SATAN’S WAR AGANST GOD Revelation 12-14

Chapter 12: Why the church was persecuted in the first three centuries Chapter 13: How the church was and would be persecuted in the first three centuries Chapter 14: How the church is vindicated by Christ

Chapter 12 Satan seeks to destroy Jesus 12:1-6 Satan loses the war in Heaven 12:7-12 Because he lost the war in Heaven, Satan vents his wrath against the church 12:13-17

The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon The dragon is Satan Rev. 12:9 The Child is Jesus Rev. 2:26-27, Psalm 2:7-9 The woman is “Israel” Genesis 37:9 However, not all Israel is of Israel Rom. 9:6-13 The olive tree (faithful remnant) Rom. 11:17-24 Righteous Israel was portrayed as the mother of the restored future remnant of Israel Isaiah 54:1; 66:7-10; Micah 5:3; cf. Isa 7:14; 9:6; 26:18-19, an image freely mixed with the image of Israel as a bride in Isa 62:5. (IVP Bible Background Comm.)

The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon The dragon tries to destroy Jesus as soon as He is born His physical birth Matthew 2 His royal birth Ps. 2:7, Acts 13:33, Rom. 1:3 Jesus Himself uses this idea in John 16:21-22 Satan loses the war in heaven v.7-9 and therefore tries to destroy the woman v.6,13- 17

WAR IN HEAVEN Genesis 3:15 conflict, Jesus suffers, Satan loses Enmity between woman and Satan Between woman’s seed and Satan’s seed John 8:44 Jesus will bruise Satan’s head Satan would bruise Jesus’ heel John 12:31-33 “Now is the judgment of this world” “Now the ruler of this world will be cast out” “And I, if I am lifted up…”

WAR IN HEAVEN Revelation 12:7-12 Conflict, Jesus Suffers, Satan Loses War in heaven Michael and his angels fought against Satan and his angels v.7 Satan and his angels cast down to the earth v.9; can’t be in Heaven anymore v.8 Overcame by the blood of the Lamb v.11 Now have come salvation, power, and kingdom of God and authority of Christ v.10

Satan’s Wrath He tried to destroy the woman God provided an escape Eagles’ wings was how God drew Israel out of Egypt Exodus 19:4 In the wilderness 3.5 years 42 months 1260 days Out of Satan’s reach, he still spews a river to destroy her The earth opens up to absorb the river Satan seeks war against Christians v.17

The Beast Revelation 13:1-10 Arises from the sea (many peoples) Composite of the four beasts in Daniel 7 Daniel 2 is a composite image of four empires One head fatally wounded but healed Ruled for 42 months He blasphemed God Used his authority against the saints Was worshiped by those who have no spiritual life

The False Prophet Revelation 13:11-18 Arose from the land Looked like a lamb; spoke like a dragon Enforced worship of the beast Did wonders to deceive people False prophet 16:13, 19:20, 20:10 The imperial cult which put the imperial stamp on documents so people could buy or sell

“666” Not “six-six-six” but “six hundred sixty-six” It is a number of a man by counting (adding) Neron Kaiser (Greek for Nero Caesar) but transliterated into the Hebrew “Nrwn Qsr” Hebrews have no vowels Hebrew is written from left to right: Resh Samekh Qoph Nun Waw Resh Nun =666 =

Chapter ,000 are triumphant Christians who die in the Lord v.13 Angelic proclamations as a warning before full judgment 1.Has the gospel and calls for repentance 2.Announces that Babylon is fallen 3.Punishment for worshippers of the beast and reward for faithful saints 4.An angel with a sickle 5.Another angel tells him to reap (metaphor for judgment) 6.Another angel with a sickle 7.Angel from the altar told him to reap

Lessons We are in a spiritual battle Ephesians 6:10-18 Goal is spiritual survival not physical survival Matthew 10:28 Compromise is not worth it Let us work now We will rest when we die Are you in the Lord? Is your name written in the Book of Life?