Revelation 12 : Mystery of The Woman, Child, and The Dragon

Revelation 12 is a very interesting chapter in Bible prophecy. In the beginning of the Book of

Revelation itself, apostle John receives the information that what is being revealed to him in this book pertains to the events of his own time and to what will happen after this all the way to Jesus' glorious return, His 1000 year reign on earth, the last Judgement, and the creation of New Heavens and the New Earth.


This chapter begins with two signs in the heavens. First of the Woman clothed with the sun, with moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of 12 stars. She appears to be in labour pains and is about to deliver a male Child whom the Dragon ( another sign in heavens) waits to devour as soon as He is born.


That reminds all of us of the story of Jesus' birth and how the enemy induced  king Herod to try to kill baby Jesus, but an Angel of God warned Joseph in a dream and Mary, Joseph, and Jesus managed to escape to Egypt. The only thing is that it is talked of as a future event and by that time Jesus was no longer on earth and it was Jesus reveling to John this very thing, so what was Jesus talking about? Who is the woman, and the Child?


We must look to the symbolism used in prophetic Scriptures of the Old Testament to find the answer. There we find out that repeatedly the nation of Israel is being called the Woman, and God the Father calls Himself her Husband, so the Woman must be Israel.


Israel as the nation gave birth to the Messiah for which the Dragon ( Devil) hates her and tried to destroy her multiple times throughout the history, now she is reborn and being restored. Along with the Messiah, Israel also gave birth to the Church ( true followers of Jesus) and we are being called His body and His representatives on earth, so could it be possible that we are the Child? As the extension of the Messiah?


With this possibility in mind, let us look at what Revelation 12 predicts will happen. It says that after she bore the Child, her Child was caught up to heaven to the throne of God. We know that this is what happened to Jesus after His death and resurrection, so if the Child of the end times is an end time Church, it would follow that the same will happen to the Church. We call the rapture of the Saints. Before Jesus ascended back to Heaven, he told His disciples that He is going to prepare a place for them, so that when the time comes, they would be where He is also. apostle Paul predicted the same thing in his letters to the churches.


Then it describes the war that happened in heaven between the archangel Michael ( who protects Israel-Daniel) and the Dragon and his fallen angels. About Jesus during His earthly ministry talked about in the past tense, could a similar war, this time in second heaven take place in the future?


As the result of this war Satan and his angels were cast to earth and the saints of God overcame him by the blood of the lamb ( Jesus), by the word of their testimony, and did not love their lives even unto death.


It also predicts that right after he has been cast down to earth, the Dragon began persecuting the Woman, sending a flood against her, but the earth helped the Woman and swallowed the flood. Could this be describing and increase of demonic power on earth, and the persecution and armed conflict against Israel in the end times?


it follows that the Dragon began to be now enraged with the Woman after failed attempt to destroy her and went after her offspring who hold the testimony of Jesus,  that would be the Church. Perhaps after failed attacks against Israel the Devil would incite people whom he uses on earth to persecute the Church for standing with Israel.


Now many speculate that the coming arrangement of stars and planets in the constellation of Virgo that will appear on September 23, of this year is the very sign in the heavens spoken of by John in  Revelation 12:1.


If they are correct, it would mean that the events described here are going to begin to be fulfilled after this. There will be a spiritual outpouring of evil on the earth, followed by the attack on Israel, then on the Church before the rapture shortly before or even at Jesus' return. We don't know how long this period of time would be, but if it is about to begin this September, then we must get spiritually ready for it.

"Do Not Fear The End Times"

I watched a very encouraging message this week by  a messianic rabbi, Jonathan Cahn, in which he

said those very inspiring words: "Do not fear the end times." He reminded the audience that though the end times are full of fearful signs to the world and  persecution against both His people Israel and the Church of Jesus Christ, they are also a sign if impending return of our Lord and wonderful sings and wonders of God among those of us who remain holy and faithful to Him.

God is doing amazing things around the world, and we should not be afraid or discouraged by the evil we see daily around us. Instead, we must come closer to the Light and be more dedicated to what is holy and good, only then we can overcome the darkness that is deepening day by day.

But in the deepest darkness the light always shines brighter. We are living in the times when the culture of the world is hostile towards the gospel of Jesus, just as it was when our message just began to be preached. And we know what happened. The empire that persecuted the Church and destroyed the Temple fell apart, her might is no more. So, it will be with that last of empires that is rising now as well as with any other anti-Christ ideology or movement, such as Islam.

The more they will persecute the Church, the greater their fall will be. We must have a long view of things, just as our eternal Father who has an eternal view of things. He may allow evil to triumph for a time, just to uproot and destroy it completely later on. He is the one who fights our battles, so do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but can do no harm to your soul. The victory is on our side.

Below is the link to that video message. Please watch it in your free time and do not fear the end times. I dedicate it especially to our brothers and sisters in Russia, who are also mentioned in this video.

What's Behind The Rise of Donald Trump And Other Rogue Politicians

Main stream media all over the world are watching in fear as Donald Trump wins state after state in

the United States' primaries, wondering how their own politicians and the public would react to the possible future election of President Trump.

Trump seems to defy all political rules with his highly divisive and politically incorrect statements that in the time past would render a politician unelectable, and he is not the only Western politician who has done that.

Everyone, including the left leaning media, were stunned when Justin Trudeau won the Canadian Federal Elections back in October. To be fair, his rhetoric was not  the same type as Trump's, but it was extreme nevertheless.

Trudeau used to praise Chinese dictatorial regime for the ease with which they pass legislation, admitted to smoking pot while in office as an MP, fought for the right of convicted terrorists to keep their Canadian citizenship, and promised to run $10 billion deficits  each year as Prime Minister.

It seems that everywhere in the world the people show rebellion against establishment whatever that establishment is at the time in each respective country.

Rebellion against the establishment is at the root of current war in Syria, out of which ultra terrorist group known as ISIS was born turning the majority of Middle Eastern countries into turmoil, which then spilled into Europe in the form of the ongoing refugee crisis.

And while the Churches of Asia, Africa, and Middle East are dealing with the most widespread persecution in the history with thousands murdered daily for their faith in Christ, the majority of Western Churches are falling away from their faith by embracing doctrines that are clearly against what  was taught by Jesus Christ and the early Church fathers. They are embracing sexual immorality of various kinds in the name of "love" and "tolerance", some have even denied Jesus and God the Father altogether...other major Western Church leaders deny Jesus as the Only way to The Father preaching that good deeds are enough to get to heaven, and that heaven and hell are not even real places, but only "states of the soul." Professing men of God think nothing of cheating on their wives, divorcing them, and then marrying another.

So, if the majority of the Church is in such a state of apostasy how can we expect any discernment on the part of general population? In the words of Jesus, if the salt lost its flavour, then how can one expect to flavor anything with it?

These are the signs of the times that our Lord Himself had predicted, "Then will they hand you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name. 
At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,  and many false prophets will arise and mislead many. 

Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.  But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. 

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. " ( Matthew 24:9-14)

 

So what is behind the rise of Donald Trump and other rogue politicians in the West and elsewhere? It is rebellion that is rampant in the society because the love of the Church has grown cold. Let us not count on politicians to change the world. We are the salt of this earth, let us make sure that each one of us individually retains His flavor. Let us all as many as read this be the ones who persevere staying true to Jesus, and preaching the true undiluted gospel as a testimony to all nations before the end of this age finally comes. The Judgement of this world has already begun and the nations who rejected God are allowed to face the consequences of it, but those who continue to serve The Lord will grow strong and carry out great exploits. It is both the worst of times and the best of times in the history of this world.

 

Author's Note: Image the courtesy of  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump

Radical Islam vs. Radical Christianity

 
 












Many people around the world, including the Muslim people are horrified today when they are learning about the atrocities that radical Islamists are perpetrating on Jews, Christians, and even fellow Muslims who are not as radical as they are. It filled many people with disgust, horror, and some even with fear.

But we must remember that these people are doing all this because they are taking the teachings of their religion, especially their holy book Koran, and the commandments of their founder literally.

But what radical Christianity would really look like? What would happen if billions of followers of Jesus took His teaching, His commandments, and His life example literally and actually practiced them in their everyday lives?

In my view, it would literally turn the world up side down, in a good way. Below are excerpts from the Koran of what the Islamists were being taught by their founder:

" Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allah, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islam) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued... O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the Cause of Allah (i.e. Jihad) you cling heavily to the earth? Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter.
 If you march not forth, He will punish you with a painful torment and will replace you by another people." ( Surah 9:29, 38-39)

Now contrast this with what Jesus had taught us as His followers:

“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:32-36)

So, they were taught even threatened by their god to fight against, kill, and subdue those who are disobedient to him and this is what they are doing with unimaginable cruelty, but we were commanded to love our enemies and do good to those who hate and persecute us.

They are being guided by hatred, we must be guided by divine love, which is the only antidote to the hatred and our most powerful weapon. Radical Christianity is following the commandments of Jesus and His example of  not only not killing anyone, but being even willing to sacrifice His own life for all of us while we were still sinners.

What it would look like if we all did that? I believe that it would transform our families, communities, even entire countries For all those who wonder what it would look like in practice I recommend watching a very inspiring movie recently made by Pureflix titled, "Do you Believe?"

You can buy it on Amazon or rent it from your local movie rental store. Watch it with your family, friends, and church family and think of ways that you can all individually and together put your faith in practice, so together we can transform this world and win the battle over the souls of unbelievers around us.

One Minute a Day Prayer Challenge

Last Sunday, I was rather shocked by what the pastor of a church I attend had said during his sermon. Don't get me wrong. It was a great message and I really love this pastor. He is sincerely trying to help more than 5,000 people who attend his church to grow spiritually. Most of all he is a godly and humble man, but apparently he did not know that Christians are still being crucified for their faith today because after explaining what a horrible death a crucifixion really is, he commented, "Thank God nobody is being killed this way anymore."

Well, he was wrong. And in case you did not follow the news, Islamic fanatics who control big parts of Iraq and Syria called ISIS are doing this very thing to Christians in the Middle East. They crucify them or behead them if they choose not to renounce their faith in Jesus and that includes children. It is a sheer horror and I find it troubling that so many Christians in the West do not know about it or choose not to talk about it in their churches. I thought, there should be more awareness, more prayer for our persecuted brothers and sisters. And not only for them, but also for all the Muslim people who are being persecuted in like manner if they will not accept the fanatical Islamic ideology groups such as ISIS promote.

We might not be able to physically stop this senseless violence and we certainly cannot know each person who suffers there everyday by name, but our God knows them all and knows what they are going through. The least we all could do is to pray for them and it is not really a small thing. Prayer is the most powerful weapon in our disposal. It is a weapon that can change destinies of entire nations. Behind all world events that are right now unfolding is an underlying spiritual reality and spiritual battle is going on.

Satan enslaves various groups of people with various ideologies, both religious and secular, in order to kill, steal and destroy. He knows that he is already defeated by God, knows that he will eventually end up in the lake of fire, so the only way he can get back at Him is to try to drag to hell with himself as many people as he possibly can because he knows that God cares about them. That is why it is so important for us to pray and ask God to intervene on the behalf of those who are being killed for His name's sake all day long as well as for their tormentors. Yes, pray for these deceived and misguided ISIS men and women.

Remember that our warfare is not against flesh and blood. They are also victims of the evil one. When they kill Christians, they go to heaven, but when the oppressors die themselves, they go straight to hell and instead of the promised 70 virgins they get hundreds of demons to torment them forever! They are the greatest losers in all of this because while thinking that they are serving God, they really are serving the devil.

We must pray for their repentance, pray that God will revel the Truth to them and set them free. So, what I am asking you today is to commit to take just one minute ( or more if you can) out of your day everyday in order to pray daily for those who are being persecuted and killed for their faith in Jesus around the world as well as for those who are persecuting and killing them.

Now this is spiritual warfare, so first ask God to cover you and your family by the precious blood of Jesus, then spend 5 Minutes praying for God's presence and comfort upon all those who are suffering for Him today wherever they might be. From the Middle East to North Korea and Africa. Then pray that those who persecute them would be convicted by the Holy Spirit of their wrongdoing that their sins be heavy upon them until they repent. Remember that the apostle Paul was also such a religious fanatic at one time, if he could be saved, so can they.

Finally, if you are reading this and it is you who are being thus persecuted, remember that you are not alone. We might not know each other by name, but because we follow Jesus we are part of His body and members of heavenly family and kingdom. I am praying for you and many others will be praying as well. Stand fast in your faith. And if you are the one who persecutes, you will probably hate me right now, but I love you because God loves you. My God, the God of the Bible taught me to love my enemies and to pray for those who hate me. True God is Love and He does not ask us to kill for him, but He already sent His son to die for you. If you ask Jesus right now to forgive you for your sins, He will forgive you. No matter what you have done and you will go to heaven when you die because of His love for you, if you will choose to live and die for Him. Furthermore, He will give you freedom from those sinful desires that you are struggling with and will set you free from them. You don't have to kill anyone to be forgiven. You just need to repent. After you do, get hold of the Bible online, read the New testament and learn how to live for God. God bless you all.