Revelation Study 17. Revelation 12:1-17 (pgs 108-111)

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1. Briefly describe what John sees in each of the following passages:
12:1-6  The woman and the dragon. Not "And I saw..." but "And a great sign appeared", suggesting public knowledge. 
12:7-12 War in heaven, a hymn of praise. Initiated by the enthronement of the male son in death and resurrection (Jn 12:31).
12:13 - 13:1  Deliverance of the woman from the dragon. 
13:2-10  The beast from the sea
13:11-18  The beast from the earth
  
2. In your own words, explain what you think is the meaning of John's vision in 12:1-6. 
 The woman is the faithful people of God, from whom the Messiah comes (cf. Gen 37:9). The woman is in distress from labour pains (cf. Is 26:17, 66:7-9). The child is prophesied in Ps 2:9, seen again in Rev 19:15.
The people and the Messiah are always the target of Satan, but they are protected 
 
3. What can we learn about Satan (his character, activities, and destiny) from 12:7-12?
Like Leviathan, Satan represents the forces of chaos (Ps 74:13-14, 104:26), the serpent whon God tramples on, evil pollitical powers of the world like the king of Babylon (Jer 51:23) and the king of Egypt (Ez 29:3, 32:2). The seven heads and 10 horns represent perfection of power. These combine the heads and horns of the 4 beasts in Daniel's vision of Da 7:2-7.
The dragon is powerful enough to sweep the stars out of the sky (cf. Da 8:10), like the 4th trumpet. He is the origin of plagues.
  •  He opposes God, hence he makes war.
  •  His opponent is Michael, the only named archangel (Jude 9, Da 10:13, 21; 21:1), he fights the battle. The forces are not equal.He leads other angels (Beelzebul = "Lord of the flies")
  •  He has been cast down from heaven to earth. The dragon loses his place, unlike the secure place provided for the woman.(cf. Rom 16:20, Gen 3:15) 
  •  He has lost the power of accusation. This likely occurs at the time of Jesus’ completed ministry (cf. Jn 12:3, Lk 10:18 is likely anticipatory)
  •  He is conquered by God's people
  •  His time is short 
4. a. Who are "they" in 12:11 who have overcome the accuser? (Consider 12:10-11.)
 "our brothers", who were accused day and night.

b. How have they overcome Satan? (Explain in your own words.)
  • by Christ's atoning death - their salvation 
  • by their faithful witness - the application in reality of the victory of Christ   
In not fearing death their testimony is enhanced and the follow the example of their Lord.
The result of the war is both good and bad news, recalling the effect of the little scroll (10:10)
They are saved on eagles' wings (Ex 19:4, Is 40:31) 

c. How does this harmonize with, rather than contradict, 12:7-8, which ascribes the victory to Michael and his angels?
Different planes of reality.

d. How do you think 12:11 should affect your life?
Faithful witness to death.
 
5. Explain in your own words what the dragon (Satan) does when he is cast to the earth (12:13-17).
He seeks to destroy the people of God.
He pours out water like a river from his mouth. (cf. Is 8:8, Da 11:10)
He seeks to destroy other offspring of God's people: every faithful believer.

6. Why is it important for you to know that when he is hurled from Heaven and cannot destroy the woman, the dragon makes war against those who obey God's commands (12:12,17)?
He is angry. He will seek to vent his rage.
His target is the faithful ones who take God's commands and their relationship to Jesus seriously. 

7. What important truths about God and His people are conveyed in 12:6,14-16? 
 They are protected with care, delivered from harm
Their place of protection can be a hard place, but it is a place for nourishment.
Their suffering is temporary.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Read through 12:1-13:18 
1. Briefly describe what John sees in each of the following passages:
12:1-6
12:7-12
12:13 - 13:1
13:2-10
13:11-18
 
2. In your own words, explain what you think is the meaning of John's vision in 12:1-6.
 
3. What can we learn about Satan (his character, activities, and destiny) from 12:7-12?

4. a. Who are "they" in 12:11 who have overcome the accuser? (Consider 12:10-11.)

b. How have they overcome Satan? (Explain in your own words.)

c. How does this harmonize with, rather than contradict, 12:7-8, which ascribes the victory to Michael and his angels?

d. How do you think 12:11 should affect your life?
 
5. Explain in your own words what the dragon (Satan) does when he is cast to the earth (12:13-17).

6. Why is it important for you to know that when he is hurled from Heaven and cannot destroy the woman, the dragon makes war against those who obey God's commands (12:12,17)?

7. What important truths about God and His people are conveyed in 12:6,14-16? 
 

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