Four characters of good and evil

Revelation 12:1–9
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Argentina and Chile had been at war with each other for many years. Then they saw the light. Melting down the cannons, they used the metal to erect a colossal statue of Christ on the mountain boundary between the two countries. Underneath was placed the inscription: “S … More

Symbols

Chapter 12 is made up of symbolism. It opens with the symbol of a woman and describes four characters of both good and evil during the end times:

1. The Woman, Israel (vv. 1-2) - This woman who is clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of 12 stars on her head represents Israel who gave Christ to the world (v. 5) and who will be persecuted severely during the Tribulation (v. 13).

2. The Reg Dragon, Satan (vv. 3-4) - Satan is described as a dragon having seven heads, ten horns and seven crowns. The number “Ten” represents universality. Satan’s goal is world domination. The seven crowns may indicate Satan’s objective to reign over all men at any cost. The stars that plunged to earth with him are usually considered to be the angels who fell with Satan and became his demons.

3. The Male Child, Christ (vv. 5-6) - This child is described as a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. This child obviously is Jesus Christ. Israel flees into the desert during the first half of the Tribulation and is cared for as miraculously as she was in her wilderness journey from Egypt to the promised land (v. 6).

4. The Angel, Michael (vv. 7-9) - Michael the archangel is given the power to challenge Satan in a war in heaven during this end time. He is a high-ranking angel. The Scripture is clear that Satan is not a symbol. He is very real. Even though God permits him to do his work in this world, God is still in control.

Application

Satan is working hard to defeat me as a Christian because he knows that his time is running out. Do I have complete dependence in Christ or are there some areas I am trying to take care of?

Revelation 12:1-9 (English Standard Version)

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