Revelation

King James Version

The Woman and the Dragon
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:
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
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.
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.
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.
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.
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 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.
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.
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.
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.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
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.
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.
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.
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.


Bible Commentary

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:

 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven

A great wonder or sign. This is one of the most remarkable visions given to John the Revelator for it tells how sin and rebellion began, how Lucifer challenged the authority of God and after being cast out of heaven, he made war with the church in general, and in particular with the Remnant church or last church.

A woman clothed with the sun

This symbol is well described by R.A. Anderson in his book "Unfolding the Revelation." "This gloriously arrayed woman, with the sun as her garment, the moon as her footstool, and twelve stars for a crown, is in some ways the most attractive of all the prophetic symbols."

Jeremiah 6:2 says, “I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman." The apostle Paul writing of the church says in 1 Corinthians 11:2 latter half says, “... that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”

Clothed with the sun

To be clothed with the sun, suggests light and light is symbolic of the Gospel. In John 8:12 Jesus said "I am the light of the world:” To be clothed with the sun suggests another symbol which fits very well to this particular aspect of John's vision. Malachi 4:2 says, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings:.."

Christ imparts this righteousness to His church and that is why the Christian church is clothed in such glorious garments.

And the moon under her feet

The moon shines only by reflected light. That light is reflected from the sun. The moon is the lesser light. The sun represents the Gospel in all its purity and power. The moon being a lesser light must therefore represent the Old Testament with its sacrifices and ceremonies which were shadows, reflections of the coming of Christ.

The moon or lesser light is the foundation upon which the church is built. A foundation of prophecy and promise, of dedicated lives of godly men and women set forth as examples to us living in the Gospel age. The Christian church has as its foundation the Bible, the Word of God, so it is certainly well established. As Jesus said in Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

And upon her head a crown of twelve stars

A crown is a symbol of rulership or royalty. The apostle Peter speaking of the church calls it a “royal priesthood,” (1 Peter 2:9) Christ is the King of kings and his bride, the Church, becomes his queen.

We have already noticed that twelve is the kingdom number. There were twelve tribes in the Old Testament church and twelve apostles in the New Testament. There are twelve foundations in the New Jerusalem and twelve gates to the city. The twelve stars on the crown represent the twelve apostles who are the foundation of the New Testament church.

REVELATION 12:2
AND SHE BEING WITH CHILD CRIED, TRAVAILING IN BIRTH, AND PAINED T0 BE DELIVERED.

This verse tells of the birth of a child. It is not very hard to see the meaning of this symbol. It takes no stretch of the imagination to understand that this refers to Christ.

From the time of that promise in Eden, God’s people had looked for the Redeemer. Every mother in Israel hoped that she might give birth to the Saviour. At last when the time was come, God sent Christ into this world as a helpless little babe.

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.

And there a Appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon

In verse 9 we are told that the Red Dragon is none other than Satan. "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan..."

This prophecy unmasks the mastermind at work behind the scenes and as the prophecy is dealing with God’s true church and Christ's personal appearance, there is pictured Satan's unrelenting attack on God's people and on Christ Himself.

Having seven heads and ten horns

The seven heads are major political powers such as Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and others as we will notice in chapters 13 and 17.

The 7 headed and 10 horned Dragon of chapter 12
The 7 headed and 10 horned Beast of chapter 13
The 7 headed and 10 horned Scarlet Coloured Beast of chapter 17
- all represent the same power or combination of powers.

It is very significant that there are seven different and distinct mentioned powers introduced into Scripture by prophetic symbols and are mentioned in the Books of Daniel and Revelation.

Babylon (the Lion, Daniel 7:4)
Medo-Persia (the Bear, verse 5)
Grecia (the Leopard, verse 6)
Pagan Rome (the Fourth Beast verse 7, the Dragon Rev. 12:3)
Papal Rome (the Little Horn, verse 8, the Leopard Beast Rev. 13)
America (the Two Horned Beast, Rev. 13:11)
Papal Rome Restored (Woman on Scarlet Coloured Beast, Rev. 17)

The ten Horns are minor political powers such as the kingdoms of the divided Western Rome. France, Germany, England, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland. These are the powers Satan used during the Dark Ages to oppose and oppress God's people.

And seven crowns upon his heads

At the time of this vision the horns are pictured as having crowns on them, in later visions of the same powers they do not have crowns; the reason being that at this time they are monarchies but later on monarchies have mostly disappeared, many have become Republican powers.

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.

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth

The stars mentioned here are “the stars of heaven". The stars of heaven can only refer to the angels. Remember in the 7 Trumpets that John saw a star fall from heaven and he opened the bottomless pit? That star was none other than Satan himself. Satan is a fallen angel.

Isaiah 14:12 says, "How art thou fallen from heaven, 0 Lucifer, son of the morning." In Revelation 12:9 we are told that Satan was cast out and his angels with him. Evidently a third part of the angels joined Lucifer in his rebellion against God.

Testimonies to the Church, Vol 5. page 291 says, “When Satan became disaffected in Heaven, he did not lay his complaint before God and Christ; but he went among the angels who thought him perfect, and represented that God had done him injustice in preferring Christ to himself. The result of this misrepresentation was, through their sympathy with him one third of the angels lost their innocence, their high estate and their happy home.”

And the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born

The great red Dragon is none other than Satan. He is the great mastermind of evil behind the scenes. In this verse he is pictured as waiting, hiding in the shadows, ready to destroy the woman's child. We also notice that the man child is CHRIST and the time setting of this verse is the first Advent when Christ was to appear as a babe in Bethlehem.

It is quite easy to find the power through which Satan was working at this time; it was none other than Rome. Pagan Rome ruled the whole world at that time and Herod was a Roman governor. It was through Herod, that Satan endeavoured to destroy the man child as soon as He was born. It was Pilate, another Roman governor who was responsible for the death pf the Saviour.

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.

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.

At last the promised Redeemer was born, but Satan did his utmost to try and destroy that One who one day is to rule with a rod of iron. It was of this child Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 9:6, “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.”

One day Christ will assume His Kingly power and then He will rule as LORD of LORD'S. Daniel explains just what kind of rulership it will be. Daniel 7:27 says, "And 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, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.”

And her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne

The Saviour lived among men for thirty-three years; His life was an example, the perfect pattern of what God expects of man. In His childhood, His youth and manhood, Christ "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:52)

Her child was caught up to God

The prophecy passes over completely the story of Christ’s life here on earth for there is no mention of His personal experiences, the miracles He performed, neither is told His suffering, death and resurrection. This verse mentions only the ascension, the high point of the gospel story. The gospel writers have given in fine detail the important events of the Saviour’s life and ministry, so John gives only a very brief account of events.

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.

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God

As you have already noticed, only the mountain peaks in the history of the Christian church are brought to our attention in this vision. One thing is very clear and that is the Church and Christ has a relentless enemy who is determined that he will destroy either.

Now he is working behind the scenes once again, this time he is using the Papacy to try and destroy the Church and God's people. With the establishment of the Papacy, persecution drove the true believers into the mountain fortresses. For hundreds of years, the Church of Christ found refuge in seclusion and obscurity.

 That they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days

Seven times this period is referred to in the Books of Daniel and Revelation:
- as 1260 days in Revelation 11:3; and 12:6.
- as forty months in Revelation 11:2; 13:5.
- and as 3 1/2 times in Daniel 7:25, 12:7 and Revelation 12:14.

For 1260 years of prophetic time the woman, the true church, was in the wilderness. From 538 A.D. until 1798 A.D.

The Waldenses and the Albigenses were among those who hid in the mountainous regions and suffered terrible persecutions. On one occasion the Papal armies came to try and destroy these honest Christian people, the Waldenses sheltered in a large cavern, the soldiers started a fire at the mouth of the cavern and smothered the 3,000 who had taken refuge there, 400 children were among them. These people suffered tortures too terrible to mention, which only devils in human form could have invented. Towns in the mountain valleys were left smouldering ruins.

REVELATION 12:7
AND THERE WAS WAR IN HEAVEN: MICHAEL AND HIS ANGELS FOUGHT AGAINST THE DRAGON; AND THE DRAGON FOUGHT AND HIS ANGELS,

There was war in heaven!

It is hard to believe but that is what the Scripture says. War did not begin on earth: it began in heaven. That is what the Bible says. The first six verses of this chapter takes us down to the close of the 1260 years in 1798 which marked the end of papal supremacy. In the 7th verse we are taken back to the very beginning of the great controversy between truth and unrighteousness.

Prior to the creation of this world Lucifer and his angels were expelled from heaven. Satan had rebelled against God and in his rebellion had gained the support of many of the angels. There had to be a showdown, action had to be taken in order to restore harmony in heaven.

Michael and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.

Michael means "who is like God?" Michael is referred to as "one of the chief princes" Daniel 10:13 the margin has (or the first prince). In Daniel 12:1 He is called Michael, "the great prince." Again in Daniel 10:21 Gabriel, chief of God's heavenly messengers has this to say, "But I will shew thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth; and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince."

Here is a statement which is well worth noting. Jude 9 says, "Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke thee." The fact that Michael disputed with Satan over the body of Moses shows very clearly that He is none other than Christ.

Seeing that Moses appeared with Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration is an evidence that Christ triumphed in the contest with the devil and raised Moses from his grave, the very first person to be resurrected.

Michael fought against the dragon and the dragon fought with his angels. Seeing that angels are spirits, most likely there was no blood shed and it was most unlikely that the weapons used were swords, guns or the crude and primitive things known to man.

REVELATION 12:8
AND PREVAILED NOT; NEITHER WAS THEIR PLACE FOUND ANY MORE IN HEAVEN. This is a wonderful verse for it tells us that Satan was unsuccessful in his efforts to overthrow the government of God. This cosmic contest in the distant past began when Lucifer, in his jealousy mixed with pride and arrogancy said in Isaiah 14:13, "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High."

Here is an excellent article by E.G. White. “Opposition to the law of God had its beginning in the courts of heaven, with Lucifer, the covering cherub. Satan determined to be first in the councils of heaven, and equal with God. He began his work of rebellion with the angels under his command, seeking to diffuse among them the spirit of discontent. And he worked in so deceptive a way that many of the angels were won to his allegiance before his purposes were fully known. Even the loyal angels could not fully discern his character, nor see to what his work was leading. When Satan had succeeded in winning many angels to his side, he took his cause to God, representing that it was the desire of the angels that he occupy the position that Christ held. The evil continued to work until the spirit of disaffection ripened into active revolt. Then there was war in heaven, and Satan, with all who sympathized with him was cast out. Satan had warred for the mastery in heaven, and had lost the battle. God could no longer trust him with honor and supremacy, and these, with the part he had taken in the government of heaven, were taken from him...” Review and Herald January 28, 1909.

REVELATION 12:9
AND THE GREAT DRAGON WAS CAST OUT, THAT OLD SERPENT, CALLED THE DEVIL, AND SATAN, WHICH DECEIVED THE WHOLE WORLD: HE WAS CAST OUT INTO THE EARTH, AND HIS ANGELS WERE CAST OUT WITH HIM.

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil and Satan, which deceived the whole world

With envy and hatred in his heart Satan had presumptuously led a host of disaffected angels in rebellion against the government of God. But the Scripture says, "he prevailed not,” "was cast out into the earth".

The time of Satan's fall and rebellion was just prior to the time this earth was created. Early Writings, page 145 says, "When God said to His Son, 'Let us make man in our image,' Satan was jealous of Jesus, He wished to be consulted concerning the formation of man, and because he was not, he was filled with envy, jealousy and hatred." He was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

It was on the cross that Christ won the decisive victory over Satan. Hebrews 2:14 says, "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." It was at the cross Satan's true character was fully revealed before the universe.

The book Desire of Ages by E.G. White page 761 says, "Satan saw that his disguise was torn away. His administration was laid open before the unfallen angels and before the heavenly universe. He had revealed himself as a murderer. By shedding the blood of the Son of God, he had uprooted himself from the sympathies of the heavenly beings. Henceforth his work was restricted. Whatever attitude he might assume, he could no longer await the angels as they came from the heavenly courts, and before them accuse Christ's brethren of being clothed with the garments of blackness and the defilement of sin. The last link of sympathy between Satan and the heavenly world was broken."

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.

What a wonderful message! A message of victory, of encouragement and assurance to God's people of all ages.

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation and strength and the kingdom of our God

It must have thrilled the heart of John to hear this wonderful and thrilling announcement that at last the great contest which had been so long in progress was now decided. Christ’s death forever settled the question of Satan; did God really love man as He claimed? He did and was He prepared and willing to sacrifice on his behalf?

Calvary also settled for all time any questions regarding God’s character that the angels or inhabitants of the other worlds may have had. It was at Calvary, God was justified and Satan revealed his true character as a liar and murderer. "Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or the unfallen worlds. The arch apostate has so clothed himself with deception that even holy beings had not understood his principles." (Desire of Ages, page 758) Christ's victory at Calvary settled the destiny not only of our world but also of Satan and all his evil hosts.

And the kingdom of our God

Because he had been successful in causing Adam and Eve to fall, Satan claimed this world as his own; he is even referred to as the Prince of this world in the Holy Scriptures. There is no question but that Satan staged a take-over, for in the first chapter of Job we find him in attendance at a council in heaven and claiming to be earth's representative. Then in Matthew chapter 4 he offers to Christ the kingdoms of this world.

The message that comes from heaven assures us that Christ has redeemed this world to Himself by His death on the cross, by His sinless life and His victory over death itself.

And the power of His Christ

Power stands for authority and it is Christ's power over sin and death that gives to every believer life everlasting. His Christ or "His Anointed" Christ was anointed of God at His baptism and was endowed with power and the Holy Spirit so that He might be able to accomplish the task of Redemption.

For the accuser of our brethren is cast down which accused them before our God day and night.

The accuser of our brethren

Not one of God's people are free from the accusations of Satan. In Zechariah chapter 3 and verses 1 to 5 there is pictured Satan at work accusing Joshua of many things. As Satan accused Joshua and his people so in all ages he accuses those who seek the mercy and favour of God. He is the accuser of our brethren...

Which accused them before Our God day and night.

Over every soul that is rescued from the power of evil and whose name is registered in the lamb’s book of life the controversy is repeated. Never is one received into the family of God without exciting the determined resistance of the enemy." (Prophets and Kings, page 585)

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 L IVES UNTO THE DEATH.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb

Here is the secret of victory! Victory can be ours; there is a power available to every sincere and earnest Christian. Just as Christ overcame the temptations of Satan and was victorious, His followers are able to do the same by applying the blood. It is wonderful to know that no matter how weak the believer may be there is a power that will bring victory. "There is power, wonder working power in the blood."

And by the word of their testimony

That is by their personal witness, whether it be a spoken witness or by example of a godly life. The context of this verse indicates that their testimony was the testimony of martyrs for they laid down their lives for the truth.

And they loved not their lives unto the death

We are told in John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” The Saviour willingly laid down His life in order that we might have that more abundant life, life everlasting. Those who loved not their lives unto death, did so, knowing that Jesus, the One who is the way, the truth and the life would one day restore their lives. .

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 HATH A SHORT TIME.

Therefore ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them

Not only among the angels was there great rejoicing but the inhabitants of other worlds also joined in the mighty cheer of triumph. The continual accusation and critical spirit manifested by Satan had become a blight on the happiness of the inhabitants of the universe. They had enough of it and it was with rejoicing the announcement of Satan's banishment was made.

Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea

Good news for the rest of the universe but bad news for the earth. Satan had claimed this world as his dominion and it is rather sad that many of this earth's inhabitants have yielded their allegiance to him. Satan in his rage and fury against God and Christ attacked the Church and millions of martyrs were to lose their lives from the time of the cross, down through the Dark Ages right on to the very end of time. There has been a trail of blood from Abel to our present time and even to the last martyr as probation closes.

For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time

The devil knows that he has lost the battle against God. He also knows that his time is short and so he is concentrating all his efforts in trying to wreck God's Church. At the same time he is doing everything he can to bring this world to ruin.

Through communism he is closing the doors of the churches and spreading atheism. Violence is ever increasing and lawlessness is sweeping from one country to another. The devil is angry alright and is working feverishly to accomplish his task of wiping out the Church and destroying this world.

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.

Continuing the symbolism of verses 4 and 5 the dragon no longer able to attack the man child (Christ) in person, now turns his efforts to persecuting the mother (Church) of the man child. Satan after his murderous effort at Calvary soon realized that there was no possibility of being re-instated in the favour of God and he manifested his malice and hatred against the Church.

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. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place

The Woman with the two wings of an eagle flys into the wilderness. This figure of eagles’ wings was very familiar to God's ancient people; the deliverance from Pharaoh and his hosts is referred to by this figure. It is a figure of divine protection. Exodus 19:4 says, “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians and how I bare you on eagles wings and brought you unto myself."

The wilderness refers to an uninhabited region where food, shelter and even water would be difficult to obtain; where there would be danger from wild animals and even bandits. However at the same time the wilderness would be able to offer a place of refuge and safety in its isolation. This figurative wilderness represents hardship and danger for God’s people yet at the same time protection from their enemies who are trying to destroy them.

Where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time from the face of the serpent

As we have already noticed this period is mentioned several times in the Books of Daniel and Revelation. The three and a half prophetic "times" of Revelation 12:14 is the same period of time called the 1260 "days" of verse 6. Also the forty two months of Revelation 13:5.

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.

In the Old Testament flood waters are a common figure for great suffering and destruction. (Jeremiah 47:2,3) Water in prophecy represents people. (Revelation 17:15) During the time of the Papal supremacy, many different people were used to try and destroy God's true and faithful people. As we study the pages of history we read of a religious war of extermination. This was a time of great bloodshed and bitter persecutions.

Notice this statement from Great Controversy, pages 54 & 55. “In the sixth century the Papacy had become firmly established... And now began the 1260 years of papal oppression foretold in the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation... Persecution opened upon the faithful with greater fury than ever before, and the world became a vast battle-field. For hundreds of years the church of Christ found refuge in seclusion and obscurity. Thus says the prophet; “The woman fled into the wilderness…"

Satan endeavoured by the flood of false doctrines as well as by persecution to wipe out the Christian Church. By its false doctrines, the papacy had so corrupted all nations as to have absolute control of the civil power for long centuries. Through it, Satan could hurl a mighty flood of persecution against the church in every direction, and this he was not slow to do.

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. Tired of the tyranny the earth itself gave succour to the persecuted Church. It did this in several ways. In Europe where the persecution was the greatest, the mountains provided a shelter for those who were persecuted.

Great Controversy by E.G. White, page 65 says, “Behind the lofty bulwarks of the mountains, - in all ages the refuge of the persecuted and oppressed - the Waldenses found a hiding place. Here the light of truth was kept burning amid the darkness of the Middle Ages. Here, for a thousand years, witnesses for the truth maintained the ancient faith."

America, a new land of freedom and opportunity, became host to thousands who were looking for religious and political freedom. The Reformation broke the tyranny of the Papacy, and Protestantism spread throughout Europe causing persecution and oppression to disappear.

At the same time that the earth gave relief to the persecuted, the flood of false doctrines began to subside also. As men and women began to study the Books of Daniel and Revelation, new understanding came to them and truths hidden for centuries came to their attention. The light which had been extinguished for so long began to shine at first dimly but ever increasing in intensity.

A new science of archaeology came into being and marvellous discoveries from the buried cities of the past, substantiated and vindicated the Word of God. The sceptics were silenced and men were stirred by the wonderful finds that were made. So with a new understanding of the Word of God the flood from the serpent’s mouth was stemmed and halted. Even the very stones were crying out, "Thy Word is truth."

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.

And the dragon was wroth with the woman The dragon (Satan) in his fury and anger, tried in every way to destroy the woman (Church). He was not successful; so he is more determined than ever to do his utmost to destroy the Remnant Church.

And went to make war with the Remnant of her seed

There is no difficulty in identifying the Woman; the Scriptures make it very plain that the Church is the Woman. Just so it is quite easy to figure out who the Remnant of her seed might be. The Remnant is always the last piece off a roll of cloth or the last part of a carpet. You can usually buy remnants at bargain prices. Just so the Remnant of her seed is the Last Church on earth that is of God's people.

In Luke 12:32 Jesus says, "Fear not little flock: for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Jesus did not say "Big Flock," but “Little Flock”. Therefore the Remnant is not a large church but rather a small one. Notice these words of Jesus in Matthew 7:14. "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Which keep the commandments of God

We have noticed that Satan's anger is directed against the Remnant Church; and so there will be no confusion regarding the identity of this Last Day Church, two very strong points of identification are given. God makes it very clear that there are two outstanding characteristics of the Remnant Church or the last church. The first is the keeping of the Commandments and the second having the Spirit of Prophecy.

It is quite obvious that these two points stressed in this text indicate that in the last days the world, that is the religious world or more specifically the Christian world, will not be keeping God's Commandments. However God's true people of the last days will be giving heed to the words of Jesus in John 14:15. "If ye love me, keep my commandments.” A person who is truly saved by grace, will delight to obey, for God's law is written within his heart. John 14:21 says, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."

The only way the keeping of God's commandments could identify God's people would be for the world and religion in general not to be keeping them. It does not say that Satan makes war against Sunday keepers but rather those who are keeping God's law.

All along the way the great issue as far as the controversy between Christ and Satan is concerned has been the law of God. Satan rebelled against God and His law and now he turns his fury upon those who keep and uphold them.

Which keep the commandments of God

It is very clear that the last Church will be honouring God by keeping all of His commandments. Not only is this stated in this text but in other parts of Revelation as we will notice in further studies.

Speaking of those who are caught up to meet the Lord in the air at His Second Coming, Revelation 14:12 says, "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

And have the testimony of Jesus Christ

The second characteristic of this church is that it has the testimony of Jesus Christ. In Revelation 19:10 we are told “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 the brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

The Remnant Church has a greater understanding of prophecy because in these last days the Books of Daniel and Revelation have been made plain. There are so many religious leaders who say "We do not know anything about the Books of Daniel and Revelation." But the Bible makes it very clear that God's Remnant Church, His last church will not only be keeping the commandments of God but they will also have the testimony of Jesus Christ. That means they will have an understanding of the prophetic books of the Bible.

As in all other gifts of the Bible, the gift of prophecy is given only to those who obey God. God does not impart His gifts to those who are wilfully disobedient. The Lord does say this in Proverbs 29:18. "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." The Bible also says in Lamentations 2:9 latter half, "…the law is no more, her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.”

God makes it very clear that those who refuse to obey Him will not be guided by the spirit of prophecy. The wise man stresses the seriousness of rejecting God's law. Proverbs 28:9 says, “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”