MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
We concluded last week’s study of Revelation chapters 4-11, full of songs in heaven, with the seventh trumpet sounding and the announcement that Jesus is king. However, the final defeat of the enemy will not occur until chapter 19. This week there are two more songs mentioned from heaven, while in the meantime John shares his awful vision of the spiritual struggle between good and evil. The warfare begins in heaven, but comes to the church on earth, resulting in a final climactic victory.
Satan’s rebellion against God is outlined in chapter 12, as well as his hatred for the people of God. It includes the attempted murder of a child, an attack on heaven, and efforts to destroy the church. A “woman clothed with the sun” and wearing “a crown of twelve stars” is with child. This could be Mary, but there are broader implications of Israel as the mother of the Church (God’s people born by faith). See Isaiah chapters, 7, 26 and 66; and Galatians 4:26. The suffering of the woman in childbirth reflects the travail of Mary, Israel, and the Church of Jesus as they bring spiritual birth to the world’s people.
Revelation 12:1-6 provides another view of the Christmas story with “the dragon” [Satan] behind the plan as Herod was to kill the newborn king. Jesus’ parents fled to the “wilderness” [Egypt], while in Revelation the mother flees, and her child is snatched to safety to be seated on His throne.
In addition to Satan’s attempt to defeat Jesus on earth, there’s a war in heaven (12:7-12). Satan loses in both endeavors, but verse 17 predicts that he will continue to rage against “those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” This world disaster will be called the Great Tribulation.
The events orchestrated by Satan are described: A beast emerges, whose power comes from the dragon (13:2; see also 12:3, 9). He is to “make war with the saints and to overcome them, and assert authority over every ... nation” (13:7). He will be worshiped by everyone not written “in the book of life of the Lamb” (13:8). The beast is the antichrist who embodies the evil of Satan and seeks secular world domination.
Revelation 13:11-18 describe a second beast called the false prophet. He arises from the earth and forces all people to worship the first beast who comes back to life after a fatal wound. Results are economic exclusion of God’s faithful, as well as political harassment and religious idolatry.
As this account of tribulation concludes, it should be mentioned that one event adhered to by many is not specifically mentioned in the Revelation. A concept referred to as rapture is found as a message of hope in Matthew 24:40-41; John 14:2-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. If there is no pretribulation rapture, it is important for believers to be prepared for the possibility we will face testing and tribulation foretold in chapter 13. Rather than dread, Christians find hope that God will preserve those who are faithful, and reward those who overcome.
Next, we see a group of 144,000 who stand with the Lamb as an offering (Revelation 14:1-5). They represent a perfect multitude, identified by the seal of God (Revelation 7:4) on their foreheads. The seal contrasts with the mark of the beast in chapter 13, and these sing a song that only those who’ve been bought with the sacrifice of Jesus can sing. Following in quick succession, three angels appear (verses 6-13) and make proclamations leading to the last seven plagues.
The first angel with the Gospel announces the hour of judgment and calls all to worship the creator. The second issues a pronouncement of doom against Babylon (a city that serves as the center of power for the antichrist). The third declares judgment on all who worship the beast. A voice from heaven calls, “’Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” (14:13).
A time of massive harvest appears next in two scenes (14:14-20). In the first, “the Son of Man [sits] on a cloud ...wearing a golden crown”, and he gathers His people as one who harvests wheat. The second scene introduces two angels who come from the temple to gather the enemies of God, throwing them into the great winepress of the wrath of God. The events are followed by another warning in heaven.
Beginning the next chapter, John “saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished” (Revelation 15:1). Before they’re released, those safe in heaven - those who have overcome temptations and trials of the beast - begin another song.
“’Great and marvelous are Thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Thy ways, Thou King of the nations. Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? For Thou alone art holy; for all the nations will come and worship before Thee, for Thy righteous acts have been revealed’” (Revelation 15:3-4).
The day of God’s wrath is about to unfold on earth, but there are songs in heaven. Next week we continue this brief overview of Revelation.
