Revelation Chapter 12 begins with a look at the seven symbolic players in the great end-times drama. These seven symbolic people are involved in the great conflict at the time of the end. After the opening of the seven seals, the seven trumpets sound. With the seventh trumpet, Heaven is opened. The ark of the covenant is revealed. The Kingdom of God is about to come to Earth. Then suddenly, up pops a record, right in the middle of the book. The record of the seven symbolic players in the great end-times drama. As we look at these first five symbols in Chapter 12.1. Woman=Israel Rev. 12:1-2. / 2. Dragon=Satan Rev. 12:3,9,12 /3. Male Child=Christ Rev. 12:5/4. Michael=Archangel Rev. 12:7-9,12/5. Seed of Woman=Believing Jews Rev. 12:14. The believing Jews of the Tribulation Period, who have come to faith in their Messiah, are chased out of Jerusalem into the wilderness. Many believe they will flee into the place called Petra. The conflict involves the nation of Israel, Christ the Messiah, Satan, the Devil and Michael the archangel, who finally throws Satan out of Heaven, so that he no longer has access to God. But as bad as those first five symbols are, they are nothing compared to the two that are yet to come in Chapter 13. 6. Beast of Sea=Antichrist Rev. 13:1,5. He is given power, in Revelation 13:5, for 42 months. He is indwelt by Satan after he violates the treaty with Israel. He turns against the nation of Israel and persecutes the Jews.7. Beast of Earth=False Prophet Rev. 13:11. He looks religious, but he talks and acts like the Devil. This False Prophet, that exercises all the power of the first beast. He causes all those on Earth to worship the first beast. |
