War in Heaven

• 1^st – The Child… vs. 1-2
  • Another Pause…
    • As we have seen several times in the book of Revelation…
    • After a major event – SEVENTH trumpet – there is a PAUSE in the JUDGEMENT…
    • Here at the MID point of the Tribulation – THREE and a half year left… 
    • God gives some TIME for people to consider their CHOICE…
    • Do they TURN to the LORD – or do they continue to HARDEN their hearts!
  • 1^st – Sign in heaven… vs. 1
    • Now a great sign appeared in heaven!
      • Great [μέγα] SIGN [σημεῖον] – something SPECIAL used as the PROOF God is working…
      • The same word is used THREE times during the ministry of Jesus…
      • SIGN given to SHEPHERDS – the FIRST coming of Jesus – Luke 2:12
      • SIGN given to PHARISEES – Jonah – the DEATH and RESURRECTION of Jesus – Matthew 16:4
      • SIGN given to the DISCIPLES – the SECOND coming of Jesus – Mark 13:4
    • Read the SIGNS…
      • To show the world the reason for the Tribulation – and where the world is GOING…
      • He will gives them signs – in HEAVEN – meaning NOT from men…
      • The KEY will be for the people to pay ATTENTION – and READ the signs!
      • Jesus rebuked the religious leaders when they asked for a SIGN…
      • Telling them they knew how to look at the SKY – and tell the sign of the WEATHER…
      • Matthew 16:3 – “But [they] could not discern the signs of the times.”
      • I we are traveling to a NEW place – we should look for SIGNS to give us DIRECTIONS…
      • But sometimes we are stubborn – and refuse to LOOK – which is why we are LOST!
      • God has given us SIGNS – so we can see what is happening in the world around us…
      • If we are willing to read those SIGNS – we will see we are in the LAST days…
      • Jesus is coming soon – the WORLD is coming to an END – our time is SHORT!
  • 2^nd – The Woman… vs. 1
    • A woman clothed with the sun – with the moon under her feet.
    • And on her head a garland of twelve stars!
    • John saw a WOMAN clothes with the SUN – MOON – and TWELVE stars…
    • While many consider the book of Revelation one of the hardest books of the Bible to understand…
    • The reason is because people do NOT KNOW their Bible…
    • All of the imagery in Revelation comes from OTHER BOOKS of the Bible!
    • Genesis 37:9 – “I have dreamed another dream. And this time – the sun – the moon – and the eleven stars bowed down to me.”
    • The SECOND dream of Joseph – is used here in the book of Revelation…
    • Israel is the WOMAN who has the TWELVE stars [tribes] – sun [Jacob] – moon [Rachel]!
    • The OT and NT are like two halves a coin – they fit together perfectly…
    • The more we study and know the OT – the more fully we will understand the NT…
    • That is why we go through the whole Bible – to get the whole counsel of God!
    • Acts 20:27 – “I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.”
  • 3^rd – The Child… vs. 2
    • Then being with child – she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth!
    • Israel was PREGNANT – and about to give BIRTH to the CHILD…
    • Because out of Israel would come the MESSIAH – the SAVIOR of the world…
    • God had promised this to Abraham – who was the Father of Israel – Genesis 12:3
    • God had promised this to David – the greatest King of Israel – II Samuel 7:13
    • The FIRST – and GREAT sign – is a VIRGIN gave birth to a SON!
    • Isaiah 7:14 – “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold – the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son – and shall call His name Immanuel.”
    • God gave the world a SIGN that He LOVES us – and wants to have a RELATIONSHIP with us…
    • The SIGN is IMMANUEL – God coming down to live among us – John 1:14
    • We do NOT follow a God – who is distant and far removed from our lives…
    • We put our TRUST in a God – who was willing to walk in our shoes – live with us!
    • Hebrews 2:17 – “For this reason he had to be made like them – fully human in every way – in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God.”

• 2^nd – The Dragon… vs. 3-4 / 9
  • 1^st – Another Sign… vs. 3 /9
    • Another sign appeared in heaven: behold – a great fiery red dragon… vs. 3
      • SECOND sign – was the appearance of the GREAT red DRAGON…
      • DRAGON [δράκων] – 13x in NT – used EIGHT times just in this chapter…
      • When God created the world – He made DRAGONS [תַּנִּין] – Genesis 1:21 [KJV]
      • Job went on to DESCRIBE what they looked like [Leviathan] – Job 41
      • But this not any ordinary DRAGON – he is the GREAT dragon…
      • His RED color is only used one other place – war horse [Antichrist] – Revelation 6:4
    • Having seven heads and ten horns – and seven diadems on his heads… vs. 3
      • These are the FINAL kingdom that will RULE [crowns] over the COMPLETE [seven] world…
      • The description – SEVEN heads with crowns [διάδημα] and TEN horns – takes us back to OT…
      • FIRST vision of Daniel – he saw a terrifying BEAST with TEN horns – Daniel 7:7
      • It is interpreted for him as the empire of the Antichrist [little horn] – Daniel 7:19-22
        
      • There are several different ideas as to whom the TEN horns represent…
      • FIRST – TEN regions of the world [Left Behind Series]
      • SECOND – TEN nations within the European Union [there are 28 nations total]
      • Europa – the woman who rides the beast with TEN horns – Revelation 17:3
      • Official website of the European Union is Europa.com – even on the TWO Euro coin [Greece]
    • That serpent of old… vs. 9
      • WHO is this DRAGON – who will rule over the WHOLE world – THREE titles: 
      • SERPENT [ὄφις] – this first title takes us back [old] to Eden – II Corinthians 11:3
      • Our ENEMY first appeared as a SERPENT to EVE in the Garden – to question the WORD of God!
      • Up until that point in the Bible every sentence in the Bible ended with a period…
      • Everything that has happened has been a statement of fact – and was VERY good…
      • Until satan tempted Eve and asked – did God say – question mark!
      • His tactics have not changed – he still the SNAKE that tries to get us to doubt the Word…
      • He tries to keep us from listening to the Bible – from believing the Word!
    • Called the Devil… vs 9
      • DEVIL [διάβολος] – to throw [βάλλω] accusation at others!
      • The DEVIL came before God and made accusations about Job…
      • Telling God if He removed his protection – Job would CURSE Him [lie] – Job 1:11
      • The full time job of our ENEMY is to bring accusations against us…
      • Everything he see us do – say – he quickly tattles to God [as if He did not know]
      • If he cannot find anything BAD – he will LIE and make it up!
    • Satan who deceives the whole world… vs. 9
      • SATAN comes from the Hebrews word [שָּׂטָן] – it simply means our ENEMY…
      • Like with EVE and JOB – SATAN does not want us to KNOW God…
      • The way he keeps us from the LORD – is through DECEPTION [πλανάω]
      • Rather than looking for answers in the WORD – he tries to get us to look to the WORLD!
      • Our ENEMY is continually putting TEMPTATIONS in front of us…
      • We are constantly bombarded with social media – movies – and advertising…
      • Is it no wonder that we are being DECEIVED – thinking this WORLD has answers…
      • Instead of being filled with the wisdom of the WORLD – we need to be filled with the WORD!
      • Matthew 18:13 – “Jesus answered and said to them – you are DECEIVED [πλανάω] – because you do not knowing the Scriptures or the power of God.”
  • 2^nd – The Stars… vs. 4 / 9
    • His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth… vs. 4
      • The DRAGON was not alone – he has a THIRD of the stars on his side…
      • He DRAGGED [forced] them out of HEAVEN – down to the EARTH!
      • If satan can convince ANGELS – is it no wonder he deceives MEN!
    • He was cast to the earth – and his angels were cast out with him… vs. 9
      • Who are these STARS – they are FALLEN angels – that rebelled along with SATAN…
      • This is the ONLY place in the Bible we are given the ORIGIN of DEMONS!
      • The NT only mentions satan and demons 83 times – but the name of Jesus is used 941 times…
      • The solution to darkness – is not to focus on the DARK – turn on the LIGHT…
      • We are NOT called to FOCUS on our ENEMY – we FOCUS on Jesus!

• 3^rd – The Messiah… vs. 4-6
  • 1^st – His Birth… vs. 4
    • The dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth.
    • To devour her Child as soon as it was born!
    • The moment the CHILD [Jesus] was born – the DRAGON [satan] wanted to KILL [devour] Him!
    • When the WISE men came to HEROD the great – and told him about the birth of the CHRIST…
    • HEROD [inspired by satan] ordered all the babies in Bethlehem to be killed – Matthew 2:16
    • Because satan KNEW what would happen – when that baby grew up…
    • God had told him back in the beginning – the CHILD would CRUSH him!
    • Genesis 3:15 – “Her descendant will crush you head.”
  • 2^nd – His Reign… vs. 5
    • She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron!
      • The CHILD – Jesus – will PASTOR [ποιμαίνω] ALL [πᾶς] the NATIONS [ἔθνος]
      • He will SHEPHERD them with a ROD of IRON [unbreakable]
      • A WOOD rod can be broken – an IRON rod us unbreakable – His Kingdom will NEVER end!
      • Psalm 2:6-9 – “I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion… break them with a rod of iron.”
    • Her Child was caught up to God and His throne!
      • Jesus did NOT set up His kingdom right away…
      • FIRST he was taken up into HEAVEN – to sit and the RIGHT hand of God – Acts 1:9
      • Where He WAITS for the DAY and the HOUR when He must return!
      • Mark 13:32 – “Of that day and hour no one knows… only the Father.”
      • We might NOT know when Jesus will come to RULE the nations…
      • But we can be CERTAIN that He will one day REIGN with a ROD of IRON…
      • The question is are we READY for His RETURN!
  • 3^rd – His Return… vs. 6
    • Then the woman fled into the wilderness!
      • Our STORY now jumps TWO thousand years…
      • When the WOMEN [Israel] is forced to FLEE into the WILDERNESS…
      • Israel will FLEE – when they see the Antichrist stand in the THIRD Temple!
      • Matthew 24:15-16 – “When you see the abomination of desolation – spoken of by Daniel the prophet – [the Antichrist] standing in the holy place… then let those who are in [Israel] flee!”
    • Where she has a place prepared by God!
      • There is a LOT of speculation as to WHERE this hiding place might be!
      • A common view is the city of PETRA [the rock] – in the modern day country of Jordan…
      • The city is in the MOUNTAINS to the EAST of Israel – Matthew 24:16
      • And when Jesus returns – He first goes to BOZRAH [Jordan] – Isaiah 63:1
      • The city of PETRA [Greek] – is called in the Hebrew SELA [סֶלַע]
      • Psalm 18:2 – “The LORD is my rock [סֶלַע] and my fortress and my deliverer.”
    • They should feed her there 1260 days!
      • God will PROVIDE and PROTECT Israel in PETRA for – THREE and half years [1260 days]
      • The LAST half of the TRIBULATION – culminating in the RETURN of Jesus – Revelation 19:16
      • Only a THIRD of the JEWISH nation will make it to SAFETY – Zechariah 13:8
      • When all the Jews who REMAIN – will look up and see Jesus – Zechariah 12:10
      • At which time all of them will put their FAITH in Jesus – and be SAVED – Romans 11:26
      • These will be the SHEEP who get to enter into the Millennial Kingdom – Matthew 25:34

• 4^th – The war… vs. 7-12
  • 1^st – Cast Down… vs. 7-9
    • And war broke out in heaven!
      • This is WAR – has yet to occur – it will take place at the MID point of the TRIBULATION…
      • While a DECEPTION is given here on EARTH – the Antichrist is God – Revelation 13:4
      • Behind the scenes there is a SPIRITUAL battle taking place!
      • When Daniel prayed to God – it took THREE weeks to get an answer…
      • An Angel appeared and told him he was sent the moment Daniel started…
      • But the PRINCE of Persia had kept him from him – Daniel 10:13
      • Ephesians 6:12 – “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood – but against principalities – against powers – against the rulers of the darkness of this age – against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
      • If we do not IMMEDIATELY get answers to our PRAYERS…
      • We need to remember we are in a WAR – our ENEMY does NOT want us to hear from God!
    • Michael and his angels fought with the dragon.
      • The dragon and his angels fought but they did not prevail!
      • MICHAEL [מִיכָאֵל] – who is like God – is an ARCHANGEL [chief] – Jude 1:9
      • Along and his angels – they will go to WAR with the DRAGON [satan] and his angels…
      • But the DRAGON will lose – and there was no longer a place for them in HEAVEN!
      • Too often people make the mistake of thinking satan is the EQUAL of God…
      • If you are looking for an EQUAL – it would be Michael – who always beats him up… 
      • And is likely the ANGEL who will BIND him for 1000 years – Revelation 20:2
    • Nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out!
      • Having LOST the WAR – the DRAGON and his angles are CAST out of HEAVEN!
      • There are FOUR times in the Bible we read about SATAN being CAST down…
      • FIRST – when Lucifer [satan] rebelled against God in the beginning – Isaiah 14:12
      • Jesus would go on to describe him as FALLING like LIGHTENING – Luke 10:18
      • SECOND – is here – when he is finally CAST out of heaven for GOOD…
      • THIRD – when he is CAST into the bottomless bit for THOUSAND years – Revelation 20:3
      • FOURTH – when he is CAST into the LAKE of fire [eternal prison] – Revelation 20:10
      • Interesting to think – that means right now SATAN has access to HEAVEN…
      • As we see in the book of Job – he comes to make ACCUSATIONS against us – Job 1:6
      • But after the MIDDLE of the TRIBULATION – he is thrown out!
  • 2^nd – The Victory… vs. 10
    • Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven.
    • Now salvation and strength and the kingdom of our God and the power of His Christ have come.
    • The accuser of our brethren – who accused them before God day and night – has been cast down!
    • After the DRAGON and his angels are cast out of HEAVEN – John heard a LOUD [μέγας] voice…
    • NOW – the KINGDOM of God has come – the SALVATION and POWER of God through CHRIST…
    • Because the ACCUSER [κατηγορέω] is GONE – who ACCUSED believers day and night!
    • Romans 8:33 – “Who shall bring a charge against Gods elect. It is God who justifies!”
    • God who is the JUDGE of all men – and He has forgiven us – our PAST has NO power over us…
    • The next time he tries to remind us of our PAST – remind him of his FUTURE!
  • 3^rd – The Blood… vs. 11
    • They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.
    • And they did not love their lives to the death!
    • The VICTORY [νικάω] over the DRAGON – comes through the BLOOD of the lamb…
    • And through the WORD of God – being lived out in our LIVES [testimony]
    • Not LOVING [ἀγαπάω] this life – being willing to even DIE – because we are looking for HEAVEN!
    • The IRONY of the accusation of our ENEMY – is that they are TRUE…
    • We are SINNERS – and we do NOT deserve to go to HEAVEN – Psalm 14:1
    • But our VICTORY is not because we are GOOD – it is because of the SACRIFICE of God…
    • We are SAVED by believing in the CROSS – and show our salvation through a LIFE lived for Jesus!
    • Luke 11:28 – “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”

• 4^th – Short time… vs. 12
  • Therefore rejoice – O heavens – and you who dwell in them.
  • Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you.
  • Having great wrath – because he knows that he has a short time!
  • Therefore – since the DRAGON is gone from HEAVEN – everyone there will REJOICE [passive]
  • Not so much those who are on the EARTH – for the DEVIL has come down…
  • And he is VERY [μέγας] angry – because he SEES [εἴδω] he does not have much time left!
  • Perhaps up till this point the devil [διάβολος] has convinced himself he MIGHT win…
  • But once he is kicked out of heaven – reality will set in…
  • He only has THREE and a half years left – to expend ALL of his hatred for GOD and MEN!

• 5^th – The Persecution… vs. 13-17
  • 1^st – Against the Woman… vs. 13
    • Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth.
    • He persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child!
    • WHEN the DRAGON saw [εἴδω] he was cast down – no more ACCUSING believers in heaven…
    • He turned FIRST to the WOMEN [Israel] – because she give birth to Jesus [gave the victory]
    • And He began to CHASE [διώκω] after her!
    • One of the most heart wrenching places – is Yad Vashem [יָד וָשֵׁם] – Isaiah 56:5
    • It is a MEMORIAL to the SIX million Jews killed in the Holocaust [World War II]
    • Coming out of the memorial of the children – 1.5 million slaughtered – you weep!
    • But something far WORSE is coming – satan will unleash his WRATH on Israel…
    • And the result will be two thirds of the JEWS will be killed – Zechariah 13:8
  • 2^nd – The Hiding place… vs. 14
    • Woman was given two wings of a great eagle that she might fly into the wilderness to her place. 
    • Where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time – from the presence of the serpent!
    • Israel will be RUSHED away quickly – WINGS of an eagle [military transport]
    • To the safety of PETRA – where the people will be FED – and protected from the SERPENT…
    • For a TIME + TIMES [two] + half a TIME – or THREE and a half years!
    • Exodus 19:4 – “You have seen what I did… I bore you on eagles wings and brought you to Myself.”
  • 3^rd – The Flood… vs. 15-16
    • The serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman.
    • That he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.
    • But the earth helped the woman – and the earth opened its mouth.
    • And swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth!
    • The WATER that comes from the mouth of the SERPENT…
    • Likely refers to an ARMY that is sent by the COMMAND of the Antichrist…
    • Hoping [subjunctive] he can destroy the people of Israel through them…
    • Daniel even describes this final WAR – as a FLOOD – Daniel 9:26
    • But God will save His people – by causing the EARTH to open and swallow up the ARMY!
    • Perhaps like KORAH – when he challenged the leadership of Moses – Numbers 16:32
    • The earth opened up under him – and all who stood with him – sucking them down into the pit!
  • 4^th – The Saints… vs. 17
    • The dragon was enraged with the woman and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring.
    • Who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ!
    • Once the DRAGON [satan] see he cannot get to the WOMEN [Israel]
    • His ANGER will turn towards her [spiritual] CHILDREN – the TRIBULATION saints…
    • Those who KEEP His WORD – and have the TESTIMONY of Jesus!
    • Those who come to FAITH during the TRIBULATION will be overcome – Revelation 13:7

The price to follow Jesus – will be death – beheaded for the faith – Revelation 20:4