Since it is onerous by hand to sift through all the writings of Old and New Testament to find and to correlate every prophecy that reveals things about "the end," in what way can the denouement of all prophecy about the "last end" of Israel in the latter days best be shown?
One way is to display the gist of those prophecies by composing pictures of the things which they foretell! Thus, the prophecy of The Revelation of Jesus Christ is presented as a picture show. It has scenes of dramatic activity, which introduce each major event in turn as the picture showing moves to its grande finale. The actual apocalypse of Jesus Christ reveals all of the "signs" of his coming, to begin the new world order of government. The prophecy is a straight-forward exhibition of heavenly theater events as all the pertinent Old Testament prophecies are 'played out' on earth during the 1,260 days of their appointed, and dramatic, time of the end!
Chapters Twelve through Fifteen are stuffed full with informed explanation of the "signs" which the preceding chapters have displayed to the reader. To view the "signs" - with understanding - is to enable recognition of their fulfilled reality. These four chapters picture the last three and a half years of the related actions - in the political, in the religious, in the military and in the social realms - which deliver Jerusalem from the control of the surrounding nations, and from the influence of evil leaders, and negative pressures from the nations of the world.
As one body, the seven hate filled "heads" of the beast polity are rampant against Israel. The eighth "head" is about to emerge from among the seven, since it is "of the seven" and is of "another beast," 13:11, which rises up from within the Land just prior to the end of "the last [1,260] days" of present time.
How, and to whom, will Jerusalem be delivered? Since 1948 "old" Jerusalem has been buffeted by political factions. The city remains in bondage with her "children." The nation "suffers" under the pressures from the world powers. Fear of hostile acts by the Islamic nations around Israel is her greatest concern.
Chapter Twelve begins to unfold the climaxing events, regarding events already in progress and of others yet scheduled to take place during these last three and a half very painful years. Jerusalem is surrounded by the Enemies of God. Jacob's people dispersed in the nations are made subject to a great "distress."
The prophecy shows the nation's judgment in the "time of Jacob's trouble." These 1,260 days of events fully establish the kingdom in the hand of the LORD. It is the LORD alone Who gathers all His people home to the new Jerusalem and to Zion at the end. It is He alone Who enlarges the land for His Son's inheritance, and provides the "many mansions" in His house as the dwelling places for the Son's companion "kings and priests." The LORD alone needs no human help in His "strange work" of reconciliation of the nation and redemption of "(My) people."
There will be no more quarrels about "rights" or plans for settlement of the land. The land will be arranged His way, and in accordance with the LORD's predetermined plan for it and for Jerusalem. See Ezekiel 40-48 for those details.
The book of The Revelation often alludes to prior things that are not spelled out in this prophecy but are known from Old Testament prophecies to be in existence at the Lord's coming. Strange things were plainly spelled out in Revelation 8-11, where the veil is taken from the mechanism of the "sign" of the Lord's coming, and from the elements used in the judgment of the wicked. New Testament prophecy of the Lord's apocalypse - outside The Revelation, along with Old Testament prophecy - brings all of prophecy's many parts into one whole and magnificent display during "the LORD's day." Each picture is indeed worth more than a thousand words. Hence, the "signs" of the chapters are displayed as pictures abstracted primarily from Old Testament prophecies.
However, the Lord's rightful throne and kingdom is restored to Israel despite the hostilities of the world, and the aggressive persecutions suffered from the surrounding Islamic nations. During this time the "many" in Israel apostatize to the "man of sin." They are the whorish image worshippers who receive him as a God in old Jerusalem.
In the Old Testament the prophet Isaiah says, "For behold, the LORD comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth shall disclose her blood and shall no more cover her slain," 26:21.
He continues in this context to say, "In that day, the LORD, with His sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan, the piercing serpent; even leviathan, the crooked serpent, and He shall slay the dragon that (was) in the sea... In that day, sing unto her: A vineyard of red wine. I, the LORD, do keep it. I will water it every moment, lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day," 27:1-13.
"He shall slay the dragon that (was) in the sea." First He will "chain" the dragon (the hate filled beast) that emerges from the Sea; for the vineyard belongs to Him, and to those who have faithfully been occupied with the vineyard's needs.
And at 51:9-11, he also says: "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake as in the ancient days in the generations of old. Is it not Thou who has cut Rahab, who wounded the dragon? Is it not Thou who has dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; who has made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?" See Isaiah 11:15, 16; and the concluding verses of Psalm 83. The LORD saves His people by His own mighty arm. He needs no man to come to His assistance in that day!
There will be divine intervention from the heavens and an "exodus" of the LORD's chosen people from the alien lands. God will bring His remaining people home.
"Therefore, the redeemed of the LORD shall return and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness and joy. Sorrow and mourning shall flee away. I, I am He who comforts you..." The coming of a holy, new Jerusalem, and the coming deliverance of Zion's spiritual "children" becomes a reality during the last days of the LORD's plan for the establishment of His "house" with His son's own glory resident upon the earth. This is the promise fulfilled to each "new creature" made for the "adoption as sons" into "the Israel of God," per Galatians 6:15-16.
1 And a great sign was seen in the heaven; a woman clothed about with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.
"Sign;" seemion, 4592. See Rev. 12:1,3; 13:13,14; 15:1; 16:14; 19:20, (John 4:48).
"Was seen;" optomai, 3700. The future tense of horao: to see. See the word at Rev. 1:7; 22:4, rightly translated as "shall see." In 11:19, here in verse one and three as "was seen" but it should be translated as "shall be seen." All the signs literally "shall be seen" as visible events on the earth in the swiftly coming "day of the LORD/Lord."
While implying that the vision "was seen" by John as a progression of the true church's history continuing since John's day many "Christian" commentators inject the "continuing church age" theory into the prophecy, i.e., the "woman" is said to be "the Church." But the theory also insists that "the woman" of Rev. 12:1, is pagan and becomes corrupt, and gives birth to "the apostasy" -- which is said to be the historical Constantine and the Roman Catholic Church. Thus "replacement theology" is made to emphasize the continuity of the pagan Roman Church's history rather than to emphasize the things concerning the restoration of God's kingdom and the second coming of Christ. Revived by Sir Francis Bacon, the "continuing church age" theory is just another pattern of the much older Grecian "continuous history" dress, made and fitted onto Daniel's prophecy in order to distract the seeking mind from the Old Testament prophecies concerning the LORD's/Lord's second coming and Israel's subsequent inheritance of the promised land.
The theory is firmly anchored in Roman "waters." The cloak of the continuity theory is very subtle, pervasive, but easy for the slothful to put on. Such "servants" who are not fervent in prayer and do not care to exercise the mind for a clear understanding of the prophetic Word; nor for wisdom to discern the spirit of Christ in the Holy Scriptures, may suffer some degree of loss in reward at judgment.
"The heaven;" ouranos, 3772. Careful distinction must always be made concerning "the heaven." Its different Scriptural definitions, by use, are: 1) the heaven as part of man's dominion; 2) the heavens of stellar space; and, 3) the seat of the throne and presence of the LORD. Often it simply means "the sky."
The third use applies here where the woman is shown in her relationship to God as the "Bride," a wife now being spiritually made ready from "above" and who "shall be seen" to come down from the heavens. See Galatians 4:24-31.
"Woman;" gune, 1135. In the New Testament the word identifies the married "woman;" a wife. See Jeremiah 3:14 in context. Since the days of Daniel's captivity in Babylon, the LORD has been alluring Israel, and pleading with apostate Jerusalem and Judah, to turn back to him. In Revelation 12 confusion is caused in those who lack understanding of the process whereby the LORD calls out (allures) His elect "'sons'" from the world. Zion's struggle for delivery of children has been a long, long period of hard labor and travail of the Holy Spirit. The seed of "the woman" has been battling against the seed of the Serpent ever since the days when Eve brought forth her first son, Genesis 4:1-7, at the beginning, in the warfare against "that ancient Serpent, who is the Devil and Satan..," Rev. 20:2.
There is, in some quarters, a question whether the book speaks of one "woman" or of two female personas. Paul addresses this point in Galatians 4:23-30. God never chose to replace His people or Zion. ...However, God does seek a "bride" for His son... Prophecy is silent about His taking another people to replace or to supersede His faithful "people." Where is Zion's bill of divorce from the LORD? There were separations on account of sin (and reconciliations), but never were the faithful servants of God given a bill of divorce from the LORD!
The Father, however, from the beginning, planned to secure a suitable bride for His son, in order to bring "many sons to glory." The "seed" of the "woman" supplants the whorish old Jerusalem, who/which is destroyed along with her last days apostate leaders. The Father thereby acquires many adopted children in addition to the faithful and holy seed gathered from ancient days! Zion's Lord is the mediator of the Father's new covenant. He is the "corner" of the joining together of the adopted "sons" with the natural Israel. There is none; there never was a bill of divorce contemplated even, Isaiah 50:1, to cut off any of His chosen "sons." (See Isaiah 4 and 49:13-23.)
Is it superfluous to state that the "dragon," cloaked in its last beastly forms, is likely to be composed chiefly of seven hate filled nations opposed to Israel's restoration in the Land? The love of money in oil profits is instrumental in bringing about the "666's" incorporation for economic protection. Out of the midst of the land the dragon raises up its two last beastly forms - with the beast's "little horn" as the chief head of the "Names of Blasphemy" - who will subsequently proclaim himself as their "God." The dragon's names of blasphemy are upon all those nations whose political and religious systems can be clearly traced back to their ancient Babylonian (and modern Islamic) roots. As in ancient days, the LORD will act against their leaders, and for His errant people - and Zion - according to the "strange work" which it is prophesied that He will do in the last days. Refer to all the verses of Psalm 83.
The leaders of the present worldwide "Christian" apostasy from God assert that the Jews and Israel are "cut off" from Him. They ignore Bible teaching. They reject what the Holy Scriptures say is the true foundation of the "church" of God. They assert that "a true Christian follows the teaching of 'the Church,' not the Bible. They lie; totally rejecting both the "tree" and the "branch" onto which the 'sons' chosen from the nations are grafted. Although they claim that 'the Church spiritually is in heaven,' that same Church remains firmly governed by its leaders here, upon the earth!
Notwithstanding, the true 'sons' are they who bear "fruit" upon the tree of God's righteousness and onto the "branch" of the LORD's true "vine," the Israel of God.
"Clothed about;" periballo, 4016. The woman depicted as the "wife" appears fully clothed round about with the "sun." To the LORD she is a vision in brilliant glowing light! Isaiah 50-65 unfolds. The LORD by the powers of His Holy Spirit personally pleads now with the remaining people of Israel for the final time. His "arm" thereafter wields the punishment which is due to all the disobedient sons...
"Sun;" helios, 2246. Not covered by the sun's light; but radiantly glowing from within with the Son's "light." The presence of the Lord's own glory (of him who is now seated at His Father's right hand upon Israel's throne) stands above Mt. Zion in new Jerusalem, per Old Testament prophecy. There, in the heaven above a new Jerusalem, is Zion, the holy hill of the LORD, and "beautiful for situation."
"Moon;" seleene, 4582. Of the four references in The Revelation this is the only one in the context of an allegory. See Genesis 37:9, upon which this is based, where the moon is represented as Israel's "wife" and as the mother of Joseph's "brethren." (See Matthew 12:46-50, and parallel texts). See "Beulah" and "Ammi" also. In Genesis, the moon was appointed in order to show the seasons of time.
"Under her feet." The moon's light is no longer needed where a greater continual light shines; lunar time has been displaced. Zion's "place" is being prepared during the beastly tribulation, Isaiah 66:1; Psalm 110:1-2; Ezekiel 40-48. The temple is rebuilt. Zion now stands above all, as a "house" to rule over Israel and the nations, which are put "under her feet" by the rule of the king/priests of the Lord.
But first, before she comes to occupy the house of her Lord, her "seed" must bruise the "enemy" (the dragon) upon his head, Genesis 3:15. The first "enemies" to be bruised are the Lord's "citizens," ("his own"), Luke 19:14. Thus Psalm 110:3 so "judgment must begin at the house of God," 1 Peter 4:17. ...At "the house" in Jerusalem where the "man of sin" will sit as God in the dwelling place of the living God. But this imposter sits there only "a little while".
"Upon her head." She is the holy city: Zion, the Bride elect, per Rev. 21:23; her true "head" is the (having been slain) Lamb, who shall swiftly come in his own glory to be king over Israel and to be the true high priest. See Rev. 5:5-14; Daniel 7:9-14. "Her head" may be construed to mean either her actual "head" as a mountain of New Jerusalem, or it can imply her "head" who is her husband.
"Crown;" stephan, 4735. However, the wife espoused does not yet wear the royal diadem! See Rev. 6:2. The "Lion of Judah," 5:5, her espoused husband, is invested with his stephan and "goes forth" (like a bridegroom) "victorious and so that he may be victorious." Note that the rider of the white horse - with his invisible, spiritual weapons for the last victorious warfare - does not yet wear the royal diadem either! ...The royal diadems will be brought forth at the marriage supper of the Lamb!
"Twelve stars;" asteer, 792. When the twelve tribes are reconciled to recognize and to accept that Jesus Christ was and is the true Messiah of Israel, they will be saved from the very last immediate dragon Enemy; gathered into one nation, and then united in the Land, Ezekiel 37:15-28, according to the confirmed prophecies. The first representation of the tribes of Israel as "stars" is found in Genesis 22:17 and in 37:8-11. See verse four. Israel and his "sons" will yet bow before the greater Joseph and his espoused "wife."
At the end the house of Zion wears the crown of the twelve "stars." She is altogether clothed with the greater light provided by her Lord! The names of the twelve apostles are upon her foundations, and the names of the tribes are upon her gates, like a necklace of rare and most precious pearls....
2 And she, having in the womb, cries in pain, and is tormented to bring forth.
"Having in the womb;" gasteer, 1064. Zion is suffering the pain of the final stage of deliverance. The pain will be alleviated only by the One who comes to deliver his 'children.' The birth of all Zion's "children" is imminent. They are a "nation born in a day..."
The context of torment alludes to the pangs of bitterness which surely are the result of Israel's digestion (after John's proclamation to the nations) of the sweet "little book" contents, Rev. 10:9-11; Ezekiel 3; Numbers 5:12-31.
See concordance references to the LORD's jealousy for Zion's sake. See Romans 10:19.
"Cries;" krazo, 2869. Articulate cries of fear and pain. Not "weeping and gnashing of teeth..." but moans of the holy spirit. Rev. 6:10; 7:2,10; 10:3,3; 12:2; 14:15; 18:2,18-19; 19:17. The angels, who indeed are our fellow servants in heaven, know our fears and pain.
"In pain;" odino, 5605. Pain related to the "sorrows" of Matthew 24:8; Mark 13:8; Acts 2:24. Note the Old Testament quotation in Galatians 4:27 concerning "Jerusalem which is above." And bear in mind the time: 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3.
"Tormented;" basanizo, 928. The word is a legal term for judicial affliction. See Mark 13:9,12-13; Luke 21:12; Matthew 24:9; and 18:34, where one secures information by torture...
"To bring forth;" tikto, 5088. The word means, literally, to produce. What the woman produces under the torment of her pains will reveal the nature of her "fruit." The woman is Zion, and "Jerusalem.., free," - soon to be free at last from all her oppressors, and who is being made clean from spots by the judicial afflictions commanded from God. See Luke 12:47-48.
3 And another sign was seen in the heaven; and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads, seven diadems.
"Another;" allos, 243. An additional sign is present. This sign is set in apposition to the sign of the woman. It shows the cause of the woman's torment.
"Was seen." See note verse one; should be "shall be seen." With the sign of the "woman", this sign also shall be seen.
"Dragon;" drakon, 1404. In zoology: any of several small arboreal Asian lizards, genus Draco, capable of gliding by means of wing like expansions of the skin. Also called the "flying lizard." In the New Testament the dragon is mentioned only in the prophecy of the Lord's day in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
This "dragon" is ageless and insidious, jealous, greedy, and hateful. It is a body of evil power opposed to truth and to the nation of the Jews.
"Red;" purros, 4450. Revelation 6:4; 12:3. The color signifies one aspect of its body, the flesh. The "red" influence may also be seen in the adversity of Gog. See Ezekiel 38 and 39. Without a mass of flesh to rule in or over, the dragon's power cannot exist.
The scarlet of the "scarlet colored beast" of 17:3-4, and of the "great city" of 18:12,16 is "kokkinos" and "kokkinon" respectively. The last text includes purple as another shade; "porphure" and "porphorus." The shades of the colors may refer to the depth of the relationships between the dragon, the beasts, and the great city.
Hebrew prophecy identifies "Ephraim" as the ten rebel tribes which were assimilated into the nations after 722 B.C. See Zechariah 12:10 through 13:5. After the war of 70-73 A.D. the remainder of Israel was dispersed into all the nations of the world - where their descendants remain today - until the last "great tribulation" drives them homeward once again.
"Horns;" keras, 2768. Prior to the last 1,260 days, when the beast rises "from the Sea" the ten horns are again counted among the heads of the seven beasts which dominate the land promised to Abraham and to his "seed." A remnant of Israel is again represented in the Land.
"Crown;" diadeema, 1238. Also at 13:1; 19:12. This is a true crown. The seven diadems are only above the dragon's seven heads at this point; but afterward, the ten horns are seen present with the "great red dragon" heads.
Vine says the diadem, or "crown" is always the symbol of a kingly or an imperial dignity. Thayer so says, too. Vine further says that the diadem - which is represented in the rope like blue and white band that ties around the cloth headgear of the Saudi princes - was first used to bind on the turban or tiara of the Persian kings.
Many Eastern princes; the Saudis - sons of Ishmael - wear the diadem. Yasir Arrafat wears the same headgear. The Jordanian prince Hussein, of Syrian descent, also wears the diadem, but Saddam Hussein is not permitted to wear the diadem. The dream of being the supreme ruler of the Land however is his open desire; although, the Syrian mandate gave the crown rights to Jordan.The beast of 13:1 arrives "out of the Sea" strife, having the ten horns affixed amidst its "heads." The name of (i.e., having the reputation for) blasphemy is then in place above the seven crowned heads. I.e., the picture shown in 13:1 apparently positions the "ten horns" in the same location with the "seven heads." Note the layers of authority that 13:1 displays from top to the bottom: One major "name" of blasphemy; with seven "heads" below the "name" and with the ten horns joined amidst its "heads." ...This is almost the position of hateful Israel today, being coerced in to peaceful coexistence -- into "peace and security" -- with her hate filled neighbors.
The chief "little horn" of the last days is thought to be of Assyrian descent and the one "little horn" who comes up last. Daniel associates the latter days "horns" with warfare between Media, Persia, and Greece, 8:20-21, while Ezekiel associates Gog with the northern hordes, primarily Russian. Turkey, Syria and Iraq are the modern countries associated with the ancient territory of "the Assyrian." Syria and Turkey have an uneasy alliance; but Iraq "pushes" against the Kurds in Turkey and at other northern peoples.
This is the area which generates the strife upon the Great Sea. Watch this area around the northern seas for more "strife" to be generated by the nations around "the Sea," strife which is sure to bring about the remaining things of which Revelation 13 further speaks.
Surely other countries will become threatened and involved as clay footed governments continue to crumble and as ancient ethnic hatred and greed propel the peoples against one another in ethnic and religious warfare.
4 And his tail drags the third of the stars of the heaven, and he cast them toward the earth; and the dragon stands in the sight of the woman who is going to bring forth, so that when she brings forth her child, he may eat it.
"Tail;" oura, 3769. The word is found only in the book of The Revelation. The "tail" is the "end" appendage of many of the beasts of the earth. The "tail" of the dragon "drags" or hauls the third part of the woman's "stars" toward the earth. The same type of "dragging" activity is shown in the book of Acts where the method of persecution by the adversaries of the truth is illustrated. See 8:3; 14:19; 17:6. See Isaiah 9:15. The "tail" of the dragon comprises the lying teachers of the false prophet of Revelation 16:13. The dragon wars against Israel, 12:17, with his "angels," (the messengers, the many "false prophets" he sends).
"Drags;" suro, 4951. See Acts 8:3; 17:6; using violent (legal) means to hurl or cast down the woman's "stars" before the time of his own end comes. Negotiations and agreements between the nations provide the base for these legal means to act.
"Third;" tritos, 5154. The prophecy of Zechariah 13:8-9 speaks of "the third" part of the people "in all the land" in the same manner as John does here.
"Stars;" asteer, 792. Either the literal stars or the figurative stars, as in verse one. However since the possibility of two-fold meaning always exists in this prophecy, see another use in Revelation One and Two. Consider Daniel 11:32-35. Stars are "lights" that shine in the "darkness," Daniel 12:3. These are the stars of true Messianic faith, and perhaps, some luminaries who speak out for the Word of God. And not to forget the sure word of prophecy, "the stars of the heaven" is a phrase synonymous for the seed of Abraham, the Jews. See Genesis 22:17; 26:4; Isaiah 14:13.
Likely, many Jews shall be forced back toward the Land by the anti-Semitic activity of the dragon's "tail." Observe that, as also in Daniel 12, the activity of Michael standing up (against the dragon) in defense of Israel is shown to be contemporary with the last 1,260 days.
"Of the heaven;" ouranos, 3772. See Deuteronomy 1:10 and 28:62. Belonging to the realm of God.
"Cast;" ballo, 906. Appears in 12:4,9,10,13,15,16. The verb expresses a throwing or thrusting action which the context must determine. See its use in Acts 16:23-24,37. The action against the "stars" is related to the torment of the "woman" - so the dragon may eat her "child" whom God has enthroned. The posture of the "dragon" is the result of this "thrusting" action; i.e., it is impelled or drawn into defeat by Michael's war against "him" and "his" "angels."
Michael's war activity is probably also related to the "great wonders" that "another beast" does for the "first beast," 13:11-13, 7. In the warfare of the Spirit, the torment which the dragon persona inflicts against the woman is in turn inflicted - at the end - upon "the dragon," 20:1-2.
"Stands;" histeemi, 2476. Is caused to stand; placed in position. Why the dragon "stands" before the woman in order to eat her "child" as soon as he is "born" must be confirmed. If the Gospel records are used as accurate guides to the day of the Lord, part of the answer is apparent - there will be warfare: "a nation against a nation and a kingdom against a kingdom," Matthew 24:7 and parallel records. Two separate wars are going on, with Israel caught in the middle. The controversy of Zion is resumed. Israel, and Jerusalem, labor in the midst of the warring nations to survive the persecutions.
At the last end, many of the people shall apostatize, 8:10, from the true Name to follow the "Man of sin," 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. (Who is probably - by the present Jewish definition, as Herbal once was - their hailed but false Messiah.) They submit to the life threatening pressures brought to bear against them by the Enemy. How, and by whom, the dragon's "name" of blasphemy is "caused to stand" before the woman can be determined from Old Testament prophecies, and by watching the signs of the present times for events related to the prophecies.
"Devour;" kataphago, 2719. To totally consume (by some manner of eating). All the New Testament references are interesting but the most relevant is probably John 2:17. For, the context of the previous chapter in The Revelation mentions the temple; wherein the text focuses on what is happening while the temple is being constructed. Also see the concluding verses of Psalm 69, from which John 2:17 is quoted. The Lord's burning jealousy for his Father's house likewise "eats (him) up" as surely as the LORD's jealousy for Zion consumes Him.
The dragon persona however is intent here upon "eating up" the child(ren) about to be brought forth. He/it knows, since two major earthquakes have already shaken the earth, that the Son is definitely coming. How does he know? Because John has prophesied, according to the Angelic Being's instructions, 10:10-11. Because the two witnesses with "the fire" power of the Holy Spirit have been active and preaching during the days of the woman's torment from the dragon. The "devil" persona, who has "gone down" in attack upon Israel with a great fury, "knows" that he has only "a short time" left to work/act, 12:12. About 1,260 days, maximum.
The two female personas, each represented as a "woman," express the spirit of several Old Testament prophecies. The evil persona must be separated from the good one. There is confusion during the time and appearance of each "woman," and of events related to an identity. There can be no doubt but that The Revelation deals with - after John's prophesying again - with a "dividing" of religious opinion toward the commandments of God. Furthermore, despite Islam's opposition to the state of Israel in the Promised Land, the present diaspora must decide whether to remain in the "old" world, or to return to Israel and their LORD for safety.
The opinions about Israel from the surrounding Middle East countries have not substantially changed for the past one hundred years or so, and are not likely to change for the better before "the end of all things." They hate the nation; they hate the people. Furthermore, many supersessionist Christians also are taught to hate the Jewish people.
5 And she brought forth a son, who is coming to shepherd all the nations with an iron rod; and her child was quickly caught up toward the God and to his throne.
"A son;" (male: arena) hues, 5207. Some say, "Omit male; it is redundant." The text may be corrupt here; there is no way to prove it. Other editors read male: arson. (The Greek text may allude to both a son and a man). The "son" would refer to the Son of man; while the "man" would refer to the man of sin who will show himself as a self-proclaimed "god" in Jerusalem's temple. But Christ returns at last to prove "the lie" and to claim the promised throne of Israel.
Proposed; a better reading of this verse: "And she brought forth a son, a man who comes to shepherd all the nations with an iron rod ; and her child was swiftly caught away to God, and to his throne."
This verse is a straight forward statement of Old Testament prophecy of what has been done: Psalm 2:9; Isaiah 9:6-7; Malachi 3:1b; Ezekiel 43:7-9.
It must be remembered that the controversy of Zion is the struggle for the rule of the city of Jerusalem and of the land. Christians have "no continuing city," Hebrews 13:14, in the present Jerusalem. The city will suffer the judgments of God as the "great city which is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt," 11:8. Jerusalem will be encircled with "armies" during the war "out of the sea," 13:1; Daniel 7:2; 8:8, and later "burned..."
"Shepherd;" poimaino, 4165. Equally translated as "feed." See Matthew 2:6, quoted from Micah 5:2. The word means to govern with wholly firm but tender care; to pastor. The rule follows their great affliction.
The affliction of the people in the day of the Lord is alluded to in Isaiah 8:9-12:1. A key verse: "Afterward did more grievously afflict in the direction of the Sea beyond the Jordan in the circle of the nations." In the present time this refers to the territories of southern Syria and Lebanon, which is land promised to Israel. Here the Iranian-supported Hezbollah rules today with the approbation of the Syrian and Lebanese leaders. The site of the affliction -- in Galilee, from Mt. Carmel north to Sidon -- is the land north of the valley of Megiddo, where the last and greatest conflict ends. Whereas Josiah was wounded there in a former battle and soon died, per 2 Kings 25:28-30, the last king of Judah will decisively live and reign after the next battle at Armageddon. "As in the day of Midian," the LORD fights from heaven against the Gogian armies and "ships of Kittim" to establish the throne for His son who will firmly rule over the people of Israel thereafter.
"All the nations;" ethnos, 1484. This word is generally translated as "heathen" and "gentiles." But it could just as easily refer to the twelve tribes of Israel who are ethnically both "nations" and "peoples," Genesis 35:10-12. The judgment begins at the house of God but will extend through the Middle East and the whole world wherever any Jew is found, 2 Peter 3:10. The united 12 tribes of Israel will be ruled by a strong king unlike any prior ruling king.
"Child;" teknon, 5043. The natural product, by derivation from tikto, 5088, what the "woman" begot. As Zion/Jerusalem which is above, the delivery of "the sons" (children) covers all times, Genesis 3:14-16; 1 Timothy 2:15. Because: Psalm 115:14-16. How begotten and how delivered? Isaiah 66:7-8; Joel 2:23,32; Hebrews 2:13.
"Caught up;" harpazo, 726. This word has been thoroughly expounded above. However rather than meaning a violent "taking away," the word refers to the suddenness and the rapidity in which the "living who remain together with them," (the risen dead) are taken "for a meeting with the LORD," - see 1 Thessalonians 4:17 - for if the living elect were not then swiftly rescued from the great tribulation of those days, "there would not any flesh have been saved," Matthew 24:22, from the multi-pronged attack and slaughter at Jerusalem.
"Toward God and His throne." This phrase speaks of the (prospective) great multitude shown earlier in the book of the Revelation at 7:9-12. See the parable of the Meeting, Matthew 25:1-13. See also concordance references to both "Zion" and "Sion" for context orientation concerning the end time of Zion's controversy.
The time span of the actions shown in this chapter is "short." It is
followed immediately by the appearance of the Son on Zion, with the
"virgins," 14:1-5, "redeemed from the earth" as "first fruits." The
Lord, in the Gospel records, was emphatic that neither "the day nor the
hour" of the coming of the Son of man is known prior to the event, Matthew
25:13. But Zechariah states that "the LORD also shall save the tents
of Judah first," Zechariah 12:7. The imminence of the day and the hour
will not surprise any servant of the LORD and His Messiah who is watching
Old Testament prophecies and comparing them with present unfolding events
related to Israel.
6 And the woman fled to the wilderness, where she has a place prepared from God, so that there they should nourish her a thousand two hundred sixty days.
This time of the woman's "nourishment" immediately follows the enthronement of the Lord on Zion's mountain.
"Fled;" phugo, 5343. To escape, to take flight. She "escapes" from the dragon who tries to consume her "child" at the birth. Having escaped, she flees from the "angels" of the dragon's Man of sin, (who no doubt advocates conversion to image worship, or else, submission to his "beheading" sword).
"Wilderness;" ereemos, 2048. [Heb., midbar.] John the Baptist began his preaching in the wilderness of Judea, Matthew 3:1; (Isa. 40:3-5); John 3:22-23. He baptized at a place named Aenon, (i.e., "the fountains). Thirty miles north of Jerusalem, this "wilderness" site is at the head of the valley of Shechem, which is a broad open valley having many springs of water. Today the valley is called the Wady Farah. The valley's mouth meets at the approximate confluence of the Jordan River and the river Jabbok, which flows westward from present day Jordan.
The mountains (of the wilderness) of Judea are the place to which Jesus advises his disciples to flee to when Jerusalem is surrounded by armies. The area is not as desolate as is supposed.
"A place prepared from God." See the prophecy in Hosea 2:14-23. At last "Ephraim" is brought back into covenant relationship with God. Consider also the advice of Jesus in John 14:1-3 for its "last day" significance to the Jews in the land.
"From God;" theos, 2316. Actually "from the God," who is "the LORD" of Old Testament prophecy. In 12:5,6,10,10,17 as "the God" and/or "the God of us" angels; our God.
See Jeremiah for the phrase "the time/year of their visitation," and Isaiah 10:3, "the day of visitation."
"Nourish;" trepho, 5142. Root 5157. Vine defines the word as, to make to grow; bring up; rear. The idea presented is that of bringing up "the children" to a mature knowledge and understanding of the Word of God, per Malachi 4:6. The nourishment is provided by the discipline of Elijah's work when the power of the Holy Spirit is poured out again at the end, per Joel's prophecy.
It must be decided by the reader how, when, or if ever the "delivered" but fleeing "woman" does in some subtle way become the dragon's "whore." Consider whether Matthew 25:31-46 applies during this time period of judgment. This writer is confident that "the bride" is not, nor ever was, "the harlot."
A time period of 1,260 days must pass. This can be verified from Daniel's prophecy, 11:31; 12:11, with Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:21. "Them which be in Judea, flee to the mountains..." The flight to freedom - a separation which proves the woman's children as true, from the old city of Jerusalem to the mountain wilderness - comes during a time of cataclysmic and catastrophic upheaval in the Land and upon the earth, when "the powers of the heavens shall be shaken" by the destroying angel, Apollyon, who is an "arm" of the LORD...
Daniel's prophecy details how the beast from the (bottomless) pit, Revelation 11:7-8 and 17:8, of the earth (in visible manifestations of the dragon's power) wars against the Jewish nation. Both the king of the north and the king of the south "push at him" - a deceiving serpent of a man - during the time of the end, Daniel 11:40, in a "time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation," Daniel 12:1. For then, "there would not any flesh have been saved," Matthew 24:22, either from the great fury of the "hail" which comes down upon the land from the angel, Abaddon - who is also called Apollyon. Abaddon is the O.T.'s destroying angel.
The following speaks about interpretations - by commentators and of philosophers - of Daniel's prophecy and other apocalyptic prophecies related to it:
At first the Jews had no high regard for the book of Daniel. They held that Daniel was not a prophet but a seer, and him in Babylon too! But by the time of Christ they had come to accept the book as a Holy Writing, although there is evidence in the New Testament that their understanding of it was not clear nor accurate.
Most recent commentary on Daniel is heavily influenced by Porphyry, a Third Century pagan philosopher, who claimed that the book was a forgery of Maccabean history. Notwithstanding, Scofield's footnotes below the text do link parts of the book to the wars of the Maccabean family times. Many commentators assent to the famous "break in prophecy" (from a "break" in continuous history, no doubt..?) which supposedly occurs between verses 35 and 36 of Daniel 11.
Baruch Spinoza, a Dutch philosopher, promoted "symbolic" interpretation of texts of the Holy Scriptures, Old and New. He was expelled from the synagogue because of his views toward the Hebrew texts. Daniel's prophecy became influenced by the views of Sir Isaac Newton, who was a post Reformation Christian mathematician and philosopher. Like others of the times Newton wrote a commentary on The Revelation. Sir Isaac is responsible for reviving the theory that the laws of God are merely "laws of nature," fixed and unchanging (...which first was a teaching of Aristotle). The apostle Peter apparently was aware of this Aristotelian philosophy - which he disputed, 2 Peter 3 - by appeal to Holy Scripture and its truly revealed history.
Sir Francis Bacon, later, again revived the apostate "continuing church" theme and its companion idea of "continuous historical interpretation" as applied to the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. The legacy of these men is strong in England and Europe where the Reformation began, and in every English-speaking country where the pernicious view was taken by English-speaking missionaries.
Consequently, most of the details of Daniel's prophecy are verified against the historical writings, some earlier, some later than Bacon, of men like Berosus, Mede, Mosheim, Josephus, Rawlinson, Gibbon and others. Some history writers were more honest than other history writers. Like Newton, some commentators also extrapolated the "historical truth" of prior religious historical writers into their interpretation of the book of The Revelation.
It was Isaac Newton who made the strange interpretation of Revelation 9:5 -- of the "five month period of tormenting" -- to be 300 years. Mr. Bicheno came up with the idea that the "three and a half days" of the "two witnesses" lying dead in the streets of Jerusalem should be "three lunar days and a half of years," i.e., a time of 35 years! Mede's respected voice of authority was strong enough to influence his adherents to follow "the prophetic periods on the year-day principle," that the 1,260 days of Daniel 12 and of The Revelation should be 1,260 years! One very major problem for the interpreters is that no man would untangle the often conflicting views of the "history" put forth by the different historians. They have created a morass of confusion, rather than a solid understanding of the prophecy's truth.
Then even more lately, the writings of Darwin began to influence writers of science in the field of biology, geology, and history, etc. Karl Marx borrowed from Darwinism for his writings. His one great thesis was that his theory of politics combined with his theory of economics, being employed and continued long enough, would triumph over the capitalist system. By following the Marxian thesis the Soviet Union's economy collapsed in ruin in 1990. The history of the Marxist system shows the value of such theoretical interpretations in the record of its work: economic collapse in the Soviet countries in 1991 and the inability of the Moscow government to prevent secession of the Balkan states. What other things will the LORD yet reveal as the lies of men?
After the Civil War ended in 1865, leaders of the religious revival in the United States expanded on the views prevalent in the "age of Enlightenment." Today Christians and others who reject clearly evolutionary doctrine still hold onto the more subtle versions of the "continuing Church age" as the accurate tool for interpreting both Daniel's prophecy and the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
The model of the accepted theories (as applied by Marx) being proved as worthless, it is imperative that seekers after God and His truth "earnestly desire the genuine milk of the Word, so that by it you may grow," 1 Peter 2:2. "Study to show thyself approved," says 2 Timothy 2:15.
Approving any man's humanistic theory counts not as a work performed for the glory of the Lord. Respect of persons is not a good work.
Diligence in study is only rewarded when one in earnest labors for himself -- is diligent -- to receive the reward of God. For faith without its working in its own place is a dead faith. Many Christians have a dead faith. Read the Epistle of James and practice what he says. Do not trust historians and philosophers, or religionists on their word alone. Test the spirits. Remember the Egyptian reeds!
Jesus said, "He who reads, let him understand;" noeo, 3539. I.e., to perceive with the mind, as distinct from perception by a gut feeling. See 3563; the mind or understanding of Christ. That advice from Jesus concerning Daniel's prophecy holds true for all who read the Holy Scriptures.
Jesus told his disciples:
"BE WISE, AS SERPENTS; AND HARMLESS, AS DOVES"
There is an appointed end for mankind's existence upon this earth. There is a time for a change of order upon the earth prior to that final end. One thing in the change of order is generally understood through the Christian doctrine of "the rapture." It concerns the transformation of the physical body of the "saved" one to a bodily state of spiritual glory. Our question concerning the "rapture" is, When? When is the wise virgin truly saved? At his baptism or when his reward is determined at the end?
With the "rapture" doctrine there seems to be uncertainty as to what is happening concerning the wise and the foolish "virgins" between the resurrection and the "change."
The parable of Matthew 25 says that the virgins went forth to meet with the LORD. The parable shows that wise virgins are immediately accepted into the kingdom at His coming, but the foolish are unready for entrance. The parable states: "But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved." These other virgins are not admitted when they later come demanding entry. The door has been shut and the Lord does not recognize the others as his. It is apparent that a separation occurs at the time when the "virgins" are awakened. Those with 'oil' remaining in the vessel are ready to enter the meeting; those who 'forgot' their supply of oil are not. During the meeting with the Lord the change to salvation for the virgins who endured in the faith to the end is brought about.
Many Christians expect that their supposed "immortal soul" is reunited with the (resurrected) body, changed and taken to heaven at "the rapture." The early apostasy from the church of Christ borrowed the "immortal soul" doctrine from the Greeks, principally Plato and Aristotle. "Soul" is our Old English word for "self," the body; the word "rapture" is derived from the Latin text.
From the Church, the Reformationists retained the doctrine of "immortal souls" and the Latin legacy of the "rapture." This mixture of unscriptural language and metaphor switching creates a philosophy neither seen nor heard in the language of the Holy Scriptures. The mixture provides two ingredients of the drink of wine mixed from Babylon's cup of idolatry and false doctrine.
Many Christians are concerned about "the rapture of the Church." Will it be before or after the wrath of the LORD falls upon the world? The whole debate concerns the exact timing of the return of the Lord. Some say, "Jesus is Coming Again! But When?" (So said the mockers of Peter's day.) What a curious question for a servant of the Lord to ask!
All the worldly credentials that a person may accumulate cannot qualify that person as having a complete and perfect understanding in the knowledge of the Scriptures if he is "untaught and unestablished" in "the mind of Christ."
In any particular topic of prophecy concerning the apocalypse of Jesus Christ there is bound to be some misunderstanding on the reader's part. Did not Jesus warn every reader of Daniel's prophecy, He that readeth, let him understand? The one who is able to pinpoint the coming of the Lord within the last three and a half years time period is doing well indeed, then.
But "no man knows the day nor the hour." Nor will any man know beforehand the day and hour of the rapture. For, too many other things are dependent upon "the times" so that day and that hour can be accurately assessed prior to the event. Who can predict how men will react? Who can say how long some of the stubborn and rebellious ones will hold out before they decide to capitulate? Or if they even will?
Even so, the enemies, and the chief adversary of Israel, - the beasts and the false prophet of the apocalypse - will make the best of the perilous times for their evil works against the LORD and against his elect people.
The slogan of the successful business is said to be, Location, location, location. In the last days the "dragon's" slogan will likely be, Position, position, position! It takes time for one man to maneuver a large group of allies into the "right position" in order to accomplish a common objective. Even so, there usually are some small things which always go wrong; these things 'waste' time.
Furthermore, the "dragon's" time is not predictable simply because he is working from a defensive position and led by a secretive leader. Michael and his angels are fighting against the dragon and his angels from the heavens; consequently, the heavens will be victorious.
Readers must remember that the Gentile believer takes the second place to any believing Jew. He must wait until Messiah comes to save Israel first; i.e., the nation of Israel as a people, who are persecuted to the death by the surrounding nations. The Jewish people are also persecuted by nations which support the hostile Antichrist and his followers.
The dragon, beast and false prophet work, and succeed until they bring all the nations into the Jezreel Valley for their last battle. Not before then will "the rapture" take place.