John is going to give us some back story as to the events that have been taking place at this time in the middle of the seven years of tribulation. He wasn’t supposed to write what the seven thunders said, but in a roundabout way he will give us enough details surrounding what they said so that we will know what happened at that time. As he fills us in on the other activities that have been taking place, we gain a greater understanding of the situation on the earth. We are at a pivotal time where many things take place at once. The Kingdom of the cosmos is being turned over to Jesus, which tells us that the former ruler has lost his position. These rich details when put into proper perspective, explain the day and time, and the future of the mid-point of the tribulation. John first directs our attention up into the heavens. As with many secrets and mysteries, the key is simply the actual words.
There were Eastern and Western Magi at the time of Jesus’ birth. Both were of the same group that was taught by Daniel, but the Eastern Magi kept the knowledge, while the Western Magi lost the knowledge and made up superstitions to replace it. That is how the Eastern Magi were able to find Jesus. The story of the savior has been written for humans and is readable in the night sky. It also tells of an enemy who lurks about, but will eventually be subdued by the Lion of the tribe of Judah. It is a subject worth studying. This is why John points our eyes upward. In John’s time people knew and understood there was a story in the stars, even if the one’s who were responsible to teach the people didn’t do so.
Revelation 12:1 (KJV)
1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
The wonder was recorded in the heavens. The woman always symbolizes Israel. In Hebrew, nations, kingdoms, and churches are spoken of in a gender feminine, while Greek is gender neutral. It depends on the language to determine if words have gender. Just because one language does not specify a gender to words does not mean all languages are gender neutral.
John says that both the sun and moon were under her feet. It does not say if it was a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd quarter, waxing or waning moon, it simply says “the moon”. We don’t know which quarter the moon is in, but we know that some or all of it is visible. Every year the sun moves into the constellation of Virgo, the virgin. This was the constellation Jesus was born into. Every year this comes to pass, a women with the sun and moon at her feet.
The next phrase; “upon her head a crown of twelve stars”, does not necessarily mean that the twelve stars are in a constellation. Some people try to bend the idea that nine of the crown’s stars are actually in the constellation of Leo, but Leo has more than nine stars. Every astronomy program lists the number differently. Some then add three planets and call it prophetic. For perspective, Jupiter passes by virgo every 12 years or so, therefore it is not particularly significant that Jupiter passes through virgo as it did last year. No, the women’s stars are simply the twelve tribes.The twelve stars are the sons of Jacob. Joseph’s dream is the first recognition of the twelve stars as the sons of Jacob.
Genesis 37:5-11 (KJV)
5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:
7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
Hindsight tells us that Joseph’s dream was accurate and that the eleven would bow to Joseph. Joseph’s family, father, mother(s), and brothers would in fact worship Joseph. Since the time that Joseph revealed his brothers to Pharoah in Egypt, the twelve sons of Jacob have always been recognized as the twelve tribes. Moses built twelve pillars.
Exodus 24:4 (KJV)
4 And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
Now that we have that part straightened out, we have the next statement that the woman gave birth. Israel was slated to birth the Messiah. Genesis 3:15 tells us the woman would bring forth the seed that would bruise the head of the serpent. We know the Messiah would come through Abraham.
Revelation 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
Now there is another sign in heaven, a dragon with seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns.
Revelation 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
The Dragon has seven heads. We can think about this as seven cities or kingdoms, such as Rome’s seven hills. At this time when John was writing this, Rome was known for it’s seven hills. Some would claim that a revised Roman Empire is a player in the time of the tribulation and in part that is true. Not Rome as a nation itself, but Rome as a mixed people with mixed religion. A kingdom of mixed people who unite together as one nation. Remember, at the mid-point of the tribulation, there are only about 2.5 billion people left on the earth. Most are Muslims (possibly 1.6 billion), some Jews (today there are 14.5 million Jews world wide), some atheists, and some are those who thought they were Christians. The Muslims have two factions, one will be it’s own entity, a law and a religion. The other Muslim faction will merge with other people/nations, forming a commerce alliance. One is the beast, one is Babylon.
At the time of Jesus’ birth, Rome was an expanding kingdom. Here are seven heads, ten horns and seven crowns, seven kingdoms, ten branches, with seven kings. Fast forward to the middle of the tribulation, we see this particular empire in Revelation 13 as having seven heads, ten horns and ten crowns. It is growing, merging with other nations.
Revelation 13:1 (KJV)
1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Daniel gives us some understanding of horns.
Daniel 7:24 (KJV)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
The ten kings subdue three kings. And now we go a bit further in time and we see this explanation.
Revelation 17:12 (KJV)
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
There will be something that looks like a Roman Empire during the tribulation, but we must remember that Rome had two capitals by the third century CE, Rome (West) and Constantinople (East, Turkey). Two legs of clay.
Daniel 2:33 (KJV)
33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
At the time of John’s writing there was no Muslim religion. There also was no Roman Catholic or Protestant religions. The religion of Rome was a secular worship of the gods, similar to the Greek religion. The religion was based more on commerce and trade, which is a picture of Babylon. Do we know what nations these will be? No. The kingdoms of the world will look much different once the harpazo occurs. Again, by this time there are only about one third of the people living on the earth that we have alive today. Therefore we need to stop inventing scenarios based on today’s population and look ahead to who might be left on earth at this time.
John has identified the dragon, the one who is ruling the kingdoms of the earth at this mid-point of the tribulation as the same dragon who enticed the angels to leave their posts. This dragon drew one third of the stars/angels of heaven and cast them to the earth.
Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth:
Remember that stars are “angels” according to Jesus in chapter one. When did one third of the star/angels come to the earth? We don’t know exactly, but some may have defected in the days of Jared and some after the flood of Noah. The main point is that this is the same dragon. Then the dragon is ready to devour the woman’s child.
Revelation 12:4……and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
It seems that the dragon tried all sorts of ways to get rid of Jesus. The satan divided and scattered Israel. How many times did he try to kill Jesus, throw him off a cliff, or have people stone him, before the Jews/Romans nailed him to a cross? Yet if he would have known that Jesus would take the keys to hell and death, and then later rule as king from age to age, the dragon would not have killed Jesus.
Revelation 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron:
For nearly four thousand years Israel was spiritually abused and attacked so that they would fall as a people. But then Jesus came through her, even in her brokenness, as Messiah. Jesus will rule the nations with a rod of iron. We studied this more recently and this blog will explain the mark of the beast as well.
Revelation 12:5……. and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Jesus was harpazo’d, caught up, and is at most times seated on the right hand of the father.
John now gives us our point in time with a special number, 1,260.
Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Revelation 12:6 G2532 And G3588 the G1135 woman G5343 fled G1519 into G3588 the G2048 wilderness, G3699 where G2192 she has G5117 a place G2090 being prepared G575 by G3588 G2316 God, G2443 that G1563 there G1625 she should be nourished G1473 G2250 [4days G5507 1a thousand G1250 2two hundred G1835 3sixty].
5343 LSJ Gloss:φεύγω to flee, take flight, run away
Dodson:φεύγω I flee, escape, shun.
Thayer:
1) to flee away, seek safety by flight
2) metaph. to flee (to shun or avoid by flight) something abhorrent, esp. vices
3) to be saved by flight, to escape safely out of danger
4) poetically, to flee away, vanish
φεύγω
pheugō fyoo'-go Apparently a primary verb; to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication to shun; by analogy to vanish KJV Usage: escape, flee (away).
2048 Dodson:ἔρημος deserted, desolate, a desert as an adj: deserted, desolate, waste; hence: the desert, to the east and south of Palestine; of a person: deserted, abandoned, desolate.
Thayer:
1) solitary, lonely, desolate, uninhabited
1a) used of places
1a1) a desert, wilderness
1a2) deserted places, lonely regions
1a3) an uncultivated region fit for pasturage
1b) used of persons
1b1) deserted by others
1b2) deprived of the aid and protection of others, especially of friends, acquaintances, kindred
1b3) bereft
1b3a) of a flock deserted by the shepherd
1b3b) of a women neglected by her husband, from whom the husband withholds himself
ἔρημος
erēmos er'-ay-mos Of uncertain affinity; lonesome, that is, (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, G5561 being implied) KJV Usage: desert, desolate, solitary, wilderness.
5117 LSJ Gloss:τόπος a place
Dodson:τόπος a place a place, region, seat; an opportunity.
Thayer:
1) place, any portion or space marked off, as it were from surrounding space
1a) an inhabited place, as a city, village, district
1b) a place (passage) in a book
2) metaph.
2a) the condition or station held by one in any company or assembly
2b) opportunity, power, occasion for acting
For Synonyms see entry G5875
τόπος
topos top'-os Apparently a primary word; a spot (generally in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas G5561 is a larger but particular locality), that is, location (as a position, home, tract, etc.); figuratively condition, opportunity; specifically a scabbard KJV Usage: coast, licence, place, X plain, quarter, + rock, room, where.
2090 LSJ Gloss:ἑτοιμάζω to make
Dodson:ἑτοιμάζω I make ready, prepare.
Thayer:
1) to make ready, prepare
1a) to make the necessary preparations, get everything ready
2) metaph.
2a) drawn from the oriental custom of sending on before kings on their journeys persons to level the roads and make them passable
2b) to prepare the minds of men to give the Messiah a fit reception and secure his blessings
ἑτοιμάζω
hetoimazō het-oy-mad'-zo From G2092; to prepare KJV Usage: prepare, provide, make ready.
The unique number that shows up in many places regarding end times is a cryptic way of giving us our time marker. 1,260 days of a three hundred and sixty day year, plus four intercalary days that are not counted, (Enoch/Zadok calendar) gives us three and one half years. Halfway through the tribulation, the woman flees into the desert for three and one half years. At first, after the harpazo many Jews move to Jerusalem to worship and sacrifice in the temple. Israel increases her borders. But at the mid-point of the tribulation (three and one half years), the Jewish people realize that the son of perdition is a false messiah. Many will flee Israel and hide in the desert for the remainder of the tribulation.
We want to consider our timing here. The woman runs away to a desert region. The location is being prepared or being made ready, future tense. John is looking at the half-way mark of the tribulation, in the near future, the woman will run into a desert place prepared for her, for three and one half years. Here is where many Jews will remain, in hiding.
John then tells us that there was a war in heaven. That seems strange because we were just talking about the woman fleeing to the desert. At this same time, the thunders speak. We are now talking about Michael fighting the dragon.
Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Revelation 12:7 G2532 And G1096 there was G4171 war G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven; G3588 G* Michael G2532 and G3588 G32 his angels G1473 G3588 G4170 to wage war G3326 with G3588 the G1404 dragon, G2532 and G3588 the G1404 dragon G4170 waged war G2532 and G3588 G32 his angels; G1473
4171 LSJ Gloss:πόλεμος battle, fight, war
Dodson:πόλεμος a war, battle, strife.
Thayer:
1) a war
2) a fight, a battle
3) a dispute, strife, quarrel
πόλεμος
polēmos pol'-em-os From πέλομαι pelomai (to bustle); warfare (literally or figuratively; a single encounter or a series) KJV Usage: battle, fight, war.
4170 LSJ Gloss:πολεμέω to be at war
Dodson:πολεμέω I make war, contend I make war, contend, fight, battle.
Thayer:
1) to war, carry on war
2) to fight
πολεμέω
polemeō pol-em-eh'-o From G4171; to be (engaged) in warfare, that is, to battle (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: fight, (make) war.
1404LSJ Gloss:δράκωνa dragon
Dodson:δράκων a dragon or huge serpent a dragon or huge serpent; met: Satan.
Thayer:
1) a dragon, a great serpent, a name for Satan
δράκων
drakōn drak'-own Probably from an alternate form of δέρκομαι derkomai (to look); a fabulous kind of serpent (perhaps as supposed to fascinate) KJV Usage: dragon.
Michael wages war with the dragon/serpent and Michael’s army extracts the dragon/serpent from the upper heavens.
Revelation 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Revelation 12:8 G2532 and G3756 it did not G2480 prevail, G3777 nor G5117 was a place G2147 found G1473 for him G2089 any longer G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven.
2480 LSJ Gloss:ἰσχύω to be strong
Dodson:ἰσχύω I am strong, ableI have strength, am strong, am in full health and vigor, am able; meton: I prevail.
Thayer:
1) to be strong
1a) to be strong in body, to be robust, to be in sound health
2) to have power
2a) to have power as shown by extraordinary deeds
2a1) to exert, wield power, to have strength to overcome
2b) to be a force, avail
2c) to be serviceable
2d) to be able, can
ἰσχύω
ischuō is-khoo'-o From G2479; to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: beable, avail, can do ([-not]), could, be good, might, prevail, be of strength, be whole, + much work.
The dragon/serpent does not have the strength to remain in the upper heavens. At this point, it seems that the created being that was known as the governor of this world, or the elohim of the age, has finished his lease on the cosmos.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 12:9 G2532 And G906 [4was cast out G3588 1the G1404 3dragon G3588 G3173 2great], G3588 the G3789 [2serpent G3588 G744 1ancient], G3588 the one G2564 being called G1228 the devil G2532 and G4567 Satan; G3588 the one G4105 misleading G3588 the G3611 [2inhabitable world G3650 1entire] G906 was cast G1519 unto G3588 the G1093 earth, G2532 and G3588 G32 his angels G1473 G3326 [2with G1473 3him G906 1were cast].
906 LSJ Gloss:βάλλω to throw
Dodson:βάλλω I cast, throw, rush, put, place, drop
(a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop.
Thayer:
1) to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls
1a) to scatter, to throw, cast into
1b) to give over to one's care uncertain about the result
1c) of fluids
1c1) to pour, pour into of rivers
1c2) to pour out
2) to put into, insert
βάλλω
ballō bal'-lo A primary verb; to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense) KJV Usage: arise, cast (out), X dung, lay, lie, pour, put (up), send, strike, throw (down), thrust.
3789 LSJ Gloss:ὄφις a serpent, snake
Dodson:ὄφις a serpent a serpent, snake; used of the devil or Satan.
Thayer:
1) snake, serpent
2) with the ancients, the serpent was an emblem of cunning and wisdom. The serpent who deceived Eve was regarded by the Jews as the devil.
ὄφις
ophis of'-is Probably from G3700 (through the idea of sharpness of vision); a snake, figuratively (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan KJV Usage: serpent.
744 LSJ Gloss:ἀρχαῖος from the beginning
Dodson:ἀρχαῖος original, primitive, ancient.
Thayer:
1) that has been from the beginning, original, primal, old ancient
1a) of men, things, times, conditions
For Synonyms see entry G5816
ἀρχαῖος
archaios ar-khah'-yos From G746; original or primeval KJV Usage: (them of) old (time).
1228 LSJ Gloss:διάβολος slanderous, backbiting
Dodson:διάβολος slanderous, the Slanderer, the Devil (adj. used often as a noun), slanderous; with the article: the Slanderer (par excellence), the Devil.
Thayer:
1) prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely
1a) a calumniator, false accuser, slanderer,
2) metaph. applied to a man who, by opposing the cause of God, may be said to act the part of the devil or to side with himSatan the prince of the demons, the author of evil, persecuting good men, estranging mankind from God and enticing them to sin, afflicting them with diseases by means of demons who take possession of their bodies at his bidding.
διάβολος
diabolos dee-ab'-ol-os From G1225; a traducer; specifically Satan (compare [H7854]) KJV Usage: false accuser, devil, slanderer.
4567 Dodson:Σατανᾶς an adversary, Satan.
Thayer:
1) adversary (one who opposes another in purpose or act), the name given to
1a) the prince of evil spirits, the inveterate adversary of God and Christ
1a1) he incites apostasy from God and to sin
1a2) circumventing men by his wiles
1a3) the worshippers of idols are said to be under his control
1a4) by his demons he is able to take possession of men and inflict them with diseases
1a5) by God's assistance he is overcome
1a6) on Christ's return from heaven he will be bound with chains for a thousand years, but when the thousand years are finished he will walk the earth in yet greater power, but shortly after will be given over to eternal punishment
1b) a Satan-like man
Σατανᾱς
Satanas sat-an-as' Of Chaldee origin corresponding to G4566 (with the definite article affixed); the accuser, that is, the devil KJV Usage: Satan.
4105 LSJ Gloss:πλανάω to make to wander, lead wandering about
Dodson:πλανάω I lead astray, deceive I lead astray, deceive, cause to wander.
Thayer:
1) to cause to stray, to lead astray, lead aside from the right way
1a) to go astray, wander, roam about
2) metaph.
2a) to lead away from the truth, to lead into error, to deceive
2b) to be led into error
2c) to be led aside from the path of virtue, to go astray, sin
2d) to sever or fall away from the truth
2d1) of heretics
2e) to be led away into error and sin
πλανάω
planaō plan-ah'-o From G4106; to (properly cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue) KJV Usage: go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way.
3611 LSJ Gloss:οἰκέωto inhabit, occupy
Dodson:οἰκέω I inhabit, dwell I inhabit, dwell, indwell.
Thayer:
1) to dwell in
οἰκέω
oikeō oy-key'-o From G3624; to occupy a house that is, reside (figuratively inhabit, remain, inhere); by implication to cohabit KJV Usage: dwell. See also G3625.
3650 Dodson:ὅλος all, the whole, entire all, the whole, entire, complete.
Thayer:
1) all, whole, completely
ὅλος
holos hol'-os A primary word; “whole” or “all”, that is, complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb KJV Usage: all, altogether, every whit, + throughout, whole.
John says it like this: “Thrown out was the mega-dragon, the primal serpent, diabolos, satanas, who led astray the entire habitation, and thrown to the earth, his angels with him were thrown”. Now what do you suppose the seven thunders said?
Revelation 10:4 (KJV)
4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
Whatever the exact words will be, we see the result here. Throwing the satan out of the upper heavens right before Jesus is crowned seems to be what is happening. Remember that the seventh trumpet announced that the kingdom of the cosmos is birthed to the supreme authority of Christos and that the Kings’ reign is from age to age.
Revelation 11:15 (KJV)
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Now John tells us a voice says this:
Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom kingship of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Revelation 12:10 G2532 And G191 I heard G5456 [2voice G3173 1a great] G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven, G3004 saying, G737 Now G1096 is come G3588 the G4991 deliverance, G2532 and G3588 the G1411 power, G2532 and G3588 the G932 kingdom(ship) G3588 G2316 of our God, G1473 G2532 and G3588 the G1849 authority G3588 G5547 of his Christ;…
4991 LSJ Gloss:σωτηρία a saving, deliverance, preservation, safety
Dodson:σωτηρία deliverance, salvation welfare, prosperity, deliverance, preservation, salvation, safety.
Thayer:
1) deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation
1a) deliverance from the molestation of enemies
1b) in an ethical sense, that which concludes to the souls safety or salvation
1b1) of Messianic salvation
2) salvation as the present possession of all true Christians
3) future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God.
σωτηρία
sōtēria so-tay-ree'-ah Feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally) KJV Usage: deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.
There are mega-voices in heaven. Birthed is sōtēria (deliverance), and dunamis (miraculous power), and basileia (the kingship), (not kingdom, kingship) of our God and the exousia (authority) of Christos.
Revelation 12:10..… G3754 for G2598 [4was cast down G3588 1the G2725 2accuser G3588 G80 3of our brethren], G1473 G3588 the one G2723 accusing G1473 them G1799 before G3588 G2316 our God G1473 G2250 day G2532 and G3571 night.
2598 LSJ Gloss:καταβάλλω to throw down, overthrow
Dodson:καταβάλλω I cast, lay down
(a) mid: I lay, of a foundation, (b) met: I cast down, prostrate.
Thayer:
1) to cast down
1a) to throw to the ground, prostate
2) to put in a lower place
2a) to lay (down) a foundation
καταβάλλω
2725 LSJ Gloss:κατήγορος an accuser
Dodson:κατήγορος a prosecutor, accuser an accuser, prosecutor.
Thayer:
1) an accuser
1a) a name given to the devil by the rabbis
κατήγορος
katēgoros kat-ay'-gor-os From G2596 and G58; against one in the assembly, that is, a complainant at law; specifically Satan KJV Usage: accuser.
80 ἀδελφός
adelphos ad-el-fos' From G1 (as a connective particle) and δελφύς delphus (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like [H1]) KJV Usage: brother.
2723 LSJ Gloss:κατηγορέω to speak against, to accuse
Dodson:κατηγορέω I accuse, charge, prosecute.
Thayer:
1) to accuse
1a) before a judge: to make an accusation
1b) of an extra-judicial accusation
For Synonyms see entry G5803
κατηγορέω
katēgoreō kat-ay-gor-eh'-o From G2725; to be a plaintiff, that is, to charge with some offence KJV Usage: accuse, object.
1799 Dodson:ἐνώπιον before the face of, in the presence of before the face of, in the presence of, in the eyes of.
Thayer:
1) in the presence of, before
1a) of occupied place: in that place which is before, or over against, opposite, any one and towards which another turns his eyes
ἐνώπιον
enōpion en-o'-pee-on Neuter of a compound of G1722 and a derivation of G3700; in the face of (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: before, in the presence (sight) of, to.
Thrown down is the prosecutor of the assembly of our brothers, the plaintiff charging them before God day and night. Have you ever known anyone who wants to take everyone else to court, threatening to sue others? This is what the satan has been doing. Constantly accusing, constantly judging good and evil, constantly pointing fingers, constantly looking for an angle to prove he is right and others are inferior.
I would agree we are inferior. We do not have the benefit of thousands of years of spiritual knowledge. We in particular were born devoid of understanding of the spiritual realm. We did not know the Almighty and we did not know Yahweh from our birth, we had to discover them. We are not privy to the same knowledge that the satan has. We all see through a glass darkly. One day we will know and understand why the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was a bad choice to eat from. But for now, we simply see the problems that have arisen ever since. We see the legalism of the Pharisees and the hard heartedness they had towards others, as they constantly judged the regular people, while puffing themselves up on their own pious pinnacles.
I imagine at this time that many regiments of spiritual sons of God are rejoicing that they do not have to hear the constant accusations of the satan against mankind. Now notice how the brethren overcome the satan.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Revelation 12:11 G2532 And G1473 they G3528 overcame G1473 him G1223 through G3588 the G129 blood G3588 of the G721 lamb, G2532 and G1223 through G3588 the G3056 word G3588 G3141 of their testimony, G1473 G2532 and G3756 they loved not G25 G3588 G5590 their life G1473 G891 until G2288 death.
3141LSJ Gloss:μαρτυρία witness, testimony, evidence
Dodson:μαρτυρία witness, evidence, testimony witness, evidence, testimony, reputation.
Thayer:
1) a testifying
1a) the office committed to the prophets of testifying concerning future events
2) what one testifies, testimony, i.e. before a judge
μαρτυρία
marturia mar-too-ree'-ah From G3144; evidence given (judicially or generally) KJV Usage: record, report, testimony, witness.
2288LSJ Gloss:θάνατος death
Dodson:θάνατος death death, physical or spiritual.
Thayer:
1) the death of the body
1a) that separation (whether natural or violent) of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended
1b) with the implied idea of future misery in hell
1b1) the power of death
1c) since the nether world, the abode of the dead, was conceived as being very dark, it is equivalent to the region of thickest darkness i.e. figuratively, a region enveloped in the darkness of ignorance and sin
2) metaph., the loss of that life which alone is worthy of the name,
2a) the misery of the soul arising from sin, which begins on earth but lasts and increases after the death of the body in hell
3) the miserable state of the wicked dead in hell
4) in the widest sense, death comprising all the miseries arising from sin, as well physical death as the loss of a life consecrated to God and blessed in him on earth, to be followed by wretchedness in hell
θάνατος
thanatos than'-at-os From G2348; (properly an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: X deadly, (be . . .) death.
The defendants overcame the plaintiff through the blood of the Lamb and the logos, speech, of their judicial evidence. They did not love, agapaō, their soul life/breath life up to physical death. For us, as Paul said, to live is Christ, to die is gain. We only benefit from our death, therefore we don’t love our lives out of fear to preserve it. That is how we overcome the moron who keeps trying to take us to court. Now we don’t overcome once, we have to overcome over and over and over again until we die. Then we die as overcomers. We simply need two things; the blood of the Lamb, and our confession of Jesus as Lord.
Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Revelation 12:12 G1223 Because of G3778 this G2165 be glad, G3588 O G3772 heavens, G2532 and G3588 O ones G1722 [2in G1473 3them G4637 1encamping]! G3759 Woe G3588 to the G1093 earth, G2532 and G3588 the G2281 sea, G3754 for G2597 [3is come down G3588 1the G1228 2devil] G4314 to G1473 you, G2192 having G2372 [2rage G3173 1great], G1492 knowing G3754 that G3641 [2a short G2540 3time G2192 1he has].
4637 LSJ Gloss:σκηνόωto pitch tents, encamp
Dodson:σκηνόω I dwell as in a tent, encamp I dwell as in a tent, encamp, have my tabernacle.
Thayer:
1) to fix one's tabernacle, have one's tabernacle, abide (or live) in a tabernacle (or tent), tabernacle
2) to dwell
σκηνόω
skēnoō skay-no'-o From G4636; to tent or encamp, that is, (figuratively) to occupy (as a mansion) or (specifically) to reside (as God did in the Tabernacle of old, a symbol fo protection and communion) KJV Usage: dwell.
2597 LSJ Gloss:καταβαίνω to step down, go
Dodson:καταβαίνω I go down, come down I go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend.
Thayer:
1) to go down, come down, descend
1a) the place from which one has come down from
1b) to come down
1b1) as from the temple at Jerusalem, from the city of Jerusalem
1b2) of celestial beings coming down to earth
1c) to be cast down
2) of things
2a) to come (i.e. be sent) down
2b) to come (i.e. fall) down
2b1) from the upper regions of the air
3) metaph. to (go i.e.) be cast down to the lowest state of wretchedness and shame
καταβαίνω
katabainō kat-ab-ah'ee-no From G2596 and the base of G939; to descend (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: come (get, go, step) down, descend, fall (down).
Make merry heavens and those occupying! Woe earth and sea, the devil, diabolos, has stepped down to you possessing mega-passion and indignation, knowing that he possesses little time. It does seem the heavens rejoice once the devil is gone.
Now think about this, Jesus told us that when the seventy returned, Jesus said he saw the satan fall as lightning from heaven. When the seventy went out in authority to trample snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy, the satan freaked out, left heaven where he was accusing humans, and had to reorganize his troops. The seventy were so happy and amazed that the demons were subject unto them. Luke 10:18-ff What should we be doing today with the Holy Spirit residing within us?
Now John goes back to the discussion of what is happening with the woman on earth.
Revelation 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
Revelation 12:13 G2532 And G3753 when G1492 [3saw G3588 1the G1404 2dragon] G3754 that G906 he was cast G1519 to G1093 earth, G1377 he pursued G3588 the G1135 woman G3748 who G5088 gave birth to G3588 the G730 male.
1377 LSJ Gloss:διώκω to pursue
Dodson:διώκω I pursue, persecute I pursue, hence: I persecute.
Thayer:
1) to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away
2) to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after
2a) to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal
2b) to pursue (in a hostile manner)
3) in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one
3a) to persecute
3b) to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something
4) without the idea of hostility, to run after, follow after: someone
5) metaph., to pursue
5a) to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire
διώκω
diōkō dee-o'-ko A prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb δίω diō (to flee; compare the base of G1169 and G1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication to persecute KJV Usage: ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute (-ion), press toward.
John saw the dragon that was cast down to earth. He persecuted the woman who brought the male into the world. Think again who is left on the earth at this time. Muslims, Jews, atheists, and a few people who have since received Jesus as Lord. Out of the 2.5 billion people on earth, about 14 million are Jews. Of course the satan is going to persecute the Jews. They are still looking for Yahweh. Their nation brought forth the Messiah who has now dethroned the satan. But Israel is protected.
Revelation 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
Revelation 12:14 G2532 And G1325 were given G3588 to the G1135 woman G1417 two G4420 wings G3588 of the G105 [2eagle G3588 G3173 1great], G2443 that G4072 she should fly G1519 into G3588 the G2048 wilderness, G1519 to G3588 G5117 her place, G1473 G3699 where G5142 she should be nourished G1563 there G2540 a time, G2532 and G2540 times, G2532 and G2255 half G2540 a time, G575 from G4383 the face G3588 of the G3789 serpent.
4420 LSJ Gloss:πτέρυξ the wing
Dodson:πτέρυξ a winga wing, pinion.
Thayer:
1) a wing: of birds
πτέρυξ
pterux pter'-oox From a derivative of G4072 (meaning a feather); a wing
KJV Usage: wing.
The woman was given two wings of a mega-eagle to fly into the desert region where the woman is provided for a period of time away from the face of the serpent. John just explained this in verse six. He is reiterating it here as now we are to understand that the war in heaven threw the satan and his angels out of the upper heavens. From here on out there will be three and one half years left of tribulation.
Clearly, the Jews who are left on the earth, who now recognize that the son of perdition is a false messiah, leave Jerusalem. The temple has been defiled and they can no longer make sacrifices there. The Father provides for the woman (Israel) a safe place away from the face of the serpent.
Revelation 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
Revelation 12:15 G2532 And G906 [3shot G3588 1the G3789 2serpent] G1537 from out of G3588 G4750 his mouth G1473 G3694 [4after G3588 5the G1135 6woman G5204 1water G5613 2as G4215 3a river], G2443 that G1473 [2her G4216 3river borne G4160 1he should make].
The serpent spews a river out of his mouth behind the woman in order to sweep her away. Notice who is causing these problems on the earth; it is not due to the seals, trumpets, or bowls, and not from the angels, but is from the serpent. The serpent is trying to stop Israel from leaving Jerusalem, but the Lord is protecting her.
Revelation 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
Revelation 12:16 G2532 And G997 [3helped G3588 1the G1093 2earth] G3588 the G1135 woman, G2532 and G455 [3opened G3588 1the G1093 2earth] G3588 G4750 her mouth, G1473 G2532 and G2666 swallowed down G3588 the G4215 river G3739 which G906 [3shot G3588 1the G1404 2dragon] G1537 from out of G3588 G4750 its mouth. G1473
The earth came to the aid of the woman by opening it’s mouth to gulp or swallow the torrent that the dragon/serpent threw out of his mouth. The earth was reeling against mankind in the trumpet judgments, but now the earth is helping Israel.
Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 12:17 G2532 And G3710 [3was provoked to anger G3588 1the G1404 2dragon] G1909 against G3588 the G1135 woman, G2532 and G565 it went forth G4160 to make G4171 war G3326 with G3588 the G3062 rest G3588 G4690 of her seed, G1473 G3588 of the ones G5083 giving heed to G3588 the G1785 commandments G3588 G2316 of God, G2532 and G2192 having G3588 the G3141 testimony G3588 G* of Jesus.
3710 LSJ Gloss:ὀργίζω to make angry, provoke to anger, irritate
Dodson:ὀργίζω I irritate, provoke, am angry.
Thayer:
1) to provoke, to arouse to anger
2) to be provoked to anger, be angry, be wroth
ὀργίζω
orgizō or-gid'-zo From G3709; to provoke or enrage, that is, (passively) become exasperated KJV Usage: be angry (wroth).
The dragon/serpent was irritated and exasperated, and departed to battle the remainder of the women’s offspring; those who protect, guard, and observe the commands, and posses the evidence of Jesus. The dragon/serpent now wars after the woman’s other seed, those who are not specifically Jewish, who do keep the precepts and have believed on Jesus, who may be living in other parts of the world. People will believe on Jesus during this time, unfortunately they will be heavily persecuted for their witness.
This is one of the back stories that John has to tell us. It coincides with the timing of the middle point of the tribulation. At the mid-point, the two witnesses are killed and after three days they rise to heaven. The seven thunders speak something to the effect of the war in heaven beginning. As soon as the satan and his angels are thrown out of the upper heavens two announcements are made:
- The kingdom of the cosmos is birthed to the supreme authority of Christos and that the Kings’ reign is age to age.
- Birthed is sōtēria (deliverance), and dunamis (miraculous power), and basileia (the kingship) of our God and the exousia (authority) of Christos.
Meanwhile, the Israelites head for a desert place and will hide there for three and one half years. The satan will try and stop those people, but the earth will help them escape. The satan will then battle the other seed of Israel left on the earth, those who now believe on Jesus as Lord and King.
Since John could not tell us the exact words of the thunders, he came up with a way to let us know what is happening. He gave us the benchmark of the 1,260 days, and the benchmark of the announcement of the kingship and authority of Christ. He gave us the wording of Jesus ruling the nations with a rod of iron so that we would not take this section out of context. John also pointed to the heavens regarding the virgin, understanding that the majority of people in his day knew the day of Jesus’ birth, and would understand that Israel would bring the seed that would bruise the head of the serpent. Along with that star picture, he pointed to the dragon who looks like it gathers one third of the stars. He then lets us know that the accuser is thrown out of the upper heavens at this time (midway through the tribulation), and the Jews would be protected in the desert for the next three and one half years; while the other people on earth who have the testimony of Jesus will be at war with the satan. The remaining people who align with the beast or with Babylon will start to experience the wrath of the Father, the bowl judgments. But John has a few more details to announce and we’ll discuss that next.
