~ by James Fire
Introduction: Hermeneutics is concerned with the method of how
we interpret the Bible. One can have a very conservative hermeneutic or a very
liberal one; one’s hermeneutic can be a very literal method or a very
allegorical one.
One’s hermeneutic can be dispensational* or according to covenant theology**.
One’s hermeneutic can be dispensational* or according to covenant theology**.
For more on these two
positions, check out these links below:
For another excellent treatment on the validity of dispensational theology, check out:
Note to Readers: We here at TTUF are vigorously and intentionally
dispensationalist in our hermeneutic, believing that there is a distinction
between Israel and the church, that the various dispensations are related to
the eight covenants that GOD established with the people of this world, and
with Israel and the church: these covenants are: Adamic Covenant, Edenic Covenant, Noahic Covenant, Abrahamic Covenant, Mosaic Covenant, the Land (Palestinian) Covenant, the Davidic Covenant and the
New Covenant. For more about dispensations and covenants, check out TTUF’s
Discipleship introductory examination of these here.
It is vital that we maintain
a biblical distinction between Israel and the church; Covenant Theology
believes that there is one church in two phases: Israel, the church of the Old
Testament and the body of Christ, the church of the New Testament. We find this
hermeneutic fundamentally flawed as it will attribute Scripture to the church
that inherently belongs to the nation of Israel, by spiritualizing the verses
rather than applying a literal interpretation.
Why am I harping on these
assertions in such replete fashion?
Because of the chapter we are about to examine for one; many of the Covenant Theology camp sees this figure of the woman as the church, but the Scripture itself defines who she is, and she is not the body of Christ. We believe Israel has a destiny, a purpose and a plan from GOD Who will fulfill all of His promises to her according to His appointed, yet-future time (Covenant theologians believe these promises are already fulfilled, thus as a nation, GOD’s involvement with her is done and over with).
Because of the chapter we are about to examine for one; many of the Covenant Theology camp sees this figure of the woman as the church, but the Scripture itself defines who she is, and she is not the body of Christ. We believe Israel has a destiny, a purpose and a plan from GOD Who will fulfill all of His promises to her according to His appointed, yet-future time (Covenant theologians believe these promises are already fulfilled, thus as a nation, GOD’s involvement with her is done and over with).
Also worthy of note, which
we have brought up before, is that every symbol, every vision found in the book
of REVELATION is either explained within the context of the passage or
elsewhere in the Scripture, and we shall witness this as well; so, let’s begin:
For a bit of review: We have seen the six seals
opened, and with the seventh seal, the sounding of the six trumpets, and with
the sounding of the seventh trumpet, we will see the seven bowls poured out. In
between these three ‘sevens’ there are interludes of sorts. Between the sixth
and seventh seal there is the sealing of the 144,000; between the sixth and
seventh trumpet we see the little book that the apostle John consumed as well
as third Temple that’s to be defiled with the abomination of the Beast. The seventh
trumpet is sounded, announcing the victory of Christ and afterwards there is
the vision of the woman and child, and the great red dragon.
Next we find the following: Before the pouring out of
the seven bowls we are given the revelation of the two beasts, typically
referred to as the anti-Christ and the false prophet, and then we once again
see the 144,000 but in this instance they are with the Lamb on Mt. Sion; two
angels are seen: the one proclaiming the Gospel and the other pronouncing the dire
warning regarding the mark of the Beast, and the two harvests. After these
things, we arrive to chapter 15 and the seven bowls of judgment upon the
earth-dwellers as well as Babylon (Ch. 16-18), and finally the arrival of
Christ (and His bride! Ch. 19) Who visits the Earth that He had left two thousand
years previously. He dispatches the two beasts, consigns Satan tot he abyss, and inaugurates His triumphal
entry to the grateful nation of Israel. Chapter 20 describes the Millennial
Reign, then the quintessential judgment of Satan and his consignment to the lake of
fire; and then in the final chapters of REVELATION 21 and 22 we are given the sight of the new heavens, the new
earth and the new Jerusalem and the book’s final word: an invitation to all who
read to come to the Kingdom of GOD through the LORD Jesus Christ.
REVELATION
12:1
1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
This would seem to be a
vision rather than an actual personage floating in the skies (as we read about Christ’s
ascension in ACTS 1, a Person not a vision); every vision of the prophetic relates to some literal, actual
person, place or thing in the world, either from the past or in the future.
Here we see a “great wonder” in heaven: there is this woman, clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet; and upon her head is a crown composed of twelve stars.
Here we see a “great wonder” in heaven: there is this woman, clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet; and upon her head is a crown composed of twelve stars.
The word for “clothed” in
the Greek is periballo, and it means “to wrap a garment about, to put on,
to cast about”; it’s used twelve times in the book of REVELATION alone: in REV 3:18 it refers to the nakedness of the Laodiceans and
the LORD’s admonition that they should be clothed with the white raiment of the
LORD’s own righteousness; the elders are seen clothed in this same
righteousness in REV
4:4.
The 144,000 are clothed in “white raiment” as well
as the saints who came out of great tribulation in REV
7:9,13. In REV 10:1, we see “another mighty angel” clothed with a
cloud. In REV 11:3, the two witnesses are clothed in sackcloth while
they prophesy 1,260 days. Then we see in this chapter, this woman clothed in
the sun. In REV
17:4 and REV
18:16 we see yet another woman of
a wholly different kind, clothed in purple and scarlet.
Finally in REV 19:8 we once again see the saints – the bride of Christ
in this case, clothed (“arrayed”) in the fine linen, clean and white, the
righteousness of the saints as well as the LORD Himself who is clothed in a
vesture dipped in blood (REV
19:13) – not His own, for all of
that was shed already at the cross – but of His enemies that He trod down as
the grapes of wrath in the great winepress of His wrath and fury.
It’s interesting to see that
there are these two women set in opposition to each other: the woman clothed in
the sun, and this other in REV
17th and 18th chapters that is clothed in purple and scarlet –
they are polar opposites: the one being Israel the virgin daughter of Zion (this
will be the faithful remnant of Israel in the last days as well as the Old
Testament saints) and holy nation of GOD and the other being the Whore of Babylon, the
unholy church that is united with the anti-Christ.
These women representative
of their respective kingdoms: of GOD and of Satan. Then there is actually a
third woman, the bride of Christ (REV 21:9).
The woman seen in this
chapter has the brilliance of the sun all about her, and the moon under her
feet; upon her head a crown of twelve stars. Is this indeed the church, and if
so, where in Scripture do we see her identified as such?
I see no such description of
the church expressed in these terms; what we’ve seen previously (in chapters 2 and 3), describes
the bride of Christ but there we saw no stars, no sun, no moon at all.
What I do find is a
description remarkably close to this in the book of GENESIS; Joseph, the second
youngest son of Jacob had received two visions from the LORD and the second
dream he described as follows:
GENESIS
37:9
9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
Jacob was given
understanding of what this dream meant:
GENESIS
37:10
10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
Joseph’s brothers resentfully
rejected the dream, and while Jacob seemed initially offended, he came to
“observe[d] the saying” or as we might say it, ‘filed it away for later
consideration’. He perhaps pondered the relationships of his own father and his
uncle Ishmael; his own relationship with Esau and how young siblings were blessed of GOD
above the elder.
These dreams of Joseph came
to fruition when he, by the hand of GOD, was raised up in prominence in Egypt
and the famine that the LORD revealed would come, came and the sons of Jacob,
out of desperation sought out grain from the one place where there was still
some to get: Egypt. It was there that they bowed down before Joseph, just as
GOD said.
Here in REVELATION then, we
see the entirety of Israel represented: not only Jacob and his wife, but all
twelve of the sons of Jacob, along with all the people of Israel who will find
themselves in this “time of Jacob’s Trouble” (JER
30:7).
REVELATION
12:2-3
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
It was through the nation of
Israel that we have received the holy oracles which they were entrusted with through
the prophets that the LORD sent to the nation (ROM
3:1-2). It was through Israel
that the Messiah was born into this world (MATT
1:1), and specifically through Mary, the wife of
Joseph, himself the son of Jacob, the son of Matthan - and both of the house of David the king (MATT 1:15-16).
Now enters the other personage of this vision: “a great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, and ten crowns upon his heads” – and where else in Scripture do we see this monstrosity?
We see a parallel of sorts of this beast in DANIEL, but with distinctions that are different than what’s revealed to John the
apostle:
DANIEL
7:7-8
7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Daniel reveals that this
beast is far different than the previous ones and that it had ten horns, but
that three of them were supplanted by another little horn, which we know is the
anti-Christ, the Beast of REVELATION, to whom these will surrender their
authority (REV
17:12).
The apostle tells us
further that this great red dragon had seven heads and ten horns, and seven
crowns on his heads. There are distinctions however to point out that these
aren’t exactly the same thing: The four beasts revealed to Daniel were
kingdoms/kings of men, including “the great and terrible beast” whereas this great red
dragon seen in REVELATION is Satan himself (see vs. 9).
But to see such a
resemblance of remarkable likeness intimates that in some way, Satan is one
with this last kingdom of ten horns, seven heads and crowns; that this kingdom
– or one could justifiably refer to it as an empire that has these ten kings in
the midst, is so heavily influenced by Satan, that the resemblance is striking.
It’s been said, “You become like that which you worship.” Worship GOD and you
become godly; worship the world and you become cruel and exploitive; in these
days to come, all the world will worship the dragon, the 'god' of this world (2 COR 4:4) and so will come to
resemble him as well.
We will examine this great
dragon further in this and other chapters. One thing I’d like to point out is
that these ten horns or kings/kingdoms (the Hebrew word for king or kingdom is melek,
which can mean either of these depending on the context) is that they are
established before the rise of the little horn (the Beast).
Those of us who are of a
dispensational, pre-tribulation view believe that the church must be removed
prior to the manifestation of the Beast, but there is nothing in Scripture that
prevents the rising up of these ten kings while the church is still here.
We
the church of Jesus Christ could very well witness the formation of a one world
government, and a subsequent global persecution (which is in a practical sense already
here!) of the saints wherever they are found, before the LORD’s coming to
rapture the church to heaven and to our Father’s house!
By no means would this
indicate that we would then enter into the great tribulation period, as the
theme of this last seven year period is not about persecution of the saints
(though this will happen as it always has) but judgment upon Christ-rejectors
and chastening of the nation of Israel. This is about the wraith of the LAMB far more than it is about the wrath of the devil.
See JOHN 3:36; ROM 1:18; 2:5; 5:9; 9:22; EPH 5:6; COL 3:6; 1 THESS 5:9.
REVELATION
12:4
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
In this verse we learn that
of all “the stars of heaven”, which are angelic hosts (JOB 38:7; LUKE 2:13), a third of them were led by Lucifer in the
rebellion against GOD that began in this cherub’s own heart:
ISAIAH
14:12-15
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
Essentially
Lucifer declared from the heart, “Not Thy will [Lord] be done, but MY will be
done!” and for that, he and all the angels that followed him were cast out of
heaven – but not yet consigned to hell, as portrayed in Milton’s and Dante’s
works where the devil prefers to rule in hell rather than serve in heaven. He is the
ruler of this world still (JOB
1:6-7; 2 COR 4:4; JOHN 14:30), even though the LORD has purchased this world
back ("redeemed") by His blood and possesses all authority in both heaven AND earth (MATT 28:18) and has defeated Satan and his false claim over
this world (JOHN
12:31; 16:11; COL 2:15) and will
return to lay the true claim to his rightful possession!
He
still has access to heaven – he was able to address GOD and accuse Job at the
very throne of heaven and in the text we read in REVELATION, he also still
accuses the saints of the church before GOD (REV
12:10).
There
is a lot of debate and disagreement on when this fall happened: some believe it
was before the physical universe was created or sometime before the creation of
man (before the 6th day). The fact of the matter is, it was due to
his pride and unwillingness to be faithful in his stewardship of what the LORD GOD gave
him – he wasn’t satisfied with his station and wanted more power; he lusted for worship and felt that he was just as
worthy of it as was GOD.
It
was no doubt an appeal by Lucifer to all of the thirty-three percent of the
angels to recognize their own 'godhood' – the very same temptation he offered to our
Parents, Adam and Eve that led to the downfall of both angel and human. These fallen
angels, I believe, were what was behind the pagan gods and idols of the nations,
which continues even today and into the days of REVELATION (REV 9:20; PSALM 106:36-38).
I
also believe that a distinction can be made between fallen angels and demons
but rather than go into this here, let me provide a good, short article by GOTQUESTIONS that also provides two links for an even broader perspective that
shows how these spirits may indeed be two different classes of beings: Are the demons the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim?
While Satan is indeed
powerful, quite probably the most powerful, the most intelligent and beautiful
being that GOD had ever created, he is still a finite creation with
limitations; and while he commands a formidable host of unimaginably powerful
fellow cherubim, arch-angels and angels – they still only comprise a third of
the entire host of heaven!
Sixty-six percent remain loyal to the LORD, holy and having retained all of the glory that GOD clothed them with, and are faithful to the various stations that their Creator positioned them in.
Satan
and the kingdom of darkness understand all too well that in order for prophecy
to come true in these last days, Israel is required in this present world. The
Messiah and His Messianic reign is something yet future, so he has a vested
interest in destroying this nation and every Jew that breathes. Yet it’s a
hopeless mission because, even though Israel’s hardest and most cruel time is
also yet future, but the WORD of GOD promises that she will get through this “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” purified, a third of the nation will survive (ZECH
13:8) and enter into the bliss of the Kingdom of Israel!
Nevertheless,
this great Red Dragon will seek to devour the child of the woman (vs. 6) and
persecute her (vs. 13)!
REVELATION
12:5
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
We need not any instruction
as to who this baby boy was – a Child of this nation of Israel, One who would
be King, and rule all nations – not just Israel, but all nations with a rod of
iron. Who do we read about in this book of REVELATION that would rule “with a
rod of iron”?
REVELATION
19:11-16
11 And I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. See also PSALM 2:6-10
11 And I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. See also PSALM 2:6-10
In this single verse, REV 12:5,
we have the entire earthly life of the LORD Jesus Christ encapsulated.
GALATIANS
4:4-5
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
ACTS
1:9-10
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Verse 5 mentions in between
the birth of Christ and His ascension into heaven, His righteous reign will be unyielding and intolerant towards any rebellion or evil (hence, “the rod of
iron”) anywhere in this world. Since the Majesty of All the Universe is going
to rule the entire globe, let us be sure to honor Him in yielding to His rule
over our own hearts today, granting us His grace and peace as we offer up our
obedience from these hearts of love (ROM
6:11-14,22; EPH 6:5; COL 3:15-16; HEB 13:9).
There are those who
disparage the idea that Christ – the Messiah will have anything more to do with
Israel, the Jewish people; they refer to them as ‘Christ-killers’. What
they seem to blatantly disregard is that it was Christ’s intention to come and
die for the sins of the world – and for that matter, if anyone wants someone to
blame for the death of Christ, I will go on record to say, you can blame me for
His death: it was my sin that nailed Him to that tree!
Scripture speaks clearly of
Israel’s initial rejection of Y’shua ha Meschiach, but it also speaks
just as clearly that they will receive Him when He returns; this is what
Stephen was driving at in ACTS
7 when the Sanhedrin figured out what he was implying,
and filled with rage, martyred him. Check out this article from Koinonia House
on this very subject.
REVELATION
12:6
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Scripture is explicit
regarding this wilderness location – it is none other than Bozrah (aka Petra),
where the LORD will gather as a Shepherd gathers His sheep, the faithful
remnant of Israel:
MICAH
2:12
I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.
I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.
Evidently the Battle of Armageddon (in the valley of Megiddo) will find a climax near
Jerusalem, and the slaughter of the Beast’s militant forces will be so extreme
as to create a literal river of blood that will reach to Bozrah! That’s a river
of over 160 miles!!
See ISAIAH
34:1-8; 63:1-3.
The time of
the remnant of Israel in this GOD-ordained sanctuary is 1,260 days or in the
360 day calendar year, three and a half years, the latter half of Jacob’s
Trouble. There are many people who believe that the ancient city, the former
dwelling of the Nabataeans, will be the place of refuge for these Jews who will
come to faith in Y’shua.
REVELATION
12:7-9
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Besides Lucifer, we have
only two names of angels revealed in canon, those being Michael and Gabriel.
Gabriel always seems to be on a mission to announce revelation concerning the Messiah. Michael’s mission is the defense of Israel; here we see
Michael and “his angels” in conflict with “the dragon. . . and his angels” and
it’s at this time that Satan is defeated by the holy angels and cast out,
forbidden from having access to heaven any longer. There are many descriptions
here to adequately identify this red dragon; he is also called “that old
serpent” (GEN 3:1-6); “the devil” (MATT
4:1-11) and “Satan” (JOB 1:6-12; ZECH 3:1-2; 2 THESS 2:9).
It seems that at this point during Jacob’s
Trouble that our chief adversary is humbled and he is banned from heaven, no longer having access to the throne of GOD. His “wrath [is] great” at such humiliation, being the
supremely prideful creature that he is, and as a result he is all the more
determined to destroy Israel in an act of vengeful retribution.
REVELATION
12:10-11
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in
heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and
the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which
accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and
by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
These declarations of
victory are a carryover from Ch. 11 when the seventh trumpet was sounded. Hope
for the saints was assured and rewards promised to the saints is forthcoming.
Here in Ch. 12, the heavens were cleansed from the foul presence of the devil
and his (fallen angels).
Again, the kingdom of GOD is pronounced and the power
of His Christ Who shall reign over the nations which are currently still under the heel of
Satan, the oppressive master of misery. Satan is called “the accuser” and while
his accusations of the saints for their misdeeds due to the weakness of sinful
flesh may be true (to one degree or another), our enemy is frustrated because all
such sins and transgressions have already been judged for the saints, at the
cross of Christ, and because of this, though the accuser may employ in this
work “day and night”. . .
ROMANS
8:1-3
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
There is an expression used
most often by Pentecostals and Charismatics: “pleading the blood [of Christ]”
and this is the verse, REV
12:11 quoted. What this
means is significant in regard to the power of Christ’s atonement overcoming all
the power of the enemy to thwart, to stumble, to weaken, to compromise the
saint of GOD. This is where the spiritual armor of the Christian warrior is
vital. So, let’s take a moment and examine this doctrinal issue.
Moses was told to apply the
blood of a lamb to the lintels and door posts of all the houses of those who
believed the word of the LORD and the angel of death would pass over those
under the blood, because it was the word of the LORD that declared, all who do
this would be saved.
We understand that those who
are truly born again in Christ, who are indwelt by the Spirit of GOD, that these
are the children of GOD (JOHN
1:12-13); we belong to the LORD Who
is our Abba Father (ROM
8:15). We are the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 COR 6:19), the body and bride of Christ (ROM
7:4; REV
21:9), the church that our Savior redeemed by His own
blood (ACTS 20:28).
We are no longer citizens of the kingdom of
darkness (EPH 5:8; COL
1:13), we are no longer captives of the devil (LUKE 4:18; 2 TIM 2:25-26). So if Satan ever attempts to usurp authority over
us, if he seems to trespass on the ‘private property’ that we are, as we belong
to the One Who purchased us, we're to proclaim the truth, that we are under His protection, just as the Hebrews
were protected from the angel of death in Egypt.
Satan cannot have our souls,
he cannot steal away our salvation, he cannot cause us to bend the knee to him
and to, as it were, clasp the shackles of sin back onto our wrists and ankles as his
slaves. We are citizens of heaven, ambassadors of the King endowed with the
authority of Christ in our lives. All Satan can do is tempt us to sin, he can
never compel us to sin!
Further, he can kill our bodies (and for us saints, we “will not love our lives unto the death”) should GOD allow our adversary to take them – but even in that, his defeat is absolute, because the word of our testimony and the blood of the Lamb ensures that we have overcome this fallen cherub! Thus, we who are the "dwellers of heaven", rejoice!
Further, he can kill our bodies (and for us saints, we “will not love our lives unto the death”) should GOD allow our adversary to take them – but even in that, his defeat is absolute, because the word of our testimony and the blood of the Lamb ensures that we have overcome this fallen cherub! Thus, we who are the "dwellers of heaven", rejoice!
REVELATION
12:12
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
It will be at this time,
when he and all the fallen angels that followed him in the futile, ultimately insignificant rebellion
against GOD will realize that they have little more than three years before
Christ the King returns and puts an end to their rule! The earth dwellers will be
in for the cruelest of time then, because of their task master Satan’s great
wrath.
REVELATION
12:13-14
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
Of all the earth dwellers,
the ones that the dragon will be fiercest in pursuit of, will be Israel, for
again, if he could be annihilate the nation, the prophecies of GOD couldn’t
come true; yet the believing remnant of the Jewish people will be kept safe in
their refuge, provided for by the LORD for this last period of time lasting
three and a half years. Here, she will be safe from the onslaught of Satan and
there will come a time when they will petition the LORD of Glory to return and
save them from this perilous world of sin and transgression, having repented of
their sin in rejecting the true Messiah of Israel Who came to His own, two
thousand years ago, and was not received by them (JOHN
1:11).
From HOSEA 4:1 we read that it is the LORD Who is speaking,
concerning a “controversy” He has “with the inhabitants of the land, because
there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of GOD in the land” In context, the
LORD is still speaking throughout this chapter and chapter five. So by the time
we get to vs. 15, we understand that it’s still the LORD speaking, when He says
the following:
HOSEA 5:15
15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
GOD’s place obviously is heaven (DEUT 4:39; PSALM
115:3), but when did He ever leave there, because it plainly states that He
determined to return there? And return there He did, after He arose from
the dead and ascended into the heavens! Prior to that, He did leave heaven, and
humbled Himself to be born of a young peasant women in Bethlehem!
The LORD Jesus is now in heaven, seated at the right
hand of the Father, there to stay – until. . . when? When this remnant
acknowledge their offence (in the singular form of Hebrew, a particular
offense) and seek His face. I believe that offence is their collective
rejection of Y’shua ha Mesciach. Once they acknowledge that offence and
repent in seeking His face, it is then that He shall return in time to
devastate the armies of the Beast and consign both him and the false prophet to
the lake of fire (REV 19:20).
REVELATION
12:15-17
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Satan has attempted time and
time again to thwart the plan of GOD, which is to restore man to a right relationship
to his Creator, by means of redemption through the LAMB of GOD. Knowing the
seed of the woman would crush his head (GEN
3:15), he likely persuaded Cain to slay Abel to stop
this genealogy destined to destroy him. He was certainly behind the corruption
of the human race by the interjection of fallen angels mingling themselves with
humanity, with the intent on perverting the entire race, thus disabling GOD’s
endeavor to send His Son in the “likeness of sinful flesh” (GEN 6:1-6; ROM 8:3); he undoubtedly had his hand in Pharaoh’s
edict to kill off all of the male Hebrew slaves – all through the history of
Israel, the great enemy of the saints traced the path that GOD paved in seeing
to the Messianic line and he did his level best to ruin it. And failed!
Right to the point when the
plan of GOD was set on its edge, and the 40 days of fasting in the desert that our
LORD endured, and the temptations He faced at the hand of the devil: If Satan
could get this One to fall, then the game would be over, and the salvation of
mankind would be lost forever.
Now that Messiah has
overcome all the power of the enemy, what can Satan do? As stated previously,
he can attempt to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth and thus dismantle the prospects
of any kingdom for the Messiah-King to rule over, which would fulfill all remaining
prophecies concerning the nation.
Yet even in this endeavor,
the serpent’s attempts are thwarted as the woman is delivered from the devices of
the devil; he is ever determined (to his own ruin!) to fight GOD and so he
makes war with the holy remnant of believing Israel who “…keep the commandments
of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ”.
In the next study I included a link FROM The MIND of FIRE that deals with ‘The new world order’ in the context of REVELATION 13.
Until then, “Keep your eyes
on the skies and don’t believe the lies! The LORD Jesus Returns Soon from on
high!”
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