Introduction: The title of our lesson this weeks sounds like the
title of a science fiction book. The story is fantastic, but it is
not fiction. Instead, it is a parable of the history of salvation.
Let’s jump into Revelation 12 and see what we can learn.
- The Woman
- Read Revelation 12:1. We have this “great and wondrous”
“billboard” in the sky according to Revelation. Have you
ever seen a billboard by the road and wondered what it
meant? (This is an advertising technique these days. We
see ads that say, “Want to have an M-life?” and we wonder
what an “M-life” is that we should want it. It gets our
attention.) - Now that Revelation 12:1 has your attention, what do
you understand this great heavenly billboard to mean?
(Let’s break it down.) - What do you think could be meant by the sun
clothing the woman? (Light generally refers to
God and His righteousness. See, for example,
John 1:7) - How about the moon? What do you think it
represents? (The moon reflects the sun. I have
the picture in my mind of someone standing on a
mirror with a strong light shining down from
above. This woman is just surrounded by light.
Our lesson (Sunday) has the interesting
suggestion that the heavens are used to
determine seasons. Thus, the Moon may also
suggest a new era on earth.)
- We also have stars on our billboard. What could
the stars represent? ( Philippians 2:15 tells us
that we should shine like stars.) - Why twelve stars? (God’s people were
divided into twelve tribes. Jesus had
twelve disciples. Twelve is an important
number in the Bible. See Revelation 21:12-14.) - So far we haven’t talked about the main figure in
this sign. What does the woman represent? (The woman
can collectively represent God’s people – His church.
See 2 Corinthians 11:2. This woman is bathed with
light and has at her feet and on her head things (the
moon and stars) that reflect light. Since we are to
reflect the light of God, this sounds like us –
members of God’s church.)
- Read Revelation 12:2&5. Who is this son that was born to
the woman? (Verse 5 leaves no doubt that this is Jesus.) - How do you explain that the Church gave birth to
Jesus? Does that make any sense? Didn’t Mary give
birth to Jesus? (If we say that the woman represents
God’s people at that time – Israel – then Jesus was
literally born of an Israelite woman (Mary) and born
of the nation of Israel.) - The Dragon
- Read Revelation 12:3-4. We have another heavenly
billboard – this one a lot scarier. What is on this
billboard? (A dragon of unusual size with a lot of heads
and horns.) - This dragon is red. I used to own a red Mustang and
my wife now owns a red Corvette. Does this mean this
dragon is sporty? (Verse 4 suggests the dragon is a
killer. Therefore, “red” may symbolize blood and
refer to its willingness to kill.) - Why do you think the dragon has seven heads? (Seven
is the perfect or complete number in the Bible. That
may mean this dragon is perfectly evil.) - What plan does the dragon have for the child? (It
wants to kill Jesus, the child.) - Who do you nominate as the individual represented by
the dragon? (It seems to be Satan. Revelation 12:9
confirms this identification.) - One last feature of this dragon. Its tail sweeps a
third of the stars from the sky. We just spoke about
the stars representing people. Is that what they
represent here? - If not, why do you have two different
definitions of “stars?” (Let’s look at a couple
of texts. Daniel 8:10 and Isaiah 14:12-13.) - Who has been cast down in Isaiah? (Satan)
- Notice that in Isaiah we find Satan
referred to as a “morning star.” Does that
help you determine what is meant by
“stars?” (I think “stars” refers to God’s
followers. The “stars” in Revelation 12:4
are stars that live in the “sky.”Logically, these refer to God’s followers
in heaven – angels. The “stars” in
Revelation 12:1 are connected with God’s
church – so they are God’s followers here
on earth.) - Does that make you a “star?”
- What is the significance of Satan sweeping a
third of the “stars” from heaven? (Read
Revelation 12:7-9. These next verses make clear
that a terrible thing happened in heaven. Satan
was able to take with him one-third of the
angels of heaven.) - All right, star. What danger does this
suggest to you? (If Satan can deceive
those “stars” who lived in heaven with
God, we need to be alert and prepared by
studying our Bible.) - The Child
- We have already identified the child as Jesus. Let’s look
at Revelation 12:4-5 again and focus on the discussion of
this child. - What significance do you find in Jesus being born of
this woman? (This “links” Jesus to us. As we
discussed above, the symbol of the woman can cover
both God’s people collectively as well as Mary, the
mother of Jesus. The “good news” for us is that Jesus
has forever linked Himself to us.) - How did Satan try to kill Jesus when He was born?
(Matthew 2 recounts how the Magi told King Herod
about the prophecy concerning Jesus and the star that
pointed them to the place of His birth. Herod decided
one king was enough, and that would be him, so tried
to kill Jesus by ordering that all baby boys, two
years and younger, were to be killed. This gives you
a clear insight into the character of Satan.) - How do you explain the reference in verse 5 to Jesus
being “snatched” up to God and His throne? ( Acts 1:9
is part of the account of Jesus ascending to heaven.) - We have figured out the pieces. Let’s put this picture
together. What does all of this mean? (It means there was
this huge battle between God and Satan. God beat Satan in
the battle over heaven. God then sent His Son who then
beat Satan in the battle over earth. Just in case we did
not understand the parable in these heavenly “billboards,”
God sets it out for us in Revelation 12:7-11.) - The Consequences
- Read Revelation 12:12. Why does the text say “Woe” to us
earthlings? I thought Jesus beat Satan in the battle for
the earth? - If Jesus did beat Satan, what do we have to worry
about? (Jesus did beat Satan. However, Satan is not
being a gentleman about it and going quietly.
Instead, he is rather upset about losing and is
taking it out on us.) - Did you notice that Satan is a “clock-watcher?” What
is the good news for us in that? (Satan understands
there is limited time for him. The text says “his
time is short.” That means there is just a limited
amount of time before God finally wraps everything up
and takes us to heaven with Him. That is good news
for us living with a surly dragon neighbor.) - Read Revelation 12:17 How do we know if we are in the
“line of fire?” (Satan is at war with those who obey God’s
commandments and who believe and testify that Jesus is
Lord.) - Is it good or bad to have the dragon coming after us?
(The good news is this means we are on God’s side.
The side that has defeated Satan and has given him
only a limited time to continue.) - Friend, the dragon has been defeated. His is still
dangerous, but he cannot win. In this battle, whose side
will you chose to be on? Do you want to be a winner or a
loser? If you want to be a winner, believe Jesus is Lord
and obey God’s commandments. - Next Week: The Dragon Versus the Remnant – Part 1
