Questions or comments?
How do we know that Revelation 11:15-19 likely refers to future events?
Verses 18 and 19 seem to most obviously point to a future time.
The nations were angry, but your wrath has come.
. . . the dead to be judged
. . . give the reward to your servants
. . . destroy those who destroy the earth
. . . temple of God in heaven
Verse 18 – Where will the dead be judged?
Revelation 20 (which we’ve not reached yet) will talk about the judgment of those who have died.
This time is often referred to as the “Great White Throne Judgment.”
Verse 19 – What does the ark of the covenant represent?
God promises – What He has done for His people
The ark contained the following:
The stone tablets with the Ten Commandments
A jar containing manna
Aaron’s rod
God’s presence -There was a holy glory associated with the ark
Verse 1 – Notice the sign
John explicitly refers to this as a sign or “symbolic display”
So, these signs represent something, but are not literally the thing described
Some view these as astronomical or cosmological signs, such as stars and planets. Perhaps. Either way, what John sees are signs that point to something real.
Verse 1 – Sun, moon, stars
Joseph’s Dream – See Genesis 37:9–10:
Then he had another dream and told it to his brothers. “Look,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun, moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” He told his father and brothers, and his father rebuked him. “What kind of dream is this that you have had?” he said. “Am I and your mother and your brothers really going to come and bow down to the ground before you?”
Some say that Joseph’s dream clearly refers to Jacob, Rachel, and the sons of Jacob.
So, the sun, moon, and stars in Revelation 12 clearly refer to Israel. Perhaps.
Verse 5 – The child who will rule
Listen to these biblical descriptions of the child, Jesus, who will rule:
For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.
Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times. Therefore, Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of the ruler’s brothers will return to the people of Israel. He will stand and shepherd them in the strength of the Lord, in the majestic name of the Lord his God. They will live securely, for then his greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.
The one who conquers and who keeps my works to the end: I will give him authority over the nations— and he will rule them with an iron scepter; he will shatter them like pottery.
Verse 6 – 1,260 Days
1,260 days = 42 months = 3.5 years
We’re starting to see a lot of references to a 3.5-year period in Revelation.
Verse 7 – Michael
Who is this Michael?
Michael is an archangel.
He’s mentioned in Jude 1:9, Daniel 10 and 12, and here in Revelation 12.
He’s referred to as a prince in Daniel, but in context, it’s believed it’s the same Michael.
Rough Timeline of Events
Revelation 12:7-9 – Satan and his demons were thrown out of heaven to the earth.
Revelation 12:10-17 – Human history and early end times.
Revelation 11:15-19 – Final end times.
Verse 9 – Angels
Reminder that evil angels are demons.
Verse 11 – Blood of the Lamb
How do we conquer by the blood of the Lamb?
Jesus has defeated our two greatest enemies: sin and death.
Verse 11 – Point of death
Notice that martyrs are mentioned again (those who die for their beliefs).
They loved Jesus more than their own lives.
Verse 14 – Wilderness
Wilderness is sometimes used for protection, other times for preparation.
We’re not sure exactly what the “wilderness” is here, but it likely represents protection, preparation, and preservation.
The dragon will not ultimately defeat the woman or her offspring.
Verse 14 – Time, times, and half a time.
Time = One year
Times = Two years
Half a time = Half a year
Total is 3.5 years. Sound familiar?
Verses 15-16 – The river from the dragon
This part is quite confusing.
Not likely to refer to the flood of Noah’s time.
We can simply gather that the dragon tried to harm the woman, but God used the earth to protect her.
Verse 17 – The offspring of the woman
Who are the offspring of the woman? (those who keep the commands of God and hold firmly to the testimony about Jesus)
Those of us who are faithful to Jesus are the offspring of the woman. We belong to the people of God.
The dragon will wage war against us, but he will not have the final victory.
Questions or comments?
