Sunday Feb 4 2024 Book of Revelation War In Heaven Rev. 12:7- 9

All right, good morning Rod, and good morning Dan. It's good to have both of you with us today. We are about to get started in our study on the book of Revelation. I see Stephen is here and Eric is here. Eric has written a great book on Revelation. I hope that you all will take an opportunity to get a copy of it if you haven't done so already. It is an excellent book, well laid out, good study material, and easy to read. So be sure and pick up a copy of that when you have the opportunity. And today we're going to be talking about the war in heaven, the war in heaven. And on last week we discussed the beast and the baby, or the baby and the beast, however you would like to to view that. The scripture in Revelation 12 and verse 3 says, "...his tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth, and the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth to devour her child as soon as it was born. She bore a male child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron, and her child was caught up to God and to his throne." Revelation 12, 4, and 5. Now we also spoke of the child being caught up and whether that meant to be raptured at some pre-Persia coming of Christ. First of all, we discussed the meaning of the term arpazo, which simply means to seize or to snatch away. This is the word that is generally used to talk about a rapture, particularly in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 verse 17, and of course passages in 1 Corinthians 15 as well as John 14 will be used to support that. And by the way, Eric says he's in the process of rewriting the book, and he says, I've helped him to go deeper. Well, he's helped me along the way as well. So I appreciate the mutual exchange of ideas along this study of Revelation. It's new territory for me in terms of presenting it as a study, even though I have read it several times over the years, but never have really delved into it to the extent that we're doing now. And so if you appreciate the work that we're doing, we certainly appreciate you for that. As I was saying, we had talked about the meaning of the term arpazo, and this is the term used by many who believe that the Bible talks about a rapture. It does not have the meaning of moving one from the earth to heaven. We also show that the word in 1 Thessalonians 4 verse 17 is in a context that speaks of God coming down to be with men. We gave several passages of that from John chapter 14 and verse 23, when the scripture talks about to those who love God, he says, I and my father will come and make our home with him. So that's a reference to Christ coming and to the father coming with Christ. And then Revelation 21 and verse three, when John sees the holy city, the new Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God prepared as a bride adorned for a husband, he says, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them. They will be his people and he will be their God. This language in 1 Thessalonians 4 verse 17 is taken from the, at least one major passage I would say is Exodus chapter 19. And the scene where you have God coming down on Mount Sinai to meet with the people of Israel. And of course, Moses ascending in the cloud in order to receive the commandments from God. But nevertheless, you have Moses who ascends up and God who comes down and that's where the meeting takes place. Furthermore, Moses received God's law. And then of course he returned to earth, but that also indicated that God's presence was dwelling in the tabernacle because of course, the law had to be kept there as well. But nevertheless, the purpose of building the tabernacle was so that God could dwell among them. He said in Exodus 25 and verse eight, make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among you. So God's throne was in the tabernacle between the two cherubim over the mercy seat. And he says, that's where I'm going to commune with you here. And so this represented his throne that represented God's presence, even though it was a mediated presence through that tabernacle and through the high priest. Nevertheless, that's the idea, the same idea that we have. And by the way, the tabernacle was considered as the mountain of God. When you read Psalm 15 and verse one, it says the tabernacle is also, or rather it says, Lord, who may abide in your tabernacle, who may dwell in your holy hill. So, this was considered a mountain in terms of where it was located, but also the fact that when you talk about cosmic mountains and temple typology, the temple represented a mountain. So that was God's holy mountain. We also show that the word meant that a dignitary in route to Jerusalem, for example, one of the Caesars who would come from Rome and go to Jerusalem would come and be met by dignitaries from Jerusalem at a place like Caesarea. And then he would complete his journey onto Jerusalem. He doesn't take them back to Rome where he was coming from if his route was to go and his journey was to go to Jerusalem. We also show that, you know, the Roman Caesars practiced this in their day and time and pretty much any dignitary did the same. That same scenario was represented by the 10 virgins meeting Christ in Matthew chapter 25. I think the verse is six. Again, when Paul made his journey to Rome, Acts 28, 11 through 16, and particularly verses 15 through 16, you have the same thing occurring. And then even when a president from Washington, DC visits a local area, whether he goes to your city, mine, or any others, there will be a local group of dignitaries to come out, maybe the mayor, sometimes the governor, whomever it is, and others who will come out to meet him and then escort him onto his destination. And so that's the idea. It's not a rapture where they're being taken off the earth. And any references that you look up for that term, you will not see that to be the case. But also a third reason that it is not a rapture and that a rapture was not possible using that term is because the scriptures only mention one coming of the Lord and that position too is going away. In Acts, the third chapter, verses 19 through 21, the text says, repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord and that he may send Jesus Christ who was preached to you before. Now watch the next verse, verse 21, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the age began. So there is no intermediate coming of Christ for a rapture between the time of his going away and being in the presence of God to his return or his parousia. The scripture says that the heavens would retain him until the restoration of all things. I have presented that to a pre-millennial dispensationalist and of course, I've yet to receive an answer from him. Now let's get to the text in Revelation chapter 12 because what we have in this chapter beginning in verse seven is that a war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought with the dragon and the dragon and his angels fought. Now, but they did not prevail nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the dragon was cast out and the serpent of old called the devil and Satan who deceives the whole world. He was cast out into or to the earth and his angels were cast out with him. Now much can be said about this war and we're going to say more about it as we go along, but it brings several themes of Daniel of the Olivet discourse and of other parts of Revelation together. We want to talk about it also in its contemporary setting, its contextual setting in Revelation because it is dealing with the activities of the seven churches, particularly the church of Ephesus gives us some insight into this particular war. Notice that it was a war between Michael and his angels. Let me just read this passage. I've got more that I want to say on it, but I want to go ahead and get this in just in case I forget it or run out of time today and don't have time to put it in. But notice that it was one of the churches involved. And of course all of them were, but one particularly that was involved was the church at Ephesus. Now I say this because of the war that's mentioned in the epistle to the Ephesians. In Ephesians chapter six, beginning at verse 11, it says, put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Now, if you want to read just a good piece relative to the war, I would suggest you read the war scroll in the Dead Sea Scrolls, just to kind of get an idea of the concept of this last day's war. Even though there are things that don't correlate particularly with this, you can see that the idea was this last battle that was to be fought. But nevertheless, in verse 12, it says, well, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly. So here were the Ephesians who were yet on earth, if you please, but yet they were fighting spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenlies. And this is the exact same thing that we're looking at in Revelation chapter 12. But notice something else that that text says. It says the rulers of the darkness of this age, that means the age of Moses. So that's the historical parameters or framework for this battle that was going on. It's not discussing something that is happening today in terms of the battle. This was a battle that was taking place in the last days. And we'll see more of that as we progress through the lesson. Now, as I mentioned, this brings together concepts in Daniel, the Olivet Discourse, and other parts of Revelation. We won't get a chance to touch on all of those, but at least we're going to go to Daniel and just look at some concepts that we feel are correlations in terms of what's happening here in Revelation chapter 12. And this is very important because you have so many people who want to try to take Daniel out of the scene of the end time, and they want to make it all about the period of the Maccabees. And certainly there is something in Daniel that focuses on that. But when we talk about these events, you will find some correlations that I don't think you can dismiss in terms of the end times. Now, the first mention of the beast with the 10 horns, which we see in Revelation chapter 12 and verse 3, when it speaks about the Satan and says, this is the devil, that old serpent, etc. But it says that he had 10 horns. Now, the only other place that I can think of, at least at this point in the scriptures, would be the book of Daniel, where you see a 10-horned beast. It says, another sign appeared in heaven. Behold, a great fiery red dragon having seven heads and 10 horns and seven diadems on his head. I'm telling you, this sinus issue is irritating at any rate. Now, when we look at that, I think it's unlikely that we have two 10-horned beasts from that perspective. Now, maybe we do. And as I continue to study, we'll see what unfolds as we go along. Or if you have some opinions on that, feel free to do so. But the correlations here just seem to be too close in terms of how this lays out. Now, the 10-horned beast was consecutive and followed after the first three beasts. And I know that I get pushed back on that, but this is how I see the chapter being laid out. Those beasts are clearly defined as Babylon, who is the lion, Medo-Persia, the bear, and Greece, the leopard. That's Daniel chapter 7, verses 1 and following. And then you have in verse 7, a fourth beast that comes up after them and appears to be the Roman kingdom. Now, one thing I will say, and I know that a lot of people take this to be the Roman kingdom. And again, perhaps that's the case. But when you're studying the end time, a lot of the enemies of God, a lot of those who were opposed to Israel or that Israel fought against in their national kingdom, Israel begins to take on their identity in the end time. And that's true for Moab, it's true for Egypt, it's true for Ishmael, it's true for Sodom, and for many others along the way. I'm not saying that this is necessarily the case, but just something to think about as we move forward. But then it says, Daniel 7 shows us that it's not the fourth beast per se, that receives the attention, even though that causes Daniel to focus his attention on the fourth beast. However, a little horn comes up among them. And the little horn has a mouth speaking perverse things or blasphemous words. Now, like Revelation, a war breaks out that results in the destruction of the beast. So at least we have correlating activities, whether we have a correlating identity. But the correlating activities should suggest some correlation along the way. Daniel's attention was drawn to the fourth beast and the little horn. The fourth beast was, of course, different from all the others. Thus, he was not the same. It devoured and broken pieces and trampled the residue under its feet, according to Daniel 7 and verse 19. 10 horns were on its head, but another horn came up, as the text says, before which in the presence or in the presence of three fell. Now, it's my understanding that this, she tells me to take something out. I'll get to that later. But thank you. It's saying, before which three fell. And that means in the presence of so that indicates that whomever this is, was not a single individual, it was not a man. But this was an entity that had been around since the beginning, or at least as long as any of the other beasts and probably beforehand, which is what I believe it is. But nevertheless, in Daniel chapter 7, and verse 17, they are called four kings or kingdoms. When you look at the three first horns and then the beast that follows. And so in verse 23, the fourth is called the fourth kingdom. Again, different from all the other kingdoms. 10 horns shall arise from this kingdom, and another shall rise after them speaking pompous words against the most high. Now the little horn persecutes or wars against the saints of the most high. Verse 21 through 25. Do you see a correlation there with the text in Daniel chapter 7? Of course. And I mean, in Revelation chapter 12, there is a correlation. Notice Daniel says in verse 21 of Daniel 7, I was watching and the same horn was making war against the saints and prevailing against them. Now this is a war in the latter days. This is a war in the time of the end. How do we know that? Because it is the coming of the Messiah that brings about an end to this war that defeats the little horn. It says he was making war against the saints and prevailing against them until the ancient of days came and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the most high. It says he shall speak in Daniel 7 in verse 25, he shall speak pompous words against the most high, shall persecute the saints. So there's the persecution again. That's all before the parousia and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time, times and half a time. Daniel 7 in verse 25. And so what we have here is a pre-parousia, pre-satanic demise that is before the destruction of Satan of the persecution against the saints. So this persecution was going on prior to the coming of the Lord. And the coming of the Lord, of course, is the time of the destruction of the satan. And so you can see that the persecution is going on prior to that. Now look in Revelation 12 and verse 14. And let's look at the correlation. It says, but the woman was given two wings of a great eagle. David says we have to consult for ancient entities. I do know that there are some there. Ron says the little horn is apostate Israel. And he says, how about a collaboration of Roman Jewish leaders, Daniel 2, iron mixed in clay, Revelation 13. I'm going to get more into that when I get into chapter 13, Eric. And I do believe there is some correlation there. But what I want to do is just kind of point out what's happening here for the most part before I really try to nail everything down. But he says the woman in verse 14 was given two wings of a great eagle that she might fly into the wilderness to her place where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time from the presence of the serpent. Well, that is the same time, time and half a time that you find in the book of Daniel, where the little horn persecutes the saints until the ancient of days comes, until the parasia occurs. And so you have a correlation of time and events that are taking place in this particular chapter. So if you go back and look in verse 13, it says now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. And I think we should read also verse six with that because I believe that verse six is kind of contextually out of place because the woman flees after this persecution. And so it says, then the woman fled into the wilderness where she has a place prepared by God that she should, that they should feed her there 1260 days. So the 1260 days is the same time period of a times and a half a time. It is three and a half years. And that would be the time of the outbreak of the war for national Israel, the Romans against national Israel. And so this is the time. And it's also a time of intense persecution for the saints as well. But nevertheless, from this, we can see correlations, of course, drawn from the Exodus with this woman fleeing into the wilderness as we are noting this passage. Now, the time of war of Daniel 12, I mean of Daniel seven, Daniel 12 and Revelation 12 appear to be the very same time because you have the persecution, as we said for this time, times and a half a time that ends with the loss of dominion. And that's what's happening in Revelation 12. It says war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought with the dragon and the dragon and his angels, but they did not prevail. Nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So they're being cast out. They're being defeated. So the dragon was cast out that serpent of old called the devil and Satan who deceives the whole world. He was cast out to the earth and the angels were cast out with him. I think we need to look at that, you know, very carefully in terms of, you know, the statement that says he deceives the whole world and he's called us a ton. I'm just not comfortable in making that Rome per se, but, you know, we'll see how things develop. Now in Daniel 12 in verse seven, the scripture also shows that the power of the holy people is shattered after the same time period, this same time, times and half a time. This text has a lead in from a war scene in Israel's last days that are depicted by Moses in Exodus chapter Deuteronomy chapter 32 verses 40 through 43. And there it is connected with the time of God's vengeance against his people who rebels against the Messiah. He says, for I raise my hand to heaven and say, as I live forever, if I wet my glittering sword and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to my enemies and repay those who hate me. I will make my arrows drunk with blood and my sword shall devour flesh with the blood of saints and the captives from the heads of the leaders of the enemy. Rejoice, O Gentiles, with this people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants and render vengeance to his adversaries and will provide atonement for his land and for his people. Now, this is all in that same scene, in that same scenario where he says, you know, I raise my hand to heaven and my hand takes hold on judgment, et cetera. Now watch when we look in Daniel chapter 12 and verse six and seven, we have a quote from Deuteronomy chapter 32. As far as the raising of this hand, he says, and one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, how long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be? Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven and swore by him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times and half a time when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished. I don't know how one could not see the correlation. First of all, statement about raising the hand comes out of Deuteronomy 32, which focuses not on the time of the Maccabean period, that focuses on the last days of Israel at the time of Israel's judgment, when God will judge, his people will render vengeance. And those very statements are quoted in Luke chapter 21, verse 22, when he says, these are the days of vengeance that all things which are written may be fulfilled in Revelation 18 and 20, and also verse 24, when God avenges the blood of his servants, the apostles, prophets, and the saints. But that takes place when Jerusalem is judged, Revelation 19 and verse 2, and that would be in 70 AD. That is what Daniel is speaking about in Daniel chapter 12, verses 6 and 7. And so the angel, you'll find this also in Revelation 10, 5 and 7, where he says the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven and swore by him who lives forever. So now we've got Deuteronomy 32, 40 through 43. We've got Daniel 12, verses 6 and 7, and now you have Revelation chapter 10, verses 6 and 7, but watch what happens. It says, the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven and swore by him who lives forever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer. But in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished as he has declared to his servants, the prophets. That's the time of the restoration of all things. That's the time when the power of the holy people would be shattered. That's the time of the judgment upon Jerusalem. That's the time when the most high comes and brings an end to the persecution against the saints by destroying the persecuting power. It is 70 AD. Well, look, we're out of time, and I was just about to go into the correlation of the great white throne judgment with the scene in Revelation 12 and in Daniel and in Revelation 20. So look forward to our continuation of this message of the war that broke out in heaven on next week. I want to thank each of you for tuning in this morning. It's good to see all of you. If you have not subscribed to our newsletter, go to allthingsfulfilled.com forward slash subscribe. Somebody type that in. You can type in HTTPS forward slash or colon forward slash forward slash and then type in allthingsfulfilled.com forward slash subscribe, and that will be for the newsletter. It's free. We encourage you to get that. We've been getting some very good responses to our newsletter in terms of people that are being helped. We're trying to keep it on a moderate level, not get very deep into it, but at the same time give you something that will be helpful to you. Let me say good morning to people that I didn't speak to earlier. I think we spoke to Eric, Deb, and there's Christopher. There's Gail Wade. There's a lot of you I missed this morning. So let's see who's on before we check out of here. Okay, let me try to get all the way through. Okay, we said hello to Stephen, to Eric, and who else do we have here? We have Deb, we have Jermaine, Ron, Robin, Ann, Gail, Christopher, Tiffany, Manuel, let's see, David, Demetris, Rosette, and Ruel, and I think that's it. Thank you for typing that in. Alvin, I appreciate you for doing that. All right, well, ladies and gentlemen, that's it, and of course we have Rod and Jim on too. There's Jamie with us, and for those of you, please share the message if you got something beneficial from it. We'll be back on next week to continue it. I think it's some interesting information that is coming out. It's an exciting study. It's challenging. I'm starting my third notebook of notes just on studying this particular book and presenting these lessons, and so it has been a pleasure so far doing it, but we know we still have some interesting things ahead. So with that, I want to say good morning to all of you, and may God bless you. Have a wonderful Sunday morning.