Revelation
The Lamb of God: On His Throne and Among His People
Satan's Attacks, Jesus' Victory
Revelation 12:1-17

•  Read or quote the verse of the month together:

    John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

• Read Revelation 12. What insights or questions do you have from the sermon?

• Do not spend too much time on this point but see if you can make a case for Revelation to be primarily referring to the Tribulation, and a case for it being more symbolic. It is okay for there to be disagreement in the group. Feel free to use the section in the extra notes titled Two Views of Revelation 12. You will almost certainly grow in your understanding of Revelation as you discuss this together, but sometimes understanding only comes after confusion, so do not be discouraged if you still cannot make sense of it.

• The application points from the sermon import truth and Scripture beyond Revelation 12. Spend time discussing why we should be studying Revelation in the first place. As you discuss, remember that we have brothers and sisters around the world that face imprisonment and death every day because of their beliefs. Pray for them!

1. Understanding the nature of spiritual warfare will help you understand the various challenges you face in this life – stay in the Word
2. Trusting God’s sovereignty will help you understand and combat Satan’s attempts to derail your life – pray without ceasing
3. Connecting with others who are being attacked for their faith will encourage you to persevere – immerse yourself in Christian community

• Pray for your missionary!

   

  Extra Notes

  Quotes and Thoughts

  The Characters in Revelation 12 – and, Thus, the Players in History

  God is the sovereign God of the universe, the one who sits on the throne of heaven (Revelation 4)

  Most scholars think that the woman in Revelation 12:1-2 references Genesis 37:9. Thus, the sun, moon, and stars represent Israel – or, more broadly, the covenant people of God. Those who see Revelation as symbolic understand the woman in Revelation 12 to represent the covenant people of God, both before and after Jesus. Mary, of course, gave birth to Jesus, but the woman of Revelation 12 symbolizes many more men and women than simply Mary.

  Not surprisingly, Catholics believe that the woman represents Mary. Yes, and . . . There is no doubt that Mary gave birth to Jesus, but the sun, moon, and stars represent all the people of God (See Genesis 37:9 below), not just Mary. It is these people that Satan attacks and Jesus protects. The protection is first and foremost spiritual, because some of the people die for their testimony of faith in Jesus (12:11).

  The dragon is Satan (see 12:9)

  The male child is Jesus, the Messiah.

  The stars that were cast out of heaven are the demons who fell with Satan

  Michael is the archangel, the protector and spiritual guide for God’s people (See Jude 9, Daniel 10:12, 21; 12:1)

   The persecuted believers – either all believers through the church age or Jewish believers in the Tribulation

   Genesis 3:15 is known as the protoevangelium – or first gospel. Genesis 3:15 is the first mention of the good news (gospel) in Scripture.

   Louis Brighton: He (Satan) is the ancient and ever-present enemy of the human race, and in particular of God’s holy people. The word “Satan” means adversary or enemy, sometimes also accuser. Likewise, “devil” means slanderer or false accuser, and true to his name he “deceives the entire inhabited world (Revelation 12:9).” He and his host of angels are now confined to the earth and its sphere. 

  Two Views of Revelation 12

   The literal (futurist – as in Tribulation) view

  • The woman is faithful Israel, bringing forth the Messiah under persecution (from Jews as well as Gentiles).
  • 1,260 days (3 ½ years) equals the second half of the Tribulation.
  • Spiritual warfare, though always a feature of reality since Satan fell, is especially intense during this period.
  • Satan being cast out of heaven marks the beginning of the second half (the most intense half) of the Tribulation.
  • Since Satan is no longer allowed access to God, he turns his hatred toward the people of God.
  • Jewish believers are protected during this time – though not all; some give their lives for the testimony of the gospel.
  • Most futurists (dispensationalists, literalists) see the water that sweeps away the enemies of God in verses 12-17 to be literal (chasm in the earth swallowing opponents of these Jewish believers, floods, etc.), though some futurists see this as symbolic (see last point of next view).

  The symbolic (idealist – as in Revelation is written to/about the church between Jesus’ ascension and his return) view

  • The woman represents not only faithful Israel, but the faithful covenant people of God throughout the church age; not only does the dragon pursue the woman, but he persecutes the rest of her offspring as well (12:17).
  • The reason the dragon anticipated the Messiah’s birth so intently was that so much was at stake going all the way back to Genesis 3:15; if Satan could destroy the Messiah as an infant, he would thwart God’s will and prevail.
  • God delivered his people from Egypt by delivering them on eagles’ wings into the wilderness, and God also protected and provided for Elijah – for 3 ½ years – in the wilderness, and so he protects his children here, though the promise is for spiritual protection.
  • Satan was cast out of heaven at Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven at the right hand of God. Satan’s followers were cast out when they rebelled before the Garden (likely before Creation) but they helped Satan wage war in heaven during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Even though Satan did not dwell in heaven continuously, he was allowed access to accuse the brothers (see Job 1-2). Since he has been cast out of heaven and denied access to God, Satan is no longer is able to accuse the brothers and sisters in heaven, so his wrath against God’s people here and now is extreme. This is especially true in the sense that he accuses our consciences.
  • In this view, this spiritual warfare has raged since the Garden – but even those who take this symbolic position in Revelation see the intensity of Satan’s attacks increasing as the end draws near. Both positions (literal and symbolic) acknowledge relevant points from the other view(s).

   Scripture from the Sermon Associated with the Text

   Genesis 37:9 (compare with Revelation 12:1) Then he (Joseph) dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”

   Genesis 3:15 (God speaking to Satan in the Garden) I will put enmity between you  and the woman,

      and between your offspring and her offspring;

  he shall bruise your head,

      and you shall bruise his heel.”

   Genesis 4:1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.”     Eve probably thought this was the promised seed of Genesis 3:15. The OT was continually looking for the one who would crush Satan’s head.

   Luke 10:17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he (Jesus) said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

   Exodus 19:4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I (Yahweh) did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.

   Psalm 2:7 I will tell of the decree:

  The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;

      today I have begotten you.

  8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,

      and the ends of the earth your possession.

  9 You shall break them with a rod of iron

      and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

   John 15:18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

   John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

   John 10:10 The thief (devil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

  2 Corinthians 2:10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.