1 Session 7: “Behind the Curtain” Revelation 12:1-6

2

3 1. Introduction to Revelation chapters 12-14

4 Revelation is structured as a chiasm 1. Rev 1:12-20 “Holy Place” (Vision of) The Seven Churches 2. Rev 4 & 5 “Coronation in Heaven as King” (Vision of) The Seven Seals 3. Rev 8:2-6 “Intercession” (Vision of) The Seven Trumpets 4. Rev 11:19 “Judgement” (Vision of) The Dragon against God’s Remnant 5. Rev 15:5-8 “Cessation of Intercession” (Vision of) The Fall of Babylon 6. Rev 19:1-16 “Departure from Heaven as King” (Vision of) The Return of Christ & The Millennium 7. Rev 21:1 - 22:5 “Most Holy Place” (Vision of) Eternal Peace

5

6

7 2. Overview of Main Players Revelation 12:1-6

8 2. Overview of Main Players Revelation 12:1-6 i. The identity of the “woman” (Rev. 12:1-2) b. The “woman” surrounded by the sun, moon, and twelve stars = Israel (God’s representative nation) (See Joseph’s dream of “Israel” in Genesis 37:9-10) a. The “woman” = God’s people (i.e. the Church) (See Jeremiah 3:20; Isaiah 54:5-6; Ezekiel 16:8-14; Hosea 2:14-23; Amos 5:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:25-32).

9 2. Overview of Main Players Revelation 12:1-6 ii. The identity of the “dragon” (Rev. 12:3-4, & v.9) b. The seven heads and ten horns = The earthly power described in the vision of Daniel Chapter 7 (See Daniel 7:7, v23-25, also Revelation 13:1). a. The “Dragon” = Satan (or “The Devil”)

10 2. Overview of Main Players Revelation 12:1-6 iii. The identity of the “stars in the sky” (Rev. 12:4) The “Stars” = Satan’s Angels (Daniel 8:10, Revelation 12:9) iv.The identity of the “male child” (Rev. 12:5) The “Male Child” = The Promised Messiah (Jesus) (The Messiah “rules with an iron sceptre”. Compare Psalm 2:9 with Revelation 12:5; see also Revelation 19:15)

11 2. Overview of Main Players Revelation 12:1-6 A “Translated Reading” of Revelation 12:1-6 1 A vision appeared to me: I saw Israel as she was represented in Joseph’s dream found in Genesis chapter thirty-seven. 2 Israel was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 3 Then another vision appeared to me: I saw Satan in way that was similar to the dream of Daniel chapter seven. 4 Satan’s influence swept a third of the angels out of heaven and flung them to the earth. Satan stood in front of Israel who was about to give birth to the Messiah, so that he might devour Christ the moment he was born. 5 Israel gave birth to Jesus the Messiah as prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures, and after His resurrection he ascended to heaven and now sits on God’s throne. 6 Soon after Christ’s ascension, His believers had a ‘wilderness experience’ on earth for a specific period of time, but the Lord made sure that they were cared for.

12 What are some possible reasons that the book of Revelation was written using Old Testament references and imagery?

13 3. The Cosmic Conflict Summary

14 3. The Cosmic Conflict Summary Revelation chapter 12 confirms that the evil influence in the world that causes suffering is Satan

15 SUMMARY OF REVELATION CHAPTER 12 v1-3 Satan v’s the Woman v4-6 Satan v’s the Son v7-9 Satan v’s Michael & the Angels v10-12 Satan v’s the Lamb v13-16 Satan v’s the Woman v17 Satan v’s the Woman’s “Offspring”

16 3. The Cosmic Conflict Summary According to the book of Revelation God has chosen to not be in complete control of Earth yet.

17 4. The Problem of Suffering in the World

18 If there is a loving God in the universe then why is there so much suffering in the world?

19 4. The Problem of Suffering in the World Revelation declares the reality of Satan and that he is the cause of suffering in this world. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

20 Next session... Session 8 “The Dragon’s War Against the Remnant” (Revelation 12:13-17)