Lesson 10They Overcame by the Blood (Part 1)

Amen! Hallelujah! – A Study of the Book of Revelation

By Dale Wells

Rev. 12:1-17

The Eternal Struggle

Rev 12:1-6 WEB

A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (2) She was with child. She cried out in pain, laboring to give birth. (3) Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns. (4) His tail drew one third of the stars of the sky, and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child. (5) She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. Her child was caught up to God, and to his throne. (6) The woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that there they may nourish her one thousand two hundred sixty days.

The earthly conflict is part of an eternal struggle

Rev 11:15 WEB The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!"Who rules the world? The one in Rome says “I rule

the world” The one in Heaven says “I rule

the world.

Rev. 12 pictures the struggle between the kingdom of the world & the kingdom of God.

Two visions in chapters 12 and 13 tell about the eternal struggle

The first vision (12) shows that Christians suffer persecution because of Satan's hatred for the Messiah.

Satan's defeat in heaven guarantee his ultimate defeat.

When the dragon cannot kill the woman's son, he wages war against "the rest of her descendants," (i.e. Christians). They will suffer until the final victory of God and his Messiah.

The second vision (13) shows Satan's agents in his war against the Messiah's followers.

G. R. Beasley-Murray says:

"These chapters ... form the central section of the book. Not only do they come at the midpoint of the work, they provide an understanding of the nature of the conflict in which the Church is engaged, and into which John sees she is to be drawn to the limit. The struggle of the saints against the Caesars is here portrayed in the context of an age-long resistance to the God of heaven on the part of evil powers.

That process is about to reach its climax in an all out warfare against the Church of Christ. The raging of the powers of hell, however, terrible as it may be, is shown to be in vain, for in the victory of the crucified and ascended Christ they have been defeated, and their final overthrow is not far distant."

The woman described

Rev 12:1-2 WEB A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (2) She was with child. She cried out in pain, laboring to give birth.She wears the sun, with the moon under her feet.She wears a crown of stars – stephanos – victor’s crown.She is pregnant and about to give birth.

Sun, moon & 12 stars – a description of God's covenant people

Gen 37:9-11 WEB He dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brothers, and said, "Behold, I have dreamed yet another dream: and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars bowed down to me." (10) He told it to his father and to his brothers. His father rebuked him, and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Will I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves down to you to the earth?" (11) His brothers envied him, but his father kept this saying in mind.

The dragon

Rev 12:3-4 WEB Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns. (4) His tail drew one third of the stars of the sky, and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.

The dragon was sometimes thought of as living in the ocean depths

It appears in the Old Testament under various names Job 7:12 WEB Am I a sea, or a sea monster, that you put a guard

over me? Psa 74:14 WEB You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces. You

gave him as food to people and desert creatures. Psa 89:10 WEB You have broken Rahab in pieces, like one of the

slain. You have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm. Isa 27:1 WEB In that day, Yahweh with his hard and great and

strong sword will punish leviathan, the fleeing serpent, and leviathan the twisted serpent; and he will kill the dragon that is in the sea.

Isa 51:9 WEB Awake, awake, put on strength, arm of Yahweh; awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Isn't it you who did cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the monster?

This monster was a figure for the forces of destruction and chaos; here it is identified as Satan (verse 9).

John's description makes it clear that God is ultimately in control

The dragon has 7 heads 7 is the number of God's completed work. He plays a part in God’s

plan.

He has 10 horns 10 is the number of limits. The dragon's power is limited by God. By contrast, the Lamb has 7 horns – he exercises God’s power –

he is omnipotent. Note: 7 horns trumps 10 horns! This is governmental power

Rom 13:1-7 WEB Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. (2) Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment ...

Nobody has any power he doesn’t get from God.

He wears 7 crowns – diademnos – ruler’s crown

He rules by God’s permission. Dan 4:34-35 WEB At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to

heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation. (35) All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or tell him, What do you?

The devil can wear a diademnos but he can never wear a stephanos after Calvary! Note: a stephanos trumps a diademnos!

When the dragon slaps his tail down, he brings down one-third of the stars

Rev 12:4 WEB His tail drew one third of the stars of the sky, and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.The dragon intends to devour the woman's son.When he slaps his tail, he brings down one-third of the stars of heaven.

One-third is the number of someone holding back. God held back in the trumpets that destroyed one-third of creation (ch. 8-9). The devil is holding back, too! He destroys one-third of the celestial bodies.

Rev 8:7-12 WEB

The first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. One third of the earth was burnt up, and one third of the trees were burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. (8) The second angel sounded, and something like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea became blood, (9) and one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed. (10) The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on one third of the rivers, and on the springs of the waters. (11) The name of the star is called "Wormwood." One third of the waters became wormwood. Many people died from the waters, because they were made bitter. (12) The fourth angel sounded, and one third of the sun was struck, and one third of the moon, and one third of the stars; so that one third of them would be darkened, and the day wouldn't shine for one third of it, and the night in the same way.

Rev 9:13-18 WEB

The sixth angel sounded. I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, (14) saying to the sixth angel who had one trumpet, "Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!" (15) The four angels were freed who had been prepared for that hour and day and month and year, so that they might kill one third of mankind. (16) The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million. I heard the number of them. (17) Thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, having breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of lions. Out of their mouths proceed fire, smoke, and sulfur. (18) By these three plagues were one third of mankind killed: by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which proceeded out of their mouths.

The woman gives birth to a son who will rule the nations with a rod of iron

Rev 12:5 WEB She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. Her child was caught up to God, and to his throne.Child is caught up to God. No battle is ever seen in

Revelation. The victory in Revelation is

so certain that the battle is never described.

Woman is cared for by God in the desert for 1260 days.Who are these characters?

The dragon is the devil

Rev 12:9 WEB The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

The son is Jesus

“Rule ... with a rod of iron” means to rule with complete authority, defeating all enemies.It describes the Messiah:

Psa 2:9 WEB You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."

Jesus' promise to Thyatira: Rev 2:27 WEB He will rule them

with a rod of iron, shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of my Father

Later description of Jesus: Rev 19:15 WEB Out of his mouth

proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the winepress of … the wrath of God, the Almighty.

The woman is God's covenant people idealized in Mary

Hence, 12 stars in her crownPregnant, she is OT Israel

Gal 3:23-24 WEB But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed. (24) So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Delivered, she is NT church Gal 3:25-29 WEB But now that faith

has come, we are no longer under a tutor. (26) For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. … (29) If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise.

In the OT, she is Israel in labor to bring forth the Messiah

Mic 4:8-10 WEB You, tower of the flock, the hill of the daughter of Zion, to you it will come, yes, the former dominion will come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem. (9) Now why do you cry out aloud? Is there no king in you? Has your counselor perished, that pains have taken hold of you as of a woman in travail? (10) Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail; for now you will go forth out of the city, and will dwell in the field, and will come even to Babylon. There you will be rescued. There Yahweh will redeem you from the hand of your enemies.Mic 5:2 WEB But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come forth to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.

She gives birth first to Christ, then to Christians

Rev 12:5 WEB She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. Her child was caught up to God, and to his throne.

Rev 12:17 WEB The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep God's commandments and hold Jesus' testimony.

The picture is an idealized image of Gen. 3:15

The woman's pregnancy is announced in Genesis 3:15. Gen 3:15 WEB I will put

enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel."

From that point on, the message of the Bible is "saved by one" and it is the story of the deliverance of God's people.

War in Heaven

Rev 12:7-12 WEB

There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war. (8) They didn't prevail, neither was a place found for him any more in heaven. (9) The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (10) I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now is come the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. (11) They overcame him because of the Lamb's blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life, even to death. (12) Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time."

The Devil refuses to give up

He goes to Heaven to fight. He is not smart, but he is persistent. We see two generals & two

armies. As in the old westerns, the

sheriff tells the bad guy, "This town is not big enough for both of us." Then, there's a gunfight. When the dust settles, the guys in the white hats have won.

In John's picture, when the battle is over, the dragon has been cast down.

The description of the dragon

Rev 12:9 WEB The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.Dragon – devourerSerpent – beguiler, tricksterDevil – diabolos, accuserSatan – satanos, adversaryDeceiver – liar

The dragon is described as "that ancient serpent"

This refers to the snake in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3.1-15), to which Paul referred: 2Co 11:3 WEB But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived

Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

In Revelation, "serpent" always refers to the Devil Rev 12:14-15 WEB Two wings of the great eagle were given to the

woman, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, so that she might be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. (15) The serpent spewed water out of his mouth after the woman like a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream.

Rev 20:2 WEB He seized the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole inhabited earth, and bound him for a thousand years,

The word "ancient" does not mean primarily that the devil is old, but that he goes back to ancient times, to the primeval days.

He is also described as "devil", "Satan" & "deceiver"

"Devil" is from the Greek diabolos, meaning "slanderer," "accuser"."Satan" is carried from Hebrew into the Greek satanos, meaning "adversary," "opponent"This is not a double name; these are two names, "the Devil, or Satan"He is also "the deceiver of the whole world". "Deceiver" comes from Greek planaoo, meaning "seduce,"

"deceive," or "beguile". Here it means to lead into sin, or into rebellion against God, by

means of lies. He influences "the inhabited earth." In other words, by his

deception he has "caused all the people on earth to sin."

This scene depicts the victory of good over evil

A common OT theme depicts earthly conflict as a heavenly struggle. Dan 10:12-13 WEB Then said he to me, Don't be afraid, Daniel; for from the first day

that you did set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard: and I am come for your words' sake. (13) But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but, behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me: and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

Dan 10:20 WEB Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia. When I go forth, behold, the prince of Greece shall come.

The scene in Daniel has Gabriel sharing insights with Daniel

A messenger arrives from God – I believe it was Gabriel, because he is the one who talked to Daniel in 8:16. He says, in essence, "Sorry I was detained, but I’ve been fighting the Prince of Persia. Then Michael came over to help me so I could come over here to see you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got unfinished business with the Prince of Persia." Cyrus thought it was Alexander the Great who was conquering his empire, but it was really Gabriel & Michael.

Michael is the angel of God’s people

Dan 10:21 WEB But I will tell you that which is inscribed in the writing of truth: and there is none who holds with me against these, but Michael your prince."Dan 12:1 WEB "At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book.So our angel & his troops defeat the devil & his troops.

We may not understand it, but here’s where faith comes in

Eph 6:12 WEB For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

The voice gives the final word of defeat to the Devil

Rev 12:10-12 WEB I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now is come the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. (11) They overcame him because of the Lamb's blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life, even to death. (12) Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time."

"The accuser of our brethren" may infer that the speaker is one of the martyrs

Rev 6:9-11 WEB When he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for the Word of God, and for the testimony of the Lamb which they had. (10) They cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" (11) A long white robe was given to each of them. They were told that they should rest yet for a while, until their fellow servants and their brothers, who would also be killed even as they were, should complete their course.

Or, it could be one of the great multitude of the redeemed before God's throne

Rev 7:9-17 WEB … behold, a great multitude … standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. (10) They cried with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" … (13) One of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are arrayed in white robes, who are they, and from where did they come?" (14) I told him, "My lord, you know." He said to me, "These are those who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb's blood. (15) Therefore they are before the throne of God, they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them. ..."

It seems more likely that the speaker is an angel

Note that an angel later identifies himself as a "fellow servant" Rev 19:10 WEB I fell down

before his feet to worship him. He said to me, "Look! Don't do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy."

Reasons to rejoice – God's salvation, kingdom and power have prevailedGod's salvation has come. Recall the earlier chorus: Rev 7:10 WEB They cried with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation be

to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

God's kingdom has come. Recall the earlier proclamation: Rev 11:15 WEB The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in

heaven followed, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!"

God's power has come. Recall the acclamation of the elders: Rev 11:16-17 WEB The twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones

before God's throne, fell on their faces and worshiped God, (17) saying: "We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was; because you have taken your great power, and reigned.

Another reason to rejoice – the Messiah has received his authorityThis could well be translated "and his Messiah will now exercise his authority over the world."

Recall Jesus' promise to the overcomers: Rev 2:26-27 WEB He who overcomes, and he who keeps my works

to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations. (27) He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of my Father:

What had been promised before, has now become reality: Rev 11:15 WEB The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in

heaven followed, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!"

This phrase may also be translated "and his chosen Savior will now use his authority."

A final reason to rejoice – our accuser has been discredited

This describes the Devil as a prosecuting attorney in the heavenly court:Job 1:6-12 WEB Now it happened on the day when the God's sons came to present themselves before Yahweh, that Satan also came among them. (7) Yahweh said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, "From going back and forth in the earth, and from walking up and down in it." (8) Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is none like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil." (9) Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? (10) Haven't you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (11) But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face." (12) Yahweh said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power. Only on himself don't put forth your hand." So Satan went forth from the presence of Yahweh.

Zec 3:1-4 WEB

He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of Yahweh, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary. (2) Yahweh said to Satan, "Yahweh rebuke you, Satan! Yes, Yahweh who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn't this a burning stick plucked out of the fire?" (3) Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the angel. (4) He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, "Take the filthy garments off of him." To him he said, "Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich clothing."Jud 1:9 WEB But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, "May the Lord rebuke you!"

The accuser who used to accuse us of sin, can’t accuse us any more.

Why? Because we don’t sin?No, because of the blood of the Lamb that takes away our sins. When the devil tries to accuse, the Lord points to the blood.How to overcome the Devil:

Rev 12:11 WEB They overcame him because of the Lamb's blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life, even to death.

By the blood of Christ – no merit of our own. Song:“What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood” Speaks of:

Calvary

1Pe 1:18-20 WEB … you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, (19) but with precious blood, as of a faultless and pure lamb, the blood of Christ…Rev 1:5 WEB … To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood;Rev 5:9 WEB … "You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood …Rev 7:14 WEB … "These are those who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb's blood.

Baptism

Act 22:16 WEB Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'Rom 6:3-5 WEB Or don't you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (4) We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection;

A way of life

1Jo 1:7 WEB But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

By the word of their testimony – We talk about what we love

Rev 1:1-2 WEB This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ… which he sent and made known … to his servant, John, (2) who testified to God's word, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, about everything that he saw.Rev 1:9 WEB I John, your brother … was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God's Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ.2Ti 2:2 WEB The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

They didn't love their lives, even to death

NRSV better: "they did not cling to life even in the face of death"They took Jesus' words to Smyrna to heart: Rev 2:10 WEB Don't be afraid of the things which you are about to

suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.

They were willing to face martyrdom to be faithful to Jesus. "and they were even willing to die if necessary" "holding their lives lightly, they were prepared to die“ "They said, `Let them kill us (if need be).' They did not fear death." Mar 8:35 WEB For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and

whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it.

Joh 12:25 WEB He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.

Woe to earth – the devil has come down & he’s furious

He knows he doesn't have much time to carry on his work of deceiving people (verse 9). Rev 12:12 WEB Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time."1Pe 5:8 WEB Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

War on Earth

Rev 12:13-13:1 WEB

When the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. (14) Two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, so that she might be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. (15) The serpent spewed water out of his mouth after the woman like a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream. (16) The earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon spewed out of his mouth. (17) The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep God's commandments and hold Jesus' testimony. (13:1) Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names.

On eagle’s wings

Exo 19:4-6 WEB 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to myself. (5) Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice, and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; (6) and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."

A more familiar passage

Isa 40:28-31 WEB Haven't you known? Haven't you heard? The everlasting God, Yahweh, The Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn't faint. He isn't weary. His understanding is unsearchable. (29) He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might. (30) Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young men utterly fall; (31) But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.

3 ½ years, 42 months, 1260 days & time, times and half-a-time

Time of persecution Rev 11:2 WEB Leave out the court which is outside of the temple,

and don't measure it, for it has been given to the nations. They will tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months.

Time of preaching Rev 11:3 WEB I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will

prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."

The time of protection Rev 12:6 WEB The woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a

place prepared by God, that there they may nourish her one thousand two hundred sixty days.

Rev 12:14 WEB Two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, so that she might be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

The figure comes from Elijah

1Ki 17:1-6 WEB Elijah the Tishbite … said to Ahab, As Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. (2) The word of Yahweh came to him, saying, (3) Get away from here, turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, that is before the Jordan. (4) It shall be, that you shall drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there. (5) So he went and did according to the word of Yahweh; for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, that is before the Jordan. (6) The ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

Satan can’t win, but he keeps on trying

He tried to destroy Jesus & failed Rev 12:4-5 WEB … The dragon stood before the woman …

so that when she gave birth he might devour her child. (5) She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. Her child was caught up to God, and to his throne.

He tried to invade Heaven & failed Rev 12:7-9 WEB There was war in the sky. Michael and his

angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war. (8) They didn't prevail … (9) The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

He tries to destroy the church & fails

Rev 12:15-16 WEB The serpent spewed water out of his mouth after the woman like a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream. (16) The earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon spewed out of his mouth.

Satan tries to sweep her away with the flood: this translates the Greek "to make her waterborne," that is, to float her away.

Old Testament background for Satan's persecution as a torrent

Psa 124:1-8 WEB If it had not been Yahweh who was on our side … (2) … when men rose up against us; (3) then they would have swallowed us up alive … (4) then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul; (5) then the proud waters would have gone over our soul. … (7) Our soul has escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare. The snare is broken, and we have escaped. ... Isa 8:5-8 WEB Yahweh spoke to me yet again, saying, (6) "Because this people have refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son; (7) now therefore, behold, the Lord brings upon them the mighty flood waters of the River: the king of Assyria and all his glory. It will come up over all its channels, and go over all its banks. (8) It will sweep onward into Judah. It will overflow and pass through; it will reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of its wings will fill the breadth of your land, Immanuel.

Satan can never destroy the church

Mat 16:18 WEB I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.He cannot destroy the church, so he works on individual Christians

Rev 12:17 WEB The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep God's commandments and hold Jesus' testimony.

The rest of her offspring: these "other descendants" are faithful Christians, who Keep the commandments of God, and Bear testimony to Jesus

What have we seen in Rev. 12?

We saw a pregnant woman about to give birth to a son who will rule the nations with a rod of iron. That is the story of the Old Testament.We saw the child born and taken up into heaven. That is the story of the Gospels up to the ascension of Christ.We saw Satan's unsuccessful attempt to prevent the Messiah from taking his throne. When he was unsuccessful, he turned his efforts to destroying the church. That is the story of the Book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament.Revelation 13 will describe Satan's warfare against the saints in greater detail.