There is great preparation and anticipation during the interlude designated by God that is the context for what develops in chapter twelve. The great spiritual battle between God and Satan reaches a crescendo with Satan's last gasp efforts to thwart God's plan to fulfill His promises to Israel.
This battle is detailed by a series of seven “great signs.” The Messiah was to be born of the nation of Israel. The agony Israel experienced in anticipation of the birth of the Messiah is pictured as Israel was living under the domination of the Romans when Christ was born.
The second sign is given introducing Satan as a “great red dragon” who is the spirit behind all the opposition to God's plan and people. He was, and is, the force driving behind the empires of the world. Tension to destroy the Jews continues to build as Satan uses the nations of the world against them as God's chosen people. Why? Because as long as Israel exists God can complete His plan to establish His kingdom on the earth and Satan's “career” will be over as he will be cast into hell where he will have no domain over which he can rule. This ongoing effort by Satan is also the impetus behind anti-Semitism in the world today.
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In the fall of 1969, Gil began a full-time teaching ministry as Senior Pastor of Indian Hills Community Church. He also earned his Ph.D. from the California Graduate School of Theology. The focus of Pastor Rugh’s ministry is systematic, verse-by-verse teaching of the Bible. As a...
