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"The Great Fiery Dragon and Israel"
(A Study of the book of Revelation - Lesson 18)
Revelation 12:1-17
by Joseph "Mike" Willmouth
(This Sermon was preached at Eastview Baptist Church during
the Evening Service on August 15, 2004.
All Scripture references used in this sermon are based
upon the NKJV®, unless otherwise stated)
Introduction: From chapters
12 through 14, we have a lengthy interlude
between the sounding of the seventh trumpet and the beginning of the seven
vials of wrath. Chapter 12 describes in symbolic terms the satanic
hatred toward God's plan for the Messianic line -- Israel.
What we are going to see in our passage of Scripture is a description
of war: first on earth (vv.1-6), then in heaven
(vv.7-12), and then back on the earth (vv.13-17). This chapter not only reveals future things,
but it also unveils the realm and activity of Satan and angels.
Since this lesson deals with events both, past and future, I want to wait
until the end of the lesson to put these events into perspective and its
application to you and me.
Transition: Now, let's begin
our study about the Great Fiery Dragon by looking at. . .
I. His Past
War On Earth (vv.1-6).
1. The woman (vv.1-2).
1 Now a great sign appeared
in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then
being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.
A. The woman represents the nation Israel just as Joseph dreamed about
in Genesis.
1) Genesis 37:9-10,
"Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers,
and said, 'Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun,
the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.' So he told it
to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said
to him, 'What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother
and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before
you?'"
2) The sun and the moon referred to Jacob and Rachel, Joseph’s parents
(BKC).
3) The stars in the woman’s crown clearly related to the 12 sons
of Jacob and identified the woman as Israel fulfilling the Abrahamic
Covenant (BKC).
B. This is the first of four symbolic women in Revelation (WGB):
1) A suffering woman -- Israel (Rev.12).
2) A bloody harlot -- the world’s religious systems (Rev.17).
3) An arrogant queen -- the world’s economic system (Rev.18).
4) A pure bride -- the true church (Rev.19).
C. The woman being pregnant is a picture of Israel's travail in bringing
forth Jesus the Messiah (Levy).
1) This isn't a picture of the virgin Mary giving
birth as some teach, but a more general view of Israel's history.
2) Satan attempted to thwart the birth of Christ through the iron
heel of Roman oppression and the insanity of King Herod (Matt.2:16-18).
Transition: The woman with child was the first
wonder and now we are about to be told about the second wonder, the great
red dragon. . .
2. The fiery red dragon (vv.3-4).
A. The fiery red dragon's description and identity
(v.3).
3 And another sign appeared
in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and
ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.
1) The red dragon is identified as Satan in verse
9 (Levy).
A) The phrase "great red
dragon" (v.3) presents him as a
cruel monster and a bloody murderer.
B) He is called an "old serpent" (v.9) because he beguiled Eve in the garden of Eden.
C) He is called "the Devil" (v.9) because he is a slanderer.
D) He is called "Satan" because he is
an adversary who opposes God and he goes about trying to deceive
the world by leading them away from God.
E) He is called the "accuser of the brethren"
(v.10) because his current work is to
discredit on believers before God's throne.
2) Satan is described (Levy).
A) Seven heads probably represent the seven consecutive
evil world empires controlled by Satan and leading up to the revival
of the Roman Empire.
- Satan has used seven major nations to oppress
the nation of Israel: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome,
and the final empire that he will use is the revived Roman Empire
(RFEPH).
B) The Ten Horns represent the ten-nation confederacy that comes out
of the seventh head, which is the revived Roman Empire controlled
by Satan during the Great Tribulation.
- Ten kings will rule under his authority,
but when Antichrist rises to preeminence among them he will subdue
three of them leaving only seven (Dan. 7:7-8,
20, 24; Rev.13:1: SL).
C) The Seven crowns indicate the fullness of Satan's authority and
his rule over nations, which he will give to the beast (the Antichrist)
during the Great Tribulation (13:2).
- This pictures the political authority of
these seven rulers during the Great Tribulation (SL).
B. The fallen stars of heaven (v.4a).
4a His tail drew a third
of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. . .
1) If the "stars" spoken of here is literally
the stars in heaven, then the event spoken of here would be some sort
of judgment involving a meteor shower on the earth (Ryrie).
2) If the "stars" are a reference to angels
in heaven, then this would be a reference to Satan's original fall
from heaven where he took a third of the angels with him (Ezek.28:15;
Dan.8:10; Isa.14:12-17; Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4).
A) God cast Satan and these angels out of heaven
to earth, and they no longer dwell in God's presence (SL).
(1) While Satan no longer lives in heaven,
God allows him access to His throne room (v.10)
until he is removed a second time during the Tribulation (v.9:
Levy).
(2) Satan uses this access to accuse God’s people (Job
1-2) where his strategy is to persecute God’s people and
devour them if possible (1 Peter 5:8:
BEC).
B) This is probably the best view, in light of the known history of
the casting out of Satan and a third of the angels from heaven.
- "drew" ("suro" {soo'-ro}); to drag away, pull along, draw. (NIV
& NAS = swept).
C. Satan, the dragon, has attempted throughout history to destroy the
Messiah.
4b . . .And the dragon
stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child
as soon as it was born.
1) Satan attempted to destroy Christ when He was an infant (Matt.2:3-16), through king Herod.
2) Satan has also attempted to prevent the appearance of Christ since
the prediction that he would be destroyed by the Seed of the woman
in Genesis 3:15 (Levy).
A) He tried to cut off Christ's lineage by the
death of Abel (Gen.4:4).
B) He tried to cut off Christ's lineage by polluting the godly
line of Seth (Gen.6).
C) He tried to cut off Christ's lineage by producing a pseudo-son
of promise in Ishmael (Gen.16).
D) He tried to cut off Christ's lineage by destroying Israel in
Egypt (Ex.1).
E) He tried to cut off Christ's lineage by destroying Israel in
Persia (Est.3:8-15).
F) He tried to cut off Christ's lineage by trying to kill Christ
in Nazareth (Luke 4:28-29).
G) He tried to cut off Christ's lineage by crucifying Him (Matt.27:33-50).
Transition: We have already touched upon the
identity of the child in verse 4, so lets take
a closer look. . .
3. The child (vv.5-6).
A. From Child to King, Jesus Christ (v.5).
5 She bore a male Child
who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught
up to God and His throne.
1) The "male child" who was to rule all
nations with a rod of iron is Jesus Christ (19:15;
Psa.2:9; Luke 1:30-33; Rom.9:4-5).
2) The birth of Jesus and His ascension are the events in view here
(SL).
A) Satan failed to destroy Jesus at His birth,
and because he also failed to destroy Him during His life and in His
death on the cross, Jesus Christ victoriously ascended into heaven.
B) Christ will yet rule the world during the coming millennial
kingdom with an iron shepherd's rod (Psa.2).
C) The emphases in this whole review of Satan's opposition to Jesus
are Jesus' victory and Satan's continuing antagonism.
B. Since Satan cannot destroy Jesus Christ he turns his attention to Israel
(v.6: SL).
6 Then the woman fled
into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they
should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
1) John saw Israel as having fled into the wilderness where God protected
her 1,260 days (three and a half years), the second half of the
tribulation period (v.14, 11:2-3; Matt.24:16;
Mark 13:14).
2) Throughout Scripture a wilderness often represents a place of
desolation, safety, discipline, and testing.
3) Perhaps there will be Gentiles who will help feed the Israelite
refugees, but definitely God and angels (Dan.
12:1), will take care of them during this time.
Transition: Now John's vision of Satan's activity
turns to. . .
II. His War In Heaven (vv.7-12).
1. The opponents (v.7).
7 And war broke out in
heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon
and his angels fought,
A. Michael and Satan (v.7a).
1) Michael's ministry is to oversee and protect
the nation of Israel (Dan 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude
9).
2) He is the only angel in the bible who is specifically called an
archangel (Ryrie).
B. The timing of the war in heaven (v.7b).
1) The time of this war in heaven was not indicated
but the context refers to the end time (BKC).
2) Many commentators place this war in the middle of the Tribulation.
Transition: Now let's look at.
. .
2. The outcome (vv.8-12).
A. Satan cast out of heaven (vv.8-9).
8 but they did not prevail,
nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the
Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth,
and his angels were cast out with him.
1) The result of the battle in heaven is Satan and his army of fallen
angels are defeated.
- They are cast out of heaven and are no longer
given access to God.
2) This is the first of three judgments on Satan (Levy).
A) He will be bound and sealed in the bottomless
pit during the millennial kingdom (20:1-3).
B) He will finally be cast into the lake of fire to be tormented
forever (20:10).
B. Heaven rejoices (vv.10-12a).
10 Then I heard a loud
voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom
of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of
our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been
cast down. 11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word
of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
12a "Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you
who dwell in them!. . .
1) Heaven responds to Satan defeat by offering praises to God and
His Son.
2) The Three stanzas of this hymn (Levy);
A) Praise is given to celebrate the completion
of God's program (v.10).
B) Praise is given for the victory of the saints overcame Satan
by their testimonies and deaths (v.11).
C) Encouragement is given for all in heaven to rejoice (v.12a).
C. Earth's woe (v.12b).
12b . . .Woe to the
inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to
you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."
1) This woe is seen as the third woe, or the sounding of the seventh
trumpet (RFEPH).
2) There are two reasons given here for this woe (Ryrie).
A) First, Satan confinement to the earth means
this will be his only sphere of operation or focus.
B) Second, Satan knows that his time is nearly up, and that his
ultimate defeat will soon come.
(1) The intensity of Satan's work will increase
greatly during this time.
(2) Thus, it is likely that the end times will be the greatest
period of spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10–18)
in history (NIBC).
Transition: With Satan's defeat in heaven,
our attention now once again turns back to earth. . .
III. His Future War On Earth (vv.13-17).
1. Satan's war against Israel (v.13).
13 Now when the dragon
saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave
birth to the male Child.
A. The woman introduced in verse 1 now once
again becomes the special object of Satan’s persecution.
B. Satan's intense hatred of Israel will reach its climax during the
Great Tribulation, as he tries to do everything within his power to
totally destroy them (Levy).
- He knows that if he can destroy Israel, he will
thwart God's program, keeping it from coming to its ultimate fruition,
and by doing so defeat God.
Transition: But once again, Satan fails
to accomplish his will. . .
2. Israel's deliverance (vv.14-16; Dan.7:25).
A. God will deliver Israel from Satan's attack (v.14a).
14a But the woman was
given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness
to her place. . .
1) Some scholars believe that this refers to a massive airlift to
safety, or even to the United States helping Israel, but the term
"eagles wings" was used to describe Israel's flight from Egypt
in Exodus 19:4 and Deuteronomy 32:11-12 (Levy).
- The flight of Israel to a place of safety
was also indicated in Matthew 24:16; Mark 13:14;
and Luke 21:21 (BKC).
2) This phrase simply indicates that Israel's flight to safety will
be swift and supernatural (Levy).
B. The place of safety (v.14b).
14b . . .that she might
fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time
and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
1) The Bible doesn't reveal where this place will be where God will
provide for Israel.
2) Some believe it might be Petra, fortress capital of the Nabateans
in Edom, south of the Dead Sea (BKC).
- This city has a narrow access which could easily
be blocked but which opens up into a large canyon capable of caring
for many thousands of people.
C. Satan's flood (vv.15-16: SL).
15 So the serpent spewed
water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause
her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But
the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed
up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.
1) Satan may use literal water to try to drown this group of Israelites,
if they take refuge in a place such as Petra this might seem to be
a possibility.
2) Another possibility is that he will pursue them with soldiers
as a river (Jer.46:7-8; 47:2-3).
3) A flood is also a biblical metaphor for overwhelming evil (Psa.18:4; 124:2-4; Isa. 43:2).
A) So it is very likely, that this is a way of
describing Satan's intense attempt to destroy the Jews.
B) Whether this is an actual flood or a metaphor for the overwhelming
evil, God will assist the Israelites in escaping from Satan.
Transition: While Satan failed
in his attack on the nation of Israel, he doesn't give up. . .
3. Satan's war against Israel's seed (v.17).
17 And the dragon was
enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring,
who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
A. When Satan's plans fail to destroy the nation
of Israel, he turns his attention to destroying Jews everywhere else in
the world (v.17a).
B. Satan's wrath is also turned upon those who are Christians (v.17b).
- This could be a specific reference to be the
144,000 Jewish-Christian evangelist (7:1-8; 14:1-5).
Transition: Now lets put all
this together into perspective. . .
Invitation:
1. First, we are reminded of God's promise to Israel in Genesis
12:3, "I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses
you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
A. We must never be guilty of anti-Semitism.
B. The Jews are God's elect people, and were it not for Israel, we
would have no Savior or Bible.
2. Second, we are reminded here that there is only One True God, Satan is
only a cheap imitation.
3. Thirdly, we are reminded here that Satan has no love or concern for
anyone except for himself.
- His goal is, if he can't defeat God, then he wants
to defeat the world by taking as many people to hell with him to keep
them from worshiping God.
4. Fourthly, we are reminded that Satan is at war with the saints, and we
can overcome him only through faith in God and His Word.
A. Satan is the accuser of the brethren.
B. Let us not be found accusing the saints, for if we are then we are
on Satan's side and not the Lord's.
5. Lastly, Satan is persistent and untiring.
- Therefore, can Christians or the Lord's church afford
not to be equally persistent and untiring in our service to the Lord?
Study References
BEC - Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary.
BKC - John Walvoord & Roy Zuck, The Bible Knowledge
Commentary (New Testament ed).
Levy - Revelation, Hearing The Last Word, by David M. Levy
NIBC - New Illustrated Bible Commentary, Thomas Nelson Publishers
RFEPH - Revelation, Future Events, Present Hope, Regular
Baptist Press
Ryrie - Revelation, Everyman’s Bible Commentary, by Charles
C. Ryrie
SL - Expository notes, by Dr. Thomas Constable, (http://soniclight.com/).
WGB - Willmington’s Guide To The Bible.
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