REVELATION 12: WAR IN HEAVEN, AND THE CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS

Revelation chapter 12 begins a new line of prophecy that continues to the end of the book. In addition to dealing with the past, the major emphasis is on last-day events, the coming of the Lord, and the culmination of earth’s history. This section of prophecy sets forth the church of God in conflict with the powers of evil, and the church’s ultimate triumph over evil.

The prophecies culminate in the eternal destruction of the wicked and the establishment of New Jerusalem on this planet, which is the city of the great King. This earth will be recreated in Eden’s beauty and become the eternal home of the redeemed.

Revelation 12:1

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.

“A woman”

I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman. (Jeremiah 6:2. The daughter of Zion, God’s people, depicted as a woman.)

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2. The church, the people of God, is represented by a chaste virgin.)

For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. (Isaiah 54:5–6. God, speaking to Israel through the prophet, identifies Himself as the husband of Israel.)

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:25–32)

The woman is God’s church, His people who have kept aloft His truth through the ages.

“Clothed”

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (Romans 13:14. We are to put on, or be clothed with, Christ’s grace and righteousness.)

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. (Job 29:14)

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness. (Isaiah 61:10)

“With the sun”

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:2. Christ is the Sun of righteousness.)

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:43)

This woman of Revelation 12:1 is the church. She is clothed with the sun, which is the light radiating from God’s Word and the righteousness of Christ that cleanses our sin-darkened souls. The symbolism represents a pure woman or church.

“Moon under her feet”

And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. (Genesis 1:16. The moon is the lesser light that reflects the radiance of the sun.)

What does the woman stand upon as a foundation? The law and the prophets of the Old Testament Scriptures and its system of types, which pointed to Christ. As the moon reflects the brilliance of the sun, so the law and the prophets reflect the light of Christ. The Old Testament, in prophecy and sacrifice, is like the moon, a dim shadow of the greater glory of the Son of God and the New Testament to which it pointed.

God’s church, the woman, has as its foundation the patriarchs and prophets. Prophet, sacrifice and ritual all pointed to the promise of Christ’s salvation, “of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow” (1 Peter 1:10–11).

“Upon her head a crown of twelve stars”

Crown—to twine or wreathe; a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally)¹

Revelation 12:1 is a representation of the church of God—those faithful souls who carried the truth of God through the centuries—and in this regard, it also represents the Jewish church. John sees in vision a great sign in the sky—a woman, representing God’s church, clothed in the purity of the righteousness of the Son of God and shining with the brilliance of the truth of the New Testament and the gospel.

The crown is a symbol of victory and triumph, and the twelve stars in the crown represent the twelve apostles. Some have thought this vision is a depiction of Mary, but this is a symbolic vision and many of the details of this vision do not apply to Mary. It is a vision of the church or people of God. “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:19–21).

Revelation 12:2

And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

“She being with child”

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Galatians 4:4–5)

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

The virgin Mary was a mother with child. As a virgin she bore the Son of God. However, the woman in this chapter is a symbol of the church. The promised Messiah was to come through the Israelites—God’s Old Testament church. “To them belong God’s adoption [as a nation] and the glorious Presence (Shekinah). With them were the special covenants made, to them was the Law given. To them [the temple] worship was revealed and [God’s own] promises announced. To them belong the patriarchs, and as far as His natural descent was concerned, from them is the Christ, Who is exalted and supreme over all, God, blessed forever! Amen (so let it be)” (Romans 9:4–5 AMP).

The child is the Messiah, Jesus—the hope and salvation of all nations. The protection and care of the woman described in the verses that follow are not speaking of Mary but of the church. Further, this chapter makes extensive use of symbols that cannot apply to a literal person. This symbolism is important to understand, for Catholicism teaches that the prophecy of chapter 12 largely applies to Mary. This misapplication results in the promotion of the false doctrine of Mary as Intercessor and Mediatrix and the one through whom the graces of Christ come. This misunderstanding brings other errors that prevent a correct understanding of the remaining portions of Revelation.

Revelation 12:3

And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

“A great red dragon”

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world. (Revelation 12:9)

“Having seven heads and ten horns”

And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. (Revelation 13:1)

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:3)

The crowns in Revelation 12:3 are on the heads or leaders and represent the caesars. In chapter 13 the horns are the supporting kingdoms of the beast, which have the crowns of royalty. The heads of the beast have names of blasphemy, indicating their pseudo-religious nature in opposition to God.

The seven-headed, ten-horned creature represents Satan and the forces he uses to attack the truth of God and His church. This power, introduced here in chapter 12, will continue to make war against Christ and His truth until He comes. The seven-headed, ten-horned creature described in chapters 12, 13, and 17 represents Rome in its secular and religious forms at different times in earth’s history.

The dragon moved upon King Herod to put the Savior to death by slaying all the male children less than two years of age. The chief agent that Satan used in making war against Christ and His people during the first centuries of the Christian era was the Roman Empire, in which paganism was the prevailing religion. While the dragon primarily represents Satan, it is in a secondary sense a symbol of pagan Rome. In later centuries Satan the dragon used the Roman Empire, transformed into the Roman church, to seek to “devour” the true church of Christ.

The Dragon as Rome:

• The dragon had ten horns, as did the fourth beast of Daniel 7, which represented pagan Rome.
 
• The Romans used the image of a dragon on their standards.

• Rome, under Caesar Augustus, brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem to be taxed. There Jesus was born according to the prophecy: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).

• Rome, through Herod, tried to destroy the infant Jesus.

• Rome, under Pilate, put Jesus to death.

• The tomb of Jesus was sealed by the Roman seal.

• Satan worked through pagan Rome to persecute the “man child.”

Revelation 12:4

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

“His tail drew”

The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. (Isaiah 9:15)

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44. Satan is the father of lies.)

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die. (Genesis 3:1–4. The serpent casts doubt upon God’s word and character in order to deceive man.)

Satan, like the false prophet, used his tail, a symbol of deception, to deceive the angels or stars of God. He continues his work of deception upon mankind.

“Stars of heaven … cast . . . to the earth”

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:9)

Through his deceptive lies, Satan caused one-third of the angels, represented as the stars of heaven, to abandon their allegiance to God. As a result they were eventually cast to the earth with Satan.

“Devour her child as soon as it was born”

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. (Matthew 2:13)

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Satan stood ready to devour and destroy the infant Messiah, and he used King Herod in his vain attempt to accomplish this. Satan himself, through his hellish arts and through unbelieving religionists, sought to destroy Christ from His birth until His eventual death upon the cross.

Fallen angels and the devil do all they can to work against God and His truth, to lead mankind into the fatal attractions of sin and falsehood.

Revelation 12:5

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

“Rule all nations with a rod of iron”

And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. (Revelation 2:27)

Christ, born as a humble babe in a manger in Bethlehem, was to be the deliverer of the world. Revelation 12:5 is a prophecy that Christ would one day destroy all the wicked nations as with a rod of iron. The wicked shall be broken like a potter’s vessel.

Christ’s rule of the nations with a rod of iron will take place when He comes back to put down the rule of evil in this world. When Christ reigns upon earth, it will be over the righteous only, for the wicked and rebellious shall have been destroyed in the lake of fire. (See Revelation 20:12–15.) Christ’s ruling of the nations with a rod of iron is the fulfillment of the prophecy of the breaking of the nations as clay vessels. (See Revelation 2:27, for further references under rule with a rod of iron.)

In contrast to the lost, who shall be broken like a potter’s vessel, Christ will reign and rule over His people, the redeemed, as a shepherd. “Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him: behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:10–11).

“Caught up unto God, and to his throne”

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:9–11)

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)

[God’s] mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. (Ephesians 1:19–21)

This expression of being caught up to God describes the ascension of Christ to heaven after His resurrection, to begin His work as our High Priest and Intercessor. At the end of His work as High Priest, when the door of mercy will have forever shut, He will come to rule and to put down the reign of the wicked. “You who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:7–9).

Revelation 12:6

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

“Fled into the wilderness”

Wilderness—solitary, lonely, desolate, uninhabited; used of a desert, wilderness deserted places, lonely regions, an uncultivated region fit for pasturage²

And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? (Luke 7:24)

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. (Luke 4:1)

The woman or church of God was to flee to a place of seclusion or obscurity, away from the mainstream of society and the apostate majority of false Christians. Here in the wilderness, the Scriptures and the faith once delivered unto the saints continued to thrive. This time of “a thousand two hundred and threescore days” is the same prophetic period of 1,260 years first introduced in Daniel 7:25 and seen again in Revelation 11 and repeated in Revelation 12 and 13. During this time, counterfeit religion, instigated by the dragon, sought to suppress the true church, the people who trusted in Christ for salvation and followed His Word, guided by the Spirit of grace.

“A place prepared of God”

And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. (Revelation 12:14)

Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. (Exodus 23:20)

Despite the great apostasy that seemed sure to eclipse the truth of the gospel, and despite persecution, God made a way of escape for His true people. He sustained the good woman, the church, in the wilderness. This wilderness was both literal as with the Waldenses in the mountains of the Alps, and symbolic. Even in the wilderness of obscurity and oppression the church was not extinguished by the flood of persecution the dragon brought through kings, princes and prelates. Faithful souls by God’s grace remained in the midst of darkness “the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

“Feed her”

Feed—by implication, to cherish [with food, etc.], pamper, rear³

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. (Jeremiah 3:15)

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

The church in the wilderness battled against the forces of evil and, despite great odds, maintained “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). However, the greater proportion of the population compromised with the established church and became corrupt in doctrine and practice. During much of the 1,260-year reign of the papal church, as the pagan Roman Empire changed to papal Rome, the true church of God—the woman—was to be in obscurity in the wilderness.

Revelation 12:6 is a depiction of God keeping the light of truth burning through His faithful children, many of whom witnessed for Him from the relative safety of the mountains of Europe. In the mountains and valleys of the wilderness, they were kept and fed by God, able to maintain freedom of conscience and worship and uphold the truth of the Bible amidst great moral and spiritual apostasy.

An Overview of Revelation 12:7–12

Verses 7 through 12 take us back in time to the great celestial battle that resulted in Satan being cast from heaven and the rebellion against God he took up on this planet. With earth’s inhabitants largely joined with Satan in rebellion against God and His law, verse 10 depicts the time when Christ would pay the price for that rebellion and offer to mankind salvation and restoration from sin. Since the crucifixion Satan has been living on borrowed time. Thus he grows more fierce and desperate to destroy God’s truth and faith and love in man.

Satan’s great anger is against God’s people—the “blameless and harmless … sons of God” who live in this world “without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation” and who, among the wicked, live for God and “shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). Satan’s wrath is seen in the increase of sorrows and sufferings and turmoil in the world that is now an everyday occurrence, for his time is short.

Revelation 12:7

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.

“Michael”

For further comment on the identity of Michael, see the comments on Daniel 12:1.

“And his angels”

And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. (Hebrews 1:6)

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. (1 Peter 1:22)

Verse 7 is a depiction of the battle in heaven as Michael, the one who is like God, fights with the faithful angels against the deception and rebellion of Satan and his angels. Regarding the nature of this warfare, Scripture is silent. However, much of the Bible is taken up with this battle between truth and error, sin and righteousness. The book of Revelation reveals that truth and righteousness will at last prevail. As it was in heaven, so will it be on earth.

Revelation 12:8–9

And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

“Cast out”

And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. (Luke 10:18)

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (Isaiah 14:12)

Revelation 12 verses 7 to 9 briefly take us back to verse 4 and explain how Satan and his angels, the stars, were cast to this earth.

Dragon—a fabulous kind of serpent (as supposed to fascinate)⁴

Serpent—a snake, figuratively (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially. Satan⁵

Devil—prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely⁶

Satan—the accuser; i.e., the devil. Hebrew: an opponent, Satan, the archenemy of good⁷

Lucifer the light bearer was once the covering cherub before the throne of God. Having forfeited his high place, he has set himself against God and His people. He who was once the light bearer has become a dragon and serpent, the devil and Satan. Let us see in the verses and commentary below what the enemy of God and man has become and the work he seeks to do in destroying souls.

The Characteristics of the Enemy:

• “The dragon stood … to devour her child as soon as it was born.” (Revelation 12:4)

• “And there was war in heaven: … the dragon fought and his angels.” (Revelation 12:7)

• “Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.” (Revelation 12:9)

• “Accuser of our brethren.” (Revelation 12:10)

• “The devil is come down unto you, having great wrath.” (Revelation 12:12)

• “The dragon … persecuted the woman.” (Revelation 12:13)

• “The serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.” (Revelation 12:15)

• “The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed.” (Revelation 12:17)

We can see from this quick overview of Revelation 12 that Satan is no friend of man; rather, he seeks to deceive and destroy. Mankind has largely, though unknown to himself, chosen the devil as ruler and god, despite the devil’s evil nature so clearly revealed in the Bible and in the world around us. Therefore, this planet is feeling the wrath of the devil, despite the fact that mankind is for the most part professedly religious. However, it is the religion of the carnal heart, a religion that works “with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:10).

“Deceiveth the whole world”

Deceive—to (properly cause to) roam (from safety, truth or virtue):—go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way⁸

How Will the Devil Deceive?

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:11)

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:24)

Satan’s Agents:

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:17–18)

[Spiritual gifts are given] that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. (Ephesians 4:14)

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (1 John 3:10)

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily [to introduce or bring in secretly or craftily] shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (2 Peter 2:1–3)

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:13–15)

And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast. (Revelation 13:11, 13–14)

Why Are People Deceived by the Serpent?

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (James 1:22. Hearing but not doing God’s Word will cause us to become deceived.)

This is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. (Isaiah 30:9–11. Rebellious people are those who would not hear God’s law, but who want the prophets and teachers to speak smooth things and lies to them.)

And [the spirit of antichrist works] with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:10–13. People are deceived because they love unrighteousness and do not have a love for the truth of God’s Word.)

But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:13)

Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. (Jeremiah 8:5. The people of Jerusalem are backslidden, for they hold fast to deceit rather than repenting and returning to God’s way.)

“His angels were cast out with him”

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. (Jude 1:6)

God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. (2 Peter 2:4)

As we read of the work of the devil in Scripture and look at the evil and chaotic world around us, it is obvious that Satan and his demons, when they were cast out of heaven to this earth, were not bound by literal chains in some mysterious and unknown subterranean pit under the earth. Further, God in mercy to humanity and nature holds in check the malicious designs of Satan.

In kindness and infinite wisdom God does not allow the full results of sin and rebellion to be felt at this time. The Bible reveals, that the devil’s influence and work is limited to this planet and his final sentence of doom is assured. It is this degree of restriction upon Satan and his angels, that they are depicted in the Bible as bound in chains awaiting their final demise.

Revelation 12:10

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

“Now is come salvation”

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:9)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

Thousands of years would pass from the time Satan was cast out of heaven until Jesus came to this earth to be “Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

Revelation 12:10 speaks of the death of Christ and the victory He gained for us on the cross. In Christ the salvation of all believers is made sure from Adam onward, for the blood of Christ has ratified the promise of grace and salvation first given in Genesis 3:15 to all who believe. “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:12, 28).

“Now is come … strength”

Strength—force, especially miraculous power; from another word meaning to be able or possible⁹

God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. (2 Samuel 22:33)

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. (Psalm 18:2)

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 1:24–25)

By faith in God and surrender to His Spirit, strength and the grace to overcome have been available to man since the days of Adam. Then in what way can it be said, “Now is come strength”? The faithful of the Old Testament looked forward in faith to a deliverer from sin. He who was the source of the believers’ hope through the ages ratified the covenant of grace by His own blood shed upon Calvary, thereby making sure the salvation of all who are children of faith. Christ’s strength enabled the faithful in the past and since Calvary, His strength enables us now.

“And the kingdom of our God”

Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:21)

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17)

Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. (Luke 13:18–21. The kingdom of grace, established by the death of Christ, is life changing. Further, the life-changing nature of the kingdom of Christ prepares God’s faithful children to live in heaven.)

[God] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13–14)

Christ’s death ratified the covenant of grace first offered to Adam and Eve. This is the kingdom to which the faithful of the ages belong. Christ’s death is also a promise that grace will one day give way to glory, when Christ’s eternal kingdom, in which there is no more sorrow or sin, shall no longer be a blessed hope, but a reality. This eternal kingdom is only for those who believe in and follow Christ, as He now rules and reigns in the hearts of His followers. The kingdom of grace established in our hearts is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy [by which] He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5).

Our salvation and the renewing of the Holy Spirit is the promise that “the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High” (Daniel 7:27).

“Power of his Christ”

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18)

Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. (Romans 1:3–4)

Saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (Revelation 5:12)

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. (John 1:12)

The power of Christ is the power of the gospel to change hearts and lives and to bring us into harmony with the principles and laws of God’s kingdom. “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Romans 6:22).

“For the accuser of our brethren”

Accuse—to be a plaintiff; i.e., to charge with some offense. Accuser—a complainant at law; especially Satan¹⁰

And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? (Zechariah 3:1–2)

Satan is the great adversary. He is the “accuser of our brethren.” He is continually working to misrepresent and accuse, to deceive and destroy the people of God.

“Is cast down”

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (John 12:31–32. Satan was cast down when Christ was lifted up on the cross and died for our sins.)

The casting down of Satan as an accuser of the brethren in heaven was accomplished by the great work of Christ in giving up His life. Despite Satan’s persistent attempts to cause Christ to sin, and the constant opposition of men moved by Satan, Christ triumphed over all the principalities and powers of evil.

By the death of Christ, Satan’s disguise was torn away. His principles were laid open before the unfallen angels and before the heavenly universe. It was clearly seen that “He was a murderer … and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. And that “he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). Revelation 12:10 speaks of Satan being cast out from heaven, no longer having a place there. Apparently, up until the time of Christ’s crucifixion, he still had some access to the heavenly host to accuse. However, at Christ’s crucifixion, he was unmasked. In moving upon men to kill the Son of God, he fully and finally uprooted himself from the sympathies of heavenly beings.

Now he has increased his efforts to deceive and destroy mankind, which will intensify just before Christ comes. The warning of heaven speaks to our time, “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:12).

Calvary revealed to the heavenly host the great self-sacrificing nature of the love of God. Now heaven was free from the lies of Satan. By the same sacrifice of Christ, God intends that we too see the love of God and thereby be led to serve Him with all our heart, mind, and soul. He desires that the lies and falsehoods of Satan would be cast out of our lives and understanding. By the indwelling of Christ’s Spirit and the transformation of the gospel, He would have subjects of His kingdom of grace. God intends that in the hearts, minds, and lives of His people, Satan will be cast down.

Revelation 12:11

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

“Overcame him by the blood of the Lamb”

Overcome—conquer, prevail, get the victory¹¹

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. (Ephesians 1:7)

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

We cannot escape from the guilt of sin, and therefore Satan can rightly accuse us before God. But we have a Savior who “is able also to save … to the uttermost [all] that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

Though all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, yet in mercy He has provided redemption and deliverance. (See Romans 3:23–25.) As Christ overcame Satan, so He will give us the grace to overcome. “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans 8:33–34).

“Word of their testimony”

But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. (Mark 13:9)

Long time therefore abode they [Paul and Barnabas] speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace. (Acts 14:3)

And when he [the Lamb] had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony that they held. (Revelation 6:9)

The cleansing blood of the Lamb brings to us forgiveness from sin, which awakens in us a love for God. “Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5), it awakens in us a testimony and witness to God’s amazing grace. By the cleansing blood of Christ and our witness for Him, we shall overcome Satan the accuser.

“Loved not their lives unto the death”

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:25–26)

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). Life is precious, but the knowledge of God in Christ and the reality of salvation and eternal life are more precious than life itself. In this knowledge found in the Bible, the church in the wilderness maintained its faithfulness and witness. And it is to be the source of power and witness for the true people of God in all ages.

Thus, whether in life or death, we can have this assurance: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Romans 8:35–37). Revelation 12:11 tells us how God’s people shall gain the victory over Satan’s onslaughts of verses 12 through 15.

Revelation 12:12

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

“Rejoice ye heavens”

Rejoice over her thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her [Babylon]. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. (Revelation 18:20–21)

Heaven rejoices when God’s truth and righteousness triumph over evil. At the death of Christ the angels’ questions regarding Satan’s deceiving power, and the principles that governed his kingdom, were clearly settled, for he was unmasked as a liar and murderer. Satan’s selfish and evil nature was seen in contrast to the perfect purity and holiness of Christ, who bore sin and guilt on behalf of fallen man. No longer was there any question in the minds of the unfallen beings throughout the universe regarding Satan and his principles, for the self-sacrificing love of God in Christ was forever proven and demonstrated.

The death of Christ confirmed that the time of Satan’s reign upon this world would be limited. Sin, its instigator, and sinners would forever be destroyed, leaving the universe from that point forward in perfect harmony and purity. The cause of heaven’s rejoicing in Revelation 12:12 is the anticipation of that great day of restoration, which was made sure by Christ’s death and triumph over the grave. The rest of the book of Revelation deals with Satan’s great wrath and deception, and the promise of restoration and victory for those who make Christ their Savior.

“Woe to the inhabiters of the earth”

Satan knows that this planet—which he had usurped control over from Adam—would in the end be taken from him, for the death of Christ on the cross declared his eventual destruction. Yet in hatred and stubbornness, he has determined to spare no effort to destroy as many as possible. Thus his wrath is fixed upon mankind in general and Christ’s church in particular. The devil exercises his hatred toward man because Christ had manifested for mankind such forgiving love and pity. Satan now seeks to practice every manner of deception so that mankind might be deluded and lost. The devil and his angels now pursue this course with more energy because of their own hopeless condition.

“Devil is come down unto you, having great wrath”

Then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. (Luke 8:12)

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)

So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. (Job 2:7)

The Scriptures give many examples of Satan’s wrath against mankind, but we must remember Jesus’ promise: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Revelation 12:13

And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man-child.

And I will put enmity between thee [Satan] and the woman, [the people of God, the church] and between thy seed [the children of disobedience] and her seed; it [Christ] shall bruise thy [Satan’s] head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15)

The woman here in Revelation 12 is not Mary, as she was not persecuted as far as any biblical record is concerned. Further, we see the persecution of the woman starting at the time Satan was cast to the earth.

Through unbelieving religious zealots in the days of Christ, including Saul of Tarshish, and then through the pagan Rome Empire and the Roman church, Satan sought to silence the witness of Christ and the woman, God’s true church. In modern times, communism, humanism, New Age spiritualism, ecumenicalism, materialism with relativism and compromise have been some of Satan’s tools to silence the witnessing voice of biblical Christianity.

“He persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child”

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:1)

But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. (Acts 13:50)

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. (Matthew 24:9)

And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. (Revelation 17:6; 18:24)

Satan’s hatred against mankind, for whom Christ died, is seen in the daily tragedies of life—murder, war, hatred, and selfishness. However, Satan’s greatest hatred is against God and His truth, and this is where Satan directs his greatest attacks. He works to dilute, to change, to make of non-effect the truth of the Bible and the love of Christ.

Sadly, he is largely successful, as the majority of those who profess the name of Christ do not really live for Him. However, from the beginning of the controversy between truth and error, and as revealed throughout the book of Revelation, God has a people who have the faith of Jesus and keep the commandments of God.

Revelation 12:14

And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

“Wings of a great eagle”

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. (Psalm 91:1, 4)

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. (Psalm 36:7)

Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. (Exodus 19:4)

Wings are a symbol of freedom or speed of movement and also of God’s sustaining hand.

“Into the wilderness”

See comment on Revelation 12:6.

“Times time and half a time”

The forty-two months, the 1,260 days, and the “times, time and half a time” speak of a period of 1,260 years. During this time (from 538 to 1798) the Roman church, and the secular kingdoms who assisted her, persecuted the woman. For centuries, the church, in a special sense, was confined to the wilderness for protection, as God kept the truth alive.

In the mountains of the Alps, the Piedmont valleys, etc., groups such as the Albigenses, Waldenses, and Huguenots, worshipped God according to biblical truth. They propagated the gospel, which kept the light of truth from being wholly extinguished. Toward the latter portion of the 1,260 years, in the 1500s and onward, North America became a place for people to escape persecution.

Revelation 12:15

And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

“The serpent cast out of his mouth”

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. (Psalm 10:7)

For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. (Psalm 109:2)

Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. (Romans 3:13–14)

Put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. (Colossians 3:8)

The above texts speak of the unconverted: their mouths speak that which is in their hearts, for they have the mind of Satan. Satan uses the mouths of humans to persecute and harass God’s people, the church, represented by the good woman.

“Water as a flood”

Thus saith the Lord; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl. (Jeremiah 47:2)

Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof. (Jeremiah 46:8)

So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. (Isaiah 59:19)

Through persecution and false doctrine, slander and misrepresentation, Satan’s flood of hatred sought to sweep away the woman and the truth she upheld. Yet Satan’s flood of armies, inquisitions and falsehood could never fully prevail over her, for a remnant remained faithful to God.

Revelation 12:16

And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

“Earth helped the women”

Seas and waters represent multitudes of people. (See Revelation 17:15.) The earth would then represent an area less populated, a place of obscurity, or the wilderness. The mountains of Europe provided the people of God a refuge in the earth. Toward the end of the 1,260-year period, a new country in the less inhabited part of the earth became a refuge for many fleeing the oppression of kings and popes. America would eventually propagate religious freedom and freedom of conscience upon the world stage.

Revelation 12:17

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

So then the dragon was furious (enraged) at the woman, and he went away to wage war on the remainder of her descendents—[on those] who obey God’s commandments and who have the testimony of Jesus Christ [and adhere to it and bear witness to Him]. (Revelation 12:17 AMP)

Under the symbols of a great red dragon in chapter 12, and a leopard-like beast and a beast with lamb-like horns in chapter 13, the earth’s religious and political powers would trample upon God’s law and persecute His people.

The warfare against Christ and His kingdom started in heaven with Lucifer’s rebellion and will be carried on until the close of time. The people of God, symbolized by a holy woman and her children, will be a minority in the last days, for only a remnant will exist. Nevertheless, the victory of the people of God is assured through the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.

“Dragon was wroth”

Through the ages, Satan’s malignant and hateful nature has been manifested against God and His people by the principalities and powers of this world. The devil has also worked through nature to bring death and ruin to man and creation. Throughout the world, he has worked to stir up strife, warfare, and oppression. Now, in the time of the end, his activity has increased.

Satan’s hatred against mankind can be seen in the ever-increasing turmoil in nature and society, exactly as Scripture has foretold. But his greatest hatred is against the woman, particularly the remnant or last part of her seed after the end of the 1,260 years of persecution and wilderness experience.

At about the end of this time a new nation was to rise, one destined to be a lamb, a champion of religious freedom and conscience. Yet in the end it will exhibit the same persecuting spirit of the dragon. It will be Satan’s special instrument, along with the beast, to bring religious oppression and persecution throughout the world back to the forefront, just as it was during the 1,260 years.

After the end of the prophetic 1,260 years God’s last-day people would be more fully developed, with the distinguishing characteristics of keeping the commandments of God and having the testimony of Jesus or the spirit of prophecy. In Revelation 14:12 they are seen again. Here they are found resisting the mark of the beast, standing in patient, consistent endurance for Christ and His truth, keeping the commandments of God, and having the faith of Jesus.

In the times in which we live, two movements are being formed. The vast majority of humanity is to be found under the banner of mystery Babylon in all its various manifestations. In addition, Scripture reveals a relatively small but faithful group as compared to earth’s teeming multitudes. They are known simply as the remnant.

“With the woman”

The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth. (2 John 1:1. The lady is the church, all that know the truth.)

“Remnant of Her Seed”

Remnant—remaining ones¹²

The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. (Zephaniah 3:13)

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. (Joel 2:32)

And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. (Isaiah 37:31)

The remnant are those who overcome, escape or are delivered by God’s grace, and live to serve Him. Although His church, the woman, experiences the wrath of the dragon, Jesus says, “Remember the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for My name’s sake, because they know not Him that sent Me” (John 15:20–21).

Revelation’s view of the remnant gives us assurance that God will have a people who are obedient and true to Him in the midst of a “faithless and perverse generation” (Luke 9:41). The remnant, through the remainder of the book of Revelation, are those who, though maligned and hated, believe and live out the truth of God.

The remnant will, at the end of the long struggle between truth and error, at last stand with Christ on the sea of glass, for they are overcomers. “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12).

“Which keep the commandments of God”

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (1 John 5:3)

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1 John 2:3–4)

The remnant people of God are commandment keepers in the midst of a world and a proffesed church that neglect and ignore God’s law. They understand that by grace we do not “make void the law through faith. God forbid: yea, we establish the law” (Romans 3:31). Having experienced the new-covenant blessing of salvation by grace through faith, they have allowed God into their lives. Therefore, He has said, “I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them” (Hebrews 10:16).

The remnant revealed in Revelation 14 are God’s messengers or angels who call the world to fear God and give glory to Him, and who warn the world of the mark of the beast and the danger of being part of Babylon. They call the world to “worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Revelation 14:7).

The remnant, God’s messengers, are also calling the world to obedience to God’s commandants, including the long-neglected and forgotten commandment “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. … For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:8, 11).

“Have the testimony of Jesus Christ”

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10)

I am only another servant with you and your brethren who have [accepted and hold] the testimony borne by Jesus. Worship God! For the substance (essence) of the truth revealed by Jesus is the spirit of all prophecy [the vital breath, the inspiration of all inspired preaching and interpretation of the divine will and purpose, including both mine and yours]. (Revelation 19:10 AMP)

At that I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “No! I am your fellow-servant and fellow-servant with your brothers who are holding fast their witness to Jesus. Give your worship to God!” This witness to Jesus inspires all prophecy. (Revelation 19:10 Phillips)

Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. (1 Peter 1:10–11. The Spirit of Christ in the prophets leads to their testimony or prophecy.)

To him [Christ] give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43)

The “spirit of prophecy” means that Jesus is witnessing to the church through the medium of prophecy; the book of Revelation itself came to us through the spirit of prophecy. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John: who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:2–3, 9)

God’s remnant church will be Christ centered, leading to loving obedience to the unchanging moral law of the Ten Commandments. To them is fulfilled the promise: “the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in every thing ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:4–8).

The testimony of Jesus—the spirit of prophecy—is to prepare God’s last-day people for the coming of the Lord, leading them to live blameless lives. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure” (1 John 3:2–3).

The remnant will be those who, having experienced the new birth, have been “renewed in the spirit of … [the] mind; and … put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:23–24). The remnant, by word and deed, testify “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8). In addition, the inspired gift of prophecy will be among the remnant, as they, “in the spirit of Elias, … turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17).

The Remnants’ Characteristics:

• They have experienced the salvation and strength of Christ living under His kingdom and lordship.

• They overcome sin and the devil by the blood of the Lamb.

• They overcome by the word of their testimony.

• They love not their lives unto death.

• They keep the commandments of God.

• They have the testimony of Jesus Christ, the spirit of prophecy.


Endnotes

1.  James Strong, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1987).

2.  Greek Lexicon, in The Online Bible CD-Rom, Macintosh Version 2.5.3 (Niagara Falls, NY: Cross Country Software, www.online-bible.com, 1996).

3.  James Strong, op. cit.

4.  Ibid.

5.  Ibid.

6.  Greek Lexicon, op. cit.

7.  James Strong, op. cit.

8.  Ibid.

9.  Ibid.

10.  Ibid.

11.  Greek Lexicon, op. cit.

12.  James Strong, op. cit.