My Thoughts

Revelation 12

Cicely, Alaska or Roslyn, Washington?

Revelation 12 was very difficult and very confusing to me. I read, reread, prayed, and read several commentaries, thought about it, and I still wonder what’s going on. One commentary says this, another says that, and I’m thinking, “If these really smart people can’t figure out what’s going, how am I suppose to?” I would remind you as I have many things before, to please remember I am not a theologian, nor am I trained in this in ant way. I am I mechanic.

One of the questions I have is when did happen? The commentaries are divided on this. So far everything in Revelation happened in chronological order. But in Revelation 12:9 says: This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. Jesus said in Luke 10:18 He saw Satan fall from Heaven.

When I read Luke 10 in the past I always thought that Jesus saw Satan fall at that time. After all He is Son of God. Of course He could have seen Satan fall back in Genesis. Or, what if He saw Satan fall in the future. After reading it again I now believe that this is still in the future.

Another question is, who is the woman in Revelation 12:1-2? After thinking and praying about it, I wonder if it has to do with the bride of Christ. But not the Christian Gentile bride, but instead Christian Jew plus the Christian Gentile. Or maybe only the Jewish believers.

The moon under her feet; I still don’t understand. The twelve stars on her head are either the twelve disciples, which I doubt, or the twelve tribes of Israel. I believe it’s the twelve tribes because the Jews are God’s chosen people. Leviticus 20:26 You must be holy because I, the Lord, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own. However only those who believe in the Lord Jesus will be saved, and because of this, many Jews, and Gentiles (like me) are grafted into God’s family.

Revelation 12:3-4 brings up more questions. Everyone will agree that the dragon is the devil, but many will disagree on the seven heads and crowns and the ten horns. Some say it’s Rome, some say it’s the European Union. However one commentary said it was written to make it sound scary. Like a spooky story told around campfires to scare children. I believe this last one is stupid and wrong. One thing I have learned, everything has a meaning even if we don’t understand it.

And then what about the stars the dragon threw down to earth? Some say they are demons. But there are two problems with that. One is if Satan wants to be in control and worshiped; why would he turn against his own angels? Also Revelation12:7-9 says there was a war in Heaven and him (the devil) and his angels were forced out.

About Revelation 12:5, many will say it’s Jesus Himself however others will say it’s the church in general because of Revelation 2:26-27 To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end,
To them I will give authority over all the nations.
They will rule the nations with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.

If the woman is the church after God’s people have been snatched up, it might make sense if you consider new believers coming and God protecting them for 3-1/2 years. (1260 days)

So now in Revelation 12:7-9 there is a war in Heaven and Satan and his angels are booted out of Heaven and casted down to Earth.

In Revelation 12:10-12 some one in Heaven spoke with a loud voice. Scripture doesn’t say this; but I wonder if the one speaking is human. After all he said “For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth” He also said the devil and his angels were defeated by the blood of the Lamb I must add that back in the Old Testament the blood of lambs were used for the forgiveness of sins. However since an animal is temporary, here today and gone tomorrow, the shedding of animal blood is only a temporary fix at best. But Jesus, the Son of God, is eternal. So when he shed His own blood, making Himself the Lamb of God; then whoever believes in Him will be forgiven for eternity. So there is absolute power in the blood of Jesus, or as said here, blood of the Lamb. The one who spoke also prophesied that there will be terror on earth because the dragon is angry.

Revelation12:13 said the dragon will pursue the woman who gave birth to the male child. I believe this is Satan and his followers pursuing the Jewish believers in Israel. The male child, I believe, is Christ. If this is so, then Revelation 12:14 would make sense and may go along with what Jesus said in Matthew 24:15-17

Godzilla coming to shore – Google

I don’t understand Revelation 12:15-16. In Revelation 12:17 I am sure the dragon is at war with the rest of God people, both the Christian Jew and the Christian Gentile.

Finally he stands on the shore by the sea.

Again please check everything I say. Because after all, I have had no training in this at all.

Many of you are wondering what the photo at the top has to do with Revelation 12. Well to be honest, nothing. Many of you may recognize it as Cicely, Alaska, from the old TV show Northern Exposure. The show was filmed in Roslyn, Washington. I took the photo last week.