Revelation 12 A Great Red Dragon

Verse 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: Verse 2.. And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. Verse 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.

Chapter 12 gives a summary of all things. We see the nation of Israel. The woman is found in Genesis as we read about the dream of Joseph. Genesis 37:9. So the nation of Israel being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. Then in verse 3, another wonder. A great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns reminiscent of the beast from chapter 13 waiting to devour the child (Jesus) as soon as it was born. Satan put forth his best effort to destroy the child. 

You remember how Herod was paranoid and felt that people were plotting and trying to take his throne. He heard that the king had been born. He asked the wise men to return and tell him all about the king so that he might go and worship him. When they didn't return he ordered all the baby boys in the Bethlehem area that were two years old and under to be killed.

Verse 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. Verse 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.

So, the man child (Jesus), who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: was caught up to God and to his throne. This is where Jesus is right now. He is patiently waiting to take possession of that which he has redeemed.

Now we take a big leap into the future.

Verse 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.

Verse 6 finds us right in the middle of the tribulation period. "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" or three and a half years. 

Remember what Jesus says to the Jews in Matthew 24:15-22. "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. So Israel is to flee into the wilderness where she will be supernaturally protected by God for three and a half years during the second half of the tribulation period.

Verse 7.. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, Verse 8.. And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. Verse 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. 

Verse 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. Verse 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.

At the same time that Israel receives God's supernatural protection, there is war in heaven. The great dragon is cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceived the whole world. He is cast out into the earth, and his angels are cast out with him.

Verse 13.. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man [child]. Verse 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. So again we see that Israel is supernaturally protected. Time, times, and half a time is 3 1/2 years.

Verse 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. Verse 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. So the enemies of Israel pursue her but the earth opens up and takes them down. Remember how Israel was supernaturally delivered from her enemies during the exodus from Egypt?

Verse 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. So Satan is thwarted in his efforts to destroy Israel. But he does succeed in making war against those that have the testimony of Jesus Christ. In Revelation 13:7 we read that it is given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Revelation 13 The Beast

Revelation 13:1.. And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. Verse 2.. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as [the feet] of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Verse 3.. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. Verse 4.. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

In Revelation chapter 13, we get a description of the beast. It rises up out of the sea. Revelation 17:15 tells us that the waters which you saw are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. Keeping that in mind we can see that the peoples and the nations actually enable the beast to exist. They give it life and power. Now this beast has seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. Revelation 17:10 tells us that the seven heads are seven mountains which are seven kings.

What was Daniel's interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream? This great image of a figure standing with a head of gold which represented the Babylonian Empire. The arms and chest of silver or the Medo-Persian Empire. The brass stomach or Grecian Empire. The legs of iron or the Roman Empire. The feet of iron and clay with ten toes. They are weaker than just iron. They are iron and clay. A democratic type of alliance. Not strong like a monarchy or dictatorship. Ten toes refer to the ten horns or ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. Revelation 17:12.

Now in verse three, we see that one of the heads of the beast is wounded beyond the ability to recover. This means that the beast itself is wounded beyond the ability to recover. Verified in Revelation 17:11. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. The beast was and is not pictures the death of the beast. But it is to come again for a short time. 

"They worshiped the dragon who gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Verse 5.. And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months. Verse 6.. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. Verse 7.. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 

Verse 8.. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 

Verse 9.. If any man have an ear, let him hear. Verse 10.. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints

In verses 5, 6, 7 power is given to him to continue forty and two months or three and a half years. He blasphemes against God, and those that dwell in heaven. He makes war with the saints, and overcomes them. He also kills the two witnesses who had been invincible up to this point. Power is given him over all tribes, tongues, and nations. This happens in the second half of the tribulation period. You remember that the two prophets have free reign during the first half of the tribulation period to witness, call down fire at will and to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. It's not until they are eliminated that the beast has his way.

Now an encouraging word in verses 8, 9, & 10. The time of the beast will come to an end. He who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Him and all that dwell upon the earth who worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Verse 11.. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. Verse 12.. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. Verse 13.. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, causes an image to be made of the former beast.

Verse 14.. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live, and that men should worship it. Verse 15.. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Verse 16.. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: Verse 17.. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Verse 18.. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.

In verse 11, we see another beast coming up out of the earth. It looks like a lamb but speaks like a dragon. So Satan is disguised as the savior, a lamb. He duplicates the works of the two prophets. He makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. Do you remember how the magicians in Pharaoh's court were able to duplicate to a point the miraculous things that Moses was doing? So in verse 14, those that dwell upon the earth are deceived by the means of those miracles which the false prophet had power to do in the sight of the beast: saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, that had the wound by a sword, and did live.

In verse 16 & 17, He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, except he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. This is probably some type of computer system. The technology is here. We're already using cards and numbers to do all our purchasing of goods and services. It wouldn't be difficult to get rid of money altogether. As a matter of fact, Israel is already mulling over the idea of doing away with cash. The idea being that it would make it more difficult to evade paying taxes.

In verse 18, we see that the number of the beast is six hundred three score and six or 666. In biblical numerics, each number has a significance. Seven is the number of completeness. Six is short of completeness, incomplete man. Twelve is the number of human government. The Greek and the Hebrew numbers have more significance than in our language because they count with their alphabet. In other words, alpha, beta, gamma, delta is one, two, three, four etc. So every letter has a numeric equivalent. For instance, the number eight is the number for new beginnings. It is also the number for Jesus. If you total the numbers that spell Jesus, you come up with 888. So 666 is incomplete man. This is incomplete man's attempt to govern himself and the world with Satan's help. 666 could also be the numeric value of a man's name; the Satan empowered leader of the coming world system of government.

Revelation 14 A Hundred and Forty Four Thousand

Revelation 14:1.. And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. 

These are the same hundred forty and four thousand from chapter 7. They were sealed in their foreheads with the seal of the living God. This event happens before bad things come upon  the earth. Now as we come to the final judgment that will be poured out on the earth we see that this group has been delivered by God. We also find out what the seal is. It is the Father of the Lamb's name.

Verse 2.. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: Verse 3.. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

The hundred and forty and four thousand have their own song. God has delivered them in a very special way. A way in which only they can sing. It is their song. The church has it's own song. Back in chapter 5:9.. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

Some commentators say that the four and twenty elders of Rev. 5:8 don't represent the church. That these are angelic beings. That doesn't make sense. Angelic beings can't relate to being redeemed to God by the blood of Jesus. This song belongs to the church. Not only that, but elders never refer to angelic beings in the bible. Elders always refer to human beings. Now the hundred and forty and four thousand have their own song.

Verse 4.. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. Verse 5.. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

The description of the hundred and forty and four thousand continues. These are men who take an oath of celibacy. They follow Jesus. (The Lamb). They are the first fruits. In other words these are the first of many to come. The first fruits of the Nation of Israel who come to trust in Jesus Christ as their lord and savior. It would be very interesting to see this group start to emerge. A group of men who take an oath of celibacy and choose to follow Jesus. The group is first mentioned back in chapter 7:4. 7:3 directs the four angels not to hurt the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till these servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. So the sealing occurs before the first trumpet is sounded which brings destruction on the earth. It also occurs after the appearing of the antichrist which is pictured in 6:2. This does not necessarily conclude that the group, the 144,000, does not begin to form before the appearing of the antichrist.

Verse 6.. And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Verse 7.. Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

In Matt. 24:14 Jesus says " And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. So the failure of the church to reach every person on the earth with the gospel of the kingdom will not prevent the Lord's coming. This task will be performed by an angel. Also note that the gospel of the kingdom is different than the gospel of Christ. The gospel of Christ involves the death and resurrection of our Savior. The gospel of the kingdom involves fearing God and giving Him glory. It involves God establishing his kingdom on the earth. 

Remember the disciples were expecting Jesus to establish his kingdom on the earth. This is what they believed until Jesus revealed his true mission. Peter rebuked him. Matt. 16:21-23.

Verse 8.. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, the great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. We get a detailed description of the fall of this great city in chapters 17 and 18. The great city of the earth which makes possible the acquiring of anything imaginable. People drunk or given to that which she can provide. Fornicating, turned away from the one who can truly provide all that we need.

Verse 9.. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, Verse 10.. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation: and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: Verse 11.. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

So by this point in the tribulation period, many have probably taken the mark of the beast. So why the warning? The reason for the warning is to encourage the saints.

Verse 12.. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Verse 13.. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. 

So with the bowl judgments yet to come and increased pressure from the beast to convert or die, the saints are encouraged to stay the course. The antichrist no doubt will be increasing his forces and preparing for the massive campaign against the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Verse 14.. And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. This isn't necessarily Jesus, although Jesus is wearing many crowns in chapter 19:12. The following verses start with "And another angel came out". So the cloud sitter of verse 14 is probably an angel.

Verse 15.. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. Verse 16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. Verse 17.. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. Verse 18.. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. Verse 19.. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine press of the wrath of God.

Joel 3:13 combines both the wheat and the wine harvests. The idea is that the earth is completely filled with wickedness and ready for the wine press. These verses look forward to the final battle between Jesus and the antichrist (beast kingdom and false prophet). Revelation 19:17-21.

Verse 20.. And the wine press was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the wine press, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. From Mageddo to Edom is a thousand and six hundred furlongs or 176 miles.

Revelation 15 A Sea of Glass

Chapter 15 is a prelude to the final judgement of God. The initial out pouring of his judgement began back in chapter 8 with the sounding of the first trumpet. Remember the seven seals revealed the four horses, souls that are slain for the word of God, and ominous signs in the sun and moon. Stars falling accompanied by a great earthquake. The seventh seal reveals the seven trumpets. The first of which begins the out pouring of God's wrath upon the beast and his kingdom. This also coincides with the beginning of the final 3 1/2 year period of the tribulation.

The initiation of this period is marked by Antichrist going into the temple and proclaiming that he is God. As his reign begins, so does the wrath of the almighty one. The seventh trumpet rev 11:15 reveals the seven bowls of the final out pouring of the wrath of God along with a whole lot of information about the end time conditions and participants.

Revelation 15:1.. And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. So the last events are about to take place. This is at the end of the tribulation period. The wrath of God is complete with these last plagues.

Verse 2.. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. Verse 3.. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Verse 4.. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Who are these that gain victory over the beast, over his image, over his mark, and over the number of his name? This is the nation Israel. It started with the first fruits, the 144,000, and culminates in the national salvation of Israel. They started out long ago being delivered by God through Moses and end up being delivered by God through Jesus. They sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Here is the song proceeding the judgments that will be poured out upon the earth.

Verse 5.. And after that I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: Verse 6.. And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. Verse 7.. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. Verse 8.. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

The Lord's ways are just and true. He is fair. Even as the record of the innocent life of Jesus was preserved. John chapter 19 the Roman government finds no fault in Him. When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate said unto them, You take him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. Matthew chapter 27 his betrayer finds no fault in Him. Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see you to that. And even the thief on the cross finds no fault. Luke 23:41, 42 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Do you not fear God, seeing you are in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man has done nothing amiss.

So now God's righteous judgment is about to be poured out upon the earth. It is recorded as just and true.