Revelation Revealed: Rev. 12:1–17, #19 | Jim Hammond
Recap
Pastor Jim taught his 19th message in his continuing series “Revelation Revealed,” teaching about the scenario of the great red dragon and the sun-clothed woman in Revelation chapter 12. Scholars say Revelation 12 is one of the most important chapters in the Bible because it’s a chapter about Israel. Sadly, if you took a poll of today’s Christian churches, most of them would have no idea about the essential role that Israel plays in God’s plan for mankind. Without the nation of Israel, the Bible cannot be fully understood. If you do not understand God’s purpose and destiny for Israel, you’ll be unable to rightly discern the Bible. Pastor Jim uses this foundational truth to interpret Revelation chapter 12.
Dive Deeper
The woman and the dragon are the key players in chapter 12. The woman symbolizes the nation of Israel. The dragon symbolizes Satan.
If the prophecies of the Bible concerning Israel were never fulfilled, it would mean that darkness would win. Pastor Jim talked about how Satan used Hitler to prevent the Bible’s prophecies from being fulfilled by trying to wipe out the Jewish people. However, despite the Holocaust, Israel still became a nation in 1948 and is one of the strongest nations on earth. Since 1948, 100 million Muslims have tried to wipe Israel off the map, and they have failed every time they tried.
In verse 1, the description of the woman is that she is clothed with the sun, standing on the moon, and having a crown of 12 stars on her head. Pastor Jim talked about the interpretation of the symbols of the sun, moon, and stars.
The sun-clothed woman is pregnant and gives birth. There are some who believe the woman is Mary, the mother of Jesus, giving birth to Jesus. But Pastor Jim said that is impossible as we see later in the chapter that she flees into the wilderness where she is given a place in the wilderness to dwell for 3 ½ years.
Some erroneously believe the sun-clothed woman is the church. Pastor Jim talked about the false doctrine called “replacement theology.” This false doctrine says that Israel is replaced in the Bible with the church. The origin of this false doctrine was discussed.
This erroneous doctrine is dangerous for Israel, which was illustrated in the life of Martin Luther, who was an antisemite himself. Martin Luther’s antisemitic writings became inspiration for Hitler’s final solution.
The symbology of the dragon casting one third of the stars to earth with his tail is interpreted as being when Satan was cast out of heaven, which was an event in the past. Also discussed were, 1) the interpretation of the seven heads, 2) the one-third stars being cast to earth, 3) how the child the woman gives birth to is Jesus, and 4) the woman fleeing into the wilderness for 3 ½ years.
The Jews will flee to the mountains in the desert of Jordan to a place called Petra, which is an abandoned city carved in the mountains.
Verse 9 talks about the second time when Satan is cast out of heaven and down to earth. This is the third woe.
Verse 14 talks about the woman being given two wings of a great eagle that she might fly into the wilderness. Some erroneously interpret this to mean that the United States, the great eagle, flying the Jewish people to safety. Pastor Jim says to let the Bible interpret the Bible. He refers to Exodus 19:4 when God says he brought Israel out of Egypt on eagle’s wings.
Verse 16 talks about how the earth will help the woman (who is the Jewish people fleeing) by opening her mouth and swallowing up the flood (who is the army of the dragon).
Pastor Jim reiterated his reason for teaching this series was to educate people on this topic so they can escape the seven-year tribulation, preventing them from being forced to take the mark of the beast.
Read About It
Rev. 12:1, “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.”
Romans 9:10–11, “And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)”
Rev. 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.”
John 20:17, “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”
Discussion Questions
What role does Israel and the Jewish people play in end-time doctrine?
Were you able to understand the symbolism so you could share it with another?
How could you use the book of Revelation to warn your unsaved family and loved ones about the coming tribulation?