Revelation 12:1-6

And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.  She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth.  And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems.  His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.  She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.

This vision gives an overview of the history of the world from the fall of Satan and the fallen angels to God’s salvation of the nation of Israel during the tribulation.  This is an overview that describes the cosmic conflict surrounding God’s plan of redemption.  Satan is a deceiver and a destroyer, but he is not sovereign and God’s will is certain to prevail.  God’s plan of redemption will not be thwarted.

MESSIAH IS BORN THROUGH ISRAEL: The most logical interpretation of this first sign is that the woman represents Israel.  She is the means through which God had promised to give birth to the Redeemer that would come to crush the serpent’s head.  The twelve stars on her crown as likely the twelve tribes of Israel.  From the time that Israel was revealed as the people through whom Messiah would come, she has been under attack.  Israel went through much pain to survive the various enslavements, captivities, and oppression.  Despite Satan’s attempts to destroy Israel before Messiah could come, Jesus was born and our Redeemer came just as promised. 

MESSIAH IS TAGETED BY SATAN: The second sign is a red dragon that represents Satan.  Ten horns likely represent the ten-nation alliance that will form as prophesied in Daniel’s vision of a ten horned beast.  The seven heads seem to be the description of the remaining kings after the three horns are broken off the dreadful beast Daniel describes.  His tail sweeping down a third of the angels is likely referring to the fall of Satan and the angels he deceived into joining his rebellion against God.  Satan and the demonic fallen angels were cast out of heaven.  Satan has one main objective that is to prevent the coming of Messiah.  He desperately wants to kill the nation of Israel and especially kill Jesus once He was born.

MESSIAH AND ISRAEL ARE PROTECTED BY GOD: Jesus was born and supernaturally protected during His childhood and ministry on earth right up until the time that He fulfilled the promise of God and laid down His life to ransom us from sin.  However, He did not stay dead.  God delt a death blow to the dragon, Satan, when Jesus resurrected from the dead.  Jesus was taken into heaven and is waiting for the time when He will return to earth to establish His kingdom and He will reign eternally.  Despite numerous attempts by Satan to destroy Israel even after the coming of Messiah, Israel has been protected.  She will come under even more significant attack during this last half of the tribulation, but God will protect her and provide for her in the wilderness.  Israel will not only be physically saved by God’s loving care; but she will also be spiritually saved as she will finally recognize Jesus as Messiah.

APPLICATION: Be assured of God’s control over the event of the universe.  Beware of Satan’s intent to destroy those chosen by God and to thwart God’s plan of redemption.  Prepare to suffer for the cause of following Christ.  Rest in the knowledge that God is able to protect His own.