Seven Signs, Revelation 12:1-15:8
CityPoint: Meta Tauta, Session 4 Notes: Seven Signs, Revelation 12:1-15:8
As always, be a Berean and challenge against Scripture what is written here, the words I say or anyone, for that matter, who speaks about the Bible. The church as a whole would not be so far off track if Christians who sit in church would know, study, and challenge all things against Scripture. This is incumbent on all of us. Remember, the testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). This is why prophecy is pivotal to our walk with Jesus. He made a promise, and He will fulfill it! Praise HIM!!!
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As always, we will just scratch the surface….
This next section covers the Seven Signs. It, again, follows the same pattern: 6 signs, interlude, praise in heaven, 7th sign opens the next group of seven which will be the seven bowls. Consistent patterns is the pattern of Revelation.
I. The Woman Gives Birth, Revelation 12:1-6
a. Sign 1: the woman
i. This is Israel
ii. Reference Genesis 37:9
b. Sign 2: the Child
i. This is Jesus
ii. Reference Psalm 2:7-9
c. Sign 3: the dragon
i. This is Satan
ii. 7 heads and 10 horns referenced three times: here, 13:1, and 17:3
iii. Here is a good article: https://revelationlogic.com/articles/the-seven-heads-and-ten-horns/
II. War in Heaven and on Earth, Revelation 12:7-17
a. Sign 4: Michael and his angels
i. Michael, the one and only archangel
ii. His angels, the army assigned to Michael
iii. Reference Daniel 10 and Jude 9
III. The Beasts, Revelation 13
a. Sign 5: Beast from the sea
b. Sign 6: Beast from the earth
c. See notes sent out previously on Revelation 13: https://www.citypointu.com/resources/imminency-of-the-rapture-part-3
Revelation 12
We have several different characters here, one of which causes some debate. It is in the identification of the woman. There are primarily three views:
She is the Virgin Mary, ie Jesus’ mother. There are many complications here: Mary is never pictured as in verse 1 (clothed in the sun, moon under her feet, garland of 12 twelve stars. No Biblical evidence she underwent experience of verse 6 (led to wilderness for 1260 days). Verse 17 (Satan making war with her offspring) doesn’t really apply either. This is where spiritualizing or forcing the conclusion that prophecy has already been all fulfilled gets you off base.
She is the church. Simply, the church didn’t give birth to Jesus. Jesus built the church and is its foundation. This is where getting to this view requires Replacement Theology which is anti-Biblical. It rejects God’s everlasting promise to Jacob through Isaac from Abraham.
She is Israel. Quite simply, the simplest parallel passage that solidifies us on this viewpoint is Genesis 37:9. Joseph’s dream was of a sun, moon, and 11 stars bowing down to him (12th star) which was a prophetic dream of his family coming to him when he would end up in Egypt. Case closed. Also, the Old Testament has several references to Israel as a woman (betrothed of God) or a woman in travail: Isaiah 54:5, 66:7, Jeremiah 3:6-10, Micah 4:10, 5:2-3. Also remember our previous study and notes on Israel as God’s wife.
There really isn’t much debate that the child is Jesus. Psalm 2:7-9 is a parallel passage of verse 5. This brings the whole section of verses 1-5 as a snapshot of Israel bringing forth the Messiah (Jesus) through the time of Jesus ruling and reigning on earth during the Millennial Reign. Again, we see multiple times in Scripture where short sections of verses cover a great expanse of time.
The dragon is clearly Satan. Satan has always had access to heaven and will continue to until the mid-point of the 70th Week (Tribulation). We know he had access to heaven with Job (1-2). Satan is our adversary and accuser. Jesus stands in perfect contrast as our advocate. Some scholars believe that during the Bema Seat (1st of 3 judgements: Bema Seat, Sheep and Goats, Great White Throne) which occurs after the Rapture of the church that Satan will be accusing us saints of our sins, yet Jesus will stand before the throne as our advocate because He paid our price (I Corinthians 6:20). At the mid-point of this period, Satan will be once and for all cast out of heaven. He will now know he has a short time (verse 12). How long is this short time?: time, times, and half a time; 1260 days; 42 months; half a week. Again, we see these rampantly throughout this section of Scripture which also correlates to Daniel 9.
Michael is clearly the archangel (truly the only archangel) spoken of throughout Scripture. Remember, Michael fought Satan over Moses’ body (Jude 9). Michael came to Gabriel’s aid to free him up on his mission to get Daniel a message (Daniel 10). Revelation 12 is very descriptive of the spiritual battle that wages around us.
During this time, the Jews will be persecuted. This is the time where it is referenced in Scripture as the Time of Jacob’s Trouble. Jesus spoke about this time during His Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24): a time that has never been nor ever will be again. You can see around the world that anti-Semitism is alive and well. It will be nothing compared to this time. Even the Holocaust will be a walk in the park compared to this period. BUT, God will rescue His chosen people. This is the period of time where He will finally fulfill His promise to Abraham.
IV. Interlude of the signs
a. 144,000, Revelation 14:1-5
i. Same group referenced in Revelation 7
ii. Further description of male, virgins
iii. Firstfruits to God
b. Angels with Announcements, Revelation 14:6-13
i. Fist angel preaches everlasting Gospel
ii. Second angel declares judgement on Babylon
iii. Third angel: warning and a blessing
c. Harvest of the earth, Revelation 14:14-20
i. The earth is ripe
ii. Reference Matthew 25
144,000
This is again a few verses of a preview in mind. We are building to the final judgement of God upon the earth. John is seeing something from a completed perspective which gives hope: God’s redeemed are standing before Him. No matter what we experience in life our reward is our eternal destiny.
Here, again, we see the 144,000 standing before God. This is the same group we were introduced to in Revelation 7 and who Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24 who will take the gospel to the ends of the earth before the end. This scene is an assurance that God takes care of His people just as Revelation 7 portrays as well. There is more information we gleam about who these 144,000 are: male, virgins.
There is some interesting debate about whether this is Mount Zion in Israel or the Mount Zion in Heaven that is being spoken about in verse 1. Hebrews 12:22-24 is a good reference to a Mount Zion in Heaven, maybe this is what John is seeing. Regardless, these 144,000 are singing a song that only they know before the throne of God.
Firstfruits: I Corinthians 15:20-23 is a good reference as to how Jesus is our firstfruits. How, so? He fulfilled the Jewish Feast of Firstfruits. How so? He was our Passover Lamb and for all of mankind as the sacrifice for our sins. The Feast of Firstfruits is the first Sunday following Passover and Unleavened Bread. The tomb was found empty on a Sunday on what would have been the Feast of Firstfruits. There is a play here. Remember, Jesus is a fulfiller of prophecy. The Jewish feasts and festivals along with all prophecy find its fulfillment in Jesus. We as believers are also to be a firstfruits as well no different than how these 144,000 are. When grapes are harvested, the first fruit harvest is the best harvest. This is how we are to be in this world: emulating our King, bringing honor to Him, being the best as a testimony to His goodness.
Tithing correlates with firstfruits as this is the term that is used with tithing. What does that mean? I truly believe from a Biblical perspective we are to tithe (literal meaning is a tenth) of our gross income. I would challenge any of you this. It has brought blessing to my life for sure. Offerings are anything above and beyond your tithe. This is a phenomenal topic to study.
3 Angels
One again, God is always reaching out to extend salvation. This is what we see in the first angel. There is nothing here that would suggest this is anything but literal. We are in a spiritual battle today. It is the most overt during this period. It would be fitting that God would have angelic beings with messages such as these angels. The first one is declaring the everlasting gospel to everyone, everywhere. What is the gospel? See I Corinthians 15:1-6. It is the fact that Jesus came in the flesh, died on the cross, was buried, and rose from the dead. The resurrection is the validity to all that Christ did for us. We must both know in our hearts and profess with our mouths the gospel: Romans 10:9. This angel is also pointing people to who our creator is. Currently and what will continue to progress as we move forward is earth worship. The angel contradicts the lie that is proclaimed today and that which will continue and says, “worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
The second angel declares that Babylon is fallen. Some believe the city will be rebuilt and in operation during this period of time. There is also the Babylonian system which is where all the pagan religions come from. It is also the financial and trade system that will be in operation. We will tackle more of this in chapters 17 and 18.
The third angel provides a warning against anyone who “worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand.” These people will be judged fully and wholly.
Then, we have a note of comfort in verses 12-13. This is to believers who are being pursued by the anti-christ, cannot buy, sell, or trade since they reject the beast system, and will most likely be martyred. Our reward is in heaven. This will be their only comfort in knowing their eternal destiny is sealed, come what may!
Harvest
This is Jesus with the sickle in verse 14. This refers to Matthew 25. The term that the earth is ripe means that the harvest is overdue. God is at the extent of His patience with our wicked world. Judgement must come. When a grape harvest is ripe on the vine, it is bursting forth and requiring immediate harvest. Sickle is found 12 times throughout the Bible. It is found 7 of those 12 times in this portion of Scripture.
V. Prelude to the Bowl Judgements, Revelation 15:1-8
a. Sign 7: 7 angels with 7 plagues
i. Allegory to Sea of Glass yet being on the seal of glass, Revelation 4:6
ii. Victors over the beast, his image, and his mark
iii. Singing the Song of Moses, Exodus 15
iv. Song is a contrast to descriptor of anti-christ in Revelation 13
Prelude to the Bowl Judgements
The KJV Bible Commentary says this: “Why need there be three series of judgements [seals, trumpets, and now the final being the bowls or vials in some versions]? They evidently follow the pattern of warfare as men know it: first, the initial encounter; then, the intensive assaults; finally, the consummating blows. Undoubtedly, the vial [bowl] judgements take place in the Great Tribulation in its last stages. The implication seems to be that they will transpire in a very brief period of time. They will be both rapid and severe. The Revelation does deal repeatedly with judgement, but not exclusively so; for the final prospect is bright indeed.”
We are back at the sea of glass which we we saw earlier in Revelation. In Revelation 4:6 we read about the sea of glass. This is after John is raptured into heaven after the church age is completed. Now, he is at the sea of glass, and John sees a new group of people that were not present before: “those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name.” Why does John now see this new group of people? They are new to the scene and distinct from those he saw in 4:6. This is yet another example supporting a pretribulation rapture.
This distinct group of people that are now new to the scene in heaven are singing a new song before the throne. This is yet another time in Revelation where we have praise in heaven prior to further judgement by God. As heaven is rejoicing in awe before the Lord and over those who are joining them in heaven, the earth is getting ready for judgement.
Wiersbe states this regarding the song: “This entire scene is reminiscent of Israel following the exodus. The nation had been delivered from Egypt by the blood of the lamb [first Passover celebration], and the Egyptian army had been destroyed at the Red Sea. In thankfulness to God, the Israelites stood by the sea and sang ‘the song of Moses.’” You can refer to Exodus 15 for the Song of Moses. It is interesting how this song they sing is in stark contrast with what is said about the Anti-christ (1st Beast) in Revelation 13. Again, Satan mimics through deception what/who God does/is.
I will close this section with this from Revealing Revelation by Amir Tsarfati: “I am writing this as a comfort and as a motivation. As a comfort, it should give you peace that you will not experience even one of these three series of judgements. As a motivation, it should remind you that you have friends and loved ones who will.”
MARANATHA!!