Verses 6-10 NKJV

Revelation 12:6 “Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.“

“Wilderness”: God will protect Israel from Satan by sheltering her in the wilderness, perhaps in the region of Moab, Ammon, and Edom, east and south of Palestine. Interestingly, those countries will be specifically spared from the Antichrist’s attack against the Holy Land (Daniel 11:41). There are theological minds who believe this sheltering will be due to the “Jews” being mixed well within the general populations of this world.

“A thousand two hundred and threescore days”: At the midpoint of the Tribulation, the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel. The church isn’t even hinted at being included. He puts a stop to temple worship, sets up the abomination of desolation (Daniel 9:27), and devastates Jerusalem (Revelation 11:2). At that time, many Jews flee for their lives, but not all. God will preserve those who flee them during the last 1,260 days (42 months; 3-1/2 years), the Great Tribulation (Time of Jacob’s Trouble; Jeremiah 30:7, Matthew 24:21,22).

Satan will not have a free checkbook. Israelis who understand this scripture will “flee Jerusalem”. (Matthew 24:15-21). Just as was true during the Exodus from Egypt, others besides “Jews” will flee from the wrath of the antichrist. Those who accept Christ during this final stage of the Great Tribulation may attempt to join this escape.

It does not take much more than looking around our environment and world. Multitudes are trying to regulate God’s creations. It isn’t that some of their causes are wrong, but their pleading is to distract from accepting God.

 Verses 7-9: The vision of “war in heaven” anticipates Satan’s exclusion from “heaven” and his confinement to the “earth” during the last half of the Great Tribulation. “Michael” the archangel is the leader of God’s holy angels (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9). Satan is the chief of the fallen angels. In the middle of the Tribulation period, God will empower Michael and his forces to “refuse” Satan and his force’s access to heaven. Satan is forced to restrict his activities to the earth.

Revelation 12:7 “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought, “

“War in heaven”: The turbulent events on earth during the Tribulation find their counterpart in heaven. A state of war has existed since the fall of Satan. Something will intensify that warfare, possibly the raptured saints passing through the realm of the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:1,2). Satan will then know his time is numbered in months. We Teach – You Decide.

Revelation 12:8 “…but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. “

The vision of war in heaven anticipates Satan’s removal from and to “heaven”. He is then restricted to the earth during the last half of the Great Tribulation. Satan must thereafter confine his activities to the earthly sphere. His focus is the destruction of Israelis. Michael the archangel is the leader of God’s holy angels (Daniel 12:1). He is the protector of Israel.

There is an order of command in heaven as there is on the earth.  Not only the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is being attacked here on the earth, but there is war in heaven as well. Here we see the defeat of Satan to such an extent that he is not allowed in heaven anymore. Satan will no longer be able to accuse the believers. At a given point, Satan will occupy the bottomless put with shackles holding him. This will be during the Millennial Reign of Jesus on earth. Sin will still be possible, but sin will not be influenced by Satan. It will be the choice of mankind. 

His defeat on the earth will be complete when, as seen in Revelation 20:14, all sins and offenses of God will then reside in the Lake of Fire. His doom was sealed when Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected. This is exactly what Satan has tried to prevent. He knew he could not slay Jesus, but he has tried and continues to prevent the truth of the cross from being shared.

Revelation 12:9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him

Revelation 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2022