[2] The title of the sermon today is “REVELATION CHAPTER 12.”
- We just finished up the first half of the Book of Revelation.
- We know that the book is cut in half by what we’ll see in Chapter 12.
- But we also know that Chapter 11 makes it clear that the 1,000 year reign of Jesus begins in that Chapter.
[3] Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
- That’s CRYSTAL CLEAR that the reign of Jesus Christ on this earth is beginning.
- That 1,000 year period called the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ is beginning.
- Once that reign is over, Satan is loosed, conquered, thrown into hell.
- Then we see the GREAT WHITE THRONE judgment after that happens.
- And we haven’t went over any of that yet because it’s in the second half of the Book of Revelation.
We know that Revelation Chapter 12 starts over because you’re going to see the BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST.
- Revelation Chapter 1 through 11 are in perfect chronological order.
- It’s very clear because the book uses terms like “AFTER THIS” which gives order to the book.
- It’s not jumping back and forth in Revelation 1 through 11 like some preachers teach.
- They are very confusing. The Bible is very clear that Revelation is cut in half.
- Revelation 1 through 11 are in chronological order.
- Start over in Revelation Chapter 12 and then chapters 12 through 22 are in chronological order.
- And you’ll see how the book is cut in half because everything makes perfect sense with what we’ve learned in the first 11 chapters.
So, some preachers teach that the VIALS happen AFTER the trumpets.
- Hopefully you have your Daniel’s 70th week timelines with you so you can see this.
- The Bible is teaching that the TRUMPETS and VIALS happen at the same time.
- The vials don’t happen at a later period of time. They are happening with the trumpets.
- For example, the first trumpet occurs with the first vial. Second trumpet with second vial.
- And so on all the way through all 7 trumpets and all 7 vials.
We’ve looked at this before in Revelation sermons, but I want you to see this again.
- There’s 100% proof that the all the trumpets don’t happen and then the vials happen at some later time.
- Revelation Chapter 16 proves this over and over again.
- So remember, we just saw in Revelation 11, that verse still on the screen, that JESUS is ruling.
- When the SEVENTH TRUMPET sounds, “The kingdoms of this world ARE BECOME the kingdoms of our Lord, and of HIS CHRIST.”
- All 7 trumpets are finished in Revelation 11:15. Jesus starts HIS REIGN on EARTH.
Now, let’s look at Revelation Chapter 16 verse 10.
- If you look on your timeline and find VIAL #5, you’ll see Revelation 16 verse 10 as a reference for that vial.
- Notice what this SCRIPTURE says.
[4] Revelation 16:10-11 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, 11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
- What does it say there? “The fifth angel poured out HIS VIAL upon the seat of THE BEAST.”
- Who is the beast? The beast is the ANTI-CHRIST. It’s not JESUS CHRIST. It’s the ANTI-CHRIST.
- Verse 10 says, “AND HIS KINGDOM WAS FULL OF DARKNESS.”
- At Trumpet 7, the KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD belong to JESUS.
- But at the fifth vial, it’s still talking about the KINGDOM OF THE ANTI-CHRIST.
So this proves 100% without a doubt that the fifth vial happens BEFORE the seventh trumpet.
- Do you see that today? And look, that’s not the only proof. You’ll see as you study.
- There’s absolutely NO WAY that the vials happen after all the trumpets are complete.
- Jesus doesn’t lose control of HIS KINGDOM and HIS KINGDOM isn’t darkness.
- Let’s go to verse 1 of Revelation Chapter 12.
[5] Revelation 12:1-2 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
- Remember, this is the APOSTLE JOHN seeing all of these things.
- He was caught up in the SPIRIT to heaven and watched all of these things.
- He sees a GREAT WONDER IN HEAVEN. It’s a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet.
- She has a CROWN WITH TWELVE STARS UPON HER HEAD.
- And she’s with child, which means she’s pregnant.
- She cries out, she’s in labor, and she’s going to have the child.
[6] Revelation 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
- John sees another wonder in heaven who is this great red dragon.
- He has seven heads and ten horns. He has seven crowns upon his heads.
- We learn a little later in this chapter that this GREAT RED DRAGON is SATAN.
[7] Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
- There’s a lot going on in all of these verses so far to this point. We’re going to talk about all of this.
- But for now, Satan stands there waiting to devour the CHILD who is about to be born.
[8] Revelation 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
- So, this child of this woman is OBVIOUSLY 100% JESUS CHRIST. There is no one else this can be.
- He is to RULE all nations with a rod of iron.
- There are 4 verses in the Bible that talk about ruling with a rod of iron.
- You see one of them on the screen now, Revelation 12:5. Here’s Scripture from Revelation Chapter 19.
[9] Revelation 19:11-13 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
[10] Revelation 19:14-16 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
- The BIBLE tells us clearly that JESUS CHRIST is the ONE who will RULE with a rod of iron.
[11] Psalm 2:7-9 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
- This is clearly talking about the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD, Jesus Christ.
- “THOU SHALT BREAK THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON.” I want to read Revelation 12:5 again.
[12] Revelation 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
- The last part of the verse says that this child is caught up unto God, and to HIS THRONE.
- Jesus Christ is was caught up unto God and TO HIS THRONE.
- We see this at the end of the book of Mark, end of Luke, and start of Acts.
[13] Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
[14] Luke 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
[15] Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
- So, we’re 100% sure that JESUS CHRIST is being born in Revelation Chapter 12.
- This means we’ve gone back in time from the end of the world in Revelation Chapter 11.
- We’ve started over chronologically. It’s very obvious.
- With that said, I want to go back to verse 1 and 2 of Revelation Chapter 12.
[16] Revelation 12:1-2 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
- When we first read this verse, you might have been thinking: “WHO IS THIS WOMAN?”
- Well, most people would think it’s MARY because she’s the earthly mother of Jesus.
- After studying the Bible, though, and especially the Book of Revelation, I don’t think it’s Mary.
Revelation Chapter 12 is tough because the Bible is using symbology.
- For example, in verse 1, a woman can’t literally wear the SUN as clothing.
- She isn’t going to stand on the entire moon and the entire moon be under her feet.
- She isn’t literally going to have a crown with 12 stars from the sky.
- As we continue studying Chapter 12 today, I think it becomes clearer who this woman might be.
- Let’s continue in verse 3.
[17] Revelation 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
- Satan is the red dragon. He has 7 heads and 10 horns in this symbology.
- Satan doesn’t actually have 7 heads and 10 horns just like the woman doesn’t actually wear the sun.
- The great red dragon has seven crowns upon his 7 heads.
[18] Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
- “AND HIS TAIL DREW THE THIRD PART OF THE STARS OF HEAVEN.”
- Stars in the Bible are often referred to as angels. Stars of heaven = angels of heaven.
[19] Revelation 9:1-2 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
- A star or an angel falls from heaven unto the earth and that angel is given the key to the bottomless pit.
- That angel’s name is Abaddon or Apollyon. Notice he is an angel from heaven. He’s referred to as a star.
[20] Psalm 148:2-3 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
- STARS are ANGELS many times in the Bible.
[21] Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
- The seven STARS are the ANGELS of the seven churches. And remember, angels are messengers.
- Revelation 12 is using SYMBOLOGY as you’ve seen. So it’s not talking about actual stars from the sky.
[22] Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
- SATAN drew a third part of the STARS of HEAVEN. Those are all of HIS ANGELS fallen from heaven.
- The devil took a third of all the angels with him when he rebelled against God.
[23] Jude 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
[24] 2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
[25] Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
[26] Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
[27] Isaiah 14:12-15 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
- Revelation 12:4 is talking about Satan and his angels being cast out of heaven to the earth.
- Satan could still go back to heaven as the BOOK OF JOB tells us.
[28] Job 1:6-7 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
- Obviously, Satan could still enter into heaven.
- Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven before Jesus Christ is born but not permanently.
- And then what do you see in Revelation 12:4?
[29] Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
- SATAN stands there and waits for the child to be born. He wants to devour the child as soon as its born.
- Who does that sound like from the Bible? Who wanted baby Jesus dead as quickly as possible?
- It was one of Satan’s minions. KING HEROD.
[30] Matthew 2:2-3 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
- King Herod and all Jerusalem were troubled because SCRIPTURE was coming true and they didn’t like it.
[31] Matthew 2:7-8 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
- King Herod wanted Jesus brought to him as soon as they found him.
- Satan was behind that. King Herod was Satan’s little minion.
[32] Matthew 2:12-13 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
- The story of King Herod seeking to kill baby Jesus is just like Revelation 12:4.
- Jesus is a threat to all the evil and wickedness of this world.
[33] Revelation 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
- So again, this is the BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST. So, we’re moving in chronological order of things now.
[34] Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
- So, this number of 1,260 days shows up again.
- We just talked about this number in Revelation Chapter 11.
- 1,260 days divided by 30 days per month is 42 months or 3-1/2 years.
That’s half of Daniel’s 70th week. The woman flees into the wilderness. She has a place prepared of God.
- They will feed her there for 3-1/2 years. Are we currently in the first or second half of Daniel’s 70th week?
- We started over in Revelation Chapter 12, right? So we’re now in the first half of Daniel’s 70th week.
- What happens in the first half of the 7-year period of time? THE TRIBULATION.
- Because of tribulation, the woman flees into the wilderness. She already had JESUS.
- So, we’re moving in order. We see the tribulation lasting 3-1/2 years in verse 6 there.
[35] Revelation 12:7-8 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
- During the tribulation, the ARCHANGEL MICHAEL and HIS ANGELS will fight against SATAN and HIS ANGELS.
- Where are they fighting? Revelation 12:7 tells us that they fight in heaven. It’s MICHAEL against SATAN.
- That’s 2 angels fighting each other. It’s Michael’s angels versus Satan’s angels.
- I want to get something straight today. MICHAEL is not JESUS. The Seventh Day Adventists teach that.
If Jesus were fighting SATAN, it wouldn’t be a fight. IT WOULD HAVE NEVER STARTED.
- You MUST understand who JESUS CHRIST is and stop letting false preachers teach something different.
- Understand right now what Jesus can do.
- Jesus could look upon Satan and HE would burst into 1 trillion little pieces. It wouldn’t be a fight!!!
- Jesus is not MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL. Satan doesn’t get to match up against JESUS.
- It’s not a match. Do you know who JESUS is? HE IS GOD ALMIGHTY. Understand that today.
- JESUS created SATAN. Jesus is THE CREATOR. He is not God the Father but HE IS THE SON OF GOD.
[36] Job 26:7-10 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. 8 He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them. 9 He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it. 10 He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.
[37] Job 26:11-14 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof. 12 He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud. 13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent. 14 Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?
- “GOD HAS FORMED THE CROOKED SERPENT.” Do you think Satan is a match for Jesus Christ?
- Do you think there’s any contender that could go up and face JESUS CHRIST?
- Jesus doesn’t have a power struggle. He’s all powerful.
[38] Jeremiah 10:12-13 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. 13 When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
- Jesus isn’t less than God the Father. JESUS IS GOD. He is equal with God the Father.
- But YES, HE SUBMITS TO GOD THE FATHER in all things. But understand Jesus is ALL POWERFUL.
[39] Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
- Jesus doesn’t have anyone that’s a match for HIM. So don’t act like JESUS is MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL.
- If that were true, there wouldn’t have been a fight.
[40] Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
- Don’t make an error like Jesus says right there?
- He says, “You err because you don’t know the POWER OF GOD.”
- Understand the POWER of JESUS CHRIST. He has ALL POWER AND ALL AUTHORITY in heaven and earth.
- GOD THE FATHER entrusted that power to HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST. Jesus is equal with God.
[41] John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
- I went off there for a minute on the POWER OF JESUS CHRIST.
- I get sick of hearing that Satan is some kind of match for Jesus. What a joke. HE IS NO MATCH.
- Jesus isn’t a created angel. Jesus isn’t a creation. HE IS THE CREATOR. HE IS GOD.
- The evil religions and false preachers in this world like to bring Jesus to some lower point.
- Wow, I would NEVER take that chance. Jesus Christ is GOD. Understand that.
[42] Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
- I’m sick of false religions like Jehovah’s Witness and Mormons changing JESUS CHRIST into something less.
[43] Colossians 1:15-17 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
- HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS. HE IS BEFORE ANYTHING WAS CREATED.
- He is not a creation. He is the CREATOR. “ALL THINGS WERE CREATED BY HIM.”
- Let’s go back to Revelation Chapter 12.
[44] Revelation 12:7-8 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
- Notice that it says their place was not found ANY MORE in heaven.
- When SATAN and HIS ANGELS are kicked out of heaven for good, the TRIBULATION begins.
[45] Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
- There’s a time of trouble SUCH AS NEVER WAS the Bible says. That’s tribulation.
[46] Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
- When SATAN and all HIS angels are cast out of heaven, is that a good thing?
- Well, it’s a good thing for heaven. Is it a good thing for those still on earth?
- Satan probably isn’t going to be too happy. Do you see how that leads to TRIBULATION?
- It all makes perfect sense. When Tribulation arrives, the people of the earth will have trouble.
But what happens directly after the GREAT TRIBULATION?
- God shortens the time of the great tribulation and saves HIS PEOPLE from off the earth.
- How? With the LORD’S DAY. With the Rapture.
- So, you see a quick summary of the birth of Jesus Christ, tribulation, great tribulation, and now watch.
[47] Revelation 12:10-11 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
- NOW IS COME SALVATION. That’s a picture of the RAPTURE for those left on Earth.
- Many are killed but they overcome death by the BLOOD OF THE LAMB. They are saved.
- I haven’t forgotten about the identity of the woman. We’re going to learn who she is.
[48] Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
- There you go. When Satan is cast out of heaven, the HEAVENS REJOICE. He’s gone finally!!!
- But WOE to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea. The devil is ANGRY with great WRATH.
- Why? Because he knows that he only has a short amount of time.
- That sounds exactly like the TRIBULATION. And it all matches up perfect with the timing.
- 3-1/2 years is not a lot of time for Satan.
[49] Revelation 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
- When the tribulation begins, who is being persecuted? The entire earth.
- The Bible just said, WOE TO THE INHABITERS OF THE EARTH AND OF THE SEA!!!”
- Satan doesn’t just persecute the Jews, Israel, the Saved People at the beginning of the tribulation.
- This is a clue to who the woman is. He’s persecuting all of the people of the earth to start.
- He doesn’t care if you’re saved or unsaved at the beginning of the tribulation.
[50] Revelation 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that