Principles of Interpretation: There are patterns to Revelation which should be considered when trying to understand it. One pattern is that each new section is introduced by a scene from the temple. There is significance to these introductions. Do not ignore them. They are a key to understanding the section. Another pattern is that the book is written in symbolic language. The King James Version translates verse 1 as “he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:” To signify is to show in signs, i.e., symbols. Those symbols are based in the rest of the Bible, both Old and New Testament. As such, look to the rest of the Bible to interpret Revelation rather than using Revelation to interpret the rest of the Bible. This also means that you need to let the Bible interpret itself rather than attempting to have it fit into today’s headlines. In short, do not treat Revelation as separate from the rest of the Bible. Instead, expect that the events described in Revelation have been presented in other parts of the Bible. A third pattern in Revelation is the idea of judgement. There are courtroom scenes and wrath and complaints about God not bringing justice. In fact, humans are not the only ones under judgment. God Himself is on trial, and the repeated verdict is that God is just, holy, and worthy. From the beginning claim that this is the Revelation of Jesus to the promise in the last chapter that we shall see God’s face, Revelation is an examination of who our Creator is and whether He is worthy of our loyalty.

Disclaimer: There are four basic methodologies used to interpret the book of Revelation in modern society: futurism, historicism, idealism, and preterism. Many modern churches have embraced the idea of the secret rapture, which is a form of futurism. On the other hand, some churches say that Revelation deals solely with events that were happening in the apostolic era. This is called preterism. Other churches teach that Revelation does not describe any specific time period. Instead, the symbols are philosophical and/or spiritual ideas. The series of studies that I am posting is based on historicism, which says that the Bible teaches that Revelation begins with the time of John and describes the interactions of the church with a hostile world throughout history culminating in the final future eradication of sin from the universe. This view denies a secret rapture. I do not want you to be in confusion about the basic premises of this series of lessons. If you disagree with the historicist viewpoint, please study for yourself to be certain that the interpretations that you have been told by others and simply accepted make sense with the whole Bible. As you study, first ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit; then study the verses, and let the Bible interpret itself. Even if you disagree with my comments, you may find the verses and background information that I provide useful. Finally, I want to emphasize that I myself am still studying Revelation and my understanding is deepening each time I open the book and read. Revelation is a distillation of the whole Bible; as such, the limited space of this blog and my limited understanding means that these lessons are not nearly as in-depth as they could (and maybe should) be.

References: See the end of this post for sources and references.

Revelation 12:7-8

(7)  Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, (8)  but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.

• Revelation 12:19 identifies the dragon as Satan.  Of course, Satan frequently works through human representatives, so the actions of the dragon can sometimes be seen as being the result of a specific human agency, such as Herod attempting to kill the baby Jesus.
• The dragon’s angels are referred to as demons in other areas of the Bible; we need to remember that Satan is not fighting alone on this earth against us.  Also, contrary to many superstitious beliefs, the Bible clearly teaches that at one time, demons were heavenly angels whose lives were filled with love and peace until they chose to follow Satan’s ways of force and power instead of Jesus’ ways of love and humility and free choice.
• Who is Michael?  There is disagreement among Christians about Michael’s identity, but if we carefully examine the various places where Michael is mentioned in the Bible, his identity becomes clear.
  • Daniel 10:13  (13)  The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,
  • Daniel 10:21  (21)  But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.
  • Daniel 12:1-3  (1)  “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.  (2)  And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.  (3)  And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
  • Jude 1:9  (9)  But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.”
  • According to these verses, Michael is the great prince who has charge of Daniel’s people.  When Michael stands, a great time of trouble begins, but the people will be delivered who are found written in the book, as well as the resurrection of righteous humans.  These are all qualities that are given to Jesus/the Messiah in other parts of the Bible.  Jesus is the King of the Jews.  He is the one who judges.  He is the one who calls people from the grave.  He is the one who will transform the living.  Michael is Jesus.
  • The name Michael means “who is like God” according to the Brown-Driver-Briggs dictionary.  Names in the Bible are not just pleasant-sounding labels that stay with a person forever.  They are descriptive.  Satan means “the adversary or the opponent”.  Lucifer means “light-bearer/morning star”.  Abram had his name changed to Abraham when his position changed.  Jacob had his name changed to Israel to show that something had changed in his position. John the Baptist was Ezekiel according to Malachi, yet he was named John by the command of an angel.  When I was young, I could never understand how Isaiah’s prophecy said that the Messiah was to be called Immanuel when His name was Jesus.  I did not understand how names worked in the Bible.  Now, it is clear to me that Jesus (Savior) is Immanuel (God with us) and Christ/Messiah (the anointed One), as well as many other names given to Him in the scriptures.  The point is that some people cannot get their head around Michael being Jesus simply because of the name, but the Bible names people according to their function, as well as their character.
  • Other people object that the archangel is an angel, not God.  There are several reasons why this is not a valid argument.  First, archangel simply means the head of the angels.  Thus, the leader of the angels would not have to be an angel himself.  We see this in the United States where the leader of the armed forces is a civilian President rather than a member of the military.  Second, angel does not necessarily mean the name of a specific species of created being like seraphim or cherubim.  There are places in the Bible where a man is called an angel.  Even God is called an angel in the Old Testament.  Finally, Jesus, who is God, became a man.  That is much more impossible than calling Him the leader of the angels.  Michael is given qualities that only fit the Messiah—Jesus.
  • What is Michael doing in every one of these verses?  Contending with the devil on behalf of a human/humans.
• Heavenly Battle—Revelation is not the only place that speaks of fighting in heaven.  This warfare was also written about by Ezekiel.  In fact, the Revelation 12 battle is a specific segment of Ezekiel’s war that gives more details about one part of the conflict while Ezekiel gives the greater overview.  Revelation 12 occurs in the middle of Ezekiel’s war.  Ultimately, the serpent is destroyed as Ezekiel describes, but before that time, he still fights against Michael.
  • Ezekiel 28:16-19  (16)  In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.  (17)  Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you.  (18)  By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade you profaned your sanctuaries; so I brought fire out from your midst; it consumed you, and I turned you to ashes on the earth in the sight of all who saw you.  (19)  All who know you among the peoples are appalled at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever.”

Revelation 12:9-10

(9)  And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.  (10)  And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

What does the Bible tell us about Satan being the accuser of the brethren?

• Job 1:6-12  (6)  Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.  (7)  The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”  (8)  And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”  (9)  Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason?  (10)  Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.  (11)  But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.”  (12)  And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
• “Down through the ages the lies of God’s enemy had given him access to heaven according to the book of Job. But when Jesus came to our world and was cruelly crucified, the devil’s mask was torn away. He manifested that he, not God, was a selfish deceiver whose heart was filled with malice and hatred. It is the cross of Christ that John had in mind when he announces, ‘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’ (Revelation 12:10). After the crucifixion of Christ, Satan lost all influence with the heavenly universe. His accusing voice has been silenced. The cross of Christ demonstrated God’s love and vindicated His character beyond question. Those in heaven ‘rejoice’ at God’s conquest and Satan’s defeat” (Unlocking Revelation #14).

Revelation 12:11-12

(11)  And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.  (12)  Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” 

When was the devil thrown down to earth and barred from heaven?  Jesus’ death, resurrection, ascension, and crowning as the king of this world at Pentecost stripped Satan of any kind of legitimacy in the heavenly courts.  Satan no longer had access to heaven.

• “But the war isn’t over yet. While the heavens can rejoice, John issues a warning of ‘woe to the inhabitants of the earth’ (NKJV). Satan has lost all influence in heaven, but he still plans to deceive and ruin as many human beings as he possibly can. He knows his time is ‘short.’ He is a defeated foe, and he knows it. So with great ‘wrath’ he channels all his power to the one purpose of taking men and women to destruction with him (see Revelation 12:12)” (Unlocking Revelation #14)
• 1 Peter 5:6-11  (6)  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, (7)  casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  (8)  Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  (9)  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.  (10)  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.  (11)  To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
• Revelation 12:11 reveals how we can conquer the dragon who is pursuing the church.   John tells us that we can have victory through the blood of the Lamb, the words of our testimony, and not loving our lives unto death.  Let’s examine these weapons more closely.

“The blood of the Lamb.”   What does it mean to conquer Satan by the blood of the Lamb?

• Romans 8:35-39  (35)  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?  (36)  As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”  (37)  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  (38)  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, (39) nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• 2 Corinthians 5:14-15  (14)  For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; (15)  and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
• “When we behold and appreciate the love of Christ revealed at the cross, we are strengthened to resist the devil’s temptations. God’s love is our single greatest need. When we understand and exercise faith in the cross, our hearts are filled with love for Him. And love produces a loyalty and devotion that nothing can destroy”  (Unlocking Revelation #14).

“The word of their testimony”   What does it mean to overcome Satan by the word of our testimony?

• Matthew 24:8-14  (8)  All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.  (9)  “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.  (10)  And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.  (11)  And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.  (12)  And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.  (13)  But the one who endures to the end will be saved.  (14)  And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
• 1 John 5:6-12  (6)  This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.  (7)  For there are three that testify:  (8)  the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.  (9)  If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.  (10)  Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.  (11)  And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  (12)  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
• What are the words of our testimony?  We believe in the Son of God and become a testimony ourselves.  The belief we have is that our eternal life is in Jesus.
• “Our second source of overcoming power is to bear our personal testimony of God’s love and salvation. Expression deepens impression. The more we share our faith in Christ with others, the more secure and strong we will become in that faith” ”  (Unlocking Revelation #14).

“They loved not their lives unto death.”   How does not loving our lives unto death give us victory over Satan?

• Mark 8:34-38  (34)  And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  (35)  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.  (36)  For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?  (37)  For what can a man give in return for his soul?  (38)  For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
• “Our third source of victory over the devil is to place higher value on God’s honor than on our own lives. If we love God and want to glorify Him more than we fear death, Satan cannot steal our salvation. Even if we lose our lives for our faith, eternity awaits us” ”  (Unlocking Revelation #14).

SUMMARY:  The way we overcome our opponent is to let the love of Jesus control us, have faith in the life that Jesus has given to us and tell others about it, and to value that eternal life bought by Jesus’ great sacrifice above the present world we live in, even if it means death here.  Thus, we have faith in Jesus’ testimony to us, which gives us hope in the future that Jesus has promised us; and our knowledge of Jesus’ love for us controls us.  In other words, winning against Satan is about what you believe (that will be your testimony to others), what you value (do you give higher priority to this world or to eternity?), and who you love (do you love yourself more than Jesus, or do you have a loving relationship with your Savior?).  1 Corinthians 13:13  (13)  So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Revelation 12:13

(13)  And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.

• Remember that the woman represents God’s people on earth. 
• First the dragon tried to attack Jesus, but when he failed and lost access to heaven, he turned his attention to the church on earth.

Revelation 12:14

(14)  But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.

• Wings of the great eagle 
  • Exodus 19:4-6  (4)  ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.  (5)  Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; (6)  and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
  • Deuteronomy 32:7-14  (The Song of Moses)  (7)  Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.  (8)  When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.  (9)  But the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage.  (10)  “He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.  (11)  Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions, (12)  the LORD alone guided him, no foreign god was with him.  (13)  He made him ride on the high places of the land, and he ate the produce of the field, and he suckled him with honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock.  (14)  Curds from the herd, and milk from the flock, with fat of lambs, rams of Bashan and goats, with the very finest of the wheat— and you drank foaming wine made from the blood of the grape.
  • To have the wings of an eagle refers to the fact that it is God who is providing power and care and protection.  The church was weak and to all appearances unable to stand against her enemies, but she was under God’s protection as she fled into the wilderness.
• Into the wilderness
  • “The woman flees into the wilderness. What does the wilderness represent? In the Old Testament, the wilderness referred to the uninhabited areas of the Sinai Peninsula. The Greek word used in Revelation 12:6, 14 is eremos. It refers to a forsaken desert or empty place, an uninhabited place. It represents a place of seclusion or obscurity. It is a place away from the public gaze, in the areas remote from the centers of civilization.  True Christian believers fled to such places because of the oppressive decrees of the  Emperor Justinian which precipitated persecution and led to the setting up of the Bishop of Rome as the Universal Bishop of the world, and the Corrector of Heretics. True Christians were compelled to leave the empire amid massacre and flight”  (Understanding Revelation—Topic 18).
• She would be nourished there (Just like in the song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32:13-14)
• Time, times, and half a time—1260 years (A.D. 538-A.D.1798)  This time corresponds with the time of the two witnesses of Revelation 11 bearing their testimony in sackcloth.  This time period is repeated in both Daniel and Revelation.
  • Revelation 11:3  And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.
  • The woman is in seclusion in the wilderness while God’s word is bearing testimony in sackcloth and ashes.  In other words, the Bible is being suppressed and the true followers of Jesus are hiding out in secluded places because of persecution during this time period.  Revelation 12 looks at the same time period as Revelation 11 from a different perspective.

Revelation 12:15

(15)  The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood.

• Water like a river from the mouth to sweep away with a flood—This symbol has two meanings:  persecution and false teaching.  First, let’s look at the persecution aspect of this symbol.
  • Revelation 17:15  (15)  And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.
  • Psalms 69:1-4  (1)  To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. Of David. Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck.  (2)  I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.  (3)  I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.  (4)  More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies. What I did not steal must I now restore?
  • Psalms 124:1-8  (1)  A Song of Ascents. Of David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side— let Israel now say—(2)  if it had not been the LORD who was on our side when people rose up against us, (3)  then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; (4)  then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; (5)  then over us would have gone the raging waters.  (6)  Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth!  (7)  We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!  (8)  Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
  • (See also Isaiah 8:7-8 & Jeremiah 47:2)

• Out of his mouth—The mouth speaks truth or lies.  In this case, there are not just a few mistaken ideas about God’s word.  Instead a flood of false teaching about God has encompassed those who should be following Jesus.
  • Genesis 3:1-5  (1)  Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”  (2)  And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, (3)  but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”  (4)  But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.  (5)  For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
  • Satan’s favorite method of attacking God’s people has always been deception.  He is an expert at twisting words and innuendo.  Too often, his lies have separated believers from God.  During the Dark Ages, false doctrines flooded the land to the point that Christians thought that they could not approach Jesus directly but had to pray to His mother and a multitude of “saints.”  They pleaded for forgiveness from humans rather than God; and they thought they could gain heaven by touching a piece of bone or buying their way in with money rather than depending upon the priceless blood of Jesus for their salvation.

Revelation 12:16

(16)  But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.

• The earth helped the woman by swallowing the river.  This is the language of Exodus.
  • Exodus 15:9-13  (9)  The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’  (10)  You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters.  (11)  “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?  (12)  You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them.  (13)  “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.
• The sea is a place of many people.  Thus, the earth is a contrasting place with few people.  This represents how the church found refuge in solitary places, such as the Waldensian Valleys.  Ultimately, the church would flee to the New World to escape the dragon’s persecution.  Yes, there were people already living in the Americas (Native Americans), but the population was relatively sparse compared to Europe, Asia, and Africa.  (See Lineage Journey—Waldenses and others.)

Revelation 12:17  This verse is the introduction to Revelation 13 where Satan prepares for the final battle against God’s end-time people. (NOTE:  The last sentence in this verse is in the first verse of chapter 13 in some translations.)

(17)  Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.

• The dragon was furious with the woman.
  • Contrast this fury with Satan’s anger at being cast from heaven.  Here are the Strong’s definitions of the two Greek words:  “Rev 12:12   Θυμός  thumos  thoo-mos’From G2380; —passion (as if breathing hard): – fierceness, indignation, wrath. Compare G5590.” /thumos/ is the same word used for God’s wrath in chapter 11.  On the other hand, verse 17 uses a different word.  “Rev 12:17  ὀργίζω orgizō or-gid’-zo—From G3709; to provoke or enrage, that is, (passively) become exasperated: – be angry (wroth).”  (Taken from Strong’s dictionary)
• Make war with the rest of her offspring
  • “The Greek word loipoi literally means ‘the remaining ones.’  The term in the Old Testament describes those who have survived destruction to continue as God’s faithful people (Isa. 10:20-22; 11:11-12; Jer. 23:3; Zeph. 3:13)” (Plain Revelation by Ranko Stefanovic).  In other words, this is the remnant.
  • Why is war made with the offspring and not the woman?  The woman comes out of the wilderness as Babylon.  Either the wilderness church has become corrupted, or the corrupted church has stamped out most of the wilderness church.  In any case, only the remnant, or offspring, are pure.  The majority of those who claimed the name of Jesus have accepted lies as truth and become corrupted.  Revelation 17:3-5  (3)  And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns.  (4)  The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.  (5)  And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”
• Keep the commandments of God—Revelation 14:12  (12)  Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
• Hold to the testimony of Jesus
  • Revelation 19:10  (10)  Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
  • The testimony of Jesus “refers to Jesus bearing witness to Himself through His prophets, just as He did through John (1:2).  The prophets’ role in the Bible is to bear witness to Christ” (Plain Revelation by Ranko Stefonovic).
• He stood on the sand of the sea
  • This verse should be with Revelation 13.  Remember, the verses and chapters of the Bible are not inspired.

SUMMARY:  Revelation 12 parts the curtains of heaven and lets us see the spiritual reality that has been going on behind the scenes of cruelty and persecution on Earth.  The war-torn world that we live in is not where the conflict originated.  It is just the location of Satan’s last stand in his rebellion against God.  He has been ejected from the heavenly realm and confined to the one place in the universes where his lies still hold power over created beings.  Here, he has pulled out every weapon in his arsenal to consolidate his power and stamp out any loyalty to God.  For 1260 years, he forced God’s people to hide and flee.  He manipulated them with lies.  However, he could not conquer them because they were protected under God’s mighty wings.  Every martyr who gave his or her life rather than deny the Savior was a seed that sprouted into a multitude of other believers.  The church of Jesus survived in the wilderness throughout the Dark Ages until the Reformation began returning the light of Biblical truths to the world, but Revelation warns us that the devil is not finished yet.  He is still at war with those who obey God and have the testimony of Jesus.

References:

• Andrews Study Bible–In some lessons, I refer to study comments from this Bible.
• God Cares: The Message of Revelation for You and Your Family-A book by C. Mervyn Maxwell that examines how the prophecies of Revelation relate to an individual’s life.
• Plain Revelation–A book by Ranko Stefanovic that summarizes the meaning of various sections of Revelation
• Revelation of Jesus Christ–A book by Ranko Stefonovic that comments on each verse of Revelation.
• Salvation in Signs and Symbols–a series of shows where two pastors and two others study through the books of Revelation and Daniel. These programs can be accessed at 3abnplus.tv . Scroll down to 3ABN Dare to Dream Network and choose Salvation in Signs and Symbols from the list there.
• Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary (Volume 7) (Copywrite 1957)–This is the old green set of commentaries, not the new commentary series that is in the process of being published and should be released after 2022. (Boy, I would love to get my hands on that set when it comes out!)
• Table Talk–A series of shows where four pastors discuss various topics. These programs can be accessed at tabletalk.online . Season 4 focuses on Revelation.
• Unlocking Revelation–A series of pamphlets that can be downloaded for free from lightbearers.org and clicking on Resources