What is being described in heaven in the opening verses is: the birth of Jesus Christ, satan with a third of the angels who rejected God, the raising up of Christ to God and the throne prepared for Him at God’s right hand. This parallels the life of Jesus Christ on earth: His birth, satan’s desire to destroy Him on earth, the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for forgiveness of sin bringing our salvation, and Christ’s ultimate place of glory on the throne at the right hand of God Almighty.
We are given a few additional details regarding the “great red dragon”, satan. He has 7 heads, 10 horn, 7 crowns and is followed by a third of the angels. These elements will be tied to other scriptures later in the study.
The next verses describe the battle in heaven between God’s archangel Michael with his angels and satan with his angels. The result of the battle being satan and his angels “cast out into the earth.” When satan is cast out this final time,
10And 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. – Revelation 12:10 KJV
We know satan was previously cast out of the Throne Room of God. Scripture tells us he disguised himself as an angel of light on at least one occasion to “sneak” back in. Of course, God knew of his plan and chose to allow it. Since being cast out the first time, he has worked to prey on our sin, using it in the courts of heaven to petition for our punishment. Our shame and fear from wrong doings plague us on earth. But in this moment, those accusations will be silenced. The courts of heaven will be closed to satan’s pleas for justice. Fear and shame is removed with complete forgiveness for God’s saints. Without the accuser accusing us day and night, the power of past wrongs that exists for each of us today will be gone for those of us who remain.
11And 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. – Revelation 12:11 KJV
We will overcome during all these events, just as we do today, with our testimony for Christ and with the power of the blood of Christ shed for us. We must be ready to face earthly death when taking our stand for Christ. God has the final say on when and how we leave this earth. Our choice, as called out in this verse, is to love God and Christ with all our heart, to love them more than our life on earth. We who will overcome choose God and Christ by our testimony of salvation through Christ and wisdom from God to use the power of the blood of Christ.
Any who have known spiritual warfare in their own lives know evil spirits flee at the mere mention of the name Jesus Christ. Seeking any form of cleansing using the blood of Jesus Christ shed for us brings a similar, but exponential reaction. Scripture tells us:
17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: – Acts 2:17-18 KJV
These verses speak specifically to prophecy, one of the fruits of the Spirit. Another fruit is wisdom, wisdom to apply the power of the blood of the Jesus Christ. The blood shed by Christ on the cross for all sin, not just some. Spiritually pouring His blood on sin brings forgiveness. Christ has been given authority by God over the powers of earth. Power on earth is all satan has, and the blood of Christ reigns of that temporary strength.
The devil has authority in the courts of heaven because of our sin. At this point, when he is kicked out for the final time, he no longer has that opportunity to fight against the children of God in heaven. The courts of heaven are now closed to his complaints against the saints!
12Therefore 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. – Revelation 12:12 KJV
There is great rejoicing in heaven, as the end is near and the devil has been spiritually castrated. On earth, there will be “woes” plaguing the “inhabiters of the earth”. Remember, the angel warning of the “woes” to come on earth. In this verse, the “inhabiters of the earth” are only to those that have chosen the ways of the earth, the ways of satan. They are those who have rejected Christ. Those who are sealed are not “of the earth.” The sealed have rejected earthly ways, earthly power, earthly control. They have submitted to Christ and have been brought through Christ to the Father. We will all continue to be imperfect until the day we leave this earth. But, we have the opportunity to grow ever closer to Christ and God, living through increase in God’s authority and His ways, snuffing out any room in our lives for earthly ways.
We see protection of the woman in the wilderness by God and protection of the saints from the accuser by God. Saints living on earth during this period will have elevated relationships with the God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit as have been rarely if ever known on earth! The most important thing to remember through this entire study is that GOD IS GREATER!!! We do not need to fear any of the destruction on earth, regardless of our vantage point fir the experience. We have learned as saints of the power of our testimony and how to pray using of the blood of the Lamb! Nothing is more important at this point, especially not our earthly lives!
The devil knows his time is short. His wrath on earth from this time forward will be all out hate, as he has nothing left to lose. He has a short time left to battle against the saints of God. And, HE KNOWS IT!
The angel warns of the final three trumpets, calling them “woes” to the inhabiters of earth. Remember, satan not only wants to torture the saints, he also desires harm on his own followers. His heart is to steal, kill and destroy and even human followers of his are still reminders they were created in the beauty and likeness of the Lord. Even his own followers are thorns on his head, reflecting the beauty chose to throw away!
The dragon being cast to earth again goes after the woman.
14And 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. 15And 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. 16And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. – Revelation 12:14-16 KJV
A place in the wilderness was prepared for the woman, God’s saints. God not only commanded the earth to rise up and protect her from the devil’s attack, He also provided sustenance for her. God’s desire and power will protect and sustain us through the evil projected by the dragon. This passage also reflects the devil’s pathetic attempt to emulate the power of God. He tries to cause a flood as God did in the time of Noah, attempting to bring harm to the woman. However, God’s plan and power are much greater! The earth He created swallows the water, protecting the woman, ensuring she makes it to the wilderness where she is protected for a “time, and times, and half a time.”
The timeline reflected here represents a period of 3.5 years. Based on a Jewish calendar of 360 days per year, this 3.5 year period aligns to the 1,260 days, or 42 months, where she is protected in the wilderness.
17And 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. – Revelation 12:17 KJV
The dragon is unsuccessful and goes “to make war with the remnant of her seed.” The saints, sealed on earth, are the remnant. They keep God’s commands and testify to salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. These passages make it clear there will be some portion of God’s children, His children, still on earth at the point in time when the devil is cast down to earth for the final reconning. The remaining saints are the seed of the woman being warred against.
The bulk of activity from chapter 12 is occurring in heaven. Chapter 13 moves back to earth, detailing the beast rising from the sea with 7 heads, 10 horns and 10 crowns. The dragon gives his power, his seat and authority on earth to the first beast. One head of the beast receives a deadly wound and miraculously recovers, astounding the world. Those of earth view this as reflecting an almighty power that none can war against. This power is allowed by God for a 42 month period. The beast blasphemes God, his tabernacle and those who dwell in heaven.
7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. – Revelation 13:7 KJV
The beast is given power to war against the saints and overcome them. Yes, this verse is clear. Some of the saints will be overcome by the beast. But, this does not mean we will live in fear!! Again, God’s power is greater!! And when He decides our individual work here on earth is complete, He will bring us home to His kingdom for eternity!
10He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. – Revelation 13:10 KJV
The saints living on earth during this period will need to exude great patience and faith, as they continue their testimony for Christ. The beast will be worshipped by all whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. This brings to mind the church of Philadelphia, having “little power” as they stand for Christ.
Another beast comes out of the earth in support of the first. It is described as having two horns like a lamb, and speaking as the dragon. The first beast is often referred to as the “antichrist.” This second beast is often referred to as the false prophet. The false prophet is able to do great wonders, but only when in the presence of the antichrist. After the wounding and miraculous recovery of the antichrist, the false prophet has an image of the antichrist created. He uses his power to make the image of the beast speak and requires all on earth to worship the image or be killed.
Reading this chapter, we realize it is the second beast, the false prophet, who requires acceptance of the mark of the beast. “All, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.” – Revelation 13:16 KJV. None can buy or sell in the worldly system from this point forward without the mark, represented by a number, 666.
Appendix A (additions)
Revelation 12-13 – Order of Events to Remember
Heaven
- “Great red dragon”, the devil, has 7 heads, 10 horns and 7 crowns
- Michael and his angels war against the devil and WIN!
- Dragon is cast out, down to earth, with his angels for the last time
- 1/3 of stars/angels fall to earth with the dragon
- Woman flees to wilderness and is protected by God for 3.5 years
- Accuser can no longer accuse before God, day and night
- We overcome with our testimony and the blood of the Lamb
Earth
- Dragon gives first beast his power, seat, and authority on earth
- Fatal wound of first beast, the antichrist, is miraculously healed
- Earth worships the dragon and the antichrist
- Second beast rises, the false prophet
- False prophet creates image of antichrist, gives image power to speak and requires worship of image by all on earth
- False prophet requires the mark of the beast be taken
- Antichrist allowed power for 42 months
- Great blasphemies against God, Christ and those dwelling in heaven made by antichrist
- Counterfeit miraculous activities will occur, attempting to confuse the saints and those who have yet to know Christ.