Revelation 12
This is the beginning of a three-chapter story that encompasses all of salvation history.
The Characters
Chapter 12 introduces several characters.
- A woman about to give birth: Based on God’s plan throughout the Old Testament, this woman represents Israel.
- A red dragon: One of the great, horrible descriptions of Satan and his power.
- A male child: None other than Jesus.
- The angel Michael: He and his angels defeat Satan and his angels, and throw them out of heaven.
- Other children of the woman: These are people who have walked by faith throughout history.
Parts of the Story Rarely Pointed Out
- Verse 5: The word used for caught or snatched up is the same word used in 1 Thessalonians 4 (and elsewhere) that most people refer to as “the rapture.” This word has nothing to do with secrecy, but everything to do with violent rescue. Our God is the original Seal Team Six!
- Verse 7: Notice that Jesus is not waging war with Satan. Jesus, who is fully and completely God, is not competing with Satan for supremacy. We’ll see this again in Chapters 19 and 20.
- Verse 11: How do we, as children of God, overcome? We overcome by the blood of Jesus and by our testimony of his complete salvation. We overcome because Jesus overcame.
- Verse 17: Typically, this is explained as those who keep the Ten Commandments. This is incorrect. Why? Because this letter, unlike all other apocalyptic literature in the Bible is written within the context of the Gospel and the New Covenant. John is always consistent. When he speaks of law in his gospel, in his letters and here, he is talking about Jesus’ commands to believe in him and love as we have been loved. Using Old Covenant motifs takes away assurance and hope, because no one can keep that law. Keeping this passage in its New Covenant context guarantees your and my victory, not because we’re so capable but because Jesus is our surety. He keeps his commands for us and through us by the indwelling Spirit.
Revelation for You
What does this chapter suggest to you regarding God’s plan of salvation?
Have you allowed Jesus to make that plan real in your life? Would you like to do so now?
Awesome Brother Bob awesome, without the Christ there is no change even old Testament Saints saw this well. And the change occurs through the belief, in seeing he has made us Holy presenting us to God the Father as so
Colossians 1:22
Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
And from there God gives us that new life in God by the Spirit, not the flesh. Flesh dead at the death of Christ, so I might see the new life
Philippians 3:10-11
Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Great comment Howard
Thank you, and it is not that I have attained as I read further into what Paul says:
Philippians 3:12-21
New International Version (NIV)
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Following Paul’s Example
15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
To remain in all humility, when I think I know, then I might not know and need to be humbled as Paul, has stated in 2 Cor. 12 and gloried in his weaknesses.
By God’s grace here go I, and this is the same for everyone else, prayerfully I learn humility and stay humble
As we all will do that believe For God is faithful to continue to carry on the good work God started, whether we fail or not, God picks s right back up you all, as when we try to teach our children to walk, they fall we pick them back up, God the Father through Christ is amazing. Words are real hard to explain this. God’s love is unfathomable