1 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:03,680 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:04,600 --> 00:00:07,720 Speaker 2: For more resources to help you in your walk with Christ, 3 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:13,040 Speaker 2: please visit us at Bible Studyheadquarters dot com. You're listening 4 00:00:13,119 --> 00:00:16,080 Speaker 2: to the Dwell on These Things podcast. I'm John Stongy 5 00:00:16,239 --> 00:00:18,520 Speaker 2: and it's great to have you with us this week. 6 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:21,880 Speaker 2: As always, this week we're going to be looking at 7 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:25,640 Speaker 2: Revelation twelve. There's seventeen verses in the chapter, and as 8 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:27,840 Speaker 2: you could probably tell, I'm not in front of a 9 00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 2: live congregation. Typically I record our podcast on Sunday mornings 10 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:36,280 Speaker 2: at Core Creek Community Church here in Langhorn, Pennsylvania, but 11 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:38,320 Speaker 2: this week I wasn't in the pulpit. 12 00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:39,320 Speaker 1: But I still. 13 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:42,839 Speaker 2: Want to just share from this passage of Scripture and 14 00:00:44,040 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 2: just talk about what we find in Revelation twelve. So 15 00:00:48,240 --> 00:00:51,480 Speaker 2: this week I'm recording from my office from this studio 16 00:00:51,640 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 2: area where I record the other podcasts that I host 17 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:56,920 Speaker 2: as well. By the way, before I even get into 18 00:00:57,320 --> 00:01:00,080 Speaker 2: this week's text, I just want to remind you of 19 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:02,760 Speaker 2: my newest podcast, and I hope you're listening. If you 20 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:04,920 Speaker 2: haven't started listening, be sure to check it out. It's 21 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:08,000 Speaker 2: called the Chapter a Day Bible Study, so it's a 22 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 2: companion podcast to the Chapter a Day Audio Bible. But 23 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 2: the Chapter a Day Bible Study, it's a podcast that 24 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:17,440 Speaker 2: I do each and every day. It's a daily podcast 25 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:20,679 Speaker 2: where I'm just doing seven to ten minutes of teaching 26 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:24,679 Speaker 2: through each chapter of the Bible. And as I record 27 00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:28,199 Speaker 2: this right now, I am almost finished with the Book 28 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:32,480 Speaker 2: of Numbers. So we've done Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and now Numbers, 29 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 2: and in just a few short days we'll be starting 30 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:37,960 Speaker 2: the Book of Deuteronomy. So if you're interested in learning 31 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:40,400 Speaker 2: the scriptures, be sure to check out the Chapter a 32 00:01:40,520 --> 00:01:44,200 Speaker 2: Day Bible Study. If you forget the name of the 33 00:01:44,240 --> 00:01:46,720 Speaker 2: podcast and you just want to see a list of 34 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 2: the podcasts that I'm hosting, just head over to Bible 35 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:53,280 Speaker 2: Study Headquarters dot com click the podcast tab and you 36 00:01:53,320 --> 00:01:54,160 Speaker 2: can find them. 37 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:55,000 Speaker 1: All over there. 38 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:57,200 Speaker 2: But as I mentioned today, we're going to be looking 39 00:01:57,280 --> 00:02:00,440 Speaker 2: at Revelation chapter twelve. We're gonna look at the entire 40 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:04,120 Speaker 2: chapter during our time together today, and we'll be talking 41 00:02:04,160 --> 00:02:09,079 Speaker 2: here about the war in Heaven and Satan's defeat. 42 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 1: Now, let me set this up this way. 43 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:17,520 Speaker 2: Revelation chapter twelve, especially the first six verses, it introduces 44 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:20,520 Speaker 2: one of the most vivid and symbolic scenes in the 45 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:23,920 Speaker 2: entire book of Revelation. You have the apostle John. Starting 46 00:02:23,960 --> 00:02:26,200 Speaker 2: off this way, he says, and a great sign appeared 47 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 2: in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the 48 00:02:29,160 --> 00:02:32,600 Speaker 2: moon under her feet, and on her head a crown 49 00:02:32,840 --> 00:02:37,520 Speaker 2: of twelve stars. Now, from the very beginning, John tells 50 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:40,840 Speaker 2: us that this is a sign. So that word signals 51 00:02:40,880 --> 00:02:44,040 Speaker 2: that what we're reading is symbolic imagery that points to 52 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:48,919 Speaker 2: real people and real events in God's redemptive plan. The symbolism, 53 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:51,919 Speaker 2: I think it can feel mysterious at first, but when 54 00:02:51,919 --> 00:02:53,799 Speaker 2: we read it in the light of the rest of scripture, 55 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:56,800 Speaker 2: especially in light of what we're told in the Old Testament. 56 00:02:56,840 --> 00:02:58,800 Speaker 2: I'm going to be showing his several verses from the 57 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:02,320 Speaker 2: Old Testament that helped shed light on this specific passage, 58 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:05,639 Speaker 2: But I think that helps the meaning become clearer. 59 00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:06,720 Speaker 1: Now. 60 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:10,240 Speaker 2: The passage ultimately centers on Jesus, and it reminds us 61 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:14,160 Speaker 2: that from the moment he entered this world, Satan tried 62 00:03:14,200 --> 00:03:19,120 Speaker 2: to destroy him, and yet every attempt failed because God's 63 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:23,400 Speaker 2: plan of redemption is something that Satan cannot stop. So 64 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 2: what I want to do is I want to walk 65 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 2: through this scene and I want to see what it 66 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:30,600 Speaker 2: reveals about Christ and about the victory that He has 67 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:33,400 Speaker 2: secured for us. Now, I just read this verse one 68 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:35,520 Speaker 2: of Revelation twelve. I'm going to read it again. It says, 69 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 2: and a great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed 70 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:41,760 Speaker 2: with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and 71 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:46,920 Speaker 2: on her head a crown of twelve stars. So, for starters, 72 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:50,920 Speaker 2: who is this woman who's being spoken of here? Well, 73 00:03:50,960 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 2: some interpreters have suggested that she represents Mary, the mother 74 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:58,240 Speaker 2: of Jesus. Others have suggested that she represents the Church. 75 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:01,120 Speaker 2: But I think when we look carefully, but the imagery here, 76 00:04:01,160 --> 00:04:04,560 Speaker 2: and also the Old Testament background that undergirds a passage 77 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:07,960 Speaker 2: like this, I think the most consistent interpretation is that 78 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:12,480 Speaker 2: the woman that's spoken of here represents Israel. I actually 79 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:15,880 Speaker 2: think the imagery here echoes a dream that's recorded in Genesis. 80 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 2: When you go back to Genesis chapter thirty seven, you 81 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:21,479 Speaker 2: look at verses nine and ten. There you have Joseph 82 00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:25,039 Speaker 2: describing a vision where the sun and the moon and 83 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:28,680 Speaker 2: eleven stars bowed down to him and his father Jacob 84 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:32,799 Speaker 2: immediately recognized the symbolism in verse ten of Genesis thirty 85 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:35,440 Speaker 2: seven Jacob said this, He said, shall I and your 86 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:39,119 Speaker 2: mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves. 87 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:39,920 Speaker 1: To the ground before you. 88 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:44,520 Speaker 2: Now, in Joseph's dream, the sun represented Jacob, and the 89 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:49,560 Speaker 2: moon represented Rachel, and the stars represented the twelve tribes 90 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:55,360 Speaker 2: of Israel. Revelation twelve clearly draws from that very imagery. 91 00:04:55,480 --> 00:05:01,080 Speaker 2: The woman crowned with twelve stars represents the nation of Israel. 92 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:03,520 Speaker 2: And I bring that up because it would be through 93 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:07,600 Speaker 2: the nation of Israel that the Messiah would come. Through 94 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:11,440 Speaker 2: the nation of Israel, Jesus came now. Throughout the Old Testament, 95 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 2: Israel is often pictured as a woman or as a mother, 96 00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:19,800 Speaker 2: bringing forth God's purposes to the world. For example, when 97 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:22,840 Speaker 2: you go back to Isaiah fifty four, verses five and six, 98 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:27,240 Speaker 2: there Israel's described as a woman whom the Lord calls 99 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 2: his own. And then you can go to a place 100 00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:32,600 Speaker 2: like Micah chapter four, verse ten, and there it speaks 101 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:37,680 Speaker 2: of Zion experiencing labor pains, which is kind of interesting 102 00:05:37,720 --> 00:05:40,440 Speaker 2: because in Revelation chapter twelve, when you get to verse two, 103 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:44,640 Speaker 2: John continues this way. He says she was pregnant and 104 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:48,080 Speaker 2: was crying out in birth pains, and the agony of 105 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 2: giving birth. 106 00:05:49,640 --> 00:05:50,320 Speaker 1: Now again, this. 107 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:53,640 Speaker 2: Image captures the long history of Israel waiting for the 108 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:57,359 Speaker 2: promised Messiah. For centuries, the people of Israel carried the 109 00:05:57,360 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 2: hope that one day God would send a savior, and 110 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:02,800 Speaker 2: by the way, that promise began all the way back 111 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:06,920 Speaker 2: in Genesis chapter three. In Genesis three point fifteen, God 112 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:10,240 Speaker 2: says something. He actually tells the serpent in that passage, 113 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:13,320 Speaker 2: I will put enmity between you and the woman, in 114 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:17,320 Speaker 2: between your offspring and her offspring. He shall bruise your 115 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 2: head and you shall bruise his heel. From that moment forward, 116 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:25,799 Speaker 2: history moved toward the arrival of the one who would 117 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:30,320 Speaker 2: crush Satan. Jesus Christ would crush Satan. And that's what 118 00:06:30,440 --> 00:06:33,720 Speaker 2: history has been moving toward this work of Christ. Israel 119 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:38,400 Speaker 2: endured slavery, they endured exile, they endured persecution. We know 120 00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:43,000 Speaker 2: through looking through the Old Testament scriptures, they endured countless hardships. 121 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:46,039 Speaker 2: And yet through it all God preserved the nation. Why 122 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:48,599 Speaker 2: did He preserve the nation? Well for multiple reasons, but 123 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:51,440 Speaker 2: the biggest being the fact that the Messiah would come 124 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:55,120 Speaker 2: through them. And the labor pains that John describes they 125 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:59,760 Speaker 2: represent centuries of expectation, centuries of suffering leading to the 126 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:03,560 Speaker 2: ear of Christ. And I think this is important for 127 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:05,720 Speaker 2: a variety of reasons. But one of the reasons it's 128 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:08,720 Speaker 2: important is because it reminds us of something important about 129 00:07:08,720 --> 00:07:14,800 Speaker 2: God's faithfulness. God always keeps his promises, even when centuries passed, 130 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:19,600 Speaker 2: even when circumstances seem impossible, even when evil seems to 131 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 2: be winning, God remains faithful. God always keeps his promises well. 132 00:07:26,040 --> 00:07:29,800 Speaker 2: Coming back to Revelation twelve, verse three, John introduces a 133 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:33,280 Speaker 2: terrifying figure here. In verse three, he says, and another 134 00:07:33,360 --> 00:07:37,680 Speaker 2: sign appeared in heaven. Behold a great red dragon with 135 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:43,480 Speaker 2: seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. 136 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:47,680 Speaker 2: Now this dragon that John is speaking of here, this 137 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:52,280 Speaker 2: dragon represents Satan himself, which Revelation explicitly confirms later in 138 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 2: the chapter. We'll see when we get to verse nine, 139 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:57,120 Speaker 2: it tells us specifically that this is Satan. And by 140 00:07:57,120 --> 00:07:58,800 Speaker 2: the way, here when it says that he's a great 141 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 2: red dragon, this is where a lot of the imagery 142 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 2: that pictures Satan is being, you know, like with horns 143 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 2: and red and things like that that you see almost 144 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:13,720 Speaker 2: in comic literature. That's where some of that imagery comes 145 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:16,720 Speaker 2: from Revelation chapter twelve, verse three, where he's referred to 146 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:20,520 Speaker 2: as a great red dragon. But ultimately this imagery is 147 00:08:20,560 --> 00:08:24,600 Speaker 2: trying to reflect the destructive power and the influence that 148 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:28,160 Speaker 2: Satan exercises in the world. And here it talks about 149 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:31,000 Speaker 2: seven heads, and it talks about ten horns. Well, the 150 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:33,480 Speaker 2: seven heads and the ten horns, they point to his 151 00:08:33,640 --> 00:08:39,280 Speaker 2: influence over earthly kingdoms and political systems. Throughout history, Satan 152 00:08:39,280 --> 00:08:43,880 Speaker 2: has worked through rulers and various empires to attempt to 153 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 2: oppose God's purposes. Well, then John continues and we're told 154 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 2: in verse four that his tales swept down a third 155 00:08:51,559 --> 00:08:55,040 Speaker 2: of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. 156 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:59,640 Speaker 2: Many interpreters understand this as a reference to Satan's rebellion 157 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:04,200 Speaker 2: before human history began. Now, when Satan fell, he led 158 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:08,880 Speaker 2: a large number of angels into rebellion against God. These 159 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:13,199 Speaker 2: fallen angels became what we now know as demons. But then, 160 00:09:13,559 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 2: when you continue verse four, what comes next is rather chilling. 161 00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:19,480 Speaker 2: It says, and the dragon stood before the woman who 162 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:22,040 Speaker 2: was about to give birth, so that when she bore 163 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:26,319 Speaker 2: her child, he might devour it. Well, this is Satan's 164 00:09:26,320 --> 00:09:30,679 Speaker 2: strategy throughout scripture. From the very beginning. He has tried 165 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:34,480 Speaker 2: to stop the arrival of the Messiah. And just think 166 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:36,200 Speaker 2: about this for a moment here, because you can think 167 00:09:36,240 --> 00:09:40,000 Speaker 2: about many moments in biblical history when the Messianic line 168 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 2: seemed like it might be about to be destroyed. I'll 169 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:46,679 Speaker 2: give you a few examples. Going back to Exodus, chapter one, 170 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:48,600 Speaker 2: verse twenty two. You have Pharaoh. 171 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:49,320 Speaker 1: What does he do. 172 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:52,880 Speaker 2: He orders the killing of the Hebrew baby boys. And 173 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:54,959 Speaker 2: if he succeeded in that, what would have happened to 174 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:59,160 Speaker 2: the Messianic line. Well, he would have stopped this lineage, 175 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:02,120 Speaker 2: this Messianic line, this line of people that ultimately lead 176 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:06,240 Speaker 2: to the birth of Jesus Christ, where Christ came to 177 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:09,560 Speaker 2: this earth and took on flesh. Right Pharaoh not even 178 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:11,960 Speaker 2: knowing why he was being influenced to do this. This 179 00:10:12,120 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 2: was Satan's attempt to stop God from taking on human 180 00:10:16,040 --> 00:10:19,560 Speaker 2: flesh and coming through this promised line. Or how about 181 00:10:19,679 --> 00:10:23,079 Speaker 2: Queen Atheliah. Now, Queen Athelia not one of the most 182 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:26,720 Speaker 2: known people in scripture, but when you get to Second 183 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:30,559 Speaker 2: King's chapter eleven, verse one, she attempts to destroy the 184 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:33,280 Speaker 2: royal line of David. Again, you could see that in 185 00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:37,280 Speaker 2: Second King's chapter eleven. Then later when we get into 186 00:10:37,280 --> 00:10:40,360 Speaker 2: the Gospel of Matthew, in Matthew chapter two, verse sixteen, 187 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:43,120 Speaker 2: you have King Herod there. And what does King Herod 188 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:46,760 Speaker 2: do Well, he ordered the massacre of infants in Bethlehem 189 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:49,560 Speaker 2: after hearing about the birth of Jesus. So you see 190 00:10:49,559 --> 00:10:54,600 Speaker 2: Exodus one, Second King's eleven Matthew two multiple times when 191 00:10:54,720 --> 00:10:58,720 Speaker 2: Satan tries to work through human leaders, human rulers to 192 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:02,960 Speaker 2: attempt to dis the messianic line that led to Jesus Christ. 193 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:05,840 Speaker 2: Again and again you have Satan attempting to do this, 194 00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:10,000 Speaker 2: basically attempting to eliminate the promised Savior before he could 195 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:16,440 Speaker 2: accomplish his mission. But every single attempt failed. Why Well, 196 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:20,679 Speaker 2: because God was preserving his son for a purpose. Coming 197 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:23,400 Speaker 2: back to Revelation twelve and verse five, John writes this. 198 00:11:23,480 --> 00:11:27,120 Speaker 2: He says, she gave birth to a male child, one 199 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:30,439 Speaker 2: who is to rule all the nations with a rod 200 00:11:30,640 --> 00:11:36,160 Speaker 2: of iron. Now this child is unmistakably Jesus Christ. The 201 00:11:36,160 --> 00:11:39,439 Speaker 2: phrase rule all the nations with a rod of iron, 202 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:42,680 Speaker 2: that's actually a phrase that comes from Psalm chapter two, 203 00:11:42,800 --> 00:11:45,959 Speaker 2: verse nine, which is a Messianic prophecy about the reign 204 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:49,439 Speaker 2: of God's anointed king. Psalm chapter two, by the way, 205 00:11:49,520 --> 00:11:52,720 Speaker 2: describes a world in rebellion against God. And yet that 206 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:56,800 Speaker 2: chapter that Psalm it concludes with the Lord installing his 207 00:11:56,960 --> 00:12:01,440 Speaker 2: chosen king over all the nations. Jesus is that king. 208 00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:04,480 Speaker 2: He was born into the world through the nation of Israel, 209 00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:08,120 Speaker 2: and his birth fulfilled centuries of prophecy. I'll give you 210 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:12,000 Speaker 2: another example from Isaiah chapter nine, verse six. Isaiah nine 211 00:12:12,120 --> 00:12:15,000 Speaker 2: foetold the coming Messiah. There were told this, and we 212 00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:18,080 Speaker 2: often read this passage of scripture at Christmas time. But 213 00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:20,880 Speaker 2: there it says, for to us a child is born, 214 00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:25,600 Speaker 2: to us a son is given, and the government shall 215 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:30,280 Speaker 2: be upon his shoulder. Likewise, the prophet Micah in Micah 216 00:12:30,320 --> 00:12:33,960 Speaker 2: chapter five, verse two, also predicted that the Messiah would 217 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:36,240 Speaker 2: be born where in Bethlehem? 218 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:38,120 Speaker 1: And what do we see? 219 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 2: Every detail it unfolded exactly as God promised. And yet 220 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:47,120 Speaker 2: the book of Revelation quickly moves from Christ's birth to 221 00:12:47,280 --> 00:12:51,160 Speaker 2: his ultimate triumph. Again, looking at verse five in Revelation twelve, 222 00:12:51,559 --> 00:12:54,040 Speaker 2: we're told this, but her child was caught up to 223 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:57,839 Speaker 2: God and to his throne. By the way, that brief 224 00:12:57,840 --> 00:13:01,760 Speaker 2: phrase basically summarizes the entire earthly ministry of Jesus. He 225 00:13:01,960 --> 00:13:04,960 Speaker 2: was born, he lived a sinless life, he died for 226 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 2: our sins. He rose from the dead, and he ascended 227 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:11,600 Speaker 2: into heaven, where he now reigns at the right hand 228 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:15,439 Speaker 2: of the Father. Satan tried to destroy him, but instead 229 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:19,960 Speaker 2: Jesus conquered sin, and conquered death, and conquered Hell, and 230 00:13:20,040 --> 00:13:23,439 Speaker 2: one day he will return to rule the nations, exactly 231 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:28,320 Speaker 2: as Psalm chapter two foretold. But now, after describing this 232 00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:32,040 Speaker 2: ascension of Christ, as John is talking about all these 233 00:13:32,080 --> 00:13:35,720 Speaker 2: things in Revelation twelve, he now turns his attention back 234 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:39,080 Speaker 2: to the woman. In verse six, he says, and the 235 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:42,120 Speaker 2: woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place 236 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 2: prepared by God in which she is to be nourished 237 00:13:45,640 --> 00:13:49,440 Speaker 2: for one thousand, two hundred and sixty days. Now I 238 00:13:49,520 --> 00:13:51,880 Speaker 2: believe that this verse points forward to the events that 239 00:13:51,960 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 2: take place during the future tribulation period. That one two 240 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:59,080 Speaker 2: hundred and sixty days that's referenced here that equals three 241 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:01,880 Speaker 2: and a half years, which, by the way, corresponds to 242 00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:04,720 Speaker 2: the final half of the seven year tribulation that's described 243 00:14:04,920 --> 00:14:09,320 Speaker 2: in Daniel chapter nine, verse twenty seven. During that particular time, 244 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:14,560 Speaker 2: during that tribulation period, Satan will intensify his persecution of Israel. 245 00:14:14,960 --> 00:14:17,720 Speaker 2: But even then, what does scripture reveal to us that 246 00:14:17,760 --> 00:14:21,040 Speaker 2: God's going to do. God is going to protect a 247 00:14:21,200 --> 00:14:25,320 Speaker 2: remnant of his people. Well, this protection fulfills many Old 248 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:30,440 Speaker 2: Testament promises that God will preserve Israel and ultimately restore them. 249 00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:32,600 Speaker 2: I mentioned that we're going to look at a variety 250 00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 2: of things from the Old Testament. We've already done so, 251 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:38,920 Speaker 2: but I want to show you yet another. Zechariah chapter twelve, 252 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:42,880 Speaker 2: verse ten. That portion of scripture, it foretells a future 253 00:14:42,880 --> 00:14:46,720 Speaker 2: moment when the people of Israel will actually recognize Jesus 254 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:50,560 Speaker 2: as their messiah. That passage Zechariah twelve to ten says, 255 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:54,320 Speaker 2: they will look on me on him they have pierced, 256 00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:57,800 Speaker 2: and they shall mourn for him. They will look on 257 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:01,520 Speaker 2: me on him whom they have pierced, and they shall 258 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:07,280 Speaker 2: mourn for him. It's a powerful portion of God's word. Likewise, 259 00:15:07,280 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 2: we see in Romans chapter eleven, verse twenty six. There 260 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:14,080 Speaker 2: that passage declares, and in this way all Israel will 261 00:15:14,080 --> 00:15:18,440 Speaker 2: be saved so taking those things together, what conclusion can 262 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:21,720 Speaker 2: we draw. Well, I look at this and I say, 263 00:15:21,760 --> 00:15:25,600 Speaker 2: all right, God isn't finished with Israel based on what 264 00:15:25,640 --> 00:15:27,880 Speaker 2: we see in scripture. I look at this and I think, 265 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:31,360 Speaker 2: all right, it's clear that He continues to preserve them 266 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:34,640 Speaker 2: according to his covenant promises. Even during the darkest days 267 00:15:34,680 --> 00:15:38,520 Speaker 2: of the future tribulation period, God's going to sustain and 268 00:15:38,560 --> 00:15:41,080 Speaker 2: He's going to protect those who belong to him. And 269 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:45,280 Speaker 2: we're told about that in these portions of Scripture. Now, 270 00:15:45,360 --> 00:15:49,520 Speaker 2: Revelation chapter twelve reminds us that behind the events of 271 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:53,160 Speaker 2: human history is a spiritual battle. There is a spiritual 272 00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:56,600 Speaker 2: battle taking place. That battle's taking place even now because 273 00:15:56,680 --> 00:16:00,800 Speaker 2: Satan hates Jesus, and because he hates you Jesus, he 274 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:04,960 Speaker 2: opposes everything connected to Christ. He attacked the nation of Israel. 275 00:16:05,040 --> 00:16:08,280 Speaker 2: Why because the Messiah would come through them. He tried 276 00:16:08,320 --> 00:16:11,640 Speaker 2: to destroy Jesus during his earthly life, and even today 277 00:16:11,880 --> 00:16:15,000 Speaker 2: he continues to oppose the people who belong to Christ. 278 00:16:15,240 --> 00:16:18,880 Speaker 2: We see example after example after example of that. And 279 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:22,200 Speaker 2: the apostle Peter actually warned believers about this reality when 280 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:24,560 Speaker 2: he wrote this in One Peter five eight. He says, 281 00:16:24,760 --> 00:16:27,160 Speaker 2: you know basically understand what Satan's up to. He says, 282 00:16:27,440 --> 00:16:31,800 Speaker 2: your adversary, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, 283 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 2: seeking someone to devour. And if that's all Scripture said, 284 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:40,960 Speaker 2: that would be rather intimidating. That would be rather freaky 285 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:43,200 Speaker 2: to have to dwell on for any length of time. 286 00:16:43,360 --> 00:16:47,480 Speaker 2: But here's the encouraging truth. Satan is powerful, but he 287 00:16:47,560 --> 00:16:53,000 Speaker 2: isn't victorious. Jesus already defeated him at the cross. Now 288 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:55,760 Speaker 2: why do I say that? Well, in Colossians chapter two, 289 00:16:55,840 --> 00:16:58,880 Speaker 2: verse fifteen, we read that through his death and his resurrection, 290 00:16:59,360 --> 00:17:03,880 Speaker 2: Jesus cried quote, disarm the rulers and authorities and put 291 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:08,000 Speaker 2: them to open shame by triumphing over them. So that 292 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:11,679 Speaker 2: means Satan's defeat is certain, and that also means that 293 00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:16,120 Speaker 2: Revelation twelve is part of that larger story of victory. 294 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:20,080 Speaker 2: But let's start thinking about this not just from a 295 00:17:20,119 --> 00:17:24,160 Speaker 2: theological standpoint, not just from a historical standpoint, but let's 296 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:27,360 Speaker 2: also start thinking about what this actually means for you 297 00:17:27,960 --> 00:17:31,080 Speaker 2: and for me, because it's consequential. I think it's easy 298 00:17:31,119 --> 00:17:34,679 Speaker 2: to read passages like this and basically just think of 299 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:38,199 Speaker 2: them in terms of future prophecy, But I think that 300 00:17:38,240 --> 00:17:41,280 Speaker 2: we're supposed to take something deeply personal from a passage 301 00:17:41,280 --> 00:17:41,520 Speaker 2: like this. 302 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 1: There's actually some. 303 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:48,440 Speaker 2: High level encouragement here because, first of all, like all 304 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:51,239 Speaker 2: of Revelation, we see that this passage as well. It 305 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:54,320 Speaker 2: reminds us that God is in control of history. I've 306 00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:57,760 Speaker 2: mentioned that multiple times as we've been studying Revelation together. 307 00:17:57,800 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 2: I mentioned that to my church family. I mentioned that 308 00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:03,480 Speaker 2: here on our podcast. God is in control of history. 309 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:07,640 Speaker 2: For thousands of years, Satan attempted to derail God's plan 310 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:10,399 Speaker 2: of redemption. He attempted to do that multiple ways, and 311 00:18:10,480 --> 00:18:15,720 Speaker 2: yet every attempt failed, God's promises moved forward exactly as 312 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:18,439 Speaker 2: he intended, And the same is true in our lives. 313 00:18:18,520 --> 00:18:22,240 Speaker 2: Sometimes I think the circumstances we face can feel chaotic. 314 00:18:22,720 --> 00:18:24,480 Speaker 2: I think they can feel overwhelming. 315 00:18:25,560 --> 00:18:27,359 Speaker 1: I have in the past few years. 316 00:18:27,359 --> 00:18:30,120 Speaker 2: I'm just just to make this a little bit personal 317 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:30,919 Speaker 2: just for a second. 318 00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:31,080 Speaker 1: Here. 319 00:18:31,119 --> 00:18:33,440 Speaker 2: There are things, and I really haven't mentioned some of 320 00:18:33,480 --> 00:18:37,520 Speaker 2: these things here on the podcast because there's certain aspects 321 00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:40,919 Speaker 2: I guess of our personal lives that maybe you just 322 00:18:40,960 --> 00:18:44,240 Speaker 2: don't air to the public all the time. But I 323 00:18:44,240 --> 00:18:46,520 Speaker 2: have to tell you there's some really challenging things that 324 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:49,400 Speaker 2: over the past four or five years that I've gone through, 325 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:52,719 Speaker 2: that my family has gone through some things that really 326 00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:55,880 Speaker 2: tested my faith in new ways. I trusted the Lord 327 00:18:55,960 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 2: through these things, and I've had the blessing and privilege 328 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:03,560 Speaker 2: to watch the Lord answer certain prayers. And there's certain 329 00:19:03,600 --> 00:19:06,639 Speaker 2: things that he has me still trusting in him and 330 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:10,240 Speaker 2: praying about and waiting on him to see how and 331 00:19:10,320 --> 00:19:14,520 Speaker 2: when he responds. I have faith, I genuinely do, but 332 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:16,280 Speaker 2: I have to tell you there's been a few things 333 00:19:16,320 --> 00:19:19,399 Speaker 2: that have genuinely stretched my faith. And I think sometimes 334 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:23,520 Speaker 2: when we see suffering or conflict or uncertainty around us, 335 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:28,240 Speaker 2: we just maybe feel like things are just devolving into chaos, 336 00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:32,760 Speaker 2: and we worry that somehow our lives or our circumstances 337 00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 2: are out of control. But the truth is God has 338 00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:37,920 Speaker 2: not lost control. Your life is not out of control, 339 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:40,640 Speaker 2: My life is not out of control. History isn't out 340 00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:44,320 Speaker 2: of control. The same God who preserved Israel, the same 341 00:19:44,359 --> 00:19:47,879 Speaker 2: God who sent his son, the same God who defeated 342 00:19:47,960 --> 00:19:53,200 Speaker 2: Satan and will ultimately demonstrate that defeat in a powerful 343 00:19:53,240 --> 00:19:58,080 Speaker 2: way in the soon to becoming future. That same God 344 00:19:58,119 --> 00:20:01,760 Speaker 2: is still guiding history toward its final conclusion. So remember, 345 00:20:01,960 --> 00:20:04,160 Speaker 2: God is in control. But something else that I think 346 00:20:04,160 --> 00:20:06,480 Speaker 2: we could take from this passage is this. I think 347 00:20:06,520 --> 00:20:10,000 Speaker 2: this passage also reminds us that Jesus is indeed the 348 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:14,119 Speaker 2: victorious king. The child born through Israel didn't remain a 349 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:18,040 Speaker 2: vulnerable infant. He rose from the grave, he ascended into heaven, 350 00:20:18,119 --> 00:20:21,320 Speaker 2: and now he reigns from the throne of God. And 351 00:20:21,359 --> 00:20:24,320 Speaker 2: one day he's going to return to establish his kingdom 352 00:20:24,520 --> 00:20:29,199 Speaker 2: on earth. So when we place our trust in Jesus Christ, 353 00:20:29,720 --> 00:20:32,760 Speaker 2: we align ourselves with the winning side of history. I 354 00:20:32,760 --> 00:20:35,000 Speaker 2: think a third application that we can take from a 355 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:38,399 Speaker 2: portion of scripture like this is this. This passage encourages 356 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:42,840 Speaker 2: us to remain faithful even in the middle of spiritual opposition. 357 00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:45,240 Speaker 2: Even if you sense that you're going through some form 358 00:20:45,320 --> 00:20:51,080 Speaker 2: of spiritual opposition right now, remain faithful. Satan couldn't stop Jesus, 359 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:56,320 Speaker 2: and ultimately he can't defeat those who belong to Christ. Now, yes, 360 00:20:56,440 --> 00:21:01,560 Speaker 2: believers still experienced trials. Yes believers still experience spiritual battles, 361 00:21:02,080 --> 00:21:07,560 Speaker 2: but our future is secure because Jesus has already won. 362 00:21:08,280 --> 00:21:12,240 Speaker 2: I think Revelation is ultimately a reminder that the story 363 00:21:12,320 --> 00:21:15,840 Speaker 2: of scripture centers on Jesus, from the promise we see 364 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:18,359 Speaker 2: back in Genesis three point fifteen to the birth of 365 00:21:18,440 --> 00:21:21,960 Speaker 2: Christ in Bethlehem, from the Cross to the empty tomb, 366 00:21:22,359 --> 00:21:25,600 Speaker 2: the Bible tells the story of God's plan to rescue 367 00:21:25,720 --> 00:21:29,960 Speaker 2: humanity through his son, and Satan opposed that plan at 368 00:21:30,040 --> 00:21:37,040 Speaker 2: every step, but he failed. Jesus came, Jesus died, Jesus rose, 369 00:21:37,800 --> 00:21:41,680 Speaker 2: and Jesus reigns, and one day soon he will return. 370 00:21:42,560 --> 00:21:44,919 Speaker 2: Until that day, what do we do? We live with 371 00:21:45,080 --> 00:21:48,760 Speaker 2: confidence in the victory that Christ has already secured. So 372 00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:51,640 Speaker 2: when you read passages like Revelation twelve, don't just see 373 00:21:51,760 --> 00:21:56,760 Speaker 2: mystery imagery. Here, see the larger story unfolding. See God's 374 00:21:56,760 --> 00:22:03,280 Speaker 2: faithfulness across the centuries, d Satan's defeated rebellion, and most importantly, 375 00:22:03,320 --> 00:22:06,399 Speaker 2: see the victorious king who came to rescue us. The 376 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:10,120 Speaker 2: dragon tried to devour the child, but the child now 377 00:22:10,160 --> 00:22:13,520 Speaker 2: sits on the throne, and because of Jesus, the final 378 00:22:13,840 --> 00:22:18,080 Speaker 2: victory is already assured. But now continuing our look at 379 00:22:18,080 --> 00:22:20,479 Speaker 2: the rest of this chapter. As we get into verses 380 00:22:20,520 --> 00:22:24,080 Speaker 2: seven through seventeen, that part of this passage it actually 381 00:22:24,119 --> 00:22:27,320 Speaker 2: pulls back the curtain on a reality that we rarely see, 382 00:22:27,640 --> 00:22:32,120 Speaker 2: but we certainly feel. It shows us the spiritual battle 383 00:22:32,640 --> 00:22:35,640 Speaker 2: that has been taking place behind the scenes of human 384 00:22:35,720 --> 00:22:40,320 Speaker 2: history for centuries and centuries. The passage reminds us that 385 00:22:40,359 --> 00:22:45,399 Speaker 2: the struggle between good and evil isn't just philosophical or cultural, 386 00:22:46,040 --> 00:22:49,760 Speaker 2: it's spiritual. And at the center of that battle stands 387 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:53,600 Speaker 2: whom Jesus Christ, the one who has already secured the 388 00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:56,680 Speaker 2: final victory. Look at verse seven of Revelation twelve. It says, 389 00:22:56,880 --> 00:23:00,400 Speaker 2: now war arose in heaven, Michael and his aim angels 390 00:23:00,440 --> 00:23:04,320 Speaker 2: fighting against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels 391 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:09,360 Speaker 2: fought back. This moment takes place during the tribulation period 392 00:23:09,359 --> 00:23:10,920 Speaker 2: that's described throughout Revelation. 393 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:12,679 Speaker 1: I believe that's when this is taking place. 394 00:23:12,880 --> 00:23:15,080 Speaker 2: And by the way, that tribulation period, that's the seven 395 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:18,960 Speaker 2: year tribulation that unfolds after the Church is removed from 396 00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:22,280 Speaker 2: the earth in the Rapture. During that time, God will 397 00:23:22,320 --> 00:23:25,720 Speaker 2: resume his prophetic dealings with Israel. He's going to bring 398 00:23:25,760 --> 00:23:29,520 Speaker 2: the world to the culmination of his redemptive plan. And 399 00:23:29,560 --> 00:23:32,000 Speaker 2: in the middle of that period we're told about this 400 00:23:32,119 --> 00:23:36,040 Speaker 2: dramatic event here in verse seven that takes place in heaven. 401 00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:39,480 Speaker 2: Michael and the Michael who is the archangel by the way, 402 00:23:39,680 --> 00:23:42,879 Speaker 2: he leads the forces of God against Satan and against 403 00:23:42,880 --> 00:23:46,919 Speaker 2: Satan's demons. Michael isn't a new figure in scripture, by 404 00:23:46,920 --> 00:23:49,159 Speaker 2: the way, going back to Daniel chapter ten, and by 405 00:23:49,160 --> 00:23:50,520 Speaker 2: the way, I've often heard it said that if you 406 00:23:50,560 --> 00:23:53,320 Speaker 2: want to understand the Book of Revelation, it's very helpful 407 00:23:53,359 --> 00:23:56,040 Speaker 2: to read the Book of Daniel, either alongside it or 408 00:23:56,119 --> 00:24:00,320 Speaker 2: before you attempt to read the Book of Revelation. Daniel 409 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:06,520 Speaker 2: chapter ten, verse thirteen, Michael appears as a powerful angelic 410 00:24:06,600 --> 00:24:09,400 Speaker 2: protector of God's people. And then when you get into 411 00:24:09,440 --> 00:24:13,399 Speaker 2: Daniel chapter twelve, verse one, he specifically described as the 412 00:24:13,440 --> 00:24:17,280 Speaker 2: one who stands watch over Israel. So that's fascinating. He 413 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:21,359 Speaker 2: watches over Israel. So when this heavenly battle occurs, Michael 414 00:24:21,440 --> 00:24:26,040 Speaker 2: is once again acting as a defender of God's covenant people. Now, 415 00:24:26,160 --> 00:24:30,080 Speaker 2: Revelation twelve eight says this of Satan. It says, but 416 00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:33,600 Speaker 2: he was defeated and there was no longer any place 417 00:24:33,600 --> 00:24:38,040 Speaker 2: for them in heaven. Now Satan has had limited access 418 00:24:38,080 --> 00:24:40,200 Speaker 2: to Heaven throughout the course of history. In the Book 419 00:24:40,240 --> 00:24:44,520 Speaker 2: of Job chapter one, that shows him appearing before God, 420 00:24:44,600 --> 00:24:45,720 Speaker 2: and what he's doing there. 421 00:24:45,640 --> 00:24:46,960 Speaker 1: Is he's accusing job. 422 00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:51,880 Speaker 2: Likewise, the Book of Zechariah, chapter three describes Satan standing 423 00:24:51,920 --> 00:24:56,639 Speaker 2: before the Lord to accuse the high priest Joshua. But 424 00:24:56,720 --> 00:25:01,240 Speaker 2: this passage describes a turning point during tribulation. Satan and 425 00:25:01,280 --> 00:25:05,879 Speaker 2: his demons will be permanently expelled from heaven. Revelation twelve 426 00:25:05,960 --> 00:25:09,000 Speaker 2: nine says, and the great dragon was thrown down that 427 00:25:09,160 --> 00:25:12,400 Speaker 2: ancient serpent, who is called the devil, and Satan the 428 00:25:12,440 --> 00:25:16,679 Speaker 2: deceiver of the whole world. Notice the titles that are 429 00:25:16,760 --> 00:25:20,480 Speaker 2: used here. He's called the dragon, emphasizing his destructive nature. 430 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:24,040 Speaker 2: He's called the ancient serpent that connects him to the deception. 431 00:25:24,200 --> 00:25:28,440 Speaker 2: In Genesis three, he's also called the devil, meaning slanderer, 432 00:25:28,800 --> 00:25:33,680 Speaker 2: and he's called Satan, which actually means adversary. He opposes 433 00:25:33,760 --> 00:25:37,040 Speaker 2: the work of God, he opposes God's people. Every one 434 00:25:37,080 --> 00:25:40,719 Speaker 2: of those names reveals something about Satan's character. He deceives, 435 00:25:40,920 --> 00:25:47,639 Speaker 2: he accuses, he opposes, and he destroys. But despite his activity, 436 00:25:48,440 --> 00:25:52,280 Speaker 2: his defeat is certain. And John then hears a loud 437 00:25:52,400 --> 00:25:55,600 Speaker 2: proclamation in heaven. In verse ten, we read, now the 438 00:25:55,640 --> 00:25:59,560 Speaker 2: salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God 439 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:04,120 Speaker 2: and the authority of his Christ have come. So why 440 00:26:04,200 --> 00:26:08,000 Speaker 2: is Heaven celebrating here? Well, it's celebrating because Satan, the 441 00:26:08,040 --> 00:26:11,720 Speaker 2: great accuser, has been thrown down. And the verse continues. 442 00:26:11,840 --> 00:26:15,520 Speaker 2: Verse ten says, for the accuser of our brothers has 443 00:26:15,560 --> 00:26:18,760 Speaker 2: been thrown down. Who accuses them day and night before 444 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:23,520 Speaker 2: our God? For centuries, Satan has attempted to condemn God's 445 00:26:23,520 --> 00:26:26,160 Speaker 2: people by pointing to their sin. And if we're honest, 446 00:26:26,200 --> 00:26:28,600 Speaker 2: he doesn't have to look very hard. I think every 447 00:26:28,600 --> 00:26:31,520 Speaker 2: believer knows what it's like to wrestle with guilt and failure. 448 00:26:31,560 --> 00:26:34,679 Speaker 2: We all struggle in so many areas. But here's the 449 00:26:34,680 --> 00:26:39,000 Speaker 2: good news of the Gospel. Jesus has already answered every accusation. 450 00:26:39,520 --> 00:26:41,720 Speaker 2: In fact, in Romans chapter eight, verses thirty three and 451 00:26:41,760 --> 00:26:44,679 Speaker 2: thirty four, it says this, who shall bring any charge 452 00:26:44,680 --> 00:26:48,840 Speaker 2: against God's elect It is God who justifies, who is 453 00:26:48,920 --> 00:26:50,520 Speaker 2: to condemn Christ. 454 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:52,960 Speaker 1: Jesus is the one who died. 455 00:26:53,600 --> 00:26:58,720 Speaker 2: So what's that telling us? Well, Satan accuses, but Jesus defends. 456 00:26:59,400 --> 00:27:02,520 Speaker 2: Because Jesus this gave his life for us, those accusations 457 00:27:03,040 --> 00:27:05,560 Speaker 2: they no longer have power over us. And that's why 458 00:27:05,640 --> 00:27:09,600 Speaker 2: Heaven celebrates now. John continues with a powerful description of 459 00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:13,360 Speaker 2: how believers overcome the enemy. Verse eleven says, and they 460 00:27:13,359 --> 00:27:16,600 Speaker 2: have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and 461 00:27:16,640 --> 00:27:20,840 Speaker 2: by the word of their testimony. Victory doesn't come through 462 00:27:20,960 --> 00:27:23,879 Speaker 2: human strength. It comes through the blood of the Lamb, 463 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:29,000 Speaker 2: the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross. When Jesus died, 464 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:33,000 Speaker 2: he paid the penalty for our sin completely. Nothing remains unpaid, 465 00:27:33,400 --> 00:27:38,879 Speaker 2: nothing remains unresolved. His sacrifice secured our redemption, and because 466 00:27:38,880 --> 00:27:42,000 Speaker 2: of that, believers can stand firm in their testimony about Christ. 467 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:44,840 Speaker 2: And the verse then ends with the challenging statement it says, 468 00:27:44,840 --> 00:27:49,639 Speaker 2: for they love not their lives, even unto death. Now, 469 00:27:50,480 --> 00:27:53,400 Speaker 2: based on what Scripture reveals to us during the tribulation period, 470 00:27:53,480 --> 00:27:55,879 Speaker 2: during that seven year period of time, at time of 471 00:27:55,960 --> 00:27:59,600 Speaker 2: judgment on this earth, many believers are going to face 472 00:27:59,640 --> 00:28:03,800 Speaker 2: intense persecution. Scripture doesn't mince words about that their faith 473 00:28:03,800 --> 00:28:07,280 Speaker 2: in Christ will literally cost them their earthly lives, and 474 00:28:07,359 --> 00:28:10,639 Speaker 2: yet they will remain faithful because they know that Jesus 475 00:28:10,760 --> 00:28:14,480 Speaker 2: is worth more than anything this world offers. That kind 476 00:28:14,520 --> 00:28:17,600 Speaker 2: of faith reminds us that our hope isn't anchored in comfort, 477 00:28:17,960 --> 00:28:21,240 Speaker 2: and our hope isn't anchored in safety. Our hope is 478 00:28:21,320 --> 00:28:25,639 Speaker 2: literally anchored in Jesus Christ. But Satan's defeat in heaven 479 00:28:25,760 --> 00:28:28,840 Speaker 2: leads to something troubling on this earth. John writes in 480 00:28:28,880 --> 00:28:32,640 Speaker 2: Revelation twelve twelve, But woe to you, oh Earth and sea, 481 00:28:33,560 --> 00:28:35,760 Speaker 2: for the devil has come down to you in great 482 00:28:35,760 --> 00:28:41,280 Speaker 2: wrath because he knows that his time is short. Satan 483 00:28:41,360 --> 00:28:45,120 Speaker 2: understands something that many people forget. His time is limited. 484 00:28:45,720 --> 00:28:49,080 Speaker 2: He knows that Jesus will ultimately destroy him, so during 485 00:28:49,080 --> 00:28:52,840 Speaker 2: the tribulation he will intensify his efforts to oppose God 486 00:28:53,280 --> 00:28:57,000 Speaker 2: and to persecute God's people. And then John describes his 487 00:28:57,160 --> 00:29:01,000 Speaker 2: focus on Israel in particular in verse thirteen, read and 488 00:29:01,040 --> 00:29:03,640 Speaker 2: when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down 489 00:29:03,680 --> 00:29:06,720 Speaker 2: to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given 490 00:29:06,880 --> 00:29:09,800 Speaker 2: birth to the male child. By the way, this is 491 00:29:09,840 --> 00:29:14,760 Speaker 2: a passage that demonstrates that, indeed, this imagery of a 492 00:29:14,800 --> 00:29:17,800 Speaker 2: woman is speaking of Israel, not some of the other 493 00:29:17,880 --> 00:29:22,600 Speaker 2: options that people have suggested throughout the years. Earlier in 494 00:29:22,720 --> 00:29:26,200 Speaker 2: the chapter, the woman represented Israel, right. We were talking 495 00:29:26,280 --> 00:29:28,960 Speaker 2: about that the nation through whom the Messiah came well 496 00:29:29,040 --> 00:29:33,080 Speaker 2: during the tribulation. Satan's going to target Israel were shown 497 00:29:33,080 --> 00:29:36,880 Speaker 2: here with intense hostility, and yet God will protect a 498 00:29:36,960 --> 00:29:39,960 Speaker 2: remnant of people. Looking at verse fourteen, we read, but 499 00:29:40,040 --> 00:29:43,240 Speaker 2: the woman was given the two wings of the Great 500 00:29:43,320 --> 00:29:46,680 Speaker 2: Eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into 501 00:29:46,760 --> 00:29:51,240 Speaker 2: the wilderness. By the way, this imagery echoes Exodus nineteen four, 502 00:29:51,360 --> 00:29:54,800 Speaker 2: where God literally told Israel that he carried them on 503 00:29:55,840 --> 00:30:00,400 Speaker 2: eagle's wings out of Egypt. So just as God detected 504 00:30:00,480 --> 00:30:04,520 Speaker 2: Israel in the past, He's going to again preserve his 505 00:30:04,680 --> 00:30:09,240 Speaker 2: people during the tribulation. Even Satan's attempt to destroy them 506 00:30:09,280 --> 00:30:14,120 Speaker 2: will fail. And finally the dragon turns his anger toward others. 507 00:30:14,160 --> 00:30:17,040 Speaker 2: In verse seventeen of Revelation twelve, we read this, then 508 00:30:17,080 --> 00:30:19,760 Speaker 2: the dragon became furious with the woman and went off 509 00:30:19,800 --> 00:30:22,600 Speaker 2: to make war on the rest of her offspring, on 510 00:30:22,680 --> 00:30:26,040 Speaker 2: those who keep the commandments of God and hold to 511 00:30:26,080 --> 00:30:31,360 Speaker 2: the testimony of Jesus. Basically, Satan's hatred ultimately targets anyone 512 00:30:31,360 --> 00:30:34,840 Speaker 2: who belongs to Jesus Christ, and that reality hasn't changed. 513 00:30:34,880 --> 00:30:37,880 Speaker 2: That's something that you're experiencing and I'm experiencing right now. 514 00:30:38,760 --> 00:30:44,680 Speaker 2: Believers today experience spiritual opposition, We experience temptation, we experience 515 00:30:44,800 --> 00:30:49,239 Speaker 2: pressure to abandon our faith. But Revelation twelve reminds us 516 00:30:49,280 --> 00:30:51,840 Speaker 2: of something incredibly encouraging, and I hope you take some 517 00:30:51,920 --> 00:30:56,720 Speaker 2: encouragement from this. The outcome of this battle is already determined, 518 00:30:56,800 --> 00:31:01,280 Speaker 2: meaning Jesus has already won again. At the Cross, he 519 00:31:01,400 --> 00:31:06,800 Speaker 2: defeated Sin, at the Resurrection, he defeated death, and one day, 520 00:31:06,800 --> 00:31:10,680 Speaker 2: when he returns, he will completely defeat Satan. And Jesus 521 00:31:10,760 --> 00:31:14,520 Speaker 2: is going to establish his kingdom on this earth in 522 00:31:14,560 --> 00:31:18,680 Speaker 2: a very, very visible and powerful way. So when we 523 00:31:18,720 --> 00:31:21,680 Speaker 2: face spiritual battles in our own lives, understand we don't 524 00:31:21,680 --> 00:31:24,840 Speaker 2: fight for victory. We fight from victory. Do you understand 525 00:31:24,840 --> 00:31:27,600 Speaker 2: what I'm saying there? Christ has already secured the victory, 526 00:31:27,640 --> 00:31:30,800 Speaker 2: So we're fighting from victory. We're not fighting for victory. 527 00:31:30,960 --> 00:31:34,320 Speaker 2: He already secured that. We're fighting from victory. And our 528 00:31:34,440 --> 00:31:38,840 Speaker 2: confidence isn't in our own strength, it's in Christ himself. 529 00:31:39,240 --> 00:31:42,880 Speaker 2: He shed his blood for us, he defended us against 530 00:31:42,920 --> 00:31:46,960 Speaker 2: every accusation, and He will one day bring this conflict 531 00:31:47,520 --> 00:31:51,920 Speaker 2: to its final end. And until that day, we keep 532 00:31:51,920 --> 00:31:54,680 Speaker 2: holding on to the testimony of Jesus Christ, because the 533 00:31:54,800 --> 00:32:00,000 Speaker 2: lamb who was slain is also the king who reigns, 534 00:31:59,640 --> 00:32:02,200 Speaker 2: and that's the type of encouragement we should take from 535 00:32:02,280 --> 00:32:05,160 Speaker 2: a passage like this as we look at Revelation twelve, 536 00:32:05,280 --> 00:32:09,000 Speaker 2: understand the lamb who is slain is the king who reigns, 537 00:32:09,360 --> 00:32:11,360 Speaker 2: and we welcome his reign in our lives. 538 00:32:11,640 --> 00:32:12,440 Speaker 1: Let's pray together. 539 00:32:13,680 --> 00:32:16,240 Speaker 2: Father, We thank you so much for giving us this 540 00:32:16,360 --> 00:32:18,680 Speaker 2: portion of your Word for us to meditate on today. 541 00:32:18,720 --> 00:32:21,160 Speaker 2: I'm so grateful, Lord that you've given us access to it. 542 00:32:21,400 --> 00:32:23,040 Speaker 2: I'm so grateful that we could look at a portion 543 00:32:23,080 --> 00:32:25,560 Speaker 2: of scripture like this and just think about who you 544 00:32:25,680 --> 00:32:29,160 Speaker 2: are and what you do, and how ultimately you secure 545 00:32:29,280 --> 00:32:33,080 Speaker 2: victory for us through your son Jesus Christ. Father, we're 546 00:32:33,120 --> 00:32:36,080 Speaker 2: just so grateful for these realities, these facts. We know 547 00:32:36,200 --> 00:32:39,240 Speaker 2: that at present Satan seeks to devour people, and we 548 00:32:39,320 --> 00:32:42,800 Speaker 2: know that his persecution of believers is going to grow 549 00:32:42,920 --> 00:32:45,720 Speaker 2: more and more intense. That's something you've revealed to us 550 00:32:46,080 --> 00:32:48,479 Speaker 2: in your Word. We accept that as a reality. We 551 00:32:48,520 --> 00:32:51,640 Speaker 2: know that that's a reality. But we're also joyful because 552 00:32:52,080 --> 00:32:55,440 Speaker 2: we know that through your son Jesus Christ, victory is assured. 553 00:32:56,000 --> 00:32:59,800 Speaker 2: Satan persecutes, but he doesn't win. Satan tries to defeat, 554 00:33:00,000 --> 00:33:04,440 Speaker 2: he tries to accuse, but as accusations, they don't ultimately 555 00:33:04,520 --> 00:33:07,680 Speaker 2: stick because we have an advocate, your son, Jesus Christ, 556 00:33:08,120 --> 00:33:11,120 Speaker 2: the one who defends us, the one who took the 557 00:33:11,160 --> 00:33:15,760 Speaker 2: shame of our sin upon himself so that we could 558 00:33:15,760 --> 00:33:19,200 Speaker 2: live as men and women who are completely cleansed. Father, 559 00:33:19,320 --> 00:33:21,440 Speaker 2: you look at us and you see the righteousness of 560 00:33:21,480 --> 00:33:25,440 Speaker 2: your son, Jesus Christ. His righteousness was added to our account, 561 00:33:25,480 --> 00:33:28,360 Speaker 2: it was imputed to our account. And so as you 562 00:33:28,360 --> 00:33:31,360 Speaker 2: look at us, you call us justified, you declare us righteous, 563 00:33:31,760 --> 00:33:34,040 Speaker 2: because you aren't seeing us for our sin. You're seeing 564 00:33:34,080 --> 00:33:38,520 Speaker 2: the righteousness of your son, Jesus Christ, very much present 565 00:33:38,680 --> 00:33:41,640 Speaker 2: in our lives. So, Father, we're grateful for that truth. 566 00:33:41,680 --> 00:33:44,080 Speaker 2: We're grateful for that fact. We're grateful for the fact 567 00:33:44,120 --> 00:33:47,120 Speaker 2: that you know us, that you love us, that you 568 00:33:47,200 --> 00:33:49,760 Speaker 2: walk with us, and that we have the privilege to 569 00:33:49,800 --> 00:33:52,600 Speaker 2: know you through your son. So, Father, thank you for 570 00:33:52,640 --> 00:33:55,120 Speaker 2: the confidence that we can have in you as we 571 00:33:55,160 --> 00:33:57,840 Speaker 2: approach whatever we face this side of heaven, knowing that 572 00:33:57,920 --> 00:34:02,160 Speaker 2: ultimately victory has been secured on our behalf. You share 573 00:34:02,160 --> 00:34:04,360 Speaker 2: that victory with us. As we trust in your son 574 00:34:04,480 --> 00:34:06,520 Speaker 2: Jesus Christ, and I pray that that would be the 575 00:34:06,560 --> 00:34:09,560 Speaker 2: posture that we would take, the mindset that we would adopt, 576 00:34:09,600 --> 00:34:11,600 Speaker 2: and the hope that we carry as we go through 577 00:34:11,600 --> 00:34:14,279 Speaker 2: our day to day lives on this earth. Father, we 578 00:34:14,360 --> 00:34:16,759 Speaker 2: are truly grateful for all of these things. We thank 579 00:34:16,800 --> 00:34:19,239 Speaker 2: you for your presence with us today. We're grateful that 580 00:34:19,280 --> 00:34:21,400 Speaker 2: you're present with us right now, and thank you for 581 00:34:21,440 --> 00:34:24,600 Speaker 2: the hope that we have through your son, Jesus Christ, 582 00:34:25,000 --> 00:34:28,520 Speaker 2: our Lord, our Savior, our King. And we pray this 583 00:34:28,600 --> 00:34:30,000 Speaker 2: all in Jesus' name. 584 00:34:31,200 --> 00:34:31,560 Speaker 1: Amen. 585 00:34:34,160 --> 00:34:37,240 Speaker 2: Well, I know that today we were kind of operating 586 00:34:37,280 --> 00:34:39,520 Speaker 2: here from a different context. It isn't too often that 587 00:34:39,600 --> 00:34:42,799 Speaker 2: I get to record our podcasts here for dwell on 588 00:34:42,840 --> 00:34:46,160 Speaker 2: these things from my office from this home studio area, 589 00:34:46,200 --> 00:34:48,640 Speaker 2: but I'm glad I got the chance to do that today. 590 00:34:49,080 --> 00:34:51,399 Speaker 2: Thanks again for tuning in each week. Again, I want 591 00:34:51,400 --> 00:34:54,240 Speaker 2: to remind you not only of this podcast, but also 592 00:34:54,400 --> 00:34:58,000 Speaker 2: of our website, Bible Study heeadquarters dot com. I hope 593 00:34:58,040 --> 00:35:00,920 Speaker 2: you'll check it out and at Bible SA Headquarters in 594 00:35:00,960 --> 00:35:03,399 Speaker 2: the midst of finding Bible study material and all sorts 595 00:35:03,440 --> 00:35:07,160 Speaker 2: of resources, even even free course content that you could utilize. 596 00:35:07,560 --> 00:35:10,600 Speaker 2: We also have links to all of our podcasts, the 597 00:35:10,719 --> 00:35:13,040 Speaker 2: Chapter a Day Audio Bible, which I've been doing for 598 00:35:13,080 --> 00:35:16,600 Speaker 2: ten years now, which is amazing how quickly that ten 599 00:35:16,680 --> 00:35:19,759 Speaker 2: year period of time has gone by. And that podcast 600 00:35:20,040 --> 00:35:21,880 Speaker 2: I read a portion of scripture every day and then 601 00:35:21,920 --> 00:35:24,759 Speaker 2: we pray through it. And now the newest podcast, the 602 00:35:24,880 --> 00:35:28,760 Speaker 2: Chapter a Day Bible Study, where I'm explaining one chapter 603 00:35:28,880 --> 00:35:32,920 Speaker 2: of scripture per day and seven to ten minute teaching moment. 604 00:35:33,440 --> 00:35:35,239 Speaker 2: I hope you'll check that one out again. That's called 605 00:35:35,280 --> 00:35:38,799 Speaker 2: the Chapter a Day Bible Study. Please subscribe if you 606 00:35:38,800 --> 00:35:42,279 Speaker 2: haven't already done so. We have this podcast dwell on 607 00:35:42,360 --> 00:35:45,759 Speaker 2: these things, and we also have daily devotions with Pastor John. 608 00:35:45,880 --> 00:35:49,879 Speaker 2: So four podcasts meant to make an investment in your 609 00:35:49,960 --> 00:35:53,040 Speaker 2: growth in Jesus Christ and in your understanding of Scripture. 610 00:35:53,360 --> 00:35:55,920 Speaker 2: Thanks again for tuning in today, Thanks for tuning into 611 00:35:56,120 --> 00:35:58,520 Speaker 2: all of the shows. Super grateful that you do. 612 00:35:58,560 --> 00:35:58,680 Speaker 1: So. 613 00:35:58,719 --> 00:36:00,960 Speaker 2: I hope you have a wonderful week and we'll see 614 00:36:00,960 --> 00:36:03,719 Speaker 2: you again right here in just one week's time. 615 00:36:04,040 --> 00:36:04,719 Speaker 1: Have a great one.