Notes on the Book of Revelation, Chapter 12

The Twelfth Chapter of Revelation is a continuation of the events taking place at the Midpoint of Daniel’s 70^th Week, but from a Heavenly viewpoint. In Chapter 10, a “Mighty Angel” announced the completion of God’s prophetic plan at the sounding of the7^th trumpet. In the first 13 verses of Chapter 11, we see the scene on Earth from the perspective of Jerusalem. In Revelation 11:15-19, John witnesses the sounding of the 7^th Trumpet, and the events which follow. Chapter 12 continues the scenes from sounding of the 7^th trumpet, and the transition about to take place in Heaven.

In chapter 12, not only do we see the Heavenly perspective of the midpoint, but the conflict of the ages. John witnesses and records the events in Heaven at the middle of Daniel’s 70^th week. He describes two great signs, unveiling the spiritual conflicts in the physical and spiritual realms. The first sign is of a woman, she gives birth to a male-child, who will rule the nations, and he is “caught up” to the throne of God in Heaven. The second is of a great red dragon, which pursues the woman, who gave birth to the child.

Here in a picture is the conflict of the ages, between the descendants of Eve and Satan. The conflict between the seed of the woman, the Messiah (Christ), and the serpent, Satan, goes back to the fall of man (Genesis 3:15-16). Satan has tried to prevent Messiah’s birth and the completion of God’s plan of redemption. Here John reveals the spiritual dimension of this age-old conflict which is about to enter its final act.

John records the conclusion of events, which began in the Garden of Eden, at the fall of man. Satan, who tempted Adam and Eve, has somehow regained some kind of access to some part of Heaven. Michael, the archangel who is the defender of Israel, and his angels cast Satan and his fallen angels from their heavenly access. Satan’s freedom of movement is confined to the earth, and because he knows his time is short (3 ½ years), he confronts Israel in a last ditch effort to stop his confinement.

Satan, assumes control the Antichrist’s kingdom at the mid-point of the Tribulation. After Satan is expelled from Heaven, he incarnates the Antichrist who seemed to have a fatal wound (Revelation 13:3). The resurrected Antichrist enters the rebuilt Third Temple in Jerusalem and declares himself God demanding Israel and the world worship him (2 Thes. 2:4). Israel refuses to worship the Antichrist, who is now Satan incarnate. The Antichrist is enraged against Israel and all believers since he knows his time is short and he must act quickly. Satan indwelling the Antichrist pursues Israel and attempts to exterminate the Jewish people, hoping to prevent the return of Christ, who promised to return when Israel acknowledged Him as their Messiah (Matthew 23:39).

At this point God intervenes on Israel’s behalf, almost two thousand years ago, Jesus warned Israel about this coming day of trial. Jesus referring to the book of Daniel warned Israel, when they saw the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel to flee to the mountains (Matthew 24: 15-21). God literally opens the Mount of Olives, creating a valley, and providing a path of escape, for a remnant seed of Israel. There in the wilderness of Judah east of Jerusalem, God will supernaturally preserve and nourish a select group of survivors for 1,260 days (or three and half years). In the wilderness, surviving Israel will come to terms with their Messiah and finally understand, Jesus Christ is their only way to salvation.