Revelation

Lesson 9 w/AnswersRevelation 12

In this lesson and the next lesson, we will examine Revelation Chapters 12 and 13, respectively; as we are provided a description of the central figures in the last days of the Tribulation period.

Bible

By way of preview, during our study these chapters, we will encounter seven main figures They are: (a) the sun-clad woman, (b) the great red dragon, (c) the man-child, (d) Michael the Archangel, (e) the "seed" of the woman, (f) the first beast, and (g) the second beast. What marvelous insight God provides us into the last days, if we take the time and effort to gain an understanding of these seven figures. May He richly bless you as you study His word this week.

Read Revelation Chapter 12 and consider the following questions:

  1. Considering what we have learned in previous lessons regarding symbology pertinent to Revelation, who (or what) is being described in Revelation 12:1-2? (see also Genesis 37:9 and Isaiah 9:6)
    1. ANSWER: The woman symbolizes the Nation of Israel, God’s Chosen People, about to "give birth" to Christ the Messiah who is born of the Jews, the tribe of Judah, in Bethlehem.
  2. Who (or what) is being described in the followng verses: Revelation 12:3-4, Revelation 20:2, Revelation 17:3, Isaiah 7:4, and Jude verse 13?
    1. ANSWER: Satan, God’s chief adversary, is represented in these verses. He will have universal wisdom and great power, as indicated by the seven spirits and ten horns (which will later describe his worldly kingdom; see Rev. 13:1). He is cast out of heaven and brings the fallen angels with him to earth.
  3. What is being described in Revelation 12:5-6? Have some of these events already happened?
    1. ANSWER: Satan’s goal was first to destroy Israel before Christ was born, and then to destroy the male child when it was born. The nation of Israel will be taken care of in a desert place for 1,260 days by God.
  4. Review Revelation 12: 6-14 and list the specific things that are described in each of these verses.
    1. Verse 6
      1. ANSWER: Israel protected in the desert for 1,260 days.
    2. Verse 7
      1. ANSWER: War breaks out in heaven.
    3. Verse 8
      1. ANSWER: Satan and his demons lose the war in heaven.
    4. Verse 9
      1. ANSWER: Satan and his demons are cast out of heaven and down to earth.
    5. Verse 10
      1. ANSWER: There is great rejoicing in heaven over the defeat of Satan, and his ejection from heaven.
    6. Verse 11
      1. ANSWER: Christ’s blood provided the means of victory over Satan.
    7. Verse 12
      1. ANSWER: Satan realizes that he does not have much time left, and the later half of the Tribulation period will be horrible as a result.
    8. Verse 13
      1. ANSWER: Satan blames his defeat on the Nation of Israel and pursues after her to kill her.
    9. Verse 14
      1. ANSWER: Israel is taken to a place out of Satan’s reach for a time, times and a half time, i.e., 3.5 years.
  5. In the passages pertinent to the previous question, how do we know that this means Satan is still not cast down to earth, and that he still has access to heaven? And if it means that he is not cast down until the second half of the Tribulation Period, called the Great Tribulation (or the "Great and Terrible Day of the Lord"), what words might indicate this in Revelation 12:8-10?
    1. ANSWER: The King James Version of Rev. 12:8, referencing Satan and his angels, asserts that "neither was their place found any more in heaven". The term "any more" implies a final end of Satan’ presence in heaven during the Tribulation Period. In verse 10, we see that Satan is accusing us before God day and night — but no more, once he is cast down to earth. What a terrible day for all mankind, and especially the Jews, when Satan is cast down and confined to the earth!
  6. When do the events described in Revelation 12:13 occur within the overall seven-year period of the tribulation period? (see also Matthew 24:9-27)
    1. ANSWER: The events described in Rev. 12:13 occur in the mid-tribulation period and are further described by Christ in Matt 24:9-27.
  7. Examining Revelation 12:15, what does the phrase "water like a flood (or river)" represent?
    1. ANSWER: It represents poisonous things: words, activities, etc., that Satan unleashes against the Jews so as to cause them to be hunted down and destroyed.
  8. Given your interpretation of Revelation 12:15 above, how do verses 16 and 17 relate? What do they indicate to us about the earth, and "the woman" during this time?
    1. ANSWER: The earth protects the Jews and prevents them from being destroyed by Satan’s activities and his followers. In verse 17, all of those won to Christ during the tribulation period by the testimony of the 144,000 are sought after by Satan, in order to kill and destroy them; the 144,000 Jews are of course blamed for having proselytized the people who now follow Christ as a result of their testimony and preaching of the gospel.
  9. What do you suppose is referred to in Revelation 12:18 as "her seed", which is curious in itself, since seed usually comes from a man?
    1. ANSWER: This passage refers to the offspring of the Gospel of Christ, the children of God.

May God richly bless you as we study His Word.

Yours in Christ,

Wes

[2006]

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