Revelation 12

First Cent. 4th Cent 18th Cent

6 Seals - revealing internal events in the Roman Empire 7th Seal - 7 trumpets blown

6 Trumpets - Summoning armies to invade western & Eastern empires

Ch.11 Witnessing against Papal Rome

312 1690 >

Ch.12 Pagan Dragon turns ‘Christian’ 312 1450

Ch.13 First two phases of the Beast (Rome)

410 1800

Revelation 12

A Woman and a Dragon in Heaven v.1-5

War in heaven v.7-9

A loud voice in Heaven v.10-12

The woman in the wilderness v.13-17

Revelation 12:1-5

A Woman and a Dragon in Heaven

Which Heaven?

Adapted from: “Observations on the prophecies of Daniel” by Sir Isaac Newton [Dublin 1733]

Prophetic Figure Signification Heavens and things therein Thrones & Dignities

Earth and things thereon Inferior People

Lowest parts of the earth, Lowest of the people

Ascending towards heaven Rising in power/Honour

Descending to the earth Falling in power/Honour

[In prophecy ‘Heaven’ often refers to the political rulers]

Sun, moon & stars all signify political government

Revelation 12v1 Can’t be Mary – this is a

vision of things yet future to John’s day

Significance of women in Revelation: representing religious systems

“In heaven”: represents political power

12:3 And there appeared another wonder (sign) in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

Compare Ch.13:1

What does the Dragon represent?

A History of the Dragon Power

God speaks “thou shalt surely die”

Serpent speaks “Ye shall not surely die”

God works His purpose through a nation

Serpent works its purpose through a nation

Ezekiel 29:3 Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers,

Ex. 5:1 Ex. 5:2

Ex. 4:3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; Nachash (snake) and Moses fled from before it.

Ex. 7:9 When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. Tanniyn (Sea monster)

Isaiah 27:1 In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, Nachash even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon Tanniyn that is in the sea.

Serpent Dragon

Serpent in Eden teaches rebellion against the truth of the word of God

Egypt (The Dragon) oppresses Israel

Babylon (Dragon) takes Israel captive (Jer.51:34, Ps,44:19)

Rome (Dragon) scatters Israel & persecutes the saints Dan7:7, Rev.12:2

Rome divides (East & West)

Moscow becomes ‘3rd Rome’

Beast destroyed

Dragon bound

D R A G O N

B E A S T Dragon destroyedRev.20:2

Revelation 12:1-3

The Dragon in Ch.13 represents the power of Rome - Pagan until the union with the ‘woman’

causes a change in religion & government

Rev.12:3 …. and seven crowns upon his heads.

The body is controlled by the head – Rome was controlled (governed) in 7 different ways :

1. Regal - Romulus was the legendary founder & first King

2. Consular - 2 Consuls for Patricians & Plebeians

3. Dictator - rioting as a result of 'weighting' of voting rights

4. Decemviral Ten men (decemviri) journeyed to Greece to . study the laws in force there, resulting in ten rulers

5.Tribunitial (War generals now exercise political power)

6. Imperial (one General takes power for life - Julius Caesar)

7. Gothic - Goths take control for 60 years

The period is being described before the empire is invaded & divided

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.

Drew – to drag

A beast with a large tail will use it in defence when attacked

Constan-tine

Maxentius

Licinius

Maximin

Four fold division of the Roman Empire - AD 310

Constantine defeats Maxentius at the battle of Milvian Bridge (312)

A statue on the Milvian Bridge

ConstantineLicinius

Maximin

Three fold division of the Roman Empire - AD 312

4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth:

Maximin suddenly invades & defeats Licinius

Constantine Maximin

Two fold division of the Roman Empire - AD 314

Licinius then regaines his lost territory

ConstantineLicinius

Maximin

Three fold division of the Roman Empire - AD 315

Constantine then defeats Licinius and Maximin

316 Cibalae

Constantine

Maximin

Two fold division of the Roman Empire - AD 316

Constantine then defeats Licinius and Maximin

316 Cibalae

324 Chrysopolis

Constantine

Roman Empire now united - ‘Christian’ - AD 324

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.Constantine supreme ruler of the empire(Expanded in verses 7-13)

What does the Woman represent?

First Century Ecclesia (Betrothed Bride) 32AD

Pagan Roman world, Dragon, Daniel 7, Rev.12

Virgins (Remnant)

Unfaithful Woman

Man Child

280 yrs from conception to birth

312

Through her champion ‘man child’ she defeats the Pagan rulers of Rome – she is thus ‘in heaven’

In the process she accepts many Pagan beliefs

Rev.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.

Is this prophetic of Jesus Christ?

He was already in the literal and political heaven in AD 96 when the prophecy was given (Mat.28:18)

Isa.11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom1, understanding2, counsel3, might4, knowledge5, fear of the LORD6;4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor7, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth8: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth9, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked10.

Gibbon comments on Constantine

"His vanity was gratified by the flattering assurance that he had been chosen by heaven to reign over the earth: success had justified his divine title to the throne”

Rev.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.

Isaiah 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:

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.

(Expanded in verses 14-17)

War in Heaven (v.7-9)

Rev.12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

Who was in heaven?

1. The woman - v.1 (The Church)

2. The Dragon - v.3. (Pagan Rome)

Rev.12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

Who was in heaven?

1. The woman - v.1 (The Church)

2. The Dragon - v.3 (Pagan Rome)

3. The man child - v.5 (Constantine)

Man Child = Michael = Constantine

Why is the term of Michael applied to Constantine?

Constantine was the champion & deliverer of the Christians - They thought they were God’s people, establishing God’s kingdom on earth (v.10)

Constantine was doing for a short time what Christ will do eternally for those who are the true people of God

Dan.12:1 ¶ And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy 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 thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

A loud voice in heaven (v.10-12)

Rev. 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.

Does this speak about the establishment of the kingdom?

1. The voice was in heaven where there was war between the man child (Michael) & the Dragon

2. The prophecy ends with the statement 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

Rev. 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, (Where there was war) 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.

Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Rev. 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.

Bryce speaks concerning the Church in the fourth century “Suddenly called from danger and ignominy to the seat of power”

Rev. 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.

Bryce speaks concerning the Church in the fourth century “Suddenly called from danger and ignominy to the seat of power”

The kingdom of heaven was inaugurated on earth by Christ…..The Church is the seed and beginning of this kingdom. Its keys are entrusted to Peter. (Catechism of the Catholic Church P.128)

Rev. 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.

“The event surpassed all words. Soldiers with naked swords kept watch at the palace gate. But the men of God passed through the midst of them without fear, and entered into the heart of the palace. And they sat down at the emperors table. It looked like the very image of the kingdom of God.”(Eusebius, Religious Historian)

The Cambridge Medieval History says concerning Constantine's wars in 312 "This short campaign - the most brilliant feat of arms since Aurelian's time - was an epoch for Constantine himself. To it belongs the story of the shining cross. Somewhere between Colmar and Saxa Ruba he saw in the sky one afternoon a bright cross with the words 'Hoc Signo vince', (in this sign conquer); and in a dream that night Christ bade him take it for his standard"

From this time onwards he replaced the symbol of the dragon with the symbol of the cross. The Christians believed they had been elevated to power through Christ's victory over sin on the cross.

Painting in the Vatican shows a scene from the battle of Milvian Bridge

The Christian symbol (the superimposed Greek Letters CHI & RHO [X & P]), the first two letters of the word Christos) was inscribed on the standards and shields of the army. Constantine was victorious in every battle until he became sole ruler of the Roman empire.

The exactness of the imagery seems indeed very striking:nor was its meaning even at the time of the fulfilment unrecognized.

The exactness of the imagery seems indeed very striking:nor was its meaning even at the time of the fulfilment unrecognized. Who a better commentator on it than Constantine himself? In a letter to Eusebius he writes of “that dragon having been deposed from the governance of affairs, by God’s providence.”

The exactness of the imagery seems indeed very striking:nor was its meaning even at the time of the fulfilment unrecognized. Who a better commentator on it than Constantine himself? In a letter to Eusebius he writes of “that dragon having been deposed from the governance of affairs, by God’s providence.” And Eusebius further relates, that in a picture elevated by Constantine over his palace gate, there was represented the cross, the ensign of salvation, placed above his head; and, beneath, his enemy and that of the human race under the semblance of a dragon precipitated into the abyss.”

(Elliott: Horae Apocalypticae 1844)

The Woman in the Wilderness

(v.13-17)

The Woman in the Wilderness

(v.13-17)

Why was the Woman who was ‘in heaven’ (v.1) driven

into the wilderness?

“Christ himself had categorically rejected political involvement;and prior to Constantine, Christians had not sought to assume power as a means of furthering their cause. After Constantine , Christianity and high politics went hand in hand. This in the eyes of the purists, was the moment of corruption.” (Europe - A History. Norman Davies page 212)

The ‘purists’ parted company with those in ‘high politics’

“In exact proportion as Paganism has disappeared from without the Church, in the very same proportion it appears within it. Pagan dresses for priests, Pagan festivals for the people, Pagan doctrines and ideas of all sorts are in vogue.” (Hislop Quoting Gieseler in ‘The Two Babylons’ page 251)

In assuming the Pagan title of Pontifex, he (Pope Damasus 366 - 384) had set himself at whatever sacrifice of truth to justify his claims to that title in the eyes of the Pagans, as the legitimate representative of their long line of Pontiffs. (Ibid page 252)

Christians ‘build bridges’ with Pagans

124AD - Immortality of the Soul

Christ died as a substitute (not as a representative) . to placate the wrath of an angry god

200 - Millennial reign of Christ regarded as an allegory

312 - CHRISTIANITY THE STATE RELIGION

The Church is the Kingdom of God on earth

Wholesale inclusion of ‘Christianised’ Pagans

First Century Ecclesia (Betrothed Bride)

Christianised Roman Dragon Rev.12

Virgins (Remnant)

Unfaithful Woman

“this in the eyes of the purists was the moment of corruption” - the purists parted company with those seeking power

Takes political power from the dragon

Accepts pagan teaching

Trodden under foot

First Century Ecclesia (Betrothed Bride)

Christianised Roman Dragon Rev.12

Virgins (Remnant)

Woman in the wilderness

Protestant witness

Harlot riding the Beast (Rev.17

‘Christian’ dragon with Pagan beliefs*

Takes political power from the dragon

Accepts pagan teaching

Trodden under foot

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.

Isa.8:8 And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

Deuteronomy 28:49 The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth;

Wings represent the empires extremities

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.

"But on the whole, after 330 persecution of the Church gave place to persecution by the Church, directed against recalcitrant pagans or against sectaries and heretics".

'The first five centuries of Christianity' - Moffat, page 100

In 430 “Christians were flocking to the deserts to live the simple life alone or in groups. ". (Ibid p.102)

Asia Minor ,June 431

Patriarch of Constantinople banished

At a general ecumenical council summoned by Nestorius, patriarch of Constantinople, at Ephesus, the patriarch himself has been banished - accused of heresy.Antagonists - including Pope Celestine and Cyril, patriarch of Alexandria - were quick to condemn him, and Nestorius has been banished to Egypt.(Chronicle p.262)

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.

Christ has two natures, one human, the other divine, therefore Mary is only the mother of Christ, not of God.

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.

Those within the ‘Church’ who objected to political involvement or the excesses of false teaching, either fled to the extremities of the empire or they were banished.

They were in the ‘wilderness’ 1260 years because they

witnessed against the false teachings of Papal Rome

Rev.11:3 ¶ And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Who are the Two Witnesses?

They are two groups or classes of people who witness against the Papacy

1. Religious opposition (The Woman - Rev.12:17)

2. Political/Social opposition (The Earth - Rev.12:16)

Rev.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.

Jer.46:7 Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?8 Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof.

The Serpent tries to destroy the woman

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.

When the Donatists of North Africa challenged Constantine “What business has the emperor to meddle with the Church,” a vigorous persecution was begun but with small success. A band of fanatics called Circumsellions ranged the country committing disorders and defying the authorities to make martyrs of them.

…… he (The Emperor) stopped the persecution as useless, and frankly gave them toleration. Africa was fairly quiet for the rest of his reign.

(Cambridge Medieval History Vol1. P.12)

17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

The reason for persecution was religious, therefore the true believers also suffered.

2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.