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SATAN’S WAR AGANST GOD. Revelation 12-14. 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.
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SATAN’S WAR AGANST GOD Revelation 12-14
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 BeastRevelation 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 ProphetRevelation 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 “NrwnQsr” • Hebrews have no vowels • Hebrew is written from left to right: • ReshSamekhQophNunWawReshNun • 200 + 60 + 100 + 50 + 6 + 200 + 50 =666 • =
Chapter 14 • 144,000 are triumphant Christians who die in the Lord v.13 • Angelic proclamations as a warning before full judgment • Has the gospel and calls for repentance • Announces that Babylon is fallen • Punishment for worshippers of the beast and reward for faithful saints • An angel with a sickle • Another angel tells him to reap (metaphor for judgment) • Another angel with a sickle • 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?