Understanding the Book of Revelation:Chapter 12
Unless you have a strong aversion to news reports,this thought must have crossed your mind recently:OH NO! THESE MUST BE THE BIBLE PREDICTED "LAST DAYS"!! Hey you sure are perceptive !!! With the firm belief that we have now entered into the Tribulation time,I am publishing a series of studies of the Book of Revelation,that difficult to understand road map that shows exactly where we are headed,using the easy to understand Contemporary English Version (CEV) Bible that has been created by the American Bible Society.I will then add insights in capitol letters which will provide explanations and historical background information for the words you have just read, which will be in agreement with leading biblical commentaries,in order to at long last make the startling predictions made in this important and fascinating book comprehensible. I will occasionally make changes in the CEV words if I detect variance from the meaning found in the King James Bible.
Ready now? Ok,let's find out what's going down!
Revelation 12
1A great sign appeared in the sky. It was a woman (THOUGHT TO REFER TO ISRAEL) whose clothes were the sun. (THIS CAN REFER TO THE ADMIRATION THAT GOD HAS FOR HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE) The moon was under her feet, and a crown made of twelve stars was on her head.(THIS SENTENCE CAN REFER TO THE DOMINION THAT ISRAEL WILL ACHIEVE WHEN IT IS RESTORED TO HOLINESS UNDER JESUS WHEN HE RETURNS TO ESTABLISH HIS KINGDOM) 2She was about to give birth, ( REFERS TO ISRAEL'S RESTORATION) and she was crying because of the great pain.(THAT WILL OCCUR DURING THE SPIRITUAL RE-BIRTH OR RESTORATION.HERE ARE SOME OTHER VERSES THAT ELABORATE ON THIS EXPLANATION: ISAIAH 66:6-9 6Do you hear that noise in the city and those shouts coming from the temple? It is the LORD shouting as he punishes His enemies. 7Have you ever heard of a woman who gave birth to a child before having labor pains? 8Who ever heard of such a thing or imagined it could happen? Can a nation be born in a day or come to life in a second? Jerusalem is like a mother who gave birth to her children as soon as she was in labor. 9The Lord is the one who makes birth possible.And he will see that Zion has many more children.The LORD has spoken.) 3 Another sign appeared in the sky. It was a huge red dragon (SATAN ) with seven heads (THOUGHT TO BE AREAS OF THE WORLD) and ten horns,(THOUGHT TO BE NATIONS THAT USED TO BE PART OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE THAT WILL BE GOVERNED BY THE ANTI-CHRIST) and a crown (THIS IS THOUGHT TO INDICATE SATAN'S CONTROL) on each of its seven heads. (REGIONS OF THE WORLD)4
With its tail, it (SATAN) dragged a third of the stars (ANGELS) from the sky and threw them (OUT OF HEAVEN) down to the earth. Then the dragon (SATAN) turned toward the woman (MOST BIBLE COMMENTARIES STATE THIS REFERS TO MARY BUT STICK WITH ME THROUGH VERSE 6;I PREFER THE INTERPRETATION THAT IT REFERS TO ISRAEL) who was ready to be delivered (DELIVER TO GOD THE 144,000 JEWS HE HAS CHOSEN FOR SALVATION) because it (SATAN) wanted to devour her child ( SATAN HATED THIS OFFSPRING OF ISRAEL THAT WOULD BE SAVED BY GOD) as soon as it was born.(CHOSEN BY GOD) 5The woman brought forth a child,(MANY THINK THIS REFERS TO JESUS BUT THIS IS A PROPHECY OF A FUTURE EVENT THEREFORE "CHILD " MORE LIKELY REFERS TO THOSE DESTINED FOR HEAVEN) who would rule all nations with an iron rod.(AFTER JESUS ESTABLISHES HIS KINGDOM ON EARTH THE SAVED JEWS WILL BE GIVEN GOVERNMENTAL LEADERSHIP POSITIONS) The child was snatched away ( REFERS TO THE RAPTURE) and he was taken to God and His throne.6The woman (ISRAEL) ran into the desert (AFTER THE ANTI-CHRIST WILL SEND ARMIES TO INVADE ISRAEL) to a place that God had prepared for her. (THIS IS THOUGHT TO BE PETRA THE "GHOST TOWN" IN JORDAN) here she will be taken care of for one thousand two hundred sixty days.(DEFINITELY NOT MARY! THIS TIME PERIOD COVERS MOST OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE TRIBULATION)7A war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels were fighting against the dragon (SATAN) and its angels. 8But the dragon lost the battle. It and its angels (SATAN'S ANGELS THAT WE CALL DEMONS USED TO BE GOD'S ANGELS BEFORE SATAN CONVINCED THEM TO FOLLOW HIM) were forced out of their places in heaven 9and were thrown down to the earth.Finally the old snake (CALLED THIS NAME BECAUSE HE FIRST APPEARED ON EARTH IN THE DISGUISE OF A SNAKE ) and his angels were thrown out.That snake, who deceives everyone (WHO IS STILL LEFT) on earth, is known as the devil and Satan.10Then I heard a voice from heaven shout, "Our God has shown his saving power, and his kingdom has come!God's own Chosen One (JESUS) has shown his authority.(OVER SATAN) Satan accused our people in the presence of God day and night. Now he has been thrown out!11Our people defeated Satan because of the blood of the Lamb (BELIEF THAT JESUS DIED AS A SACRIFICE FOR THEM,GIVES CHRISTIANS SUPERNATURAL POWER FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT TO OVERCOME AND DEFEAT EVIL) and the word of their testimony.(ABOUT JESUS' SACRIFICE TO OBTAIN SALVATION FOR HIS CHOSEN)They were willing to give up their lives.(RATHER THAN BETRAY JESUS THROUGH A DENIAL OF THEIR FAITH)12The heavens should rejoice together with everyone who lives there. But pity the earth and the sea, because the devil was thrown down to the earth. He knows his time is short (BEFORE BEING TAKEN INTO CAPTIVITY) and he is very angry."(NOTHING NEW HERE!) 13When the dragon (SATAN) realized that it had been thrown down to the earth, it tried to make trouble (MILITARY DEFEAT) for the woman who had given birth to a son. (THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN GRANTED SALVATION)14But the woman was given two wings like those of a huge eagle, so that she could fly (FLEE) into the desert.( TO ESCAPE THE INVASION OF ISRAEL BY ARAB ARMIES) There she would escape from the snake and be taken care of (IN HIDING) for a time, two times, and half a time.(TRANSLATION :3.5 YEARS)15The snake then spewed out water like a river (A SATAN CREATED FLOOD) to sweep the woman (ISRAEL) away. 16But the earth helped her and swallowed (THIS MIGHT OCCUR FROM A REGIONAL EARTHQUAKE THAT WILL OPEN LARGE CRACKS IN THE EARTH INTO WHICH THE WATER CAN DRAIN) the water that had come from the dragon's mouth. 17This made the dragon outraged with the woman.(WHO HE REALIZED WAS ONCE AGAIN BEING HELPED BY GOD) So it started a war against the rest of her children. They are the people who obey God and are faithful to what Jesus did and taught.(THIS DESCRIBES A MIRACLE ALMOST NEVER MENTIONED IN CHURCHES. AT THIS TIME THE 144,000 JEWS CHOSEN BY GOD HAVE GONE TO HEAVEN BUT THANKS BE TO HIM,STILL MORE HAVE NOW ACCEPTED JESUS AS THEIR SAVIOR AFTER THEY EXPERIENCE GOD'S DIVINE PROTECTION FOR THEM AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL INVASION OF THEIR COUNTRY DURING THE ANTI-CHRISTS MILITARY OPERATION WHICH HE WILL CLAIM IS TO BRING PEACE TO THE WORLD.HEY THAT SURE SOUNDS FAMILIAR DOESN'T IT?)
Ready now? Ok,let's find out what's going down!
Revelation 12
1A great sign appeared in the sky. It was a woman (THOUGHT TO REFER TO ISRAEL) whose clothes were the sun. (THIS CAN REFER TO THE ADMIRATION THAT GOD HAS FOR HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE) The moon was under her feet, and a crown made of twelve stars was on her head.(THIS SENTENCE CAN REFER TO THE DOMINION THAT ISRAEL WILL ACHIEVE WHEN IT IS RESTORED TO HOLINESS UNDER JESUS WHEN HE RETURNS TO ESTABLISH HIS KINGDOM) 2She was about to give birth, ( REFERS TO ISRAEL'S RESTORATION) and she was crying because of the great pain.(THAT WILL OCCUR DURING THE SPIRITUAL RE-BIRTH OR RESTORATION.HERE ARE SOME OTHER VERSES THAT ELABORATE ON THIS EXPLANATION: ISAIAH 66:6-9 6Do you hear that noise in the city and those shouts coming from the temple? It is the LORD shouting as he punishes His enemies. 7Have you ever heard of a woman who gave birth to a child before having labor pains? 8Who ever heard of such a thing or imagined it could happen? Can a nation be born in a day or come to life in a second? Jerusalem is like a mother who gave birth to her children as soon as she was in labor. 9The Lord is the one who makes birth possible.And he will see that Zion has many more children.The LORD has spoken.) 3 Another sign appeared in the sky. It was a huge red dragon (SATAN ) with seven heads (THOUGHT TO BE AREAS OF THE WORLD) and ten horns,(THOUGHT TO BE NATIONS THAT USED TO BE PART OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE THAT WILL BE GOVERNED BY THE ANTI-CHRIST) and a crown (THIS IS THOUGHT TO INDICATE SATAN'S CONTROL) on each of its seven heads. (REGIONS OF THE WORLD)4
With its tail, it (SATAN) dragged a third of the stars (ANGELS) from the sky and threw them (OUT OF HEAVEN) down to the earth. Then the dragon (SATAN) turned toward the woman (MOST BIBLE COMMENTARIES STATE THIS REFERS TO MARY BUT STICK WITH ME THROUGH VERSE 6;I PREFER THE INTERPRETATION THAT IT REFERS TO ISRAEL) who was ready to be delivered (DELIVER TO GOD THE 144,000 JEWS HE HAS CHOSEN FOR SALVATION) because it (SATAN) wanted to devour her child ( SATAN HATED THIS OFFSPRING OF ISRAEL THAT WOULD BE SAVED BY GOD) as soon as it was born.(CHOSEN BY GOD) 5The woman brought forth a child,(MANY THINK THIS REFERS TO JESUS BUT THIS IS A PROPHECY OF A FUTURE EVENT THEREFORE "CHILD " MORE LIKELY REFERS TO THOSE DESTINED FOR HEAVEN) who would rule all nations with an iron rod.(AFTER JESUS ESTABLISHES HIS KINGDOM ON EARTH THE SAVED JEWS WILL BE GIVEN GOVERNMENTAL LEADERSHIP POSITIONS) The child was snatched away ( REFERS TO THE RAPTURE) and he was taken to God and His throne.6The woman (ISRAEL) ran into the desert (AFTER THE ANTI-CHRIST WILL SEND ARMIES TO INVADE ISRAEL) to a place that God had prepared for her. (THIS IS THOUGHT TO BE PETRA THE "GHOST TOWN" IN JORDAN) here she will be taken care of for one thousand two hundred sixty days.(DEFINITELY NOT MARY! THIS TIME PERIOD COVERS MOST OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE TRIBULATION)7A war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels were fighting against the dragon (SATAN) and its angels. 8But the dragon lost the battle. It and its angels (SATAN'S ANGELS THAT WE CALL DEMONS USED TO BE GOD'S ANGELS BEFORE SATAN CONVINCED THEM TO FOLLOW HIM) were forced out of their places in heaven 9and were thrown down to the earth.Finally the old snake (CALLED THIS NAME BECAUSE HE FIRST APPEARED ON EARTH IN THE DISGUISE OF A SNAKE ) and his angels were thrown out.That snake, who deceives everyone (WHO IS STILL LEFT) on earth, is known as the devil and Satan.10Then I heard a voice from heaven shout, "Our God has shown his saving power, and his kingdom has come!God's own Chosen One (JESUS) has shown his authority.(OVER SATAN) Satan accused our people in the presence of God day and night. Now he has been thrown out!11Our people defeated Satan because of the blood of the Lamb (BELIEF THAT JESUS DIED AS A SACRIFICE FOR THEM,GIVES CHRISTIANS SUPERNATURAL POWER FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT TO OVERCOME AND DEFEAT EVIL) and the word of their testimony.(ABOUT JESUS' SACRIFICE TO OBTAIN SALVATION FOR HIS CHOSEN)They were willing to give up their lives.(RATHER THAN BETRAY JESUS THROUGH A DENIAL OF THEIR FAITH)12The heavens should rejoice together with everyone who lives there. But pity the earth and the sea, because the devil was thrown down to the earth. He knows his time is short (BEFORE BEING TAKEN INTO CAPTIVITY) and he is very angry."(NOTHING NEW HERE!) 13When the dragon (SATAN) realized that it had been thrown down to the earth, it tried to make trouble (MILITARY DEFEAT) for the woman who had given birth to a son. (THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN GRANTED SALVATION)14But the woman was given two wings like those of a huge eagle, so that she could fly (FLEE) into the desert.( TO ESCAPE THE INVASION OF ISRAEL BY ARAB ARMIES) There she would escape from the snake and be taken care of (IN HIDING) for a time, two times, and half a time.(TRANSLATION :3.5 YEARS)15The snake then spewed out water like a river (A SATAN CREATED FLOOD) to sweep the woman (ISRAEL) away. 16But the earth helped her and swallowed (THIS MIGHT OCCUR FROM A REGIONAL EARTHQUAKE THAT WILL OPEN LARGE CRACKS IN THE EARTH INTO WHICH THE WATER CAN DRAIN) the water that had come from the dragon's mouth. 17This made the dragon outraged with the woman.(WHO HE REALIZED WAS ONCE AGAIN BEING HELPED BY GOD) So it started a war against the rest of her children. They are the people who obey God and are faithful to what Jesus did and taught.(THIS DESCRIBES A MIRACLE ALMOST NEVER MENTIONED IN CHURCHES. AT THIS TIME THE 144,000 JEWS CHOSEN BY GOD HAVE GONE TO HEAVEN BUT THANKS BE TO HIM,STILL MORE HAVE NOW ACCEPTED JESUS AS THEIR SAVIOR AFTER THEY EXPERIENCE GOD'S DIVINE PROTECTION FOR THEM AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL INVASION OF THEIR COUNTRY DURING THE ANTI-CHRISTS MILITARY OPERATION WHICH HE WILL CLAIM IS TO BRING PEACE TO THE WORLD.HEY THAT SURE SOUNDS FAMILIAR DOESN'T IT?)
