There is an Epic War being fought over the truth of Salvation in Christ. Believers must proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, God s message of salvation for humanity. Revelation 12:1 9 I. 3 Personalities revealed in Two Signs - 1) Sign of the Woman Israel Revelation 12:1 9 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; 2 and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth. A woman speaking of Israel...wife of Jehovah Picture of what Joseph saw in his vision Gen. 37.9-11 Clothed with the sun - Jacob/Israel Moon under her feet Rachel Joseph s mother & rep Jewish woman Crowned with 12 stars twelve tribes of Israel Fruchtenbuam: Clearly, then, the woman arrayed with the sun, moon, and stars is representative of Israel (not the Church). 2) Sign of the Dragon Satan 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. Here we see the true character of Satan...
Described as a great red dragon red perhaps for blood and a dragon expressing the truly viciousness of Satan s character... John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. He disguises himself... 2 Corinthians 11:14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 7 heads & 10 horns Gentile Kingdoms the Revived Roman Empire 7 diadems Anti-Christ empowered by Satan is ruling over... 4 And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Referring to the demonic angels...1/3d fell with Satan and are under his authority 3) Sign of the Child Christ Jesus And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child. 5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days. The picture here is of the dragon, Satan wanting to kill Jesus... Clearly a picture found in Matt 2.16-18 Herod killing the children under 2 Christ is born and is to rule the nations... Isaiah 9.6ff the Lord will rule...
His ascension is pictured here as being caught up to God the Father Vs. 6 brings us to the 2 nd half of the Trib...the last 3.5 years where Israel will flee to the wilderness and be protected by God... o ultimately to be saved by God from Satan and restored into a right relationship with Him through the acceptance of the Messiah Jesus... covered further in this chapt as well as chap 13... II. Angelic War in Heaven - And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, 8 and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 1) Michael & the angelic Host - the protector of Israel Michael and his angels war against Satan and the demonic host casting them out of heaven to earth... Daniel 12:1 Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. 2) Satan and his demons Serpent of Old from the beginning of time... speaking of Satan in the Garden who deceived Adam and Eve Devil diaballo...dia through & ballow to throw...to throw into the midst and divide... o Used of gossip
Satan - adversary Deceiver to cause to wander or to lead astray The Worldwide Satanic attack against the Jewish people... Why??? The Abrahamic Covenant...redemption plan through the Jewish people, the Messiah, for the world The Messiah is Jewish... Satan did all he could to kill Jesus before he went to the cross... Herod s killing of all the children Desire to throw the Lord off the cliff at Nazareth Luke 4:28 30 And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; 29 and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff. 30 But passing through their midst, He went His way. 2x s - The desire to kill the Lord by stoning him in Judea John 8:56 59 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad. 57 So the Jews said to Him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am. 59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. John 10:30 31 I and the Father are one. 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him.
The picture of Angelic War... Daniel 10:10 14 Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said to me, O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you. And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future. To bring a message to Daniel...was given this by God, knew Daniels request Took time to do so so part of time as well as at one place at one time Was withstood by the Prince of Persia a demon over Persia Michael came to help so that he could go to Daniel Michael was said to be one of the chief princes other arch angels? o A hierarchy of angels varying in power & authority see Eph. 6 How do they fight? stand against, perhaps it s the presence of good/light which overcomes darkness... Clearly the battle revolves around the Truth of God which revolves around the Salvation He has provided through Jesus the Messiah...for Jews and Gentiles
Daniel 10:20 21 Then he said, Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come. 21 However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince. Angel was leaving Daniel...the prince of Greece was about to come...another major demon conflict revolving around the nations How are Believers impacted by Satan? Some things never change... Garden...Questions God s Word...God s Character...God s Ways Satan s Methods... Appeals to the flesh... 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The Bible Knowledge Commentary Satan s Temptations of Eve and of Jesus Temptation Genesis 3 Matthew 4 Appeal to physical appetite You may eat of any tree (3:1). You may eat by changing stones to bread (4:3). Appeal to personal gain You will not die (3:4). You will not hurt Your foot (4:6). Appeal to power or glory You will be like God (3:5). You will have all the world s kingdoms (4:8 9). How are we walking in God s Truth? Proclaiming the Truth of the Gospel? Walking as Children of Light?