Chapter 11 – What Happens Now?
With this greater insight concerning the numerical markers and particularly the 6:1 ratio, where does this leave us? Why is this understanding important and relevant? Reading from Revelation 12 verse 9,
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him”.
The devil was the once covering cherub nearest the throne of God that rebelled and was eventually cast out of heaven; though not as exalted as he once was, he is more than a match for any human; a being with supernatural power. However, praise God he is no match for our lovely Jesus, so there is complete victory possible through the grace that God provides, however, this does not mean he will not cause tremendous problems for God’s people, especially at the end of time. His very existence is at stake, so his efforts to deceive and persecute are tireless. If we are clearly very near the end as the ratio suggests, major trouble is just before us.
This controversy has always centered around Satan’s ability to perpetuate his existence even though God’s word predicts his demise, (Eze.28:18). There has been the proverbial question over the years as just when the devil was cast out from Heaven? I’m certain this is not as critical as the fact that it did happen at some time and has left us, (humanity) in quite the pickle,
“Woe to the inhibiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time,” (Rev. 12:12).
Satan knows his options are running out, his defeat at Calvary was significant and complete, as the pretense and mask were stripped away, laying bare his rebellious and hateful character for all the watching creation to behold. So what happens now?
Rev. 12:13 is one of those ultimate verses with applications running throughout history pointing to this moment, (the ultimate fulfillment),
“And when the dragon saw that he was case out unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.”
As we decode this verse it seems easy enough to conclude that the dragon is the devil, (Rev. 12:9 a persecuting power), the woman is God’s true church and the man child is referring to Christ. One literal application occurred at the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, then about one year later the family must flee into Egypt to avoid King Herod’s wrath and death sentence.
Scholars are divided as to just when Herod died, (some say 4 BC others 1 BC), but according to Scripture it had to be after the birth of Christ, so 1 BC is more plausible, with Christ being born about 4/3 BC. Herod’s last years of life were very unstable mentally with speculation that he went insane, so it would make sense to have his sons established as coregents in his territory before his actual death, this may be the reason for any confusion.
Scripture indicates that the “woman”, (Mary would be a literally application) would flee into the wilderness, a place prepared by God for 3 ½ years, (Rev.12:6). Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus did flee to Egypt about a year after Christ’s birth, and were there for a few years until word of the death of Herod came. This 3 ½ year period could have been very literal for the young Jewish family, however, it would also be symbolic of God’s church, (the true woman of prophecy), and denotes a 1,260 year period of persecution referred to as the Dark Ages, (538 AD – 1798 AD), which also was a literal event that would become an important application.
This 1,260 years of prophetic time, though predicted and fulfilled as Napoleon’s general Berthier takes the pope captive in 1798, was not the ultimate fulfillment of the verses in chapter 12. Again, the Hebrew exegesis comes into play, multiple applications pointing to the ultimate fulfillment.
“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, (1,260 days) from the face of the serpent.” (Rev. 12:14)
This is a perfect example of how the Hebrew exegesis works, with each application providing more information to help the reader understand that the message has progressed beyond the original circumstance. The Greek word “face” in the NKJ bible, is the word (prosopon) and means; countenance, appearance, presence or person.
John, under the direction of the Spirit is revealing the ultimate fulfillment or time when God’s people will flee from the very presence of the deceiver, Satan himself, who has personated Christ and is intent on the destruction of the faithful, just before probation closes. John in Revelation 9 reveals the actual event as the ultimate destroyer makes his appearance.
“And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.” (Rev. 9:1)
Here is brought to view a being (Him) that falls from heaven, he is allowed to open the flood gates of strife and contention leading the world into chaos and war. (Rev. 9:2-10)
“And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue he has the name Apollyon”. (Rev. 9:13)
The names Abaddon and Apollyon mean “the destroyer” Whereas there are many individuals throughout history that could wear this title; there is only one ultimate fulfillment, only one ultimate destroyer, Satan himself. He is responsible for destroying the peace and harmony in God’s creation.
John is revealing for these last generations that Satan himself will personally lead out in the confusion and mayhem, unleashing a time of trouble to inspire the unconverted to rise up and destroy true believers. This is the reason for the statement in Rev. 13:15; “He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” This is the reason why God cuts the scheduled time short.
God has promised that He would be with us always, even unto the end, (Matt. 28:20), God’s people are pictured as fleeing from wrath because the devil can also calculate the time of probation left and he must eliminate them before this deadline. The time involved with this ultimate fulfillment is the same 1260 days (3 ½ years) that has been highlighted before with several applications. This period of time has been significant all through prophetic history. Messiah’s ministry was 1260 days, from His Baptism till His death. From the time of His death until the close of Jewish probation as a nation was also 1260 days. This period of time has been and will again be associated with a probations closing. An historical closing of probation for the beast power of the dark ages is also literalized with a 1,260 year reign coming to an end, as French general Berthiea takes the Pope captive in 1798. The Gentiles treat-down the holy city for 3 ½ years but God’s two witnesses clothed in sackcloth prophesy for 1260 days at the very end.
Though written early in the Christian dispensation, the book of Revelation is more for the last generations than any other, here is where the ultimate fulfillments come into play.
A reminder of what has been mentioned already is in order. You might notice in the very first chapter, verse 3 the phrase, “for the time is at hand”, what time is here referred too? It is not until you get to the end of the book, chapter 22 that this becomes succinctly clear, “And He saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.” “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And behold I come quickly…”
This “time” is the close of human probation, (like the closing of the door on Noah’s Ark), the time when heavenly mediation is over, also probations close is indicated by the throwing down of the censer (Rev. 8:5). “And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake”.
What this is indicating is that the entire book could be used to decode the ultimate fulfillments of prophesy, remembering that the many applications throughout history were just pointing to present truth. This has led us to consider the ultimate fulfillments and these take place at the very end, just prior to the close of human probation. We know we are getting near the end as we come close to the year 2,034 AD.
This does not mean that the applications we studied throughout history aren’t valid and true but we must get passed promoting and focusing on the historical applications as end-time fulfillments. History is being repeated and there will come a time when the last scenes will be played out, the book of Revelation is the revealing of that epilog.
There must be a greater focus on the events portrayed in the book of Revelation and considered as present truth. If we proscribe them to past applications, we will miss their critical importance and could be caught off guard when predicted events occur. “In the Revelation are portrayed the deep things of God. The very name given to its inspired pages, the Revelation; contradicts the statement from some that this is a sealed book. A revelation is something revealed, the Greek word; “apocalypses” means the very same. The Lord Himself revealed to His servant the mysteries contained in the book, and He designs that they shall be open to the study of all. Its truths are addressed to those living in the last days of this earth’s history, as well as to those living in the days of John.”
The book would apply to historical applications but the ultimate fulfillments would be the present truth for the last generations. When the people of God understand what this book means to them, there will be seen among them a great revival. A focus on the historical applications will not lead to a genuine revival, though informative. We do not fully understand the lessons it teaches, notwithstanding the injunction given to search and study its pages. Now is the time for us to be revived, the time of the development of the 144,000 and the time of the sealing.
By looking back at applications we have failed to see certain parallels that come to light from Christ’s first coming. “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation”. (Hebrews 9:28)
At the time of Christ’s first advent the priests and scribes of the Holy City, to whom were entrusted the oracles of God, might have discerned the signs of the times and proclaimed the coming of the Promised One.
The prophecy of Micah designated His birthplace; Daniel specified the time of His advent.
God committed these prophecies to the Jewish leaders; they were without excuse if they did not know and declare to the people that the Messiah’s coming was at hand. Their ignorance was the result of sinful neglect.
All the people should have been watching and waiting that they might be among the first to welcome the world’s Redeemer. But, lo, at Bethlehem two weary travelers from the hills of Nazareth traverse the whole length of the narrow street to the eastern extremity of the town, vainly seeking a place of rest and shelter for the night. No doors are open to receive them. In a wretched hovel prepared for cattle, they at last find refuge, and there the Saviour of the world is born.
There is no evidence that Christ is expected, and no preparation for the Prince of life. In amazement the celestial angel messenger is about to return to heaven with the shameful tidings, when he discovers a group of shepherds who are watching their flocks by night, and as they gaze into the starry heavens, are contemplating the prophecy of a Messiah to come to earth and longing for the advent of the world’s Redeemer. Here is a company that is prepared to receive the heavenly message. And suddenly the angel of the Lord appears, declaring the good tidings of great joy.
Oh, what a lesson is this wonderful story of Bethlehem! How it rebukes our unbelief, our pride and self-sufficiency. How it warns us to beware, lest by our criminal indifference we also fail to discern the signs of the times, and therefore know not the day of our visitation.
The Jewish leaders had become fixated on self and focused on pre-conceived ideology, promoting an error concerning the coming of the Messiah. This left them vulnerable to satanic deception and error. At the same time, it set the stage for their rejection of the one and only Messiah.
Today, we face the very same scenario, religious leaders who have misinterpreted Scripture, are leading multitudes down a broad road, headed for destruction. God has made His truth plain, but many choose to follow tradition, to play the politically correct card. God chose those who were willing, Sheppard’s in the field, Magi from a distant land, to proclaim the truth far and wide. He will work in a similar manner as we near the end. The final warning will be proclaimed not by those in prominent positions, not those who rely on some man-made qualification but by those led by the Spirit of God and they will be a small minority.
Like the faithful few on Noah’s Ark, there will be a relative few who are sealed during earth’s closing scenes.