7 And a war came to pass in the heaven; Michael and his angels warred against the dragon; and the dragon warred, and his angels.
"War;" polemos, 4171. A real war, not only verbal polemics; the strife of the Great Sea, Daniel 7:2, comes to pass. In Revelation 7:1-17 the powers of the four winds of the heaven were yet restrained during the time in which the last sealing of Israel's tribes was done. Now the predicted war proceeds.
The word polemos appeared earlier at 9:7-9; 11:7. "Wars and rumors of wars" are mentioned in the first three Gospels by Jesus. At that time, he also said, "Verily, I say unto you, this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled." The "last days" generation of warfare among the nations of the Middle East ends in a crushing defeat for the draconian beast of the seven "heads." In the "last days" specific warfare is waged by the "beast out of the abyss." The last antichrist "beast" searches out and kills all of the "two witnesses" in Jerusalem.
"Came to pass;" ginomai, 1096. To become; it shall happen; to be.
"In the heaven;" ouranos, 3772. The Greek text is emphatic about where this war happens; in the skies; in the heavens. (War tactical experts seem to agree that future wars will be fought in the heavens, with the use of missiles and other space vehicles already in place for "surveillance" of the earth. The Iraqi Kuwaiti war proved this theory correct.)
However, God does not wage war as humanistic societies do! The text of this prophecy alludes to the appearance of the strange "locusts" about the time of the dragon's war. For, the LORD now rises up to do His "strange" work; the "strange act" to deliver Zion's children, per Isaiah 28:21; Psalm 83:9-18.
"Michael." The same angel, Michael, of Chapter 12 in Daniel's prophecy; not a "Jesus Christ, pre-existent," but the holy archangel, Michael. Michael's warfare against the dragon's hostility toward the Jewish people is watched "in the heaven" by the angels who are fellow servants of the Jews and of their adopted brethren, all of whom have seen the witness of Jesus Christ, 19:10. Michael stands up at the beginning of the last 1,260 days...
During three specific times, the cavalry and forces of Abaddon-Apollyon also bombard the earth with three volleys ("hails") of stone from the skies, in a manner comparable to the time when "the heavens" fought against Sisera. His commission is to destroy all the evil and ungodly, who refuse obedience to the "gospel of the age." Therefore, the LORD of Hosts sends forth His armies as in the ancient days.
Michael and his angels fight from their heavenly positions. Michael stands up and works in the way shown in Daniel 12. This becomes evident at Revelation 20:1-4 and from Daniel 12:1. Daniel was assured at 11:33-35: "They (Israel) shall be helped with a little help." Revelation 12:16 reveals how this help comes, during the "last days" in which the last beast's rule of the promised land is overturned and given to the saints ...
"Angels; angelos, 32. His helpers are the ones sent whom he commands in the warfare. These "ones sent" under Michael's command overcome the "ones sent" by the dragon! Observe that the "the heavenlies" ruled by Michael in this warfare are aided by Abaddon's rain of death by the horses and cavalry's "warfare" upon the Land, and earth. As the evil (the "tares") are weeded out, the "holy seed" becomes the only "holy people" remaining in the promised land.
See the closing verses of Psalm 83! The spirit of the prophecy cries aloud that many marvelous and strange things will happen quickly at "the end" of the "controversy of Zion."
The spiritual conflict centered around Jerusalem is compounded by actual conduct of war by "the beasts" of the land. Note from contexts that "the temple," "the sanctuary of strength," and the placing of "the abomination that makes desolate" are the last matters of the religious dispute - at the end of which time the witnesses of God in Jerusalem are killed. The "other beast" who rises out of the land, 13:11,13, "does great wonders" with his fire from "out of the heaven." This "other beast" commands the beast's image to be made for worshipping. So the probability of greater conflict about religious things in Israel (between Islam, Christianity and Judaism) can be expected to quickly come to pass in the latter days!
Verse seven speaks of the dragon persona - which epitomizes the hateful evil spirit (which now dwells in all flesh). This spirit has had an extremely long and evil lifetime. He is that ancient dragon spirit, per verse nine and Revelation 20, which will be bound for the 1,000 years. In the "beast" persona this evil spirit develops another form or "body" to aid itself after the healing of its first deadly wound.
Revelation 13:11 and onward indicates that the fraudulent "great wonders" done by the "other beast" follow the signs given it to do by the "first beast." It forces the making of the image of "the beast," which is likely the abomination that "makes [the Land] desolate," of Daniel's prophecy, 11:31; 12:11. The advice given to those in Judea to "flee into the mountains" is now very clear. Their enemy has no reason to search in "waterless places" for any who escape into the Judean hills from the religious persecution.
The dragon's "body" and his "angels" do not gain the objective of their activity during the last three and a half years of the warfare against Israel's population. The victory in the "controversy of Zion" belongs to the LORD and to His king, the Lord Jesus Christ. The "dragon" is cast out into the earth.
8 And they prevailed not; nor was their place found more in the heaven.
"Prevailed;" iskou, 2480. Does not have the ability and the strength to stand before the "woman." This is the time when the dragon persona first receives a personal identity, and recognition as a leader with devious power, in resistance to the deliverance of Zion's children and Jerusalem. The dragon persona's inability to stand against the witnesses of Christ - to defend against the truth - is shown by Mark 13:11; Luke 21:13-14.
A point to keep in mind: Although the dragon is defeated after the three and a half years of tumult from heaven and by warfare, there is no question that the "dragon" power had mustered sufficient military force to do great damage in the land while it did have its evil, lying influence there. The "dragon" is a powerful, revived "last days" force; it is only overcome - by the LORD - at the battle of Armageddon. So unless the LORD intervenes, none of Israel's remnant "flesh would have been saved."
"Found;" hurisko, 2147. Literally, shall be searched for and no longer found. Remaining adversity is destroyed by the brightness of the Lord's manifestation.
This interpretation is further borne out by Ezekiel 39, where the bones of Gog's multitudes are searched for until none remain to be found. The powers adverse to Israel are greatly diminished. The Assyrian's power, those of Gog and Magog too, are chained so to speak, until a thousand years pass.
9 And the great dragon was cast, the ancient serpent, who is called a devil and the satan, who misleads the whole world; he was cast into the earth and his angels were cast with him.
"Dragon." This verse is a plain statement of the cunning hostility of the woman's chief adversary, and the enduring nature of the power of the adversary toward her. The "dragon" power is embodied under the seven "heads" of men allied with the "prince" who actually leads the military forces against Israel. But his rebellion against God "in the heaven" is put down through the power of Michael and his angels, (which may be the holy angels who accompany the Lord's arrival at his coming).
In the last days the rebellion against the establishment of "the kingdom of the heavens" is first found portrayed in the hate filled persona of the dragon, then becomes infused into the persona of the scarlet colored beast, along with the false prophet who speaks all the blasphemies against the Name of God. These personas will have actual identities in their day.
"Cast." See above. Literally "cast into the earth;" drawn, ejected, thrown. The actual imprisonment of the dragon and his angels will be executed in the battle at Armageddon, 16:16. First he is physically "cast" into the earth, being self compelled by his animosity to rush in, to his own destruction, where others would fear to tread. He is cast into the earth, literally - see Rev. 20:2.
"Serpent;" ophis, 3789. A scaly limbless reptile; a snake. Classed under herpetology, the serpent is one of the genus of lesser creeping things, but is related to the dragon family. The dragon is depicted in Genesis as a serpent having ability to speak. The serpent is a member of the family of small snakes.
"Devil;" diabolos, 1228. The mixed spirit of evil and good which permeates the mind of all flesh since the rebellion against the first commandment of the LORD; mental enmity; adversity in the spirit of men; hostility against godliness.
Vine says that the "diabolos" is "one of the names of Satan. From it the English word "devil" is derived and should be applied only to Satan as a proper name." If this sounds like circular reasoning, it is. Read on...
"Satan;" satanas, 4567. Under "Satan" Vine merely says: "a Greek form derived from the Aramaic (Hebrew: sathan), an adversary." And, "in the New Testament the word is always used of Satan, the adversary." Eve's adversary was the serpent, right? Or was the adversary Eve? Or was the adversary Adam? Or was each one judged as an adversary of God, and in rebellion against the LORD's commandment? Each mind of the flesh freely made the wrong decision.
The sins of omission - taking away from the word of God - are just as serious as the sins of commission. See Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42. One must "exercise the senses" to benefit from "the LORD's discipline," Hebrews 5:14; 12:5-11. Exercise of the senses improves ones perception of things and improves the ability toward righteous judgment of any matter, small or great.
What Vine does not reveal is the Hebrew definition of "the satan" as expressed in the Old Testament. The true definition shows that both good and evil - His blessings, and the curses for disobedience may proceed from the hand of God in accordance with the will of His favor toward men.
"Misleads; planao. 4105. To cause to wander; to make to err, thus to deceive or to seduce. Intellectual dishonesty was introduced by the first serpent whose "wisdom" in Eden overcame Eve's simple understanding. Adam, however, in deference to Eve, boldly dismissed his fear of disobedience to the Word of God in order to eat the forbidden fruit.
"Whole;" holos, 3650. Entire, all.
"World;" oikoumenee, 3625. The part of the earth sustained by the Holy Spirit of God; the creation. From the Greek word comes the English word, ecumenical. The Ecumenical Councils of the Church purport to rule this domain. This world has been full of spiritual error since the serpent seduced Eve's mind, brought confusion about the Word of God; then disordered and corrupted the very good spirit first breathed into the man. The evil spirit of the full-grown dragon permeates the world.
"Into the earth." A double meaning here too. Thrown into the Land. Also consider "thrust into the ground" as an aphorism for the stunning victory gained over the dragon and his angels. Cast is a word difficult to match with an exact word definition from Old Testament prophecies.
"Angels." See verse seven. Could be an aphorism for its "armies" or his "messengers." The spirit of error and deception remains in the spiritual realm until the time when the actual holy war is waged on the dragon's last account.
The mature "dragon" - the ancient creeping thing of Genesis 3:1-19 who has the old power to promote diabolical thinking and all adversity toward God's heavenly plan - is later "cast into the earth" along with his angels. There, in the death of the grave, he loses power to deceive anyone further.
10 And I heard a great voice saying in the heaven, Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ; because the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuses them in the sight of our God day and night.
During the time of the Lord's apocalypse there is "war" in three arenas: in the heavens, in the earth and in the sea. In the New Testament "war" is variously translated as a "fight" and "fought," as "war" and a "battle." There are wars and rumors of wars...
War is fought by units of combat. Each engagement in combat is a battle. The warfare which climaxes at Armageddon extends for at least three and a half years prior to the end of time, (10:6). The servants of the Lord will recognize when "the end" comes because the Lord himself has provided them the information concerning the "signs" of his coming and of the warfare.
"Voice;" phonee, 5456. This word appears mostly as "voice" but is not always human "voice." The book of The Revelation accounts for one third of the references to the word. In this verse speech is obviously meant. Some "voices" plainly are not voices; rather, are sound and/or noises that occur "in the heaven" or sky in conjunction with the signs revealed to John. Let the context identify where the speech, noise, or sound originates, and why they "speak".
"Now;" arti, 737. The Greek means "right now" or "at this moment" or "coincidentally." It designates the time strictly present with the event as it happens, as described in Revelation 12. The word now: arti, should not be confused with the five or more other Greek words that are also translated as now.
Here is the reply to the question (Acts 1:6-8), "Lord, at this time restoreth thou the kingdom to Israel?" He replied, "You will receive power - the Holy Spirit having come upon you..," etc.
However, the kingdom was not restored to Israel during the Spirit's first outpouring at Pentecost; nor at any of the subsequent outpourings of the Spirit, even until this very day. Therefore the "kingdom of God and the authority of His Christ" will not be restored to Israel until another - future - outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurs, per Old Testament prophecies.
Then there will be two "bodies" of "witnesses;" two "prophets" in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and "bodies" of "witnesses" to the ends of the earth. Some idea of the witnessing that will be done is shown in Malachi and in Isaiah 66:19.
"Come;" ginomai, 1096. Now the "restitution of all things," Acts 3:21, comes to pass. The four words following - salvation, kingdom, power and authority - are all preceded by the definite article, the. The Greek text is emphatic that these four things occur at this particular time as described in this text.
"Salvation;" soteria, 4991. The word most correctly means both the safety and the health. The Lord comes to heal (the dead, by resurrection) and to save his yet living people from Death, (Rev. 6:8; 7:1-8; 9:11) and to restore to God the remnant of the sons of Jacob. Christians who believe that they are fully "saved" in this present time must consider this notion of their faith. The verse conclusively specifies the time when all believers in the Old Testament Messiah of Israel and the Christ of the New Testament will truly gain their "salvation" and will receive "something better" than the "very good" health first given to Adam!
"Power;" dunamis, 1411. The might of the Lord's command under the presence of the Father's Cherubim. The dynamism of God Almighty is "now" openly expressed to the world through His glory.
"Kingdom; basileia, 932. A glance at the list of New Testament references shows that it is God, the Father, the Ancient of Days, of Daniel 7:13,22, Whose is the kingdom. He now shall give the kingdom of the earth to the "One like the Son of man" to govern, 7:14,22-27; Ezekiel 21:27.
"Our God;" theos, 2316. The God of us. In the New Testament "theos" appears usually with the definite (objective) article: as the One True God; as the Father; as the God of the angels and as the One Who has begotten us "from above" by the power (through His earnest gift) of the Holy Spirit.
Vine devotes two pages to quibbling about the cases of the word theos in the Greek; and to the naming of men who support his position, rather than searching out the Scriptural position. His problem of course is the doctrine of the trinity - the Grecian concept added to the Holy Scriptures - which much of Christianity mindlessly upholds without any clear understanding of the heavenly hierarchy, or of the wisdom of God.
Jesus Christ is not "God, the Son." He is the "Son of the One God," His only begotten; son of the One Father, seed of the woman. Earthling "sons of God" are only sons by adoption through Jesus Christ, and even so, their formal adoption proceeding will not occur until he returns to receive the kingdom! Then the Gentile believers will also be "saved" as "sons of Israel" - being "seed" through the faith of Abraham and of Christ. See "adoption;" huiothesia, 5206.
This is the Son's position in relation to the Father, the only Almighty GOD of the entire Bible. The following are the references in the book of The Revelation to the Almighty GOD, the Father:
When Michael puts down Israel's "dragon" enemies and his angels of adversity, the glory of the God of Israel will enter His house. He places His feet on His footstool in the sanctuary of the LORD's house on Zion, Ezekiel 43:7, there to remain for the ages of Messiah's reign. When the glory of the LORD appears again, to enter Zion's "house," per Ezekiel 43, the true Messiah appears in his own glory!
The great "signs" of the Lord's day - things that will be seen - the celestial displays, include the visible objects which come out of the heavens. The first appearance of the "sign" - the locust like scorpion /horses of Rev. 8 and 9 and of related Old Testament texts - assures the elect of the Lord that their redemption "draws nigh." But the "sign" will terribly frighten all of mankind, and especially all "sinners in Zion." The "sign" of the judgment to come is swiftly followed by the return of the glory from the east - and the Lord's own glory appears at the time when he begins rule over Israel from within his Father's "house," the temple on Zion.
That the above is a reasonably accurate assessment of the "sign" of the New Testament Scriptures may be concluded from the book of The Revelation; and more completely, through a comparative study of the Old Testament Scriptures.
"Authority;" exousia, 1849. From the legal power invested in oneself. The authority of the Lord was despised and rejected at his first coming (by God's design). It will not be so despised when he comes again. The vengeance of God's power now comes with him.
"Christ;" kristos, 5547. With the exception of the name "Jesus" as specified by the angel to his mother, this is only other appellation of the Lord in the New Testament writings. The related verb, krio, 5548, "anointed" is found only five times in the New Testament. There is again a blurring of prophetic "sign" in the way this text reads. But "the authority of His Anointed" shows the correct order in the "rank" (tagma) as 1 Corinthians 15:23 also indicates the events for the time now. The Lord Jesus Christ sits as advocate judge of what flesh shall be "saved" and what flesh shall be rejected and cast into "the fire" which the day brings. He judges his own house. See Matthew 25:31-34, 41. The Father's wrath will judge and consume the world's obdurate sinners.
The kingdom is now firmly established in the hand of the Lord, as foretold in 11:15. The rule of the nation has been removed from its apostate leaders and given to Jesus Christ, who comes now to rule as the king of Israel - whose right it is!
"Accuser;" kateegoros, 2725. The "accuser" of this verse has no further enduring power over "our brethren" - he is "cast down". Even though he accused them "day and night" during the "great tribulation," he cannot keep them in Death. The "witnesses" go up into the Cloud as the antichrist enemies in Jerusalem watch them, 11:11-13. Although, some "accusers" (of the faith of the Jews) are even today slinking around the city of Jerusalem, accusing the people of many blasphemous things. Their judge is not yet present because the court is not yet "set." These latter days accusers of the Jews are themselves "devils" to held in the power of Death, to be killed and held forever by Death when the dragon is bound for the 1,000 years.
Vine defines "devil" as "accuser," making way for the "kateegoros" to masquerade as diabolos, "the devil" of popular theology.
Now - the time comes when the mask must be removed from several popular notions related to "the devil" and his realm. How many faces, heads and horns does the serpent have?
Just where is the devil and his realm, anyway? If you read Chapter Two of this study, you already know that the doctrine about a supernatural "Satan" is in error. ...Smyrna was a synagogue of Satan?If "the devil" and the related teaching about "demons" cannot be blamed for the troubles of the world, who can we blame for all the evils that plague mankind? So you may laugh when you are told, "The devil is a figment of your imagination; an evil work introduced into your mind." Who is your own worst Enemy, your own Adversary? ...You and your ever changeable mind. Evil-minded men ruled over the synagogue of Smyrna. The leader of the synagogue, a "devil," having not the mind of Christ, persecuted his brethren in the synagogue who did not agree with his anti-Christ teaching.
However, since we were made by the Elohim to have the ability to choose between good and evil, you know that the fruit that Eve chose to pick from the tree was a good one, right? That assumption makes you just as knowledgeable as Eve was; after all, the fruit looked good and it tasted good, and it should have been good for food.
But poor Eve! She was overwhelmed by the serpent's logic and by the possibility that she would 1) have "opened eyes" and 2) a desirable "wisdom," 3) even be "as God." She didn't stop to think or to consult again with her superior, Adam, prior to making her choice...Nor did the sly serpent bother to remind Eve, "By the way, in the event when you even touch these nice fruits, you must realize that you have become a lawbreaker." Shades of Balak and Balaam! How cleverly the serpent led Eve down the Garden's path. Would the serpent have gotten Eve's ear if Adam had been present?
The "figment" of the serpent's promotion became a "figment" of Eve's imagination and became the bite of Death at the touch of the fruit in Eve's hand. But Adam full well knew - having the commandment from God - that he should not eat that tree's fruit. He deliberated the matter, looked at his wife Eve, saw that she was still living, and ate! So you and I are children of those lawbreakers, and produce other children who become lawbreakers, who fill the world with all the evil habits of law breaking.
Anyone who believes that the devil and demons, evil spirits and such like belong to the creation of God - "very good" - just does not comprehend the Bible's message, let alone understand what its words mean. Because, many allege that "the devil" is a creation of God, a wicked spirit being which pre-existed the creation of the human race. Neither the serpent nor Satan ever made such a claim; it is misguided men who claim this honor for the devil.There never has existed any creation of evil beings of God. "Every created thing of God is good," so says the word, 1 Timothy 4:4. In the same breath Paul wrote, "For the Spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons, in hypocrisy, teachers of lies, their own conscience being cauterized," who will deliver doctrines contrary to the teaching of Christ. Such hypocritical teachers exist even today!
The human body's creation was first "very good" but not ultimately good enough to meet the LORD's requirement for His own promised son's inheritance of the glories of the Holy Spirit from Himself. The body's creation by the Elohim was weak through the flesh.
Ipso facto, "the Spirit speaks expressly" that those same "churches" who are "preachers" of the doctrines of "deceiving spirits" and "teachings of demons" are "teachers of lies." A contradiction of this Word is a blasphemy against the Holy Spirit - which shall not be forgiven, Matthew 12:31-32.
To have the mind of the flesh is to be held in the power of Death, Hebrews 2:14.
In the teaching of the apostasy, the "devil" has his power only in "hell," [which is the grave].
God's Word, Genesis 2:16, brought Death for disobedience to the Word.
Since that first transgression the power of death has ruled in every mind of the flesh. It is a blasphemy for anyone to allege that "the devil" is a distinct spirit or distinct spiritual being of God's "very good" creation or from a pre-existent creation of God. The doctrine is contrary to the teaching and habit of Christ who continually "cast out" devils and demons from deranged minds. The false doctrine's dusty elements came out of the earth, and are returned to the earth when the dragon is chained and locked in the earth after the rule of Christ is established by God.
The whole creation is subject to death because of the evil thinking which weakens and brings corruption to the flesh. Without a physical foundation there is no place for death to work. "The devil" cannot work where it has no root in the fleshy substance of a body or mind. The "evil spirits" that are in the world are products and works devised by the evil mind from the thoughts of supposedly "very good" men.
In the day of the Lord, the Man of sin becomes the "devil" in the flesh; the one who instigates Death to Israel and to all the Lord's holy ones. His objectives are 1) to be "like God," 2) to rule the world, 3) the wisest man alive.
These objectives are shown in 2 Thessalonians and in Daniel 11's prophecy where the contexts reveal "the accuser's" high mindedness.
The anti-Christ beast, whose head is the false prophet and the accuser, will condemn the witnesses of Jesus to death, wrongly charging their testimony to the category of either false or unlawful teaching. His charges secure the death sentence which then "cuts (them) with an ax," per Rev. 20:4.
This method of execution - to "cut (them) with an ax," - is still current in Middle East countries. Beheading was the method used for the execution of 'traitors' during the Iraqi-Kuwaiti war. It is the customary form of execution in Islamic and pagan countries.
"Brethren;" adelphos, 80. Siblings related by blood. Those faithful unto death are spiritual kin to the angels - of Michael, Abaddon/Apollyon, and all their helpers - who are ruling the loud sounds in the heavens.
"In the sight of;" enopion, 1799. Actually and literally in sight, as His "eyes" unceasingly run to and fro through the earth as His watchmen for Zion's sake.
"Our God." See above. "The God of us" is the Father of spirits, Hebrews 1:7; 12:9; Who is in the heavens, as the Lord's prayer states.
"Day and night." The LORD has a covenant with the "day and night," Jeremiah 33:20, which applies to this particular time period. The covenant cannot be broken.
11 And they overcame him on account of the blood of the Lamb, and on account of the word of their testimony; and loved not their lives even until death.
"Overcame;" nikao, 3528. At 5:5 as, prevail; at 6:2 as, conquer; at 15:2 as, gotten the victory; elsewhere in the New Testament as, overcome.
Vine describes the word as "a law term," which it is. Vine omits to give the Scriptural definition of a word when the context refers to an established orthodox doctrine, but plainly defines a word when not deterrent to the doctrine.
How "they" overcome is explained in parable by Jesus in Luke 11:14-26. The principle applies here. The Lord casts out a man's demons when "the kingdom of God" comes ( 5438) upon the man. See Romans 3:4 and the First Epistle of John. The casting out needs not always to be a spectacular display.
Of those who consider themselves presently "saved," their belief in "the devil" contradicts the "faith in Jesus." Those who are sealed with the earnest of the Holy Spirit - when the seed of the kingdom of God is "sown" within a man at baptism - are delivered from the power of "the devil," then from the power of the second Death, and placed within the dominion of the LORD when "the salvation and the power of the kingdom of God" are established in the hand of the Lord, 12:10, at his coming. The spirit of the LORD does not dwell in any "house" where a demon or "the devil" is given the best room to live in! Without the "mind of Christ," the mind is the chief room in "our house" wherein the knowledge of evil lives to dominate over all the functions of the body.
"On account of;" dia, 1223. A prepositional phrase meaning, for this reason. From part of the phrase the word "account" is excised - supposedly, this is the word that the parables of the Talents and the Pounds are based upon. Popular Christendom's doctrine of works is founded on this idea.
Not so! Let us work badly that good may come? Never! Still the idea persists that the LORD maintains a ledger - a balance sheet of good and evil works - on each person who He calls to His "work." No word for the doctrine of physical works is even found in the New Testament Greek. His memory of our work appears under "logos," which is the Word of God under which all men are held responsible to "see" and to "hear," and to respond with the goodness of the spirit. We live under His grace, which is His favor. We are either "chosen" for grace, or we are not.
We are not "purchased" for physical labors, but to serve under the good favor of a holy spirit. So the "reward" is for the rightness of faith in God that shows the mind of Christ, who wholly believed God and did no evil during his lifetime. There is no evil [except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit] that can outweigh the righteousness of God and of Jesus Christ, His son who is accounted as "our righteousness" - because we believe that he is the Son of God and that he was sent in our flesh to save us from its weakness to err in the spirit.
"Blood of the lamb." It is unproductive to speak here on "the blood of the Lamb." The topic is a book in itself. One is either trying to serve the Lord well or he is not; he either understands the meaning of the blood of the Lamb or he does not. The spiritual definition of sacrifice is not in any dictionary. There is not much time left for the virgin-in-spirit to "buy" oil for his lamp's light. It behooves everyone who would be a Christian person to redeem the time more wisely.
"Word of their witness." The "witnesses" of the Lord are warned not to prepare a defense for the time of their trial, Luke 21:14-19; Acts 1:6-8. Their true testimony is already recorded in heaven. Revelation Twelve speaks about the restoration of the kingdom, as the Lord also alludes to it in Acts 1:6-8.
"Loved not;" agapao, 25. Hear this! Concerning this word Vine laments that "little light" has been shed upon "its distinctive meaning in the New Testament." Did he read his Bible in the dark? Love is the constant and rational selfless service in goodness that the Father commands upon all his future "sons." "Do good toward all men." The apostle Paul attempted to define the work of this law, 1 Corinthians 13:4 - 14:1.
"Their life;" psukee, 5590. English: psyche; from the Greek, psychein. To breathe, breath of life. The apostasy - never recognizing the ellipsis in the Greek - makes our psyche to be an immortal or undying "soul," even though death makes the breath of life to cease. Compare dictionary definitions under "psyche" and "soul." When a man breathes his last, he expires his "breath of life." He dies.
The next two words of this verse disavow any connection of the psyche with immortality. The translators, being aware that their work here conflicts with established doctrine, have translated the word consistently as "soul" in the Revelation - except here and at 8:9. All the physical creation of the earth was "inspired" into life by the Father. So too all living physical things are made with some manner of breathing apparatus. From this known biological fact, Francis of Assisi, by extrapolation, developed his thesis that each physical creation of God - flora and fauna - has an "immortal soul!" But he omitted to recognize that only the one creature, Adam, was made in the image of the Elohim - in the likeness of the angels; and that for the LORD's redemptive purpose Adam was put under the law of death; and taught concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
"Unto;" akri, 891. Means "even as far as," or "until."
"Death;" thanatos, 2288. Death goes forth in Rev. 6:8 as a traveler in the earth. Grave follows Death as he goes "over the fourth part of the earth..." Death was first introduced into the world in Eden by the serpent's seduction of the woman's mind. There, Death was commanded to follow after Sin. The second Death is overcome only by those who are enabled to annul diabolical thinking and who have been enabled to rise again to Life. This is a mystery of God made known through Jesus Christ.
Herein lies the sweet and the bitter taste of the open "little book." The bitterness of the woman's torment conflicts naturally against the sweetness of the final victory through Messiah/Christ. For, these are the "days of vengeance" that all things that are written may be accomplished, Luke 21:22. The Lord placed the emphasis on "all things that are written." All things that are written about God's vengeance are written in Old and New Testament prophecy. See Isaiah 61 - 64, and refer to a concordance for references to the "vengeance" of the LORD, and His Messiah.
12 On account of this, rejoice, ye heavens, and who tabernacle in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and the sea! Because the devil is gone down to you having great fury, knowing that he has a short time.
"On account of;" dia, 1223. See verse above; "for this reason." The victory of the two bodies of witnesses and the imminent victory for the remnant of the woman's "seed" produces the sweetness of the joy.
"Rejoice;" uphraino, 2165. Equally translated as, Be merry. Vine gives the derivation as, eu: well; phren: the mind. See Romans 15:10, quoted from Deuteronomy 32:43 LXX. The word use peculiarly describes the climax of this world's affairs.
"Heavens." See references at 12:1,3,4,7,8,10,12.
"Tabernacle;" skeenoo, 4637. A tent; a temporary shelter.
"Woe;" ouai, 3759. Jesus pronounces an impressive list of woes in the New Testament. In The Revelation three distinct woes are announced to come in succession upon the earth, as shown on the Scroll Chart. This woe is brought about by the anger of the "devil" who "comes down" upon the inhabitants of land and sea. The second woe begins with the sixth trumpet's sounding, Rev. 9:13.
"Inhabiters;" katoikeo, 2730. Those who dwell in the areas of the land and the sea; the regions of the Eastern Mediterranean primarily. They will suffer most during the warfare in the "day of the Lord."
"Earth and the sea." This reference appears to mean of the land and the islands in the sea, in places (10:2, where the messenger's feet are placed) from where the woman's remnant are to be hunted down in that day. The phrase does not preclude any part of the whole earth and its vast seas, wherever Jews are found.
"Gone down;" katabaino, 2579. To fall; descend; come down. "The devil" who inhabits the dragon's seven "heads" suffers a great humiliation. This is a real "come down" for him, provoking him to the great fury. The manner of the descent can be dual: actual coming down for invasion; or loss of pride and position because the kingdom is proclaimed in truth with Christ as king over Israel. Humiliation is the dragon's reaction to the voices of the "seven thunders." Without a doubt the brightness of the Lord's coming totally exposes "the lie" promulgated by the dragon and his angels. The apostasy's lie is plainly revealed at last, ripened, as rebellion against God.
"Having;" eko, 2192. In possession of.
"Great fury;" thumos, 2372. A great outburst of anger.
"Short;" oligon, 3641. Usually translated as few. Vine lists the word under, little; but correctly defines it as, "the opposite of polus, much," i.e., few days.
"Time;" kairos, 2540. See 1:3; 11:18; 12:12,14; 22:10. A fixed and definite short period of time; a season. The devil has little opportunity remaining in order to accomplish his evil. God will end the matter and cut it short, Romans 9:27-29, quoting Isaiah 10:22-23 LXX; 7:3; 8:23; 1:9. The angels rejoice at the prospect of the kingdom's establishment in the few seasons remaining of the last time.
The redeemed can lift up their heads and sing, for their Redeemer draws near when the devil's woe afflicts the land and the sea. The "great and dreadful day" of war moves onto the Sea's arena.
This devil's woe befalls because of the dragon's inability to prevail against Michael's heavenly forces. He must devise an alternate course of action. The devil's attitude is shown in the context surrounding Daniel 11:44. The last "head" of Babylon is remarkably like the first head: Nebuchadnezzar.
Later chapters of Revelation show that the man personified by "the devil" may be the last "little horn" of the "two horns like a lamb," on the head of the "other beast" that arises "out of the earth/land," 13:11.
"The king" who torments the woman with the assistance of the dragon and his angels is sure to be identified as contemporary with the man "Gog" of Ezekiel's prophecy. Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, speaks of the other individual as a "son of perdition," a grasping "son of Destruction."
See Exodus 34:5-7, where the Name of the LORD with its true attributes was proclaimed from the height of Mt. Sinai. The Name has not changed; nor has the Name of His true and holy One. They share the One Name.
Jesus prophesied: "I have come in the Name of my Father, and ye receive me not. When another should come in his own Name, him ye will receive," John 5:43, alluding to the Jewish propensity for accepting expedient domination from the loudest speaking adversary - so that there might be peace in our own times.
In the last days, there is no more buying of time or of peace for Israel from the seven surrounding nations, per 10:6.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast into the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the child.
"When;" hote, 3753. A preposition denoting the time of the dragon's perception that he is being defeated; then comes his "casting down" into the "earth." The bitter resistance to God ends after a little season; in a short while.
"Dragon." He, red flesh, hatred incorporated, is the Land based enemy of Israel. He maintains the reputation of evil speaking which dominates among the seven "heads."
"Saw." Same word as "knows;" 1491, verse twelve. Now the seven heads of the "dragon" perceive that they will not prevail, but the head "devil" - with all his deviltry - will persist to persecute the woman while time remains.
"Cast;" ballo, 906. Appears at 12:4,9,10,13,15,16.
"Into;" eis, 1519. A preposition translated many ways to show "regard for" or "toward" something. Here, it is a pointer of the dragon's perception, and the decision for the devil's following persecution of the woman.
"Earth;" gee, 1093. May be translated as earth or land. It is difficult sometimes to decide between the two variations. Familiarity with Daniel's prophecy helps here. The whole of Daniel 11 is probably the true particulars of this short time.
"Persecuted;" dioko, 1377. The word occurs just this once in the book of Revelation. Other New Testament translations: follow after, press toward, pursue, give wide sense to its definition. The devil, so to speak, "closes in" upon the woman, who is Mt. Zion/Jerusalem. She eventually becomes tightly "surrounded" per the Gospel accounts.
"Woman." She is "the woman" who has produced the "seed."
"Which produced the son;" (male: arrena) huios, 5207. (Arsen, or, arrena? See verse five. The text editors are uncertain still).
This verse recapitulates and then elaborates on verse five. The presence of the LORD and His son is perceived by "the sign" of his coming and in the cloud above Zion, with the king's "palace" now being constructed. The "sign" was predicted by Isaiah, 49 and 62. The woman is Zion; the new Jerusalem "to come" from above. The controversy of Zion is about to be decided for all time. The woman's disposition in face of the dragon and of his deviltry is revealed in the next verse, as pictured.
14 And to the woman were given two wings of the great eagle, so that she might fly into the wilderness into her place, where she is nourished there for a time and times and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
Commentaries make this verse to refer to the flight of the Church into the nations of the world - where God then cares for her as the woman lives happily ever after. The "continuous historical" interpretation and the "continuing church age" view will soon be discovered for the gross lies which they maintain, and the deceits which they carry out under the name of "Christian" teaching.
The woman of Revelation 12 comes to her reward at the end as described in Revelation 21. There, the new Jerusalem - the holy Jerusalem - is the Bride - the Lamb's wife, who, cleansed and sanctified in beauty, descends out of the heaven from the LORD. "The apostate Church," the woman described in Revelation 17 who comes to her end in "a wilderness of spirit," is a worldly whore who keeps a foul cage of Babylonian "birds" and does unclean "traffic" with the earth's merchants.
Where was the true "wife" hidden to whom the LORD espoused Himself in the days of old? "She" was not found in the "old" Jerusalem or in her LORD's house during the rule of Israel's kings. Nor was "she" there when the Messiah first came. Nor is "she" visible there when the Man of sin sits down in the temple to claim that he is God.
The Scriptures recognize only One Name of God, Exodus 34:6-7. The one great Name of apostasy is depicted in Revelation 17:5 as a "secret Babylon the great" which is the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth. The whore lives in "a wilderness of spirit" with Babylon's name of "Mystery" upon her "head". No other system of the world's religion needs be pointed to as the whore, Mystery. All religion except the true faith in the LORD Who made the heavens and the earth is a wilderness of evil spirit.
"Given;" didomi, 1325. The simple act of giving; to produce for.
"Two wings of the great eagle." This phrase presents a problem for commentary. It cannot be simply construed, it is said, that the woman receives two eagle wings and flies away from her tormentors to "a place prepared of God," 12:6. And why two wings? For an eagle always has two wings! One commentary says, "The great eagle is the world power" and "her place," Rome. But it is the Almighty Who bears up his elect on eagles' wings to safety: wherever they journey, and He feeds them their daily bread. See Exodus 19:4; Isaiah 40:28-31, and other passages, such as Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:44-49; John 17:18; 20:21-23; Acts 1:8-9..
"Fly;" petomai, 4072. See 4:7. The true implication to be drawn from Old Testament prophecies is that "the woman," Zion, the Lord's future bride, is sheltered beneath the cherubim "wings" of the eagle face (presence) of the Almighty; "her ready place." The power of the Holy Spirit is present in those days: to assist her: "...Ye shall be witnesses for me... to the uttermost part of the earth," Acts 1:8.
The significance of the sign, as John witnesses the tableau, relies upon Old Testament prophecy for interpretation. The purpose of the provision of the eagle's "wings" is to deliver her - Zion - by removing her to a place of safety. She has already produced the Son who is going to rule all the nations with an iron rule. He has been enthroned by God. When "she" flees thereafter, the dragon pursues "her." But the dragon cannot go where the woman has gone, borne to "her place" of safety (salvation) in the wilderness, for Michael (and his angels) is fighting against him, in order to cast him and his allies out of the heavenly places. There is no place for the wicked and hateful within the place prepared for the woman. See Isaiah 40.
Isaiah 40 and the concluding chapters of his book speak toward the days of the kingdom's establishment when the Messiah of Israel returns. Many Bible readers may have to readjust their perspective in understanding of the Scriptures during this time. The Holy Scriptures are the only writings that retain their timeliness in truth for all the days of their reading.
Jesus lamented his inability to take Jerusalem "under his wing" when he first came; see Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34. But "blessed is he" who does come in the Name of the LORD to restore the "house" of the king. This is a mystery of the gospel that puzzles the "unstable." They theorize about the "rapture" and argue about its time period (and other silly things) when they ought to be studying to know what the Bible says.
"Her place;" topos, 5117. Revelation 12:14 describes "her place" as a place "where she is nourished there..." No physical parts of "the woman" remain in old Jerusalem after the beast from the bottomless pit overcomes and kills the "witnesses" there, 11:7. Mt. Zion - "a city set upon a hill - cannot be hid" for long.
"Nourished;" trepho, 5142. Same as, feed, 12:6. Vine defines the word as: to make to grow, to fatten.
"Time and times and half a time." Hosea's prophecy, 2:14-23, reveals the details of this part of the sign. Review the words of Jesus from John 14:2-3 in this perspective. A "time" here is estimated as 360 days, which makes a total of 1,260 days in corroboration with v. 6. With the resurrection and the kingdom's restoration established, the dragon is forced into a retreat. Even the earth does not support the mouthing spewed forth by the dragon.
"From;" apo, 575. From, away from, at a distance. Study the word list.
"Face;" prosopon, 4383. From the view. She has been removed from the sight of the serpent for the 1,260 days duration. The following verses reveal where this is done.
15 And the serpent cast after the woman water as a river out of his mouth, so that he might make her to be carried away by the river.
"Serpent;" ophis, 3789. See 12:9.
"Cast;" ballo, 906. The "serpent" throws, thrusts, pours, or, puts.
"After;" opiso, 3694. Behind, in back of.
"Water;" hydor, 5204. See Proverbs 15:2,28.
"As a river;" potamos, 4215. The effluent from the serpent's mouth compares to a torrent which has a great velocity and turbulence.
"Out of his mouth;" stoma, 4750. This word is given prominence in the remaining chapters of John's prophecy. It is obligatory that the word's significance is correctly assessed at this point. All the dragon's manifestations in the beasts and in the false prophet rely on the use the "mouth" in the controversy against Zion in Jerusalem. The "mouth's" polemics are a lot talk, i.e., evil accusation and cruel speech before actual war is declared by the "mouth."
"Might make her;" poieo, 4160. To make; to do. In order to do.
"Carried away by a river;" potamophoreetos, 4216. To sweep away in a river; to drown as by a flood; to inundate. Obviously the serpent hopes to win his war with words, by quieting the opposition of the remaining "witnesses" who speak out from all places of the earth! The "water" is words spued forth and meant to discredit the woman; to drown her. But remember, "good words and fair speeches deceive the heart of the simple," Romans 16:18. "Such serve not the Lord Jesus Christ." The water torrent would include the work of the dragon's false prophets and of the false messiah's who also appear during this time.
Note that "negotiated settlements" between adversaries appear to be a sign of our times. Do these qualify as a "sacrifice of peace" without bloodshed?
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
"Earth;" gee, 1093. Either the lands surrounding Israel, or "the uttermost parts of the earth." The events of the day of the LORD bring severe judgments upon the whole world.
"Helped;" boetheo, 997. To come to the aid of, to succor. To empathize. The method of help is next explained.
"Opened;" anoigo, 455. The reference may be both literal and figurative. See Numbers 16:30-35. Keep in mind with what and how the "two witnesses" were empowered to act in the "great city" streets.
"Swallowed up;" katapino, 2666. From pino, to drink; with kata, (intensive). Also translated as drowned, Hebrews 11:29; and devour, 1 Peter 5:8. Gulped down or absorbed is probably the sense here, according to the context. But it is not beyond reason that the phrase refers to the ameliorating effect of the earth's "swallowing" of the river. The earth undoubtedly is also witness to the effects of the earthshaking, the thunders, and lightnings that proceed from the Cloud of glory above Jerusalem. These, combined with reactions from "the earth," force the dragon to retreat from the city.
Remember that, in accordance with Revelation 11, the "temple" of the LORD, with its altar, is surely being "raised" and "measured" during the 3 1/2 "times" interim of the woman's residence "in the wilderness" where she is protected from the dragon's hunting.
"River;" potamos, 4215. Whatever is signified by the "water" that the dragon (the serpent of preceding verse) ejected from his mouth. The proverb says that both bitter and sweet water cannot flow from the same source. The effect of the water is diminished by the earth; the dragon's intention defeated.
The polemics of the "war" between Michael and the dragon are, as is now apparent, both physical and verbal. The words of the Lord in the Gospel records are then very pertinent to the times: "For there shall arise false messiah's (i.e., ones sent; the dragon's angels) and false prophets, Matthew 7:15-20; 2 Peter 2:1-9, and shall show great signs (Revelation 13:13) and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9) inasmuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the true elect," Matthew 24:24,28.
If possible, the true elect may be deceived. In the last days, this is possible...
17 And the dragon was angry over the woman, and went to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
"Angry;" orgizomai, 3710. This word appears at 11:18-19 in context with Revelation 12. Naturally the dragon is angry! "The earth" gave him no real help - now he has to reform his plan and to restructure for another assault. Read the parable of the Marriage of the King's Son, Matthew 22:1-14, in this proper end time setting.
"Over;" epi, 1909. His anger over the disappearance of "the woman" is humiliating. Even the "two witnesses" have gone up into the sky, into the cloud. In the same hour there is an earthquake, the fourth great earthquake. The dragon is badly shaken.
"Went;" aperkomai, 565. To go away, to depart, to go aside. Retreat.
"To make;" poieo, 4160. To do.
"War;" polemos, 4171. Battle, or war. The dragon picks up the pieces and retreats. He appraises his options to fight any further at Jerusalem against the LORD, His people, and the promised land. See Ezekiel 37, (Israel regathered as described in this Revelation), with 38 and 39, describing the dragon's end during earthshaking times.
Then the prophecy of Ezekiel 40-48 reveals the details of the pattern of "the house of prayer for all peoples" when it is opened in "the heaven."
"Remnant;" loipoi, 3062. The others. The other seed of the woman are the natural children of Israel. The Son comes to reign as king; and these others, who are in great fear, give the glory "to the God of the heaven."
"Seed;" sperma, 4690. See the parable of the Good Seed, Matthew 13:24-38, in perspective of this end.
"Who..." The remaining clause defines who her other "seed" are. Her "other seed" are also of "the true elect," Matthew 24:24.
"Keep;" teereo, 5083. Those who are watching. These others obey the commandments of God; in addition, they have heard the testimony of Jesus Christ. The surmise is that these others are those returning from the nations, who now watch the Word of the Holy Scriptures, and identify Jesus Christ as the messiah, the savior of Israel. These would include both Jews and Gentiles; seed from the nations who believe in God and Jesus Christ, His son.
The place, where the dragon goes to make war or to do the battle, is revealed later, after the other participants in the last days scenario are introduced, and described.
Today Christians realize that the nations of the Middle East and the nations named in the Bible are related. There is an association between the Bible nations and the faith of God which disquiets many of them. Which faith is the "right one?"
There most certainly will be a revision of faith in God in these "last days."