As we define the symbolism of Revelation chapter 12, we find the devil attempting to destroy Jesus and His apostles, but God intervened. How did He intervene? The woman 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 time from the presence of the serpent...verse 14. In the previous blogs of this series we have defined the woman, wilderness, nourished, time, times & half a time. But what does two wings of a great eagle symbolize?
This metaphorical language can be defined by looking into the book of Exodus, where God spoke to Moses with a metaphor of the same meaning -- scripture proving scripture. You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles wings and brought you to Myself...now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is mine...and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation...Ex. 19:4-6.
We have read in the book of Exodus how God miraculously delivered the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage, but nowhere in the story does it say that eagles swooped down, picked them up on their wings, and brought them to God on Mount Sinai. Why? Because eagles wings symbolize how God supernaturally and miraculously provided for their deliverance out of Egypt to a safe place of protection. Remember -- God's message to us is locked in the symbolism. Define the symbolism and the message is released for our understanding and application.
The apostles are given this same supernatural protection during their wilderness experience with Jesus, also symbolized by two wings of a great eagle. While Jesus was reestablishing His spiritual kingdom of Heaven on the earth, preparing a holy nation of priests, Satan was not allowed to intervene or prevent this divine visitation, no matter how hard he tried, until God removed the restraints. How do I know this?
So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood...but the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth...Rev. 12:15-16.
The dragon and the serpent symbolize Satan. Satan is spewing water out of his mouth attempting to carry the woman away in the flood. In other words -- she must die! What does water symbolize? Since it is coming out of his mouth, water symbolizes words -- speech. Satan is prevented by God from touching Jesus & His apostles during this important time of instruction, so he sets off on a disinformation campaign against them. Lies of disinformation will be focused like a laser against the followers of Jesus Christ & His divinity.
Satan, the father of lies, sowed confusion and unrest in the general population through the Pharisees & Sadducees who vehemently denied that Jesus actually was the promised Messiah. And, Satan has not stopped his disinformation campaign, which is raging boldly in the 21st century. He thought if he could just kill Jesus, his troubles would be over and he would continue to reign as king over human beings, as he had done for centuries.
The earth (that swallowed the water) symbolizes a place where things are hidden. The flood of disinformation and lies are spewed out against Jesus and His apostles as they ministered publicly, but the intended target of those lies - the ignorant populous - will not be affected. Earth swallowed up the water demonstrates God's divine protection during the 1260 days of ministry that would establish the Kingdom of Heaven on the earth. Those who have ears to hear will hear the message of salvation provided by the Messiah.
This particular portion of Revelation has been completely fulfilled -- Satan was defeated in his attempt to stop the message. But...the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Over the centuries, after Jesus Christ rose from the dead, Satan with furious rage has gone after anyone who dares to follow Christ, creating chaos in their lives. They are his main target, since he already has the world in his kingdom.
This is why Jesus warned us...in the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world...John 16:33. In other words, your arch enemy Satan, will throw every discouragement he can think up against you, but hold tightly to your trust in Jesus, and He will supply you help from His invisible spiritual realm -- you will overcome!
Jesus said...every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand...Matt. 12:25. Since Satan is spirit and dwells in the invisible realm, how does he divide and conquer?
Our modern society, worldwide, demonstrates clearly what Jesus said in this text - division is everywhere. Where is there any unity? Can you find any? Through envy, jealousy, and strife Satan pits human beings, one against the other, until they are enraged, and become inflexible and unforgiving. If we do not stop this insanity and defiance against the admonition of Jesus, we will be brought to desolation -- His words are immutable. Do we no longer fear God?
Most of Revelation chapter 12 has been fulfilled, only Satan's attacks on the woman's offspring is ongoing - in the process of being fulfilled. The fruit of Satan working in our lives is: lying, cheating, stealing, dishonesty, hatred, revenge, gossip, lewdness, fornication, adultery, idolatry, jealousy, envy, wrath, selfish ambitions, heresies, murder, drunkenness, sorcery, unkindness, sexually immoral, lawless, disparager, unforgiving, unfaithful, unjust and unbelieving. The Bible says those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God...Gal. 5:21.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit working in our lives is: humility, forgiveness, love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such there is no law...Gal 5:23.
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
