and revived Rome. 10 The ten horns and seven heads represent Satan s power over the kingdoms and kings of the world. 11 REV 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. "Stars" are symbols of angels. This verse speaks of Satan's rebellion and fall. He convinced a third of the angels to side with him against God. 12 Even after his initial fall, Satan still had access to heaven. The remainder of this verse refers to Satan's continuous war (the cosmic battle) with the Seed of the woman. GEN 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Ever since Cain killed Abel this battle has raged. We see it in the attempt to pollute the anti-diluvian world with the Serpent's seed as described in Genesis 6. GEN 6:1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. 3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. 5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Later, Satan attempted to destroy the Israelites in Egypt as described in Exodus chapters 1 and 2. The viciousness of Satan's attack on the Jews can be seen from the following verses found in Esther. 5 LaHaye, REVELATION ILLUSTRATED AND MADE PLAIN, p. 162. 6 LaHaye, REVELATION ILLUSTRATED AND MADE PLAIN, p. 162. 7 LaHaye, REVELATION ILLUSTRATED AND MADE PLAIN, p. 162. Pentecost, THINGS TO COME, A Study in Eschatology, p. 286. Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 138. 8 Phillips, EXPLORING REVELATION, pp. 155, 156. Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 138. 9 Walvoord, THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, p. 189. 10 Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, pp. 138, 139. Hocking, THE COMING WORLD LEADER, Understanding the Book of Revelation, pp. 194, 249, 250. 11 Hocking, THE COMING WORLD LEADER, Understanding the Book of Revelation, pp. 194, 195. 12 Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 139. Duck, Richards, REVELATION: GOD'S WORD FOR THE BIBLICALLY-INEPT, p. 171. 2

EST 3:8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. 9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. 10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. 11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. Several attempts by Satan were made after Christ's birth including Herod's slaughter of the innocents (Matthew 2:16) and Satan's attempt to get Jesus to jump from the pinnacle of the temple. MAT 4:5 Then the devil taketh him [Jesus] up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Another example of an attempt by Satan to destroy the Messianic line was the Egyptian Pharaoh s ordering the slaughter of the Hebrew male children where Moses was saved in a floating basket (Exodus 1:22). Until the Messiah was born, Israel was the focus of Satan s attacks the church did not exist. Satan still continues his attacks against Israel today in order to prevent the Second Coming (Rev 19:11-21) when Christ finally establishes the Messianic Kingdom (Millennium) promises to Israel (Mic 4:7; Dan 7:18, 22, 27; Jer 23:5-8, 30:9, 33:14-21). The context of chapter 12 supports the view that the woman is Israel. 13 The Woman's Man Child REV 12:5 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. The woman and her Child (the Seed) are the answer to the reason that anti -Semitism has dominated history throughout the last 2000 years. 14 The woman depicted here is Israel, out of which would eventually emerge the promised Messiah. Messiah is to rule with a "rod of iron." PSA 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. REV 2:27 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. REV 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. That the Child was "caught up" was fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that He is at the throne of God is seen in the following: 13 Pentecost, THINGS TO COME, A Study in Eschatology, p. 287. 14 David Jeremiah, C.C. Carlson, ESCAPE THE COMING NIGHT, Dallas, TX: Word Publishing, 1990, p. 149. 3

REV 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. God Protects the Woman REV 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. This verse speaks of God's preservation of the remnant of Israel during the seven-year Tribulation. The threat will come to Israel at the midpoint of the Tribulation. Thus we see that Israel is especially cared for by God for the remaining 3 1/2 years, "a thousand two hundred and threescore days" (1260 days). 15 Notice these verses in Isaiah: ISA 33:15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; 16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. God is going to protect and feed the remnant, the third of Israel that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly. Some believed that Petra, in Jordan, a rock city within a mountainous area of Edom, is the place God has prepared for the remnant of Israel at this time. Because of its location, approached by a narrow passage within the mountain, Petra is easy to defend. 16 Others content that Petra is not a large enough stronghold to provide shelter for a large remnant of Israel. 17 However, Petra is identified as the "strong city" of Psalm 60:9. PSA 60:9 Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me into Edom? In Isaiah we find Petra mentioned as a hiding place for God's outcasts from the hand of the "spoiler." The following verses probably refer to the future flight of Israel from the hand of the Beast in the tribulation period. 18 ISA 16:1 Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela [Petra] to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion. 2 For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon. 3 Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray [betray] not him that wandereth. 4 Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert [shelter or hiding place] to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land. 5 And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness. War In Heaven REV 12:7 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. 15 Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 140. LaHaye, REVELATION ILLUSTRATED AND MADE PLAIN, pp. 164, 165. 16 Duck, Richards, REVELATION: GOD'S WORD FOR THE BIBLICALLY-INEPT, pp. 173, 174. Phillips, EXPLORING REVELATION, pp. 157, 158. 17 Jeffery, APOCALYPSE - THE COMING JUDGMENT OF NATIONS, p. 163. 18 Morris, THE DEFENDERS STUDY BIBLE, Notes on Isaiah 16:1 and 4. 4

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. Michael, not the dragon, initiates the "war in heaven." This is a war fought for the purpose of expelling Satan from access to heaven. 19 That Michael is here shows that the nation of Israel is involved, since Daniel 12:1 says that Michael is the angel representing the people of Israel. 20 It is Daniel 12:1 that predicts this event described in Revelation 12:7 through 10. This also marks the beginning of the Great Tribulation, the last 3-1/2 years. 21 Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. The "war in heaven" may be a continuing war through the ages that will finally culminate in mid-tribulation with Satan and his angels finally being expelled from their access to heaven. 22 There are a number of Scriptures that support the view that Satan still has access to heaven. Notice that the term "sons of God" refers to angels. JOB 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. JOB 2:1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. 2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. ZEC 3:1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Until this moment Satan has had access to the throne room of God, accusing the brethren before God "day and night." It's ironic that the "father of lies" in his accusations before the throne of God need not invent his accusations. We provide him with all the ammunition that he needs. Except for Jesus, our advocate, we would be defeated, for Satan's tales about us are true, though most probably he distorts and magnifies them. 23 From the time of the deception of Eve, Satan continued to deceive the world. Because of Satan s defeat at the hands of Michael in Revelation 12: 7-10, Satan and his horde are no longer the principalities and powers of the air, but are now limited to the earth. 24 EPH 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: ROM 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. After Satan's fall he and his angels found their abode in the air, but Satan still had access to heaven. After this war he is barred from heaven and he and his satanic angelic horde are cast from the air to the earth. Satan's next stop is destined to be the abyss, and finally the lake of fire. 25 19 Bullinger, COMMENTARY ON REVELATION, pp. 404, 405. 20 Pentecost, THINGS TO COME, A Study in Eschatology, p. 290. Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 140. 21 Walvoord, THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, p. 192. 22 Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 140. LaHaye, REVELATION ILLUSTRATED AND MADE PLAIN, pp. 165, 166. 23 Phillips, EXPLORING REVELATION, p. 159. Morris, THE REVELATION RECORD, p. 226. 24 Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 141. LaHaye, REVELATION ILLUSTRATED AND MADE PLAIN, p. 166. Phillips, EXPLORING REVELATION, p. 159. 25 Phillips, EXPLORING REVELATION, p. 159. Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 141. 5

It is most revealing that this war is fought in heaven where sin originated in the soul of Satan. We have a glimpse into the reason that at the very end God makes a new heaven and a new earth, for Satan defiled both realms. The purpose of this war is to cast Satan from access to heaven. 26 This chapter deals with the nation of Israel during the Great Tribulation, and their Messiah. Michael is the leader of the army of God that battles Satan and casts him from heaven. Michael is the angelic chief prince set over Israel in the spirit world. 27 DAN 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. 21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. DAN 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people. Jude refers to Michael as "the archangel." JUD 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. The kingdoms of this world are secretly ruled on Satan's behalf from the spirit realm by satanic angels, or "principalities." When God made a nation of Abraham, Satan had no angelic prince over it. Michael, the archangel, was set over Israel by God. It is Michael that defends Israel in the spiritual realm. 28 Henry Morris gives this insight into the deception perpetrated on the earth by Satan: Note especially the amazing assertion that he [Satan] has been the deceiver of the whole world. All the world's high-sounding philosophies, conceived ever so brilliantly by profound thinkers. all are manoriginated, man-centered, and man-honoring, rather than God-originated, God-centered, and Godhonoring. They are all merely varieties of humanism, rather than theism, exalting man rather than God and thus helping to carry out Satan's attempt to dethrone God. 29 Satan's ultimate deception is convincing men that "God is not the ultimate reality, and that the universe itself is the only eternal entity." 30 Morris also gives this insight into Satan's thought processes: The Devil has effectively deceived the whole world, therefore, utilizing the same monstrous deception with which he has deceived himself. He apparently believes that, since matter is the ultimate reality, rather than the God who claimed to have created him, he can somehow succeed in dethroning God and placing himself on God's throne. This is the conflict of the ages. 31 The Blood and the Testimony REV 12:11 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. These are the three methods by which the Saints prevailed and overcame Satan. The "blood of the Lamb" that takes away the sins of the world is our only means of victory over sin. The Saints lived their lives as a living testimony of Jesus Christ, just as we also should. 32 MAT 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 26 Phillips, EXPLORING REVELATION, p. 158. Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 140. 27 Phillips, EXPLORING REVELATION, p. 158. Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 140. 28 Phillips, EXPLORING REVELATION, p. 158. Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 140. 29 Morris, THE REVELATION RECORD, p. 225. Bracketed word "[Satan]" added for clarity; emphasis of the word "all" found in the original. 30 Morris, THE REVELATION RECORD, p. 225. 31 Morris, THE REVELATION RECORD, p. 226. 32 LaHaye, REVELATION ILLUSTRATED AND MADE PLAIN, pp. 166, 167. 6

They "loved not their lives unto death," for it is written: MAT 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. The Third Woe REV 12:12 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. All heaven rejoices that Satan is cast out, but the earth does not rejoice. working feverishly because he has only 3 1/2 years left. He is running out of time. God s wrath, but Satan s wrath as well. The "woe" pronounced here is "the third woe" predicted in Revelation 11:14. Satan is now furious and is The earth will not only face REV 11:14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. A Dragon In a Hurry REV 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. The "woman" is Israel. Israel brought forth the Messiah. During these final 3 1/2 years Satan will launch a great persecution of Israel. Satan s purpose is to destroy Israel. He knows that if he can accomplish that he can foil God s purpose. 33 The purpose of the Tribulation is for the salvation of the Jewish nation and the establishment of the promised Messianic Kingdom (Millennium). REV 12:14 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. Jesus says in Matthew 24 the following: Matt 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. In Revelation 12:6 we saw that God prepared a place for her. Now in Revelation 12:14 God provides "two wings" with which she can speedily flee to the place he has prepared for her, where she is to be protected for "a time, and times, and half a time" (3-1/2 years). The eagle's wings signify miraculous swiftness. 34 ISA 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Now notice the similarity of the timeframe in Revelation 12:14 with Daniel's timeframe: DAN 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. The timeframes are the same, 3-1/2 years. 33 Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 142. 34 Bullinger, COMMENTARY ON REVELATION, p. 416. Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 142. 7

REV 12:15 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. It is suggested that the "flood" refers to either a literal flood in an attempt to destroy her or an invading army sent to kill the children of Israel similar to that found in Isaiah 59:19. 35 ISA 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. 20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. David Levy indicates that the wording like a flood makes it difficult to tell whether the flood should be interpreted literally or figuratively. However, he believes that it refers to a huge army sent by Satan to destroy the fleeing Israelites near the midpoint of the Tribulation. 36 John Walvoord also believe that the wording is symbolic, but agrees that the interpretation is uncertain. 37 I believe that it could refer to either a literal flood or a huge army. For additional support for the flood referenced here being symbolic see also Jeremiah 46:8 when the Egyptian armies came against Babylon. JER 46:8 Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof. The location where the Israelites flee may be the general direction of Petra as previously discussed. The reason is that when Christ returns He comes to Edom where He takes vengeance on the people of Bosrah and possibly delivers a remnant of Jewish believers. This can be seen in the fact that Edom escapes destruction by Antichrist during the Tribulation. 38 Dan 11:41 He [Antichrist] shall enter also into the glorious land [Israel], and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. Then we see Christ at His Second Coming described by Isaiah as follows: Isa 63:1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. 6 And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth. REV 12:16 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. God will supernaturally protect the woman. 39 If it is a real flood, then we can parallel God's protection of the fleeing Israel with the drowning of Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea. Notice this verse in Isaiah: ISA 11:15 And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go 35 LaHaye, REVELATION ILLUSTRATED AND MADE PLAIN, pp. 167, 168. Morris believes the "flood" refers to an army. Morris, THE REVELATION RECORD, pp. 229, 230. 36 Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, pp. 142, 143. 37 Walvoord, THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, p. 195. 38 Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 142. 39 LaHaye, REVELATION ILLUSTRATED AND MADE PLAIN, p. 168. 8

over dryshod. 16 And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt. Isaiah provides an obvious parallel to the real crossing of the Red Sea, which is found in Exodus. EXO 14:26 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. 27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. 29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. REV 12:17 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. Satan will be frustrated in his attempt to destroy Israel, but he will keep trying until the very end of the Tribulation. This may refer to the attempt by Satan to destroy the 144,000 Jewish believers. 40 There are 144,000 Jewish believers sealed and protected by God. There is the third of the remaining Jews, the remnant, which will flee to Petra to be protected by God. Sadly, the remaining two-thirds of Israel will die at the hands of Antichrist. 41 Zech 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. 8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God. 40 LaHaye, REVELATION ILLUSTRATED AND MADE PLAIN, p. 168. Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 143. 41 Levy, REVELATION: Hearing the Last Word, p. 143. Walvoord, THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, p. 195. 9