The Book Of Revelation

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< > Chapter Six The last few years of this Age. Rev.4v1 to 20v3 The escape of the Woman into the wilderness. Rev.12v1-17 The woman is not Mary or the manchild Jesus. Some say that the woman is Mary, and the manchild is Jesus, however, Rev.4v1., definitely informs us that the things that followed were in the future and not in the past. Also the woman is persecuted by Satan, when he and his evil angels are cast down to the earth; at present they are in the heavenly places, and will remain there until they are cast out of the heavenlies to the earth by the archangel Michael and his angels at the start of the last 3½ years of this age. Eph.6v12. Dan.12v1,2,6,7. Rev.12v7-12. Satan tries to kill the woman by means of the Beast, the Antichrist, and God miraculously transports, protects and feeds her during the last 3½ years of this age. Rev.12v4,6,9,12-14. 13v5. We read in Rev.12v5., that the manchild is to rule the nations with a rod of iron; and since this is a quote from Ps.2v9., some have thought that the manchild must be Jesus. However, we read in Rev.2v26,27., that the church at Thyatira was also told that if they overcame they would rule the nations with a rod of iron. The rod of iron descends on the wicked at Christ's coming, and those among the nations who are allowed into the Millennium on probation, who turn to evil and try to harm people. The righteous among these nations have a life of perfect peace and happiness. Is.32v1,17,18. The rod of iron ensures that everlasting righteousness and peace are brought in, and that evil never breaks out again and ruins the happiness of God's creation. Ps.2v1-12. Dan.9v24. The woman is not Orthodox Jewry. Some say that the woman is a company of Orthodox Jews. We know some Jews do flee for safety when Antichrist breaks the covenant, and they see the shadows of a great war and severe persecution threatening to engulf them. However, the woman of Rev.12. is not the group of Israelites who Jesus delivers from Antichrist when He returns. Is.30v19-22. 32v15. 35v1-10. 66v7-9. The Jews who would not accept Jesus as their Messiah when He was on earth, became the children of the Devil. Jn.8v39-47. The synagogue that rejected Jesus as their Messiah became the synagogue of Satan. Rev.2v9. 3v9. Acts.14v1,2. 17v5,13. 18v4-6. 19v8,9. 21v27-31. 22v22. 23v12. 24v1. 28v17-31. Christ said that the people who love the truth would listen to His voice. Jn.18v37. 1Jn.2v22,23. The Orthodox Israelite who truly loves God will usually accept Christ when he hears the Gospel. However, many godly Jews may be as slow to lay aside their Jewish traditions, as the apostles and leaders of the early Church. It took a vision of Christ to detach Paul from his cherished traditions and his hatred of Christians. The Orthodox Israelites who flee for safety are perhaps among the sheep of Mt.25v31-46., whose good treatment of the sons of God is looked upon as treatment of the Son of God, some of them may accompany the Christians who flee from Antichrist. The Woman is a section of the Church specially created and empowered by God for the last days. The vision of this glorious woman reveals to us one of God's major purposes for the last days. She represents a group of people, who are foreknown, designed, specially created and empowered by God for the great tribulation. It is a group of praying people, with prepared hearts and special ministries for the last days, who will operate with awesome power as a prayer-warrior group behind the scenes. God also gives a definite promise that He will protect, provide and empower the seeking hearts in His Church in a new and special way in the last days, and will not leave His Church defenceless in the great tribulation. This glorious woman reveals that part of the Church will be clothed with the fullness of God's power, and will be transported, protected and fed by God. This group is a major part of God's answer to the mystery of iniquity, and it is one of many such groups, who operate in other parts of the world. This woman is certainly not speaking of Orthodox Jews; though this group, or a group like it, could well be speaking of the Jewish Christian Church, for the following reasons. Jesus warns Christians to get out, and keep out, of Israel at the start of the great tribulation. Jesus warns us that Christians in Judea are to flee into the wilderness, when Antichrist sets up the abomination of desolation, the divinely aided transportation of this woman, seems to be an obvious fulfilment of that prophetic warning. Mt.24v15-20. Our Lord was teaching the leaders of His Church in Mt.24., and His directions were for them and not the orthodox Jew. Anyway, it is a fact that no traditional Jew, who rejected Christ, would accept or heed His warnings and prophecies. The picture of this woman is far too magnificent for a group of unbelieving Israelites. Here we see part of the Church filled with the power and glory of God. The symbols used are very striking and significant. The moon of Mosaic dispensation shone with the light of the Gospel, as the moon shines with the light of the sun. The woman is not shining with the light of the moon of Judaism, she is clothed with the light of the Gospel sun. Jewish worship was a shadow of things to come. Many of the Old Testament types, shadows and prophecies have been fulfilled in the birth, life, death, resurrection and intercessory ministry of Christ. These revelations of Christ, and other prophetic and moral truths in the Old Testament Scriptures, constitute the moon under the feet of the woman, for the Church is founded upon the truths revealed to the Old Testament prophets, as well as the truth given to New Testament apostles. Eph.3v5. Col.2v17. Heb.8v1-13. 10v1-16. The twelve stars are not the twelve tribes of Israel. It is very unlikely that the twelve stars are the twelve tribes of Israel, for most of the sons of Jacob were rather wicked, and anything but shining lights. The Scriptures inform us that Christians are the only ones who do not follow Antichrist in the countries that are under his control. Rev.13v8. Antichrist will corrupt the Israelites who are not saved. Dan.11v32-35. We see from Revelation seventeen, that most of the Israelites do accept Antichrist and lean upon him. The twelve stars are more likely to be the twelve apostles of Christ, as a star usually portrays an individual not a group of people. Rev.1v20. 2v1. 12v4. 21v12-14. Mt.19v28. Paul tells us in Gal.3v28., that in this age of grace, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ.” Through the blood of Jesus the distinction between Jews and Gentiles is abolished, we are fellow citizens of the household of God. Eph.2v11-22. The woman is surely giving birth to her own kind. We know that the manchild which is born to the woman is a group of Christians, for the martyred manchild is said to have overcome Satan and Antichrist through the blood of the Lamb. Rev.12v5,11,12. We are also told in Rev.12v17., that the seed of the woman keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. The Woman is not the whole Church of Christ. The vast majority of the Church is now in Heaven and so is absolutely safe from being persecuted by Satan and the powers of darkness, in fact the Church will judge these evil angels. 1Cor.6v1-3. Jude.v14,15. We see from Rev.12v17., which speaks of the “seed of the woman,” that the woman represents a limited number of Christians on earth, who flee into the wilderness for safety from the murderous wrath of Satan and Antichrist.. Christ’s warning in Mt.24v15-21. Mk.13v14-20. and Lk.21v20-24., is to the Christians in Judea, and not to the whole Church, this is an obvious fulfilment of that warning. The woman is fed by God for 3½ years in the wilderness, this has obviously a local, and not a universal fulfilment. Rev.12v6,14-16. The woman flees from Antichrist at the start of the great tribulation, and at this time his authority is limited to the Middle East and some countries North and East of this area. Antichrist certainly does not possess world-wide power. Indeed, he never has world dominion even when he wins His final military victory in the Middle East, a few days before the end of the great tribulation. The wilderness referred to in Rev.12, could be a wilderness area in the region of Edom, Moab and Ammon, which, according to Dan.11v41., never falls into the hands of Antichrist. When he does send an army to capture the woman, God opens up the ground and swallows his army up, they suffer same fate as the sons of Korah. Rev.12v15,16.. Numb.16v28-35. Antichrist appears to send out another army, just before Christ returns, in an attempt to destroy the saints in Edom. We read in Is.63v1-6., and 34v1-8., that Jesus personally destroys this army. Though Christians are persecuted and hated by all nations at this time, it is only when Antichrist puts his image in the Temple that life becomes impossible for them in Palestine. Christ's warning in Mt.24v9-21., for Christians to flee from Judea, had a partial fulfilment in A.D. 70, when Jerusalem was destroyed by Titus. However, this warning is really directed at Christians in Judea during the last 3½ years of this age. The warning in Lk.21v20-24., for Christians to flee from Judea, when Jerusalem is surrounded by armies, had a definite fulfilment in A.D. 70, for v24 speaks of the dispersion of the Jews among the nations, and a long period of trampling under foot of Jerusalem by Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. As the context of Lk.21v20-24., has many prophecies concerning Christ’s second coming, the warning to flee from Judea, and not to enter into Judea, when armies surround Jerusalem, must have a dual fulfilment, and also apply to the events of the great tribulation. Since Rev.11v1,2., was written after Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed by Titus, so another sanctuary has to be built and desecrated by Antichrist. We can only correctly interpret these prophecies when we accept that Christ’s return will take place after the great tribulation. Mt.25v15-31. The woman in travail and her man child. Micah.4v10. This does not seem to be the soul travail that we can have in prayer for sinners to be saved, even though Christians who know the truth will be making great efforts to win people to Jesus, and warn them of the approaching calamities under Antichrist. This travail is more likely to be that spoken of by Jesus in Mt.24v8., “all these things are the beginning of travail, THEN shall they deliver you up into tribulation, and shall kill you.” Though at this time travail will, in some measure, be experienced by the universal Church, persecution will be particularly lethal for the Church in Judea. Jesus emphasises the necessity of enduring to the end. Mt.24v8-13. In Rev.12v13., “persecuted,” is “edioxen,” the aorist active indicative of “dioko,” to hunt, to pursue, to chase, it speaks of hostile pursuit as in Mt.5v10-12. and 10v23.. N.B. The man child is a group of Christians who are martyred for their faith. We read in Rev.12v11., that, “they loved not their lives unto death.” Jesus said that the Church in Israel will experience travail, suffering and death. Mt.24v8,9. Those who are faithful to death will rule with Christ. Rev.2v26,27. 3v21. 20v4-6. The martyred man child is in sharp contrast to the Christians who allow the abounding iniquity of the last days to cool off their "agape" love for God. Mt.24v12,13. The man child overcomes through the blood of Jesus, their word of testimony, and an utter disregard of love for their own life, out of love for God. Rev.12v10-12. They overcome, not by their own power, but by relying on God's grace and power. Personal love for God is the secret of victory, and its absence is the cause of defeat. 1Jn.2v12-14. The Great Red Dragon. The red dragon is said to be Satan in Rev.12v9., this indicates Satan's malevolent and ferocious disposition, and his desire to cause suffering, death and destruction. The seven heads are seven kingdoms under the control of Satan, he has used six of them in the past to oppress, persecute and dominate the Israelites. The previous six heads were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Egypt, Syria, and Rome. the sixth head was oppressing Israel in John's time. The seventh head, the kingdom of Antichrist, is still to come, and the ten horns are ten kings under Antichrist. The tail of the dragon casts the third part of the stars of heaven to the earth, these are without doubt the angels that fell with Satan. The Ancient Serpent. Jesus said Satan was a liar and murderer from the beginning. Jn.8v44. His wickedness goes back to the angelic ages; He has always been the enemy of man, and as in Eden, he still tries to corrupt and destroy mankind. The Devil. “Diabolos,” “Slanderer,” Satan is the slanderer who tries to take away a persons character. 1Tim.3v11. 2Tim.3v3. Tit.2v3. Jn.6v70. In Rev.12v10., Satan is called, “the accuser of the brethren,” “ho kategor,” is one who brings a legal charge against another, it is a legal term and is used in Jn.8v10. Acts.23v30,35. 24v7,8. and 25v16,18.. In Rev.12v10., “accused,” is “kategoron,” the present active participle of “kategoreo,” to bring a legal accusation;” the present participle again shows the evil persistence, continual action, and habitual character of Satan's accusations. Satan, the father of lies and falsehood, accuses Christ's brethren day and night before their heavenly Father. Note the amazing malice and hate of Satan and the wonderful patience of God. The Devil, the greatest lawbreaker of all, claims the right to appear before God in Heaven, on the grounds of the Law of God, to make a legal accusation against the children of God. Envy will see a spot in a bright sky and dwell on it, failing to see the beauty and brightness in a life that love delights to dwell on. When a disciple gives the Devil grounds for accusation, the whole of Heaven knows about it, and when he sees, or thinks he sees, a weakness in one of Christ's brethren, he demands an opportunity to sift them, just as he did in the case of Peter. Lk.22v31,32. 1Pet 5v8,9. Satan. “Satanas,” this means adversary, opponent and enemy. Jesus applied it to Satan, when Peter tried to persuade Him not to go to the cross. Mt.16v21-23. Mk.8v33. Adversary is also used in legal matters. Lk.12v58. 18v3. 1Pet.5v8. Mt.5v25. Our enemy Satan can come like a roaring lion to devour us, and a fight to the death may be necessary. 1Pet.5v6-11. The Great Deceiver. In Rev.12v9., "Satan, who deceiveth the whole world,” "deceiveth,” is “planon,” the present active participle of “planao,” to lead astray, to deceive; the present participle shows the continual evil persistence, and habitual character of Satan's attempts to deceive. Jn.8v44. Truth will protect us from his attempts to deceive; “It is written,” gave Jesus victory over the deceiver, and it will give us victory too, if we love God's Word as the Saviour did. Mt.4v1-11. Eph.6v14,17. It is a terrible tragedy that this once beautiful, wise, and great angel has had his character and disposition destroyed by evil until he can only find pleasure in iniquity and causing suffering. Sin is no respecter of persons, it destroys the personalities of angels as well as the souls of men. Is.14v12-19. Ezek.28v11-19. Lk.10v17-19. Lk.11v17-26. Jn.12v31-33. 16v8-11. Rev.20v1-3,10. Heaven is sick at heart over the misery that Satan and his angels inflict on God's Creation. The good angels are continually having the most distressing and painful conflicts with the powers of darkness when they come to minister to the children of God on earth. Heb.1v13,14. Dan.10v12,13,19-21. The whole of Heaven will rejoice with great joy when Michael and his angels cast Satan and his angels out of the heavenly places. Rev.12v12. The cleansing of the heavenlies will be followed 3½ years later by the cleansing of the earth. Rev.11v15-19. Michael means, “Who is like God,” and shows his deep love for God and his real humility of mind, there is a complete absence of the self-exaltation and pride that brought about the fall of Satan, who said “I will be like the Most High.” Is.14v13-15. There is a vast difference between the union that Michael had with his angels, and that which Satan has with his angels. Michael and his angels are banded together by the sweetest and most tender love for one another and God, whereas Satan and his angels are banded together only by a common hatred of good and God. There exists in Satan's ranks the most dreadful hatred, variance and strife, and one angel rules another only by a greater ferocity and greater spiritual strength; it is a kingdom of darkness, thanks be to God who has delivered us from the power and end of these evil angels, and translated us into the kingdom of love and light. Col.1v12,13. The rest of the seed of the woman. God gives the woman wings to escape, which could well be the kind of supernatural transport that Elijah and Philip enjoyed. The “they” of Rev.12v6., who feed the woman, are more likely to be angels than men. When God frustrates the attempt of Satan to kill these saints who flee into the wilderness, Satan tries to kill and persecute the rest of the woman's seed who are elsewhere. When Antichrist places his image in the Temple, it will distress Orthodox Jews even more than Christians, and as they see the warning that the Two Witnesses have given them about Antichrist come true, some will doubtless become Christians and suffer martyrdom as a result. However, the majority of the Jews will be completely deceived by the show of power that Antichrist puts on to substantiate his claim that he is God, and they will accept their false Messiah. 2Thes.2v1-12. Jn.15v19. 5v43. Doubtless even some of these Jews will later have their eyes opened by the ministry of the Two Witnesses and will become Christians as a result, and the plagues and judgements of God, will cause many to realise that Jehovah is God. It is these converts, and other Christians in the kingdoms of Antichrist, that Antichrist tries to trace and kill. Our Lord warns us in Mt.24v15-31. and Rev.12v1-17., that it will not be safe for any Christian to remain in the kingdom of Antichrist after the setting up of the image in the Temple. Jesus said that, if it is possible, His disciples are to flee and escape from those who persecute them, and so avoid martyrdom. Mt.10v23. To sum up then, the woman is a group of Christians, possibly, or probably, those in Judea, who God transports into a place of safety, for 3½ years. The manchild is a group of Christians in Palestine who do not manage to escape when Antichrist breaks the covenant and puts his image in the Temple. The rest of the seed of the woman are other Christians who are scattered throughout the areas under the control of Antichrist. The vision of this glorious woman gives us a revelation of God's wonderful fullness of provision for His Church in the last days, let us take God at His Word and prepare for those days, for spiritual survival will depend on obtaining and living in that fullness. Let us earnestly God for His maximum fullness, and not rest content with man's minimum empty tradition and form. < >
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Chapter Six

The last few years of this Age. Rev.4v1 to 20v3

The escape of the Woman into the wilderness. Rev.12v1-17

The woman is not Mary or the manchild Jesus.
Some say that the woman is Mary, and the manchild is Jesus, however, Rev.4v1., definitely informs us that the things that followed were in the future and not in the past. Also the woman is persecuted by Satan, when he and his evil angels are cast down to the earth; at present they are in the heavenly places, and will remain there until they are cast out of the heavenlies to the earth by the archangel Michael and his angels at the start of the last 3½ years of this age. Eph.6v12. Dan.12v1,2,6,7. Rev.12v7-12. Satan tries to kill the woman by means of the Beast, the Antichrist, and God miraculously transports, protects and feeds her during the last 3½ years of this age. Rev.12v4,6,9,12-14. 13v5. We read in Rev.12v5., that the manchild is to rule the nations with a rod of iron; and since this is a quote from Ps.2v9., some have thought that the manchild must be Jesus. However, we read in Rev.2v26,27., that the church at Thyatira was also told that if they overcame they would rule the nations with a rod of iron. The rod of iron descends on the wicked at Christ's coming, and those among the nations who are allowed into the Millennium on probation, who turn to evil and try to harm people. The righteous among these nations have a life of perfect peace and happiness. Is.32v1,17,18. The rod of iron ensures that everlasting righteousness and peace are brought in, and that evil never breaks out again and ruins the happiness of God's creation. Ps.2v1-12. Dan.9v24.

The woman is not Orthodox Jewry.
Some say that the woman is a company of Orthodox Jews. We know some Jews do flee for safety when Antichrist breaks the covenant, and they see the shadows of a great war and severe persecution threatening to engulf them. However, the woman of Rev.12. is not the group of Israelites who Jesus delivers from Antichrist when He returns. Is.30v19-22. 32v15. 35v1-10. 66v7-9. The Jews who would not accept Jesus as their Messiah when He was on earth, became the children of the Devil. Jn.8v39-47. The synagogue that rejected Jesus as their Messiah became the synagogue of Satan. Rev.2v9. 3v9. Acts.14v1,2. 17v5,13. 18v4-6. 19v8,9. 21v27-31. 22v22. 23v12. 24v1. 28v17-31. Christ said that the people who love the truth would listen to His voice. Jn.18v37. 1Jn.2v22,23. The Orthodox Israelite who truly loves God will usually accept Christ when he hears the Gospel. However, many godly Jews may be as slow to lay aside their Jewish traditions, as the apostles and leaders of the early Church. It took a vision of Christ to detach Paul from his cherished traditions and his hatred of Christians. The Orthodox Israelites who flee for safety are perhaps among the sheep of Mt.25v31-46., whose good treatment of the sons of God is looked upon as treatment of the Son of God, some of them may accompany the Christians who flee from Antichrist.

The Woman is a section of the Church specially created and empowered by God for the last days.
The vision of this glorious woman reveals to us one of God's major purposes for the last days. She represents a group of people, who are foreknown, designed, specially created and empowered by God for the great tribulation. It is a group of praying people, with prepared hearts and special ministries for the last days, who will operate with awesome power as a prayer-warrior group behind the scenes. God also gives a definite promise that He will protect, provide and empower the seeking hearts in His Church in a new and special way in the last days, and will not leave His Church defenceless in the great tribulation. This glorious woman reveals that part of the Church will be clothed with the fullness of God's power, and will be transported, protected and fed by God. This group is a major part of God's answer to the mystery of iniquity, and it is one of many such groups, who operate in other parts of the world. This woman is certainly not speaking of Orthodox Jews; though this group, or a group like it, could well be speaking of the Jewish Christian Church, for the following reasons.

Jesus warns Christians to get out, and keep out, of Israel at the start of the great tribulation.
Jesus warns us that Christians in Judea are to flee into the wilderness, when Antichrist sets up the abomination of desolation, the divinely aided transportation of this woman, seems to be an obvious fulfilment of that prophetic warning. Mt.24v15-20. Our Lord was teaching the leaders of His Church in Mt.24., and His directions were for them and not the orthodox Jew. Anyway, it is a fact that no traditional Jew, who rejected Christ, would accept or heed His warnings and prophecies.

The picture of this woman is far too magnificent for a group of unbelieving Israelites.
Here we see part of the Church filled with the power and glory of God. The symbols used are very striking and significant. The moon of Mosaic dispensation shone with the light of the Gospel, as the moon shines with the light of the sun. The woman is not shining with the light of the moon of Judaism, she is clothed with the light of the Gospel sun. Jewish worship was a shadow of things to come. Many of the Old Testament types, shadows and prophecies have been fulfilled in the birth, life, death, resurrection and intercessory ministry of Christ. These revelations of Christ, and other prophetic and moral truths in the Old Testament Scriptures, constitute the moon under the feet of the woman, for the Church is founded upon the truths revealed to the Old Testament prophets, as well as the truth given to New Testament apostles. Eph.3v5. Col.2v17. Heb.8v1-13. 10v1-16.

The twelve stars are not the twelve tribes of Israel.
It is very unlikely that the twelve stars are the twelve tribes of Israel, for most of the sons of Jacob were rather wicked, and anything but shining lights. The Scriptures inform us that Christians are the only ones who do not follow Antichrist in the countries that are under his control. Rev.13v8. Antichrist will corrupt the Israelites who are not saved. Dan.11v32-35. We see from Revelation seventeen, that most of the Israelites do accept Antichrist and lean upon him.

The twelve stars are more likely to be the twelve apostles of Christ, as a star usually portrays an individual not a group of people. Rev.1v20. 2v1. 12v4. 21v12-14. Mt.19v28. Paul tells us in Gal.3v28., that in this age of grace, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ.” Through the blood of Jesus the distinction between Jews and Gentiles is abolished, we are fellow citizens of the household of God. Eph.2v11-22.

The woman is surely giving birth to her own kind.
We know that the manchild which is born to the woman is a group of Christians, for the martyred manchild is said to have overcome Satan and Antichrist through the blood of the Lamb. Rev.12v5,11,12. We are also told in Rev.12v17., that the seed of the woman keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

The Woman is not the whole Church of Christ.
The vast majority of the Church is now in Heaven and so is absolutely safe from being persecuted by Satan and the powers of darkness, in fact the Church will judge these evil angels. 1Cor.6v1-3. Jude.v14,15. We see from Rev.12v17., which speaks of the “seed of the woman,” that the woman represents a limited number of Christians on earth, who flee into the wilderness for safety from the murderous wrath of Satan and Antichrist.. Christ’s warning in Mt.24v15-21. Mk.13v14-20. and Lk.21v20-24., is to the Christians in Judea, and not to the whole Church, this is an obvious fulfilment of that warning. The woman is fed by God for 3½ years in the wilderness, this has obviously a local, and not a universal fulfilment. Rev.12v6,14-16. The woman flees from Antichrist at the start of the great tribulation, and at this time his authority is limited to the Middle East and some countries North and East of this area. Antichrist certainly does not possess world-wide power. Indeed, he never has world dominion even when he wins His final military victory in the Middle East, a few days before the end of the great tribulation.

The wilderness referred to in Rev.12, could be a wilderness area in the region of Edom, Moab and Ammon, which, according to Dan.11v41., never falls into the hands of Antichrist. When he does send an army to capture the woman, God opens up the ground and swallows his army up, they suffer same fate as the sons of Korah. Rev.12v15,16.. Numb.16v28-35. Antichrist appears to send out another army, just before Christ returns, in an attempt to destroy the saints in Edom. We read in Is.63v1-6., and 34v1-8., that Jesus personally destroys this army. Though Christians are persecuted and hated by all nations at this time, it is only when Antichrist puts his image in the Temple that life becomes impossible for them in Palestine. Christ's warning in Mt.24v9-21., for Christians to flee from Judea, had a partial fulfilment in A.D. 70, when Jerusalem was destroyed by Titus. However, this warning is really directed at Christians in Judea during the last 3½ years of this age. The warning in Lk.21v20-24., for Christians to flee from Judea, when Jerusalem is surrounded by armies, had a definite fulfilment in A.D. 70, for v24 speaks of the dispersion of the Jews among the nations, and a long period of trampling under foot of Jerusalem by Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. As the context of Lk.21v20-24., has many prophecies concerning Christ’s second coming, the warning to flee from Judea, and not to enter into Judea, when armies surround Jerusalem, must have a dual fulfilment, and also apply to the events of the great tribulation. Since Rev.11v1,2., was written after Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed by Titus, so another sanctuary has to be built and desecrated by Antichrist. We can only correctly interpret these prophecies when we accept that Christ’s return will take place after the great tribulation. Mt.25v15-31.

The woman in travail and her man child. Micah.4v10.
This does not seem to be the soul travail that we can have in prayer for sinners to be saved, even though Christians who know the truth will be making great efforts to win people to Jesus, and warn them of the approaching calamities under Antichrist. This travail is more likely to be that spoken of by Jesus in Mt.24v8., “all these things are the beginning of travail, THEN shall they deliver you up into tribulation, and shall kill you.” Though at this time travail will, in some measure, be experienced by the universal Church, persecution will be particularly lethal for the Church in Judea. Jesus emphasises the necessity of enduring to the end. Mt.24v8-13. In Rev.12v13., “persecuted,” is “edioxen,” the aorist active indicative of “dioko,” to hunt, to pursue, to chase, it speaks of hostile pursuit as in Mt.5v10-12. and 10v23..

N.B. The man child is a group of Christians who are martyred for their faith.
We read in Rev.12v11., that, “they loved not their lives unto death.” Jesus said that the Church in Israel will experience travail, suffering and death. Mt.24v8,9. Those who are faithful to death will rule with Christ. Rev.2v26,27. 3v21. 20v4-6. The martyred man child is in sharp contrast to the Christians who allow the abounding iniquity of the last days to cool off their "agape" love for God. Mt.24v12,13. The man child overcomes through the blood of Jesus, their word of testimony, and an utter disregard of love for their own life, out of love for God. Rev.12v10-12. They overcome, not by their own power, but by relying on God's grace and power. Personal love for God is the secret of victory, and its absence is the cause of defeat. 1Jn.2v12-14.

The Great Red Dragon.
The red dragon is said to be Satan in Rev.12v9., this indicates Satan's malevolent and ferocious disposition, and his desire to cause suffering, death and destruction. The seven heads are seven kingdoms under the control of Satan, he has used six of them in the past to oppress, persecute and dominate the Israelites. The previous six heads were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Egypt, Syria, and Rome. the sixth head was oppressing Israel in John's time. The seventh head, the kingdom of Antichrist, is still to come, and the ten horns are ten kings under Antichrist. The tail of the dragon casts the third part of the stars of heaven to the earth, these are without doubt the angels that fell with Satan.

The Ancient Serpent. Jesus said Satan was a liar and murderer from the beginning. Jn.8v44. His wickedness goes back to the angelic ages; He has always been the enemy of man, and as in Eden, he still tries to corrupt and destroy mankind.

The Devil. “Diabolos,” “Slanderer,” Satan is the slanderer who tries to take away a persons character. 1Tim.3v11. 2Tim.3v3. Tit.2v3. Jn.6v70. In Rev.12v10., Satan is called, “the accuser of the brethren,” “ho kategor,” is one who brings a legal charge against another, it is a legal term and is used in Jn.8v10. Acts.23v30,35. 24v7,8. and 25v16,18.. In Rev.12v10., “accused,” is “kategoron,” the present active participle of “kategoreo,” to bring a legal accusation;” the present participle again shows the evil persistence, continual action, and habitual character of Satan's accusations. Satan, the father of lies and falsehood, accuses Christ's brethren day and night before their heavenly Father. Note the amazing malice and hate of Satan and the wonderful patience of God. The Devil, the greatest lawbreaker of all, claims the right to appear before God in Heaven, on the grounds of the Law of God, to make a legal accusation against the children of God. Envy will see a spot in a bright sky and dwell on it, failing to see the beauty and brightness in a life that love delights to dwell on. When a disciple gives the Devil grounds for accusation, the whole of Heaven knows about it, and when he sees, or thinks he sees, a weakness in one of Christ's brethren, he demands an opportunity to sift them, just as he did in the case of Peter. Lk.22v31,32. 1Pet 5v8,9.

Satan. “Satanas,” this means adversary, opponent and enemy. Jesus applied it to Satan, when Peter tried to persuade Him not to go to the cross. Mt.16v21-23. Mk.8v33. Adversary is also used in legal matters. Lk.12v58. 18v3. 1Pet.5v8. Mt.5v25. Our enemy Satan can come like a roaring lion to devour us, and a fight to the death may be necessary. 1Pet.5v6-11.

The Great Deceiver. In Rev.12v9., "Satan, who deceiveth the whole world,” "deceiveth,” is “planon,” the present active participle of “planao,” to lead astray, to deceive; the present participle shows the continual evil persistence, and habitual character of Satan's attempts to deceive. Jn.8v44. Truth will protect us from his attempts to deceive; “It is written,” gave Jesus victory over the deceiver, and it will give us victory too, if we love God's Word as the Saviour did. Mt.4v1-11. Eph.6v14,17.

It is a terrible tragedy that this once beautiful, wise, and great angel has had his character and disposition destroyed by evil until he can only find pleasure in iniquity and causing suffering. Sin is no respecter of persons, it destroys the personalities of angels as well as the souls of men. Is.14v12-19. Ezek.28v11-19. Lk.10v17-19. Lk.11v17-26. Jn.12v31-33. 16v8-11. Rev.20v1-3,10. Heaven is sick at heart over the misery that Satan and his angels inflict on God's Creation. The good angels are continually having the most distressing and painful conflicts with the powers of darkness when they come to minister to the children of God on earth. Heb.1v13,14. Dan.10v12,13,19-21. The whole of Heaven will rejoice with great joy when Michael and his angels cast Satan and his angels out of the heavenly places. Rev.12v12. The cleansing of the heavenlies will be followed 3½ years later by the cleansing of the earth. Rev.11v15-19. Michael means, “Who is like God,” and shows his deep love for God and his real humility of mind, there is a complete absence of the self-exaltation and pride that brought about the fall of Satan, who said “I will be like the Most High.” Is.14v13-15. There is a vast difference between the union that Michael had with his angels, and that which Satan has with his angels. Michael and his angels are banded together by the sweetest and most tender love for one another and God, whereas Satan and his angels are banded together only by a common hatred of good and God. There exists in Satan's ranks the most dreadful hatred, variance and strife, and one angel rules another only by a greater ferocity and greater spiritual strength; it is a kingdom of darkness, thanks be to God who has delivered us from the power and end of these evil angels, and translated us into the kingdom of love and light. Col.1v12,13.

The rest of the seed of the woman.
God gives the woman wings to escape, which could well be the kind of supernatural transport that Elijah and Philip enjoyed. The “they” of Rev.12v6., who feed the woman, are more likely to be angels than men. When God frustrates the attempt of Satan to kill these saints who flee into the wilderness, Satan tries to kill and persecute the rest of the woman's seed who are elsewhere. When Antichrist places his image in the Temple, it will distress Orthodox Jews even more than Christians, and as they see the warning that the Two Witnesses have given them about Antichrist come true, some will doubtless become Christians and suffer martyrdom as a result. However, the majority of the Jews will be completely deceived by the show of power that Antichrist puts on to substantiate his claim that he is God, and they will accept their false Messiah. 2Thes.2v1-12. Jn.15v19. 5v43. Doubtless even some of these Jews will later have their eyes opened by the ministry of the Two Witnesses and will become Christians as a result, and the plagues and judgements of God, will cause many to realise that Jehovah is God. It is these converts, and other Christians in the kingdoms of Antichrist, that Antichrist tries to trace and kill.

Our Lord warns us in Mt.24v15-31. and Rev.12v1-17., that it will not be safe for any Christian to remain in the kingdom of Antichrist after the setting up of the image in the Temple. Jesus said that, if it is possible, His disciples are to flee and escape from those who persecute them, and so avoid martyrdom. Mt.10v23. To sum up then, the woman is a group of Christians, possibly, or probably, those in Judea, who God transports into a place of safety, for 3½ years. The manchild is a group of Christians in Palestine who do not manage to escape when Antichrist breaks the covenant and puts his image in the Temple. The rest of the seed of the woman are other Christians who are scattered throughout the areas under the control of Antichrist. The vision of this glorious woman gives us a revelation of God's wonderful fullness of provision for His Church in the last days, let us take God at His Word and prepare for those days, for spiritual survival will depend on obtaining and living in that fullness. Let us earnestly God for His maximum fullness, and not rest content with man's minimum empty tradition and form.

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