Lesson 28 C
Revelation 12 and 13 |
As we examine the great red dragon in verse 3, we get a deeper look into the adversary/enemy of God. This is very important, because this enemy is the same now and will not change as the end times come. He has always been like this from the moment he took on a disobedient nature. We, as Christians, sometimes have the wrong view of him. This wrong view has caused us to think that we cannot be misled like the 1/3 of the angels in heaven that he took. Please do not think more highly of yourself (Psalms 36:11; Proverbs 11:2, 13:10, 14:3, 16:8; Romans 12:3) for in doing so, you are like these fallen stars of heaven.
Before moving into the next verse let me point out a very important point, which is not said enough. Hell was not made for the human race. This bears repeating: hell was not made for the human race. We must actually choose to make hell our eternal home. Iso we as humans must choose hell as home. Yes, there will be some who will choose to live in this place not fit for humans. It is my prayer that this series will move you to choose a real relationship with God. In addition, I pray that it will motivate you to share the kingdom of God with others.n Matthew 25:41, Jesus says that hell was “…prepared for the devil and his angels”so we as humans must choose hell as home. Yes, there will be some who will choose to live in this place not fit for humans. It is my prayer that this series will move you to choose a real relationship with God. In addition, I pray that it will motivate you to share the kingdom of God with others.
In Revelation 12:4, the stars of heaven are the fallen angels of heaven. These angels in one of their roles are messengers, false messengers. Therefore, we have demon messengers who will deliver a false message to humans. That is why God tells us to test the spirit with the spirit in 1 John 4:1 – 6. The question comes to mind, how could these stars/angels go with the red dragon? The answer to this question is found all through the Bible. In Isaiah 9:15, it reads, “…the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.” Jesus said in John 8:44,“… for he is a liar, and the father of it.” Through deception, he is also able to make himself into something that he is not. Perhaps the great red dragon is able to take a third of the stars with him, because he is a master of deceit, persuasion and lies. Read this next part of this scripture very slowly and listen to what God is saying to us,.“… and did cast them to earth:” Some would have us to think that this includes hell too.
In Lesson 21, we studied the bottomless pit; so you may want to review that lesson. In Ephesians 2:2, Satan is called “…the prince of the power of the air…” Therefore, we have this massive, murderous, cruel and prideful creature with his followers (demons) in the air. Now we read the following: “…and the dragon stood (established) before (in the face of) the woman which was ready (intent) to be delivered (produce), for to devour (eat) her child as soon as it was born (produced).”
Satan knows that salvation for the human race will come from this woman (Israel). Some believe that this event of the dragon standing before her is when Satan was given power to crucify Jesus. Others believe that this is a picture of the church after the disciples spread the word and the church was growing in power. The unbelievers that were in power did not want to let the church grow in power and influence, so they persecuted the church to slow its growth. In some cases, they tried to stop it altogether. Some believe that it was the last part of the Roman Empire, which attempted to crush Christian.
In verses 5 and 6, we have two more events taking place. Lets study them very carefully and see what is revealed. Verse 5 reads: “she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up to God, and to his throne.” Some theologians interpret the word “child” as a group that will come out of the first part of the Tribulation, which is called the 144,000 Jews. Those who think the child is a group out of the first Tribulation believe that the woman is the church who gives birth to those who come out of the Tribulation, the 144,000. They also believe that this is the group that will rule in the kingdom of God. Is this really true? If this is true, then how can there be one throne and when is the child caught up to God?
Other theologians interpret “child” to mean Jesus Christ. The scripture specifically says that she brought forth a man child. The Greek word for man is arsēn, which means male. Remember that the 144,000 will include males and females. So how could females be the “man child” who is caught up to God and has a throne in heaven? Galatians 3:27 – 28 says,“…For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 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 Jesus.” However, in Revelation 12:5, it is the man child who comes from a virgin. Paul said it best when he was writing to the church in Rome. In Romans 9:1-7, he makes it clear that Jesus is the man child spoken of here.
“I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called.”
