REVELATION 12 AND COMMENTARY

To embark upon a prayerful study of Revelation 12 is indeed to commence a journey that leads to worship of God at His throne, the blood-stained mercy seat over the two tables of His law.

It is impossible to see all the light on Revelation 12 in one reading. Read it a thousand times, and you will have learned just enough to better understand the depths of meaning yet to be plumbed. But Jesus only taught us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread."

2. As the book of Genesis introduces the history of this world, and lays the foundation for the understanding of the rest of the Bible, the book of Revelation brings that history to a climax and a close. God’s new world order triumphs over Satan’s proposed new world order. The devil especially hates the books of Genesis and Revelation, for they expose his campaign to deceive the world, and prophesy Christ's victory over him. We should expect to see Satan warring against the Bible, and most especially the books of Genesis and Revelation.

3. Revelation has twenty-two chapters. Roughly speaking, chapters 1-14 make up the historical half of the book, chapters 15-22 make up the eschatological half.

“Eschatology” is the doctrine of the last or final things, such as the close of human probation, the judgment, the seven last plagues, the death of the wicked, the resurrection of the righteous dead, the second coming of Christ, the millennium, the planting of the literal New Jerusalem city upon this earth, the resurrection of the wicked, the second death of the wicked in the fires of hell.

Each of the ancient prophets spoke more to the last days than their own time.

4. The first half of Revelation takes us through three different accounts of the history of this world, extending in particular from the cross to Jesus second coming. These three different accounts come in the message to the seven churches, then in the seven seals, and then in the seven trumpets. Each of the seven churches, seven seals and seven trumpets represents a different period of history. Because history is repeated in the grand and terrible endtime crisis, these churches, seals and trumpets have a special summary application in the last final crisis of this earth’s history.

5. Revelation portrays the resurrected Christ ministering as Priest and High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, of which the earthly sanctuaries were a copy. Christ as Intercessor is shown ordering His holy angels to protect the Bible, to create providences and make moves to minister to His children on earth, that they might be led to salvation and saved from the devil’s deceptions. Every section of the historical half of Revelation is introduced by a sanctuary scene.

The seven churches are introduced in Revelation 1 by a view of Christ as High Priest walking amidst the seven golden candlesticks.
The seven seals begin in Revelation 4 and 5 with the throneroom scene, where Christ is upon the throne as “the Lamb as it had been slain” (Rev 5:6). God’s throne is represented in the ancient sanctuary as the table of shewbread in the Holy Place, and the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place. (In fact ALL the sanctuary furnishings focus upon some facet of God’s throne.)
The seven trumpets begin with a view of Jesus at the golden altar of incense (Rev 8:2-5).
Revelation 12 and the final crisis before the close of probation for this world, is introduced with a view of Jesus at the Ark of the Covenant in an opened sanctuary (Rev 11:19), where Jesus is making his Day of Atonement judgment and final intercessions on behalf of sinners.
The seven last plagues begin also with a view of the Ark of the Covenant in an opened heavenly sanctuary, but now where “smoke” fills the sanctuary (Rev 15:5-8), as the clouds of incense did at the close of the Old Testament Day of Atonement services, which symbolized the close of probation for this world.
At the last, the book of Revelation tells us there is no sanctuary inside the New Jerusalem city (Rev 21:22), though now to serve a different purpose, there is a sanctuary outside of the city (Rev 7:15).

6. A check with a Concordance reveals that in the earthly sanctuary ministry, which is a type or copy of the heavenly, the word “atonement” is associated with the sacrificial altar in the courtyard (symbolizing Jesus’ death on the cross in 31 AD), but also with the priestly ministrations in the two-apartment sanctuary. Jesus work for our salvation is symbolized by both the Lamb and the Priest. The book of Hebrews focuses upon the priestly ministry of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, upon His ascension to heaven in AD 31. The sacrificial and priestly ministries of Christ are never separated in the Bible. “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:14. Jesus’ perfect atoning sacrifice as “the Lamb” occurred in AD 31. The consummation of Jesus’ atoning work as Priest occurs at the close of the 2300 day prophecy of Daniel 8:14.

7. The history of the “sweet-in-the-mouth, bitter-in-the-belly” experience resulting from the study of Daniel 8:14 occurred in the middle of the nineteenth century. It is the little book of Daniel that the mighty angel of Revelation 10 held in his hand, open, and cried that “there should be time no longer.” Revelation 10:6. It was widely preached, in America especially, that Jesus would return to earth on the Day of Atonement occurring October 22, 1844. It led to a bitter disappointment. The church discovered they had the date right, but the event wrong. The “sanctuary to be cleansed” was not the earth to be purified by fire at Jesus’ second coming, but the sanctuary in heaven to be cleansed of its records of sin, in association with a special work of cleansing in the hearts of believers on earth, just as in the typical Day of Atonement services described in Leviticus 16.

The church was commanded to “Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.” Revelation 11:1. It was this experience of studying the sanctuary doctrine of the Bible--Jesus work as Priest, in addition to His work as Lamb, that led to the formation of the church that was commanded to overcome the disappointment and “prophesy again, before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.” Rev 10:11. Please study the history of the Seventh-day Adventist church. No other church fulfills the “sweet-in-the-mouth, bitter-in-the-belly” prophecy of Revelation 10, resulting from the study of the last great time prophecy of the Bible, the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14. It is this church that has been entrusted with the sanctuary doctrine which alone can unlock the meaning of the prophecies of the Apocalypse. This is the reason for the focused ire of the dragon against the faithful in this church.*

The dragon’s anger against the remnant of the Revelation 12 woman’s seed is waged by a competing worship system posing as God’s true church on earth, and seeking to enforce its will upon the world. Notice how often the word “worship” is used in Revelation 13 and 14. Knowledge of the sanctuary doctrine and the two time prophecies of the Day of Atonement, described in Daniel 8 and 9, is the key to unlock the prophecies of the book of Revelation.

8. “Revelation” is an English rendering of the Greek word, “Apocalypse”, which appears on the manuscripts used by the early Christian church. In religious literature “Revelation” and “Apocalypse” mean literally, “an unveiling”, especially “an unveiling of the future.” But it is Jesus who is in the middle of the unveiling. The book of Revelation begins significantly with the words, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass…” Revelation 1:1.

9. Every detail of the prophecies of the book of Revelation carries weight. A head, a tongue, a tail, a horn, a hand, eyes, names, colours, numbers, directions of the compass, animals, earth, wind, fire, thunder, water, blood, the sea, light, the sun, the moon, days, hours, a man, a woman, a virgin, a marriage, divorce, and more – all these elements hold rich symbolic significance. The meaning of each symbol is a mystery which can be discovered by comparing Scripture with Scripture.

10. The book of Revelation is full of imagery taken from the Old Testament. Revelation complements in particular the book of Daniel (e.g. seven heads upon the dragon corresponds to the seven heads of the beasts of Daniel 7, representing all the kingdoms of this world in both instances.)

11. The question left hanging in Revelation 12:17 is: What is going to happen in the dragon’s warfare against the remnant of the seed of the woman? The answer comes in Revelation 13, 14 and on. The wrath of the Lamb meets and conquers the wrath of the red dragon. Self-sacrificing love is shown to be a power stronger than self-love, hate, force and guile. The test of obedience to God’s law in the final crisis revolves in particular over the controverted fourth commandment, requiring seventh day Sabbath observance in remembrance of God as Creator. During this time the obedient are sealed for salvation, the disobedient marked for slaughter in the seven last plagues, as typified in the vision of Ezekiel 8-11.

12. In the Apocalypse, the Revelation 12 woman is contrasted with the Revelation 17 woman. Both claim to represent God’s church on earth. But unlike the Revelation 17 woman, the Revelation 12 woman does not seek to manipulate and control the nations of the world and persecute all who stand in the way of her desire for world dominion. The symbol portrays the Revelation 12 woman as an extension of God’s glory, bonded in love to Jesus, worshipping Him as Creator and Redeemer, obeying Him and as King.

13. Neither the Revelation 12 woman nor the Revelation 17 whore are literal women, according to the Bible. They are symbols of two churches, God’s lovingly obedient church on earth, and the churches which have apostatized, which continue the forms of worship of God, claim they are Christians, but in reality are of “the synagogue of Satan.” Rev 3:9.

The Revelation 12 woman is how God, because of the gift of Christ’s perfect righteousness, views His church on earth. There is not a woman on earth who could adequately represent this woman. God says, “I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely [lovely] and delicate woman.” Jeremiah 6:2. But when we look at Jesus bride, we might see one woman as too old and wrinkly, another too fat, another too thin, another has disabilities, another does not have an elegant frame, another is beautiful but has a bad reputation, another is rough in manner, another is an outcast, another has some other failing. As we might judge, NONE of these women measure up as the bride of Christ! Yet because of His gift of perfect righteousness, imputed and imparted, because they have given their hearts to Christ, all these women would be regarded by God as children of the Revelation 12 woman.

In similar manner, no man on earth measures up as a parallel to Christ, for all have sinned, and all are beneath Him in glory and power. If God selected a person to parallel and point to a biblical symbol of Christ or His bride, it would of necessity HAVE to be a parallel because of some selected feature, happening or characteristic, and that is all. Please note by the way that it is in God’s plan that EVERY wife and mother should symbolize Christ’s bride, the church, and EVERY husband and father should symbolize the headship role of Christ in the life of the church, most especially if a husband and father is also a church pastor. See e.g. Hosea 2:19; Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 3:14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:11; Ephesians 5:1, 22-32; 1 Timothy 3:5 and context; 1 Corinthians 4:14-16; etc..

14. Many different symbols are used in Revelation 12 to represent Christ and His work in bringing His bride and her children to salvation, and establish His New Jerusalem kingdom.

Christ is:-

the sun, the source of the light, righteousness and glory which clothes the woman who symbolizes the church (Rev 3:18; 1:13-16; 11:19; 12:1).
the moon reflecting light from the sun. This is the law and the prophets speaking for Christ, the solid rock which is the foundation under the woman’s feet (Rev 12:1).
the Lamb who died our death that we might have the gift of eternal life (Rev 12:11; John 3:16).
the Man Child, who took upon Himself our fallen human flesh, that He might be one of us (Rev 12:2, 4, 5; Matt 1; John 1:1, 14; Rom 8: 3, 4), and qualify as a merciful and faithful High Priest (Heb 2:16-18; Heb 4:15, 16).
the High Priest who ministers in our behalf in the heavenly sanctuary (Rev 11:19; Heb 8:1, 2) that we might be conformed to His image (Rom 8:29; Heb 10:16);
Michael, in command of the ministering angels (Rev 12:7).
the Creator described in the fourth of the Ten Commandments in the Ark of the Testament (Rev 11:19; 12:17).
the husband of the Revelation 12 woman (Rev 11:19; Hosea 2:19; Isa 54:5, 6; Jer 3:14; 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:22-32), who speaks to her (Rev 3:20; 12:17), and through the Bible’s new birth experience, ensures the growth of the church family.
the gift, Something and Someone outside of the woman, but absolutely needed by her for her life, glory and happiness (Rev 11:19; 12:1).
the king of the New Jerusalem kingdom symbolized by the Ark of the Testament and the crown of twelve stars on the woman’s head (Rev 11:19; 12:1).

14. Many have grown up thinking the Revelation 12 woman of light with her baby Son, represents merely Mary and Jesus, but this idea can be justified only from tradition. The Revelation 12 woman is a symbol of Christ’s church on earth, based upon the curse and the promise of Genesis 3:15. See Hosea 2:19, 20; Jeremiah 3:14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:22-32.

15. The red dragon and Satan is successful in deceiving not only a third of the angels of heaven, but also, except for a small remnant, “the whole world.” Revelation 12:9. To be deceived implies you were once not deceived. Thus implicit in Revelation 12 is the idea of the impure woman of Revelation 17, a majority of those who first belonged to the Revelation 12 woman, but who were deceived into switching sides, while still presenting themselves as the church of God. But they are actually divorced from God.

16. There is no such thing as the true church separated from Christ. Either Christ is with the church as the Revelation 12 woman is clothed with the sun, or the church has become part of the Revelation 17 whore with her harlot daughters. In Revelation Christ and His church or kingdom are represented by at least five symbols:-

Satan has his counterfeit of each of the symbols of God’s church on earth, and God judges these counterfeit symbols appropriately.

For God’s destroying judgments against the:-

counterfeit candlesticks - see Rev 18:23;
counterfeit woman – see Rev 17:16;
counterfeit 144,000 – see Rev 13:17, 18. 144,000 is 12x12x10x10x10. 12 is a factor of 144,000. The number 10 symbolizes completion. Revelation 21 makes 12 the kingdom number. There are 12 stars in the Revelation 12 woman’s crown. We can expect the counterfeit kingdom to seek to use God’s symbols. 144,000 is the group numbered by God as citizens of His kingdom, a literal as well as a symbolic number. There were 12 disciples in the New Testament, and 12 sons of Jacob who give their names to the 12 tribes of Israel, literal in the Old Testament, spiritual in Revelation 7. But there is also a great multitude of the saved besides the two sets of chosen 12. The Apocalypse prophesies that the counterfeit kingdom will at the last number its citizens so as to shut out those who “keep the commandments [including the fourth, which alone identifies the Creator-King] of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev 12:17. Enforced disobedience to the fourth commandment is prophesied. Note the discussion of God’s 144,000 immediately after the description of the 666 number of the beast and man, in Rev 13:17 to Rev 14:5, and context.
counterfeit holy city – see Rev 17:16-18;
counterfeit stone or rock – see Rev 18:21; 6:15, 16; 16:21;
counterfeit mount of God – see Rev 17:9; 16:12-21. “Armageddon” means “mount of the congregation”, or “mount of judgment.” It is where—led by unclean spirits—the kingdoms of this world, presumptuously claiming dominion over it as God, gather for their last stand against His law and people, intending to corner, isolate and then slaughter all His loyal children right off the face of the earth. Instead, God from His throne intervenes, the kingdoms of the world are totally destroyed by the seventh plague, as the armies of Egypt were once drowned in the Red Sea while pursuing Moses and Israel. Jesus the Mighty Deliverer comes the second time, resurrects the righteous dead, who with the righteous living are caught up to meet Him in the air. See Revelation 15:1-4; 19:1-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17.

To understand, believe, and live by the history of Revelation 12 could not be of greater importance to those who love Jesus, desire to be faithful during the terrible mark of the beast issue of Revelation 13 and 14, and to live under His protection during the fearful seven last plagues of Revelation 16.

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17 (NKJV)

* This is by no means a statement that only those who call themselves Seventh-day Adventist will be saved. We are saved in the end as individuals, not by our earthly name tag. Church structures should be supported to the degree their works show they are faithful to God. But down through sacred history, obedience to a church structure has never of necessity equated with obedience to God. When church structures demand a disobedience to God's laws, the Bible says "we ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29.

Revelation 12

In Revelation 12 we read of a woman clothed with the sun and bearing children. She is persecuted by a dragon who is Satan, but ultimately prevails against him. In particular, the dragon seeks to devour her firstborn, a Man Child. But this Child is caught up to heaven.

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15.

For Reflection

"Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand." Matthew 13:13

"The Revelation was not written without tears; neither without tears will it be under-stood." Benson

"Despise not proph-esying [of which par-ables are often a part]. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." 1 Thess 5:20, 21

"There is no neutral ground in the universe: every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan." C.S. Lewis, Christian Relations, p. 33

"Now faith is the sub-stance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ... But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him." Heb 11:1-6

"New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common." John Locke, Essay on Human Understanding.

www. 3abn.org

www.amazingfacts.org

The Prophetic Allegory of Revelation 12

SOME RULES FOR THE STUDY OF SYMBOLOGY Taken from the book by Dr Leslie Hardinge, With Jesus in His Sanctuary, American Cassette Ministries, Book Publishing Division, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA, 1991, page 48

(End of section by Dr Hardinge)

OVERVIEW OF REVELATION 12

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15.

To explain who’s who in this text:

“And I [God] will put enmity between thee [Satan as the serpent which deceived Eve] and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it [the woman’s seed] shall bruise thy [the serpent’s] head, and thou [the serpent/Satan] shalt bruise his [the woman’s seed] heel.” Genesis 3:15.

The implied or stated imagery of Genesis 3:15 is that of a strong foot raised to crush the head of the serpent in order to kill it. This operation is successful. But before the serpent is killed, it causes a wound to the heel raised to strike it.

3. Revelation has twenty-two chapters. Roughly speaking, chapters 1-14 make up the historical half of the book, chapters 15-22 make up the eschatological half.

Each of the ancient prophets spoke more to the last days than their own time.

The seven churches are introduced in Revelation 1 by a view of Christ as High Priest walking amidst the seven golden candlesticks.

The seven trumpets begin with a view of Jesus at the golden altar of incense (Rev 8:2-5).

Revelation 12 and the final crisis before the close of probation for this world, is introduced with a view of Jesus at the Ark of the Covenant in an opened sanctuary (Rev 11:19), where Jesus is making his Day of Atonement judgment and final intercessions on behalf of sinners.

At the last, the book of Revelation tells us there is no sanctuary inside the New Jerusalem city (Rev 21:22), though now to serve a different purpose, there is a sanctuary outside of the city (Rev 7:15).

10. The book of Revelation is full of imagery taken from the Old Testament. Revelation complements in particular the book of Daniel (e.g. seven heads upon the dragon corresponds to the seven heads of the beasts of Daniel 7, representing all the kingdoms of this world in both instances.)

14. Many different symbols are used in Revelation 12 to represent Christ and His work in bringing His bride and her children to salvation, and establish His New Jerusalem kingdom.

Christ is:-

the sun, the source of the light, righteousness and glory which clothes the woman who symbolizes the church (Rev 3:18; 1:13-16; 11:19; 12:1).

the moon reflecting light from the sun. This is the law and the prophets speaking for Christ, the solid rock which is the foundation under the woman’s feet (Rev 12:1).

the Lamb who died our death that we might have the gift of eternal life (Rev 12:11; John 3:16).

the Man Child, who took upon Himself our fallen human flesh, that He might be one of us (Rev 12:2, 4, 5; Matt 1; John 1:1, 14; Rom 8: 3, 4), and qualify as a merciful and faithful High Priest (Heb 2:16-18; Heb 4:15, 16).

the High Priest who ministers in our behalf in the heavenly sanctuary (Rev 11:19; Heb 8:1, 2) that we might be conformed to His image (Rom 8:29; Heb 10:16);

Michael, in command of the ministering angels (Rev 12:7).

the Creator described in the fourth of the Ten Commandments in the Ark of the Testament (Rev 11:19; 12:17).

the husband of the Revelation 12 woman (Rev 11:19; Hosea 2:19; Isa 54:5, 6; Jer 3:14; 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:22-32), who speaks to her (Rev 3:20; 12:17), and through the Bible’s new birth experience, ensures the growth of the church family.

the gift, Something and Someone outside of the woman, but absolutely needed by her for her life, glory and happiness (Rev 11:19; 12:1).

the king of the New Jerusalem kingdom symbolized by the Ark of the Testament and the crown of twelve stars on the woman’s head (Rev 11:19; 12:1).

a candlestick (Revelation 1:20);

a woman clothed with light (Revelation 12);

144,000 persons (Revelation 7; 14:1-5);

New Jerusalem, a holy city (Revelation 11:2; 14:20; 20:9; 21; 22:1-5);

a stone or rock (Revelation 11:15-17; cf Daniel 2:34, 44, 45; 12:1);

a holy mountain (Revelation 22:1, 2).

Satan has his counterfeit of each of the symbols of God’s church on earth, and God judges these counterfeit symbols appropriately.

For God’s destroying judgments against the:-

counterfeit candlesticks - see Rev 18:23;

counterfeit woman – see Rev 17:16;

counterfeit holy city – see Rev 17:16-18;

counterfeit stone or rock – see Rev 18:21; 6:15, 16; 16:21;

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17 (NKJV)

© Copyright Vada Kum Yuen 2005

SOME RULES FOR THE STUDY OF SYMBOLOGY
Taken from the book by Dr Leslie Hardinge, With Jesus in His Sanctuary, American Cassette
Ministries, Book Publishing Division, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA, 1991, page 48