Revelation Chapter 12:11-17 Revelation 12:11-17 "And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death. 12"For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time." 13And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. 14And the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, in order that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15And the serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. 16And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth. 17And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus”. 12:11 “They”: Those who are said to “overcome” in this book are Christians who are living on the earth (2:11). The word “they” in this verse also is connected with the term “brethren” in 12:10. 12:11 “Overcame him”: The “him” is Satan, the accuser of our brethren (12:10). The devil can be defeated and opposed by the Christian (James 4:7). The word “overcame” means to conquer and gain the victory. 12:11 “Because”: Here is the reason why the saints were victorious against the devil. Please note, man by himself will always lose this struggle with the devil (Romans 3:23). 12:11 “Of the blood of the Lamb”: Which removes our sins (Matthew 26:28), and therefore brings us out from underneath the bondage of sin and the fear of death and the afterlife. The tools that the devil uses to enslave people are often fear and guilt.
1
12:11 “And because of the word of their testimony”: In spite of persecution and opposition, they had remained true to the proclamation of the gospel. Compare with Hebrews 3:14; 10:23. “This is not only what they said but their saying it. It was the message they proclaimed and trusted in. Of all the stories the Devil hates, he hates the Gospel. Of all the talk that drives him wild, the talk about Jesus drives him wildest. We have a story to tell and we need to tell it, for it is not only for the salvation of others, but in doing this we’ll save both them and ourselves that hear us. Have no fear that it is irrelevant. We are told right here that it was the difference between life and death, between victory and terrible loss. Of course, it’s relevant. Have no fear about its relevancy, for it deals with man’s basic needs. Sometimes we might be led to wonder by the pace this world is running at all, if the time won’t come when the Bible is no longer needed. This will never be the case that the Bible won’t be needed” (McGuiggan p. 177). Henry Ward Beecher said, “The Word of God is the book of the common people; it is the workingman’s book; it is the child’s book; it is the slave’s book; it is the book of every creature that is downtrodden; and do you suppose it is going to be lost out of the world? When the Bible is lost out of the world; it will be because there are no men in it who are in trouble, and need succoring; no men who are oppressed and need release; no men who are in darkness and need light; no men who are hungry and need food; no men who are sinning and need mercy; no men who are lost and need the salvation of God” (The Beliefs of Unbelief, W.H. Fitchett, p. 228). Their testimony involved unashamed confession before all, especially their persecutors and various Roman officials. Their confession was the belief that Jesus is the Son of God, “Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32); “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord” (Romans 10:9); “Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father’ (Philippians 2:11); “Consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession” (Hebrews 3:1). This “confession” includes not only our words, but also our lifestyle. “The committed Christian bears witness by his words and actions as to whether or not he loves the Lord: on the job, among friends, the language he speaks, his manner of dress, the company he keeps, the places he frequents, and the love he manifests. All of these things testify what is the state of one’s heart. He either loves the Lord, or he is a hypocrite (Galatians 6:7-8)” (Revelation, Harkrider, p. 141).
2
The Embarrassed Believer “Whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father’s with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38). “That’s Jesus Christ talking. He is direct. He is speaking to the Embarrassed Believer, cowed and hiding. ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel’, wrote Paul to the Romans. When Paul penned that bold proclamation, he was preaching to a world more than merely hostile to his faith. It was a world willing to execute believers. In other words, there was in Paul’s day a very genuine risk to belief. Yet the imprisoned Paul wrote to his colleague Timothy, ‘Do not be ashamed then to testifying to our Lord, nor of me His prisoner” (2 Timothy 1:8). Time and authorities had caught up with Paul. When he wrote to Timothy it is almost certain that he knew the price he would eventually pay. Still, he urged Timothy to ‘share in suffering for the gospel”. Now the Embarrassed Believer has already begun to put some distance between Christ’s words cited above and herself, between Paul’s double imperative and himself. The Embarrassed Believer is happy to have nearly two thousand years of possible ambiguity to put between Scripture and today. Boldness and embarrassment mean different things in different centuries, right? Nowhere does the church appear less confident than in the United States. The church’s failure to contend vigorously for the mind and the soul, and to do so publicly with a strong and defensible claim for truth, opens up a gap in the lives of millions. The Embarrassed Believer is silent, and silence is a condition that does not last long in modern America. The quiet has been displaced by a cacophony of voices, each one selling a different, non-Christian ‘meaning’” (The Embarrassed Believer, Hugh Hewitt, pp. xi-xii). Not only have many Christians become quiet, but even denominations who used to have slugfests over doctrine, now have tricked-up mystics using Eastern slogans with Western marketing. Hewitt notes that the problem of the Embarrassed Believer is the problem of faith apart from the mass rally, faith apart from Sunday services, and faith apart from small group studies. That is, we need more Christians to manifest their faith when they are the only Christian around. Believer or Bystander? Hewitt offers the following guidelines concerning seeing if you are a believer or a bystander:
Believers attend church services on a very regular basis. It is unusual for them not to be there. Bystanders attend either occasionally, infrequently, or not at all. Believers teach their children and other’s children the essentials of the faith. Bystanders entrust that chore to others.
3
Believers talk to others about Christ, even if they find it unpleasant. Bystanders are theoretically willing to do so if approached but have never been approached. Believers read Scripture though it takes work and effort. Bystanders intend to get around to it. No job is beneath a believer. Bystanders don’t want many jobs, but can sacrifice themselves for leadership positions if coaxed and pleaded with. Believers honor the men who lead the congregation. Bystanders, when they notice church leaders at all, are consistent only in their willingness to critique. Believers savor and seek more and more teaching about God. Bystanders have what they need and would rather not be bothered.
The above is convicting and needed, for we live in a very shallow culture. Some of the Christians who first read the book of Revelation had become bystanders (Revelation 2:4-5; 3:1; 15-16). 12:1 “And they did not love their life even to death”: In the First Century Christianity was often a persecuted religion. In many ways, this was a blessing. To a large degree, persecution culled out superficial Christians and those who were not willing to make sacrifices for Christ. It also produced a considerable number of fervent Christians who loved God with their whole heart, soul, and mind—Christians who scorned both the fierce persecutions brought by Satan and the alluring pleasures of this world. Paul had the same attitude when he said, “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24); “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). Notice that the text does not say that the Christians loved martyrdom. It says they loved “not their lives”. This is not a discussion of how they viewed death, but rather how they viewed their lives. If their life is committed to God, then the issue of death is already taken care of. If I am right with God, then there is nothing to fear concerning death (Luke 12:4-5; Matthew 16:25). Consider the truth that great commitment brings great confidence. At times Christians lack confidence in their salvation, in the future, or concerning death, and often such a lack of confidence is due to a half-hearted commitment. Harkrider adds, “They gave up everything to serve Christ, but they gained far more than they lost. The worldly-minded will compromise in the name of common sense in an attempt to avoid what they call fanaticism. Why would anybody choose persecution over the pleasures of this world? Only those who
4
would understand the words of Jesus: ‘He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal’ (John 12:25)” (pp. 141-142). The early Christians realized that tremendous growth could come from suffering and persecution (1 Peter 1:6-7; James 1:2-4). The early Christians also encountered trials and persecutions with an attitude of confidence and joy (Hebrews 10:32-35; Acts 5:41 “So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name”). Understanding Self-Sacrifice Someone might say, “How is such an attitude possible?” Allow me to offer the following suggestions:
The early Christians realized that their life only had meaning because Jesus had sacrificed Himself for them. Without the sacrifice of Jesus, we are all lost and in a hopeless condition. Therefore, we owe lives, the present existence of this world, the hope we have, the time we have to marry and have children, to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Without such sacrifice, there is no “life”. Therefore, we should be willing to gladly sacrifice ourselves for the gospel in order that others might hear the gospel (Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:15).
In a sense, every Christian is living longer than they should have. Our sins deserved judgment (Romans 5:9; Ephesians 2:1-3), but the sacrifice of Jesus gave us new life. If persecution cuts that life short that is not a tragedy, because Christianity gave us more time and blessings than we deserved anyway.
Persecution tests our faith, it enables us to see if we are genuinely committed to God or not, and it is far better to find out the answer to that question now rather than at the judgment.
Persecution is a compliment from God, for it is evidence that God has confidence in our abilities and our faith (Acts 5:41 “rejoicing that they had been considered worthy”).
The early Christians also considered the task of spreading the gospel and influencing this world for good as being a far more important purpose than living a peaceful and long life (Acts 20:24; “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29).
“This is what Paul said: Neither count I my life as dear unto myself so that I may accomplish my course (Acts 20:24). We pray for God to have His way with us and our families and then we tie His hands by fervently praying that He keep all
5
of us from harm. We sing of ‘mold me and make me’ and ‘Thou are the potter and I am the clay’ and we protest like crazy when the pressure is on. We pray for growth but want a crossless sanctification” (McGuiggan p. 178). Please note that God did not force these Christians to remain faithful, it was their own choice. Once again note that overcoming does not necessarily mean staying alive or being spared from harm. These Christian overcome and many of them died during times of persecution! Therefore, the sealing in chapter 7 is not a sealing against physical harm. Compare also with Revelation 2:10. 12:12 “For this reason”: Because of the victory brought about by Christ (12:10), which enables God’s people to overcome the dragon, for this reason, rejoice! 12:12 “Rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them”: This would include those in heaven and those on earth who dwell in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 2:5; Philippians 3:20). Compare with Hebrews 12:23. 12:12 “Woe to the earth and the sea”: Because they have become the field of Satan’s activity. Hailey believes that the “earth” signifies the world of unregenerate people, and the “sea” signifies the mass of society. “Those who don’t dwell in the heavens but dwell on the earth and sea have cause to worry for the Devil will use them for his own ends and hasn’t a care about their welfare” (McGuiggan p. 181). Clearly, God is not saying “Woe to the planet, dry land and the ocean”, rather the “earth” and the “sea” must represent those who are not right with God. 12:12 “Having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time”: Some premillennialists argue that this “short time” refers to the last 3 ½ years of the supposed great tribulation. It appears that the “short time” in this section refers to a period of persecution (see Revelation 2:10; 6:11; 11:9; 12:6). Ogden believes that this short time refers to the rest of time prior to eternity. The devil’s fate is sealed (Matthew 25:41) and the only opportunity he has left to inflict his wrath upon God’s people and often mankind in general is “time”. The verse does inform us that the devil knows his fate, he knows his time is limited and that such a thought does not motivate in him any sense of remorse or repentance but only increased anger against God and His people. 12:13 “And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth”: Satan realizes that Jesus defeated him and that he was completely unable to stop Jesus from redeeming man, thus his efforts now turn to persecuting God’s people. Thus, “being thrown down to the earth” seems to speak of what happened after Jesus died and was resurrected. 12:13 “He persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child”: The woman here refers the faithful following the resurrection of Christ, that is, the church, and that is who is being persecuted in this letter. Compare with John 15:20. In the book of Acts we see the beginning of this persecution (Acts 14:22; 6
26:10-11; 8:1-3; 9:29) and this persecution continues throughout the rest of the New Testament (Hebrews 10:32-34; 2 Thess. 1:7; 2 Corinthians 11; 1 Peter 1:6). Please remember, this persecution does not happen at the end of time, rather this is talking about how the devil persecuted the church after Jesus was caught up to heaven (12:5). Therefore, this section is not talking about a great tribulation right before the Second Coming. 12:14 “But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman”: Hal Lindsey believes that this refers to a massive airlift that transports fleeing Jews from the land of Palestine near the end of time by the United States Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. But that view has nothing to do with the context! The language of eagle’s wings had been used before in reference to God delivering His people (Exodus 19:4; Deuteronomy 32:11). “Over and over again in Scripture the figure of eagle’s wings is used by God’s protecting work (Psalm 36:7; Isaiah 40:31)” (McGuiggan p. 183).
12:14 “So that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished”: The same truth was taught in 12:6. Those who see this section as dealing with the destruction of Jerusalem believe that it refers to the flight of Christians from Jerusalem in 66 A.D. (see Matthew 24:15-18).
12:14 “Where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent”: The same period of time as mentioned in 12:6. The same period of time as the prophesying of the two witnesses (11:3), and the holy city being trodden under foot (11:2; 13:5). Daniel foretold this period when he prophesied that the ruler of the fourth kingdom would war against the saints for a time, times, and the dividing of time (Daniel 7:25). The “nourishment” in this verse appears to be spiritual, and because these people have a relationship with God they will be able to endure (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9). See also Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 46:1-3. 12:15 “And the serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood” “In the Old Testament, a flood signified tribulation from ungodly men who were overwhelming God’s people (Isaiah 8:5-8; Psalm 18:4; 32:6; 144:7; Isaiah 43:2)” (Harkrider p. 144). “Now the serpent tried to sweep the woman away by the river that issued out of his mouth: delusions in the form of lies, false impressions of invincible power, false religious teachings, false philosophies, false charges, and malicious reports intended to destroy the church. To these he would add the seductive temptations of lust” (Hailey p. 279). “A stream of lies, delusions, religious ‘isms’, philosophical falsehoods, political utopias, quasi-scientific
7
dogmas, which has been along with overt persecution, one of the principal changes faced by the church throughout history” (Gregg p. 273). 12:16 “But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened up its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth” Premillennial writers see this as referring to an overflowing horde of men and weapons sent after the Jews in the wilderness, these attackers, however, will be thwarted by an actual chasm opening in the earth and swallowing them, yet such ignores the context of this chapter and the context of the entire book as well. This verse does remain us that God is never short of means. “All the resources of earth and heaven are at His command” (Gregg p. 274). Hailey sees this as referring to the fact that the earth (unbelievers) absorbs the river of Satan’s lies, and the church continues to drink from the fountain of divine truth. “But when the woman begins to compromise with Satan, and his lies become submerged in his river of falsehood, tragedy follows” (Hailey p. 280). Harkrider notes, “The earth came to the woman’s rescue through diverting Rome’s attention by political uprisings, local wars, and other conflicts among subordinate kingdoms of the empire” (p. 144). 12:17 “So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children” The devil failed to destroy Jesus and the church, thus he continues his attack against individual faithful Christians. The expression “rest of her children” refers to Christians, who are the brethren of the male children produced by the woman in this chapter (Romans 8:29; Hebrews 2:11). “The people of God, viewed as a corporate whole, are beyond his power (Matthew 16:18), to hurt, and so he turns to Christians as individuals” (McGuiggan p. 185). Ogden believes that this verse is referring to Roman persecution against Christians following the destruction of Jerusalem. 12:17 “Who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus”: McGuiggan reminds us that one of the bad features of millennialism is that it insists on teaching that the physical nation of Israel is still the people of God. Premillennial writers argue that the people being protected in this chapter are all Jewish. This verse reminds us that the people being protected are Christians, both Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ, for they hold to the testimony of Jesus. We need to remind people that anyone, even if they are Jewish, who does not obey Jesus Christ is not a believer (compare with John 8:32-44; Revelation 2:9; 3:9). Clearly these are faithful Christians.
8
9