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Revelation 12 |
 And
there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun,
Rev. 12:11
2:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. |
  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. 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. Two things the dragon represents. The most obvious is Satan. He drew 1/3 of the angels with him as he was thrown out of heaven. See lesson 2 of Basic Bible lessons to review this story. He was so angry at being sent out of heaven, he planned to destroy all that God had made including Adam and Eve and the earth made for them. The other thing that the dragon with 7 heads represents is ancient Pagan Rome. It had 7 kings and set on 7 mountains. It helped to kill Christians. It tried to kill baby Jesus when He was born. But an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and they hurried to Egypt to live for awhile. All children 2 years and younger were killed in the king's effort to kill baby Jesus. What a horrid thing to do. |
| The
people of God are symbolized by the holy woman and her children. The man
child was Jesus who came to live on this earth then He went back to do the
work described in Basic Bible Lessons 11-13.
The true church of God is clothed with light from the sun because Jesus is the light of the world. (John 8:12) She has the light of the BIBLE truths. She has 12 stars about her head. The twelve stars on her head |
 Stars
are a symbol of Angel help (see the end of the lesson for texts
which help you understand this point). These are not saints or some
mysterious thing.
Judges 5:20 They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. Job 38:6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? |
  Since
Satan was banished from heaven his name was changed from angel carrying
light (Lucifer) to Satan, dragon, devil, bel, and other evil names. Satan is so angry. Throughout all civilizations on this
world, he has urged people to make up their own gods and forget the God in
heaven who created them and all that there is. Those who love God are
called the PURE WOMAN. Satan will fight against all the children of those
who believe in God. The children are all who obey God's commandments and
are faithful to the truth. The
absolute worst hate will be shown to anyone who keeps the 10 commandments. |
 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and [to] his throne. 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. 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. In every age of history, there are witnesses for God. There were the Waldensies of Great Britton, and the Huguenots of France. Reformers held the torch of truth high so people could know what the Bible teaches. God helped His people go to the wilderness where He had prepared a place for them to survive. The cities is where most of the hatred of Satan is concentrated. |
 Revelation12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 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. 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom 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. |
 Vomiting
Snake
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. These are a flood of lies. These are false doctrines and lies about God. The Bible says the snake is Satan. It is the symbol of sin and Satan. Rev. 20:2 "And He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years." |
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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.
The swallowing of the water vomited by the serpant snake was a big job. The Reformers like Martin Luther, John Huss, and William Tyndale spoke out against the false theories of the day. Bibles were translated into the language of the people. It was like a little tiny rock in a large lake but the ripples of information spread all over the world. People began to see the truth. In this way, the lies were swallowed. Another way the earth swallowed the water from the serpent, was the new country that people fled to for refuge from religious persecution. From 1492 and onward, people in Europe heard about the new land beyond the seas. This land was eventually called the United States of America. The pilgrims came here and learned from the Indians how to survive. Our countries founding fathers believed in God. Our USA laws were set up on the 10 commandments. |
  And
the woman of this lesson hid in the wilderness from the snake for 1260
years ( a time, times, and 1/2 time) The snake made a flood come after the
woman so he could destroy her. But the earth helped her out. Flood is a
symbol of false doctrines and lies from Satan. And the dragon was angry
and went to make war on the rest of God's children to the very end. Day
and night God protects HIS PEOPLE.
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| 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.
No matter how mean the enemy, God's people can win with the help of Jesus and by sharing their testimony of their relationship to Jesus. |
 The
beautiful snake in the forbidden tree had pretty wings. Eve had been
warned not to visit or go near this tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
They were not te eat the fruit from it. A snake began talking to her. The
voice of Satan was being projected into the snake.
He lied. "You will not die of you eat this fruit." He also said that Eve would know so much, she would be like God. Eve ate and took fruit to Adam. Immediately they got the guilt disease and ran to hide. God cam looking for them and found them. He said there would be anger between the seed of the snake and the seed of the woman. The word "seed" means children. Satan would have people act and talk like himself. These would be like his children. Jesus said some people were acting like "your father the devil." John 8:44 The woman was to have children too. Jesus was born or Mary and all who love God and keep His commandments are HIS CHILDREN. In a very special sense, Genesis 3:15 was a promise that Jesus would arrive as a baby, live and finally be bruised by His contest with Satan. But in the process God would make everyone see how cruel Satan is. This would make people hate sin. In this way, it was like hitting Satan on the head and bruising him. Satan lost everyone's respect at the cross. |
 I
wonder, does anyone still worship the snake?
History tells us that it was worshiped as a god of the dead promising eternal life and no death. Egyptian winged serpents are painted on walls of tombs. It is claimed that the winged serpent is the departed soul of the dead person. |
 In
Rome the serpent can be seen. For example, this winged dragon or serpent
is on a large papal crest in the Vatican museum. The word "Vatis"
means diviner. The rest of the word means serpent (can) Divining serpent.
This is a claim that this can tell the future. That is the same thing in
Egypt. |
  The
object in the pharaoh's hand is a crosier. It looks like a shepherd crook
but it is used like magic. It is for divining. In history it was claimed
to help the owner see what normally could not be seen and make things
happen. Egyptian royalty did not have anything to do with sheep herding.
They detested it. The Hebrews were given the land of Goshen for herding.
They were not disturbed because this profession was disliked among
Egyptians. Notice the Cobra on Pharaoh's forehead. |
 The
other symbol in the same hand of pharaoh is a flail which was originally a
fly whisk. It was associated with the worship of holy animals and with the
gods of Osiris and Min. Osirus was associated with death, resurrection and
fertility.
Only God in heaven has these powers. Osirus and Min were just made up gods. |
| Serpent Crosiers were commonly carried by bishops and high Catholic Church officials during the middle ages. It was claimed to be a shepherd's crook but it can be traced to the divining staff or pontifex maximus of ancient Rome. |
| Quiz:
1. What did John see in the sky? 2. What was at her feet? 3. What was on her head and what did it mean, and how many were there? 4. Who was after her child to destroy him? 5. Why was he after her child? 6. What came out of the serpents mouth? 7. Who is represented by the flying snake? 8. What did Egypt claim the flying snake was? 9. What lies did Satan speak through the flying snake in Eden to Eve? 10. How many years did the woman hide in the wilderness? 11. What did it mean to be clothed with the sun? 12. What did it mean to have the moon at the feet of the woman? 13. What did all the stars mean? 14. Could this woman be Mary who is seen by some in apparitions and urges people to worship on Sunday instead of the Bible Sabbath?
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| More
Information on the Stars
STARS are a symbol of angel help from heaven. There is a special promise that can be understood when you see the 12 stars about this woman representing God's commandment keeping people. Your story will be helpful to this world and to the whole universe. (Psalm 89:36, 37 The Scriptures mention the stars in their courses helping the Hebrews during their battle against Sisera under king Jabin. Deborah led her people in faith. Only a few showed up to help but from heaven they had all the help they needed. The earth shook, the mountains melted, the heavens came down maybe like a fog. Then the heavens poured. The tiny stream became a mud pit where the chariots got stuck. Soldiers and horses struggled together as the chariot wheels armed with two edged swords turned. Sisera only escaped but his life was ended in the tent of a woman called Jael. (Judges 4 & 5) Judges 5:20 They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. You can be sure that God in heaven will fight for you. Sometimes He allows people to die for Him. Their witness will last as long as the moon is in the sky. Their witness will be like seeds planted in a garden of rich soil and plenty of water. More and more people will decide to be on God's side. Remember how when Jesus died on the cross, many people decided to believe Him? Remember how when Steven was stoned, Saul was holding coats and watching? Soon after he was converted and became a mighty missionary preaching God's truth. Thousands more were brought to the truth from Steven's witness. Job 38:6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [how] art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! Daniel 8:10 And it waxed great, [even] to the host of heaven; and it cast down [some] of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.
Obadiah 1:4 Though thou exalt [thyself] as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD. I Corinthians 15:41 [There is] one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for [one] star differeth from [another] star in glory. Jude 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Rev. 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. |
MORE INFORMATION on SWALLOWING TROUBLE
| It
is interesting to study all the times God prepared something to swallow up
a plan or trouble that was against HIS plan
Aaron's rod swallowed Exodus 7:12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.
RED SEA SWALLOWED Egyptian army trying to kill God's people Exodus 15:9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will d |