Revelation

***There are 3 main characters in Revelation 12

1. The Woman – represents Israel

2. The Child – Jesus Christ

3. The Dragon – satan

verse 1 – GREAT SIGN – the word sign means an extraordinary spectacle or event that points beyond itself

-this sign points beyond itself to Jesus Christ and shows a woman

-This woman is clothed with the sun and moon – it represents the presence and glory of God that rests upon Israel

– This woman has on her head a crown of 12 stars – represents the 12 tribes of Israel – Genesis 37:9

v2 – this woman is with child – this is the birth of Jesus Christ

v3 – the great red dragon – a second sign appeared

-this is the devil – a fallen angel

-3 Characteristics of this dragon

1. 7 heads – this speaks of the wisdom of satan

-this is a double application scripture – speaks of a real person – the king of Tyre –

and satan

2. 10 horns – this speaks of the power of satan

3. 7 Crowns – this refers to the authority he has over the nations of the world

Daniel 10:10-21

         2 Statements about satan

1. The devil is a counterfeiter – Matthew 7:21-23

-the devil is a fake, fraud and a liar – there is no truth in him

-to know the counterfeit, just know the real

2. The devil will try to stop you from praying because he knows that prayer stops him – Matthew 26:36-46

-do not ever stop praying because prayer works

-the enemy will lie to you concerning prayer

verse 4 – this refers to the rebellion of satan

-every angel was created with a free will

-the amount of angels cannot be counted – Heb 12:22 & Rev 5:11

one third of the angels – the Lord loves order and is an organizer

-the Lord placed 3 archangels over all of the angels – Michael, Gabriel & Lucifer

-Lucifer rebelled & fell away from the Lord and took one third of the angels with him.  Lucifer and each angel made their own personal choice to rebel

-it is a huge risk to allow people to oversee people

-there are 2 persons to be loyal to in a church setting – Jesus Christ and the senior pastor

-God hates division – Proverbs 6:16-19

-Lucifer and his angels are now on earth doing their thing – destruction

-satan wants to destroy Israel – always has & always will

verse 5 – The child refers to Jesus

1. the birth of Jesus Christ – a virgin birth – Luke 1:26-35

2. the ascension and exaltation of Jesus Christ – Phil 2:9-10…Acts 1:9-10

3. The Millennial reign of Jesus Christ

-Jesus will rule and handle everything on earth – will rule with a rod of iron

verse 6 – satan hates the Jewish people – anti-semitism

-the tribulation is for Israel – Jeremiah 30:7 & Daniel 12:1

verse 7 – War in Heaven

-the angels of God and demons are fighting in the heavenlies – Dan 10:12-13

verses 8-9 – the demons & fallen angels are not strong enough

-we have all authority over the powers of darkness

-satan has no more access to the throne of heaven

verse 10 – satan – means adversary

               – devil – means slanderer

***A Victory Celebration begins in heaven…….

satan is called an accuser – one who is against you & brings up charges against you – your failures, weaknesses & sins

verse 11 – How can we overcome satan?

1. Get Saved – Col 1:13

2. Through the Blood of Jesus – Exodus 12:23

Plead the blood – this is a declaration that we are under the blood of Jesus

3. Our Testimony – is what the Lord has done for us.  Every believer has a testimony…….

verse 12 – 2 Groups of People are mentioned in this verse

1. HEAVEN – they are rejoicing because no more accusations will be mentioned

2. EARTH –  the devil is on earth causing wars, havoc and chaos

-his time is short & that is why he is on the move…

v13 – the devil comes right after Israel when he is thrown to earth – Matthew 24:9

v14 – this could be an airlift  or the city of Petra

-eagle could be the United States

-the Lord protects Israel

verses 15-17 – the flood is an outpouring of hatred against Israel & against the people of God