The soil under our feet is teeming with life when put under a microscope. Even a few drops of water are teeming with life when looked at under the microscope. In this chapter and ones that follow we get a microscopic view of the Tribulation period. The main characters are now talked about by John in this revelation. There will be a trinity of evil. We are introduced to this “wonder woman” who is the nation of Israel.

1 – The strange woman (vs. 1-6)

Notice five things:-

• The sign of this woman (vs. 1) – If is obvious that symbolism is being used here. The plain ordinary meaning does not make sense. We know we that we dealing with symbolism due to the use of the word “wonder”. The key to this symbolism is in Genesis 27 in the dream of Joseph. This dream represented Israel and it is the same here. The nation of Israel is “God’s billboard” to the world.
• The seed of this woman (vs. 2) – The seed of this woman is none other than the Lord Jesus Himself. Jesus was a Jew. See Romans 9:4-5, Genesis 3:15 & Galatians 4:4.
• The sorrow of this woman (vs. 3-4) – This dragon is described in verse 9 as the Devil. He is the great red dragon. The red represents the blood of those he has killed. He has seven heads and ten horns which represents his authority. He will rule over an empire of confederated states. A third of the angels fell with Satan but two-thirds remained faithful to God! Satan tried to kill Jesus the whole time He was on the earth. The world hates the nation of Israel because it produced the Lord Jesus. The Devil is on the losing team! Jesus is going to be victorious!
• The son of this woman (vs. 5) – This son becomes a sovereign. He will rule the nations with a rod of iron. There is a picture here of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is caught up into Heaven. One day we will be caught up into Heaven.
• The safety of this woman (vs. 6) – The nation of Israel will be hounded in the Tribulation period. See also verse 13. Why is the Devil after the woman? See verse 12. The Devil knows he has only a short time. The woman runs into the wilderness. God will take care of Israel.

2 – A stunning war (vs. 7-17)

There is a war in Heaven. You could understand a war in Hell or on earth but a war in heaven? There is some in Heaven who needs to be kicked out.

• The vision of this war (vs. 7-8) – You have Michael and his angels fighting the Devil and his demons. Michael means “one like God”. This is what Satan wanted when he fell. The one who is like God kicks out the one who wanted to be like God. The Devil has access to Heaven at the moment but it is coming to an end. Why would the Devil want to go back? The Devil accuses the saints in Heaven day and night. He does it over and over again. See vs. 10. He is accusing you! He will do it every time you make a mistake or sin. The Devil wants to destroy everything good God has done. In Heaven the Devil accuses and on earth he attacks. The Devil wants to destroy you spiritually. It makes him happy if your marriage splits up. He wants to bring up your past mistakes. He will want you to think that you can’t be forgiven. He wants to take away all the joy in your life.
• The violence of this war (vs. 9) – The Devil and his demons are kicked out of Heaven for good. It is not a case of Michael taking the Devil by the arm and leading him gently out. He was bounced out! The word means that the Michael kicked him out and dared him to say another word on the way out! The Devil is called a “dragon” because he is strong. He is called a “serpent” because he is subtle. The word “Devil means accuser. The word “Satan” means “adversary”.
• The victory in this war (vs. 10-11) – There is victory over this enemy of the saints. See 1 John 1:7. The blood of Jesus Christ gives us victory over the Devil. See 1 John 2:1. Jesus is our defence attorney against the accusations of the Devil. The blood of Jesus Christ forgives all our sins. God is the great Judge who says “case dismissed”!
• The vindictiveness of this war (vs. 12-17) – The Devil and his demons are cast down to earth. Instead of realising that the game is up the Devil is intent on hurting all those who love God. The nation of Israel and those who follow Jesus on the earth are dragged into this war that now takes place on earth. In his anger over his defeat, he will savagely persecute God’s people and gather the armies of man to fight against Christ when He comes.

Categories: Revelation