THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 12 – The Woman Israel, The Dragon, The Male Child, The Angel Michael  – Episode 14

~ Michael Young, Sr.

THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 12 – The Woman Israel, The Dragon, The Male Child, The Angel Michael

Episode 14

 (These Episodes are meant to not only ask and answer the questions, “When, Why, How and What?”, but also the question, “AND, WHAT? DOES THIS MEAN TO ME”)

We will now get a deeper spiritual perspective of the unfolding events of the Last Days. Chapter 12 gives us a review and an overview from above, of what was, what is and what is to come.

 Please remember and try to understand that “while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” This is the perspective of this Chapter twelve.

 (And, because of the extensive use of symbolism, metaphors and similes, I will comment more than usual, hopefully to give useful insights.)

The Woman, Israel

Revelation 12:1 And a great sign [warning of an ominous and frightening future event] appeared in heaven: a [footnote ‘a’] woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Verse 2. She was with child (the Messiah) and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.

(Commentary Break: It can be quite obvious that the woman clothed with the sun is Israel. The sun refers to Jacob, (who was also called Israel), and the moon is open to many interpretations, but one is that it possibly refers to Rachel, who is  the younger daughter of Laban and wife of Jacob, and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, who become two of the twelve tribes of Israel. The crown of 12 stars upon the woman’s head refers to the twelve tribes of Israel, originating with the sons of Jacob and Rachel.

 Verse 2 is, of course, referring to the birth of Jesus, which is very descriptive as “she, the woman Israel, cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth”. This is but another important time marker of the beginning to the Tribulation Period, known as the BIRTH PAINS, as spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24, verse 8.

 I am providing a reprint of Matthew 24 verses 3 through 14, below here, to give the full context of (#1), Jesus’ remarks on this matter, and (#2), to show the specific time of the beginning of the BIRTH PAINS segment of The Tribulation, which include the first 5 tribulations, broken at the time of the birth of Christ Jesus! The 6th Tribulation Seal is not mentioned here, as it is the beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week, also known as The Great Tribulation and the beginning of the FINAL SEVEN YEARS of the Tribulation!

Matthew 24:3, And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 

And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people. And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars, (Tribulation Seals 1 through 2 as described by Jesus in Matthew chapter 24 and Revelation chapter 6). See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,(Tribulation Seals  and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.

“Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name (Third and fourth Tribulation Seals). And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. (The Fifth Tribulation Seal). But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

To repeat: this is to give the full context of (#1), Jesus’ remarks on this matter, and (#2), to show the specific time of the beginning of the BIRTH PAINS segment of The Tribulation, which include the first 5 tribulations, broken at the time of the birth of Christ Jesus! The 6th Tribulation Seal is not mentioned here, as it is the beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week, also known as The Great Tribulation and the beginning of the FINAL SEVEN YEARS of the Tribulation! (End Commentary Break).

The Red Dragon, Satan

Verse 3. Then another sign [of warning] was seen in heaven: behold, a great fiery red dragon (Satan) with [footnote ‘b’] seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven royal crowns (diadems). Verse 4. And his tail swept [across the sky] and dragged away a third of the stars of heaven and flung them to the earth. And the dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.

(Commentary Break: The seven heads and ten horns correspond to the heads and horns of the beast in Revelation chapter 17, verse 3 through verse 17, and to those of the beast in Daniel chapter 7, verse 7 through verse 8 and following verses as well. Daniel’s description reveals that the ten horns are ten kings who temporarily reign with the Antichrist during the Great Tribulation. These ten kings, or nations, as found in Ezekiel 38, in Daniel chapter 7 and 9 and again in Revelation chapter 17, as the armies of Armageddon are from the nations of:

      1. Gog, also known as Rosh, (Russia) and,
      2. Rosh, (Russia),
      3. Magog, also known as (Russia),
      4. Gomer, also known as (Eastern Europe-Southern Russia),
      5. Put, also known as (Libya),
      6. Cush, also known as (Ethiopia),
      7. Persia, also known as (Iran),
      8. Meshech, also known as (Modern Day Turkey),
      9. Tubal, also known as (an area in central Turkey),
      10. Beth-Togarmah, also known as (Georgia, Chechnya, Turkey/Armenia).

 Next, John sees a sign in heaven: “An enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth.” John then relates that the dragon was hurled down to the earth and positively identifies it as “that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray” (Revelation 12 verse 9). The dragon is not thrown to earth alone, however: “His angels were cast out with him” (verse 9). The angels that are ejected from heaven with Satan we associate with the “third of the stars” that the dragon’s tail swept from heaven to earth in verse 4. If the “stars” of Revelation 12 verse 4 are indeed a symbolic reference to Satan’s “angels” from verse 9, then what we have is a reference to the fall of a portion of the angels, (the heavenly hosts), who followed Satan in his rebellion. Two thirds of the angels remained loyal to God and are called the “holy angels” in Scripture (for example, Mark 8 verse 38); one third of the original angels joined Satan and are called “unclean spirits” or “demons” today (for example, Mark 9:25).

 This section closes with the obvious reference to Satan’s attempts to destroy the Christ Child. (see King Herod’s attempt to kill Jesus in Matthew 2, verses 1 through 18; and the crucifixion of Jesus in Matthew 27, and chapter 28, verses 1 through 15.) (End Commentary Break).

The Male Child, Christ

Verse 5. And she gave birth to a Son, a male Child, who is destined to rule (shepherd) all the nations with a rod of iron; and her Child was [footnote ‘c’] caught up to God and to His throne. Verse 6. Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that she would be nourished there for a thousand two hundred and sixty days (forty-two months; which is three and one-half years).

(Commentary Break:  Jesus is born and “was caught up to God and to His throne” is telling us of the ascension of Christ to heaven following His death and resurrection.

 Verse 6 continues by telling us that the woman, (which is Israel), flees to the wilderness where she had a place to nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days, which is 42 months or 3 and one half years. This is a difficult passage, but the woman’s flight into the wilderness for one thousand two hundred and sixty days most likely refers to the future time called the Great Tribulation. Twelve hundred, sixty days is 42 months (of 30 days each), which is the same as 3 and one half years. Halfway through the Tribulation period, the Beast (the Antichrist) will set an image of himself up in the temple that will be built in Jerusalem. This is the abomination that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24 verse 15 and Mark 13 verse 14. When the Beast does this, he breaks the peace pact he had made with Israel, and the nation has to flee for safety, possibly to Petra (also see Matthew 24 and Daniel 9 verse 27). This escape of the Jews is pictured as the woman fleeing into the wilderness.

 More likely however, rather than a literal place, this is ‘a time of relative peace’ for Israel during the first half of the seven year Great Tribulation period, which begins at the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal and will last until the Sounding of the 6th Tribulation Trumpet.. This is the time that they make the peace treaty as referred to in Daniel 9 verse 27. (End Commentary Break).

The Angel, Michael

Verse 7. And war broke out in heaven, Michael [the archangel] and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought, verse 8, but they were not strong enough and did not prevail, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. Verse 9. And the great dragon was thrown down, the age-old serpent who is called the [footnote ‘d’] devil and Satan, he who continually deceives and seduces the entire inhabited world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Verse 10. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom (dominion, reign) of our God, and the authority of His Christ have come; for the [footnote ‘e’] accuser of our [believing] brothers and sisters has been thrown down [at last], he who accuses them and keeps bringing charges [of sinful behavior] against them before our God day and night. Verse 11. And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death. Verse 12. Therefore rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them [in the presence of God]. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you in great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time [remaining]!”

Verse 13. And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who had given birth to the male Child. Verse 14. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time (three and one-half years), away from the presence of the serpent (Satan). Verse 15. And the serpent hurled water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. Verse 16. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon had hurled out of his mouth. Verse 17. So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went off to wage war on the rest of her children (seed), those who keep and obey the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus [holding firmly to it and bearing witness to Him].

(Commentary Break: Although knowing these things, changes nothing in your life nor in your existence if you have already been Raptured from earth. Nor is there any way you can respond, or need to. But if you have not been saved by faith in Christ Jesus, and do not bear the protective Seal of the Lord, perhaps this is useful. Either way, for your information, Michael the Archangel is described in the Bible, in the books of Daniel, Jude, and Revelation, as a warrior angel who engages in spiritual combat. The word archangel means “angel of the highest rank.” Most angels in the Bible are portrayed as messengers, but Michael is described in all three books as contending, fighting, or standing against evil spirits and principalities (Daniel 10 verses 13 and 21; Jude 1 verses 9; and Revelation 12 verse 7). We do not have a full picture of any angel, and only two are named in the Bible. (Gabriel is the other). Scripture only gives us hints of their movements during human events, but it is safe to say that Michael the archangel is a powerful being (see Got Questions.Org).

 We see here that the Dragon and his angels are thrown down but they continue to deceive the whole world for a time. Knowing his time is short he persecutes Israel and the Christ with increasing ferocity, but is overcome and defeated by Christ Jesus and His armies, “by the Blood of the Lamb and because of the Word of their testimony”, and by the fact that they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death. This is our example and our response in the days leading up to these events.

 Once again we read that the woman (Israel) goes to the wilderness for safety, this time flown away on the two wings of an eagle, These two wings of an eagle are symbolic and used a metaphor of God’s strength and provision to a way of escape. We can see an example of this, which is found in Psalms 34. The Psalmist says, “The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, And His ears are toward their cry for help. The face of the LORD is against evildoers to eliminate the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears and rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The afflictions of the righteous are many, But the LORD rescues him from them all.”

It is also interesting to see that ”the Serpent spews or hurls out water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood”. Three significant floods are mentioned in the Bible.

 The first instance of a flood is found in Genesis 6, verse 17, “Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish”, in Noah’s day.

 The second instance is found in Daniel 9 verse 26, “Verse 26.  “Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing (see this article on “The Flood in Daniel 9” for details of the 62 weeks), and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood (this flood is a flood of people, of armies); even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.

The third instance is found in Matthew 24 verses 38 and 39, “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

Each instance refers to a catastrophic judgement instituted by God to bring an end to wickedness and to bring His Chosen Elect to Himself, making and forging us, more into the image of Christ, through tribulation. This changes everything for the earth and the people upon the earth. Take heed. Be prepared.

 This section ends with the serpent becoming enraged with the woman, who is Israel, and goes on to make war with her children, (her seed), which are those who keep and obey the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus, holding firmly to it and bearing witness to Him. This is saying not only the Jew, but now includes those who have been grafted into the Olive Tree of Israel – all Christians who carry the Name of Christ.  (End Commentary Break).

There we have it. Chapter 12. An abbreviated but a complete overview of God’s Plan for His creation, from beginning to end, run in a ‘fast forward speed’ so to speak.

God placed this in His Word, not just for your reading entertainment nor just for information, but it is important for our preparation for what is coming and for our understanding as ministers and witnesses of His Plan to this lost world.

Next, in Revelation chapter 13, we learn about the Beast from the Sea and the Beast from the Earth.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Previous: THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 11 – The Two Witnesses – Episode 13

Next: (coming soon). THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 13 – The Two Beasts – Episode 13

Published by Michael Young, Sr.

I am a practicing Christian, a disciple of Jesus, a husband of over 50 years, a father and a grandfather, a business man, a veteran and a friend to all who will have me. I have served or am serving, at various times, as an Evangelist, a Pulpit fill pastor, an Associate Pastor of Evangelism and as Senior Pastor of a church plant. My passion is for practicing and teaching the Bible, building small groups, reaching the lost with the message of the Gospel of Jesus, recovering the straying Sheep of God and the gathering together the Called of God, in neighborhoods, business settings and in churches by equipping other Christians. I have authored a few small books and I have a background in professional business management, finance and investments. I am glad to meet you, even if it is virtually. Write me at any time and let's become friends.

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