THE CUT AND BANDED TREE

PART II

PART I

compiled by Dee Finney

If you have arrived here from  http://www.greatdreams.com/blog-2014-2/dee-blog677.html  the photos you are looking for are below:

7-25-09 - DREAM -  I was in a very large two story house, taking care of a little boy who was Spanish/Mexican.  This house and the little boy was very dirty.  There were little crumbs of dirt everywhere including on the child, on the bed, on the floors - everywhere.

There was also a very young woman with me - no relation to the child, but she was helping me.

I started out by trying to mop the bathroom floor, behind the toilet first - and there was so much crud on the floor, this was very difficult.

Because the little boy was so dirty, he needed cleaning too, and I asked the young woman to help me with him because I felt sorry for the little boy.  The young woman did everything I asked of her without complaint.

I then found three golden swords/knives rather machete-shaped with wide blades and extremely sharp - each had a different shape but were about three feet long and these were dirty as well.

I took the machetes downstairs to clean and polish them, but for some reason I just couldn't clean them downstairs, so I took them back upstairs and asked the young woman if she would clean them for me.

I lay on the bed then which was very large and so was the room and as I lay on the bed, looking at the ceiling, I saw green and blue stripes of paint on the ceiling at random - not like the ceiling was going to be painted - they were like test stripes.  This made me question whether I was in the right bedroom or someone else's.

So, I got out of bed to make sure I was even in the right house, and in the corner of the room, I spotted a man, dressed all in brown, but I couldn't see his face.

Then the man picked up something from the floor that was hidden by dirt - and he turned it to face me.  It was a painting of a pine tree trunk. As he showed me this painting, it became more and more brilliantly colored - just the trunk of the tree - with new branches coming out of it.  The painting became more and more brilliant and larger and larger and closer and closer to me - but all I could see was the trunk of the tree - never the whole tree.

See photos taken in my own backyard below:

and I woke up

The Maya of southern Mexico and Guatemala associated Orion's sword with their creator god. Orion's belt stars represented the back of a celestial turtle. First Father, their creator god, emerged from a crack in the back of this celestial turtle to put people in the world. Perhaps barely seeing the Orion Nebula as a bit of a smudgy appearance to the center star in Orion's sword and interpreting this smudge as smoke, they saw the center star in Orion's sword as the flame of creation. The Mayan hearth was a triangle of three stones. Alnitak, the easternmost belt star, along with the two feet stars, Saiph and Rigel, formed the celestial hearth cradling their fire of creation.

Read more: http://stargazing.suite101.com/article.cfm/nebula_in_the_constellation_orion#ixzz0MOm4XiRt
 

Iraq and the weapons of mass destruction in retrospect

This is what the swords - machetes looked like except they were golden colored (copper?)

The Baathist regime of Iraq may not have possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction according to some technical criteria, but it certainly possessed what could be called ‘weapons of mass destruction’, meaning weapons capable of destroying masses of human beings.

In the Rwandan Genocide, between 800,000 and a million people were killed mostly using simple weapons, above all the machete. This is several times more than were killed by the atomic bombs that hit Japan in 1945. Judging by the twentieth-century historical record, the machete is a more dangerous weapon of mass destruction than the nuclear bomb. Saddam Hussein had repeatedly carried out genocide and mass murder against the Iraqi population. With the weaponry still available to him in 2003, he was entirely able to do so again. That he did not possess what are technically classified as ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’ may make a difference to how one evaluates the justification for the war, if what concerns one is British or American national security or even Middle Eastern regional security. But for those of us who thought about the intervention in Iraq primarily in humanitarian terms, what mattered most was his ability to harm his own people. The failure to discover ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’ in Iraq following the invasion made no difference in this regard.

******

7-26-09 - VISION -  As soon as I closed my eyes -  I saw what looked like an record album cover - (33 1/3 type record) -  it was square  - a dark background with white astrological type figures on it - then the album cover flipped over and similar astrological figures in white were on that side too.

*******

7-26-09 - MORE VISIONS 2:45 p.m. -  APOSTLE OF THE DAY -  JOHN 14


ANIMAL OF THE DAY -  THE PELICAN -  it looked like a grasshopper


Then I saw a box with 2 cameras in it -  one had a white light and one had a red light

NOTE:  On 7-30-09 - I had to take photos of two trees -  one for the dream about the painting of the tree trunk, and the other of the tree that broke and fell - the chinaberry.

CHINABERRY HEART - BEFORE   - 4-20-09

CHINABERRY HEARTBREAKING -  AFTER - 7-30-09

CHINABERRY TREE IN 1997

CHINABERRY TREE IN GOLD - TAKEN AT SUNSET -  2-20-09

CHINABERRY  TREE - FALLEN  - 7-30-09

5-19-2014  THE FINAL DESTRUCTION OF THIS CHINABERRY TREE

THE TREE KILLER GOT A HEAD START ON MY PHOTOGRAPHY

CHINABERRY TREE 2

YOU CAN SEE THE DUST FLYING UP WHEN THE BRANCH HIT THE GROUND

CHINABERRY TREE 3

AVIEW FROM ANOTHER ANGLE

CHINABERRY TREE 4

THE STUMP FROM THE KITCHEN WINDOW

CHINABERRY TREE 5

ALL THATS LEFT IS THE STUMP AND BRANCHES ON THE GROUND

CHINABERRY 6

THE STUMP FROM THE OTHER VIEW

WE AREN'T BLAMING THE GUY WITH THE SAW. HE JUST FOLLOWS ORDERS.  HE'S REALLY A NICE GUY WHO HAS TO DO HIS JOB IF HE WANTS TO FEED HIS FAMILY.

I HAVEN'T TOLD THE LANDLORD THAT I ALREADY AM GROWING ABOUT 15 BABY CHINABERRY TREES AND WE ARE SAVING ABOUT A ZILLION SEEDS THAT LAYING ON THE GROUND NOW.

8-5-09

Just moments ago a young man was cutting my tree down and cutting it into
small pieces and stacking it at the curb...he told me he was with the
National Guard and his commanding officer told him to start cleanup asap. He
was very nice...but then n ambulance and a fire truck arrived for the house
across the street as what appeared to be fireworks shot off which was a
power line down and all the power was off up and down the street. This
National Guard man tells me he saw the tornado hit this area...
The main road Morton Street was blocked off...and people in the short block
were all outside and some looking at their roofs for damage. It looked like
a war torn area...
I had just gotten home from work at the One Grand Center building in
Sherman, TX where the building was swaying and you could see the black
swirling mass north east of the building and the winds were so high the
windows were popping. We all huddled in the bottom stairwell until the wind
became less forceful. No one was in their offices...and the sirens were
going off...quite an eventful day!

C

Texas Tree after the tornado.

Another friend who lives in Texas is suffering from drought. She writes after I asked her if she had taken a photo of her dead tree:

No, I haven't.  It is back in my woods.  A small one next to it died yesterday and there are five smaller cedars near by that also gave up the ghost.  Lost a pin oak also yesterday.  We had 108 and still no rain.  So sad.  Watering myself to death.  The biggest tree on my property is turning yellow and we have a water sprinkler on it trying to encourage it to live one more day.  Combined with the drought and the heat, they are just finally all giving up.
 
I wish I could say prayer works but it certainly hasn't helped bring any rain here.  Losing faith quickly.

B

VISIONS CONTINUED -

Then I saw three flies buzzing around - large ones.  (Symbolic of Satan?)

Then I heard this:  Emily is under reproach  and then a man who sounded like Daniel on the show The Young and the Restless - laughed and said, "hahaha -  Emily is under reproach."


VISIONS AS INTERPRETED

John 14 (King James Version)

John 14

 1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

 2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.   3   And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.   4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

 5   Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

 6   Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  7   If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

 8   Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

 9   Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?  10   Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.   11  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.   12   Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.  13   And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.   14   If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.   15   If ye love me, keep my commandments.  16   And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;   17   Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.    18   I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

 19   Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.  20   At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

 21   He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

 22  Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

 23   Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  24   He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.   25   These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

 26   But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 27   Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 28    Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.   29   And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

 30   Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.  31   But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

*********

PELICAN GRASSHOPPER

Rains in western Queensland spark grasshopper plague

By Phil Hammond

May 09, 2009 12:00am

IN a remote corner of western Queensland, floods have drained away to leave a landscape teeming with new life, including a grasshopper plague.

Outback plains, deluged by floodwaters only a few months ago, are now awash with insects and birds, thriving in the aftermath of the great wet.

Pictures show the vivid circle of life that is playing out in the state's west as birth becomes plague and new life tempts early death.

In the Mitchell grass plains millions of grasshoppers swarm across the landscape, attracting great birds of prey, while a vast colony of pelicans has commandeered a waterhole to hatch and rear its young.

Hidden more than 40km from the nearest homesite, the pelican nesting grounds make an unforgettable site.

More than 100,000 birds have joined the colony, covering 750,000 square metres, with an egg laying density close to 300,000.

Wildlife cinematographer John Young took The Courier Mail over rough country to reveal the vast colony, the biggest he has ever seen.

The astonishing black and white ocean of birdlife is thought to be just one of the pelican rookeries established close to remote expanses of water across to South Australia's steadily filling Lake Eyre.

"You just cannot imagine how many tonnes of fish and other marine life are needed every day to feed such a vast population of birds," Mr. Young said. "It's amazing." After walking around the nesting sites, Young calculated the combined area was 1.5km long and 250m wide   and growing.

After three days of observations, he said mating was still taking place, with more nests being built on the outer edges of the nesting areas.

Chicken-sized younger pelicans are snow white and starting to walk about, while younger ones carry a fine covering of down. Hatchlings emerge from the egg totally pink skinned and about the size of a lorikeet.

"The nests are less than a metre apart," he said. "What's really unusual is that clutches of four eggs are quite common. It means there's plenty of food about." But so much fragile new life is a gift for hungry prey.

When distracted pelicans expose their eggs and young, there's a legion of predators and scavengers waiting to swoop.

"There are about 300-400 silver gulls, 300 ravens, a pair of marsh harriers, two pairs of whistling kites and 50 black kites living off this rookery," Mr. Young said.

"The gulls are preying on eggs which the ravens have smashed and the black kites appear to just be taking scraps. They are not killing chicks. Also, a few sand monitor lizards are thieving a few eggs."

The plagues of grasshoppers swarming across the grass plains are also a tempting feast.

Waves of the 9cm-long insects stream over the landscape in clouds so thick, they almost obliterate views of distant mesas.

"For more than three hours, the locusts just kept flying past and the birds were picking them out of the air and eating them on the wing," Mr. Young said.

"Four of Australia's six falcons – the black, brown, little falcon and kestrel – were all taking insects.

Whistling kites and black kites were also harvesting the insects."

At sunset, they had settled in the deep, fresh expanses of Mitchell grass and it was their turn to enjoy the green left behind by the wet.

 EMILY UNDER REPROACH

Come, weep with me;—past hope, past cure, past help!
                                                                  Romeo and Juliet

Valancourt, meanwhile, suffered the tortures of remorse and despair. The sight of Emily had renewed all the ardour, with which he first loved her, and which had suffered a temporary abatement from absence and the passing scenes of busy life. When, on the receipt of her letter, he set out for Languedoc, he then knew, that his own folly had involved him in ruin, and it was no part of his design to conceal this from her. But he lamented only the delay which his ill-conduct must give to their marriage, and did not foresee, that the information could induce her to break their connection forever. While the prospect of this separation overwhelmed his mind, before stung with self-reproach, he awaited their second interview, in a state little short of distraction, yet was still inclined to hope, that his pleadings might prevail upon her not to exact it. In the morning, he sent to know at what hour she would see him; and his note arrived, when she was with the Count, who had sought an opportunity of again conversing with her of Valancourt; for he perceived the extreme distress of her mind, and feared, more than ever, that her fortitude would desert her. Emily having dismissed the messenger, the Count returned to the subject of their late conversation, urging his fear of Valancourt's entreaties, and again pointing out to her the lengthened misery, that must ensue, if she should refuse to encounter some present uneasiness. His repeated arguments could, indeed, alone have protected her from the affection she still felt for Valancourt, and she resolved to be governed by them.

The hour of interview, at length, arrived. Emily went to it, at least, with composure of manner, but Valancourt was so much agitated, that he could not speak, for several minutes, and his first words were alternately those of lamentation, entreaty, and self-reproach. Afterward, he said, 'Emily, I have loved you—I do love you, better than my life; but I am ruined by my own conduct. Yet I would seek to entangle you in a connection, that must be miserable for you, rather than subject myself to the punishment, which is my due, the loss of you. I am a wretch, but I will be a villain no longer.—I will not endeavour to shake your resolution by the pleadings of a selfish passion. I resign you, Emily, and will endeavour to find consolation in considering, that, though I am miserable, you, at least, may be happy. The merit of the sacrifice is, indeed, not my own, for I should never have attained strength of mind to surrender you, if your prudence had not demanded it.'

He paused a moment, while Emily attempted to conceal the tears, which came to her eyes. She would have said, 'You speak now, as you were wont to do,' but she checked herself.—'Forgive me, Emily,' said he, 'all the sufferings I have occasioned you, and, sometimes, when you think of the wretched Valancourt, remember, that his only consolation would be to believe, that you are no longer unhappy by his folly.' The tears now fell fast upon her cheek, and he was relapsing into the frenzy of despair, when Emily endeavoured to recall her fortitude and to terminate an interview, which only seemed to increase the distress of both. Perceiving her tears and that she was rising to go, Valancourt struggled, once more, to overcome his own feelings and to sooth hers. 'The remembrance of this sorrow,' said he, 'shall in future be my protection. O! never again will example, or temptation have power to seduce me to evil, exalted as I shall be by the recollection of your grief for me.'

Emily was somewhat comforted by this assurance. 'We are now parting for ever,' said she; 'but, if my happiness is dear to you, you will always remember, that nothing can contribute to it more, than to believe, that you have recovered your own esteem.' Valancourt took her hand;—his eyes were covered with tears, and the farewell he would have spoken was lost in sighs. After a few moments, Emily said, with difficulty and emotion, 'Farewell, Valancourt, may you be happy!' She repeated her 'farewell,' and attempted to withdraw her hand, but he still held it and bathed it with his tears. 'Why prolong these moments?' said Emily, in a voice scarcely audible, 'they are too painful to us both.' 'This is too—too much,' exclaimed Valancourt, resigning her hand and throwing himself into a chair, where he covered his face with his hands and was overcome, for some moments, by convulsive sighs. After a long pause, during which Emily wept in silence, and Valancourt seemed struggling with his grief, she again rose to take leave of him. Then, endeavouring to recover his composure, 'I am again afflicting you,' said he, 'but let the anguish I suffer plead for me.' He then added, in a solemn voice, which frequently trembled with the agitation of his heart, 'Farewell, Emily, you will always be the only object of my tenderness. Sometimes you will think of the unhappy Valancourt, and it will be with pity, though it may not be with esteem. O! what is the whole world to me, without you—without your esteem!' He checked himself—'I am falling again into the error I have just lamented. I must not intrude longer upon your patience, or I shall relapse into despair.'

He once more bade Emily adieu, pressed her hand to his lips, looked at her, for the last time, and hurried out of the room.

Emily remained in the chair, where he had left her, oppressed with a pain at her heart, which scarcely permitted her to breathe, and listening to his departing steps, sinking fainter and fainter, as he crossed the hall. She was, at length, roused by the voice of the Countess in the garden, and, her attention being then awakened, the first object, which struck her sight, was the vacant chair, where Valancourt had sat. The tears, which had been, for some time, repressed by the kind of astonishment, that followed his departure, now came to her relief, and she was, at length, sufficiently composed to return to her own room.

FROM: http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Mysteries_of_Udolpho/Volume_IV/Chapter_II

 
 

Image by John Montgomery - Copyright 2009

The Sigil of an Archangel

Appeared May 4th, 2009 - at Clatford, nr Mantord, Wiltshire

http://www.cropcircleconnector.com/2009/clatford/clatford2009.html


 

Angels were created as messengers of God.
The Scriptures reveal that God created nine orders of angels:
Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Principalities, Powers, Virtues, Archangels, and Angels.
Out of this order come the familiar seven Archangels which include
Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Sariel, and the fallen Lucifer.

The Eighth Choir - The Archangels, The seven angels that stood before God in Revelations are considered to be the Archangels. Although it is agreed that there were seven Archangels, there has been some debate on who the seven were. Most accounts name, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, the remaining three are generally chosen from Metatron, Remiel, Sariel, Anael, Raguel and Raziel. The Archangels were the divine messengers between the humans and God. Of the nine choirs the Archangels are probably best known to us. They are the battlers of the Sons of Darkness.

Lucifer, whose ambitions were a distortion of God's plan, is known to us through the various religious teachings as the fallen angel, with the use of many names, among which are Satan, Belial, Beelzebub and the Devil. Because of the variety of teachings, we have come to 'untruth' when it comes to this most beautiful of angels whose name means ' Light' .

FROM:

  1. ARCHANGELS

    Gabriel is: FOMALHAUT or Fom Al Hut in Pisces tropically is Archangel Gabriel (Word of Geode. The Revelation Angel). Watcher of the South. ...
     www.greatdreams.com/archangels.htm

Sigils of seven archangels. Source: Angelology.

Descriptions of the Archangels:
1). Michael (Who is as God)

 

(Feastday: September 29)

Patron of grocers, mariners, paratroopers, police, and sickness

 5). Chamuel (He who sees God) 9). Remiel (Mercy of God)

 

2). Gabriel (God is my strength)

(Feastday: September 29)

Patron of communications & postal workers

 6). Jophiel (Beauty of God)

 

Jophiel is preceptor angel to the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham and Japhet

 10). Sariel (Command of God)

 

3). Raphael (God has healed)

(Feastday: September 29)

Patron of travelers

 7). Zadkiel (Righteousness of God)

 

Angel of freedom, benevolence, mercy, and the patron angel of all who forgive

 11). Raziel (Secret of God)

 

Raziel is ranked as the special patron to the first human

 

4). Uriel (Fire of God)

 8). Raguel (Friend of God)

 

Sigil" means "seal" and comes from the Latin Sigillum, which is the diminuitive form of SIGnum. It is from this same root source that we derive the words "signiature", "sign" and "signal".
 
"Sigil" can be defined in any one of three ways:
 
  • A thing by which something else is made known or represented.
 
  • Anything visible that indicates the existence or approach of something else.
 
  • Evidence of confirming, authorizing (or shutting and securing) something else.

In every day use, we use our name (sign) as a representation of ourselves. By our names, we are known.  We use a signature (signature) as authorization, and we see traffic lights (signal) as evidence that a train is approaching! A sigil is hence a visible symbol, representing something else.
 
In esoteric terms, we have the signs of the Zodiac as representing abstract qualities given to each sign. For example, the sign d represents qualities of balance, harmony, justice, and so forth.

The esoteric artist, Austin Osman Spare (1888-1956) defined sigils as “the means of guiding and uniting the partially free belief.” By ‘partially free belief’ he meant anything desired that was not yet an obsession. This is akin to Aleister Crowley’s injunction to work “without lust of result.” Which means, if your desire is bigger than you, and you are not in control of it, then you are unlikely to succeed in bringing it about. This is in accordance with Gavin Bone's and Janet Farrar's Ninth Law of Progressive WItchcraft: The Law of Rebound (Progressive Witchcraft, New Page Books, p. 269). This law states that a superior force will always rebound a lesser force. Therefore, in order to control any energy, intent, desire or entity, you must demonstrate your ability to move beyond it. In terms of ceremonial magic, one must prove their superiority over an entity by summoning and containing it before said entity will comply.
 
Fanatical love or revenge spells rarely work if the person is consumed by the desire because the desire becomes the superior (rebounding) force. It is much easier to bring change through already available channels in small ways than it is to change the entire universe to suit you! It is easier to work for promotion if you are already in a job; if you craft a sigil to help you win the lottery, you must also buy a ticket! And if you do decide on a love sigil, get out of the house more!

FROM: http://www.the-covenstead.net/classrooms/id33.html

Obviously, sigils are not for the weak of heart - nor of the foolish and a wise man won't play with fire.

 
Archangel Michael is revered within the Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions. Michael’s name means, Who is like God. In Joshua 5:13-15, he appeared as a man with a sword in his hand who identified himself as the captain of the Lord's host. In Revelation 12:7, he is named as the archangel who cast Satan out of heaven.

Michael and his divine complement, Faith, serve on the blue ray of spiritual light. They can assist in purifying and strengthening the throat chakra and in mastering all blue-ray qualities. The blue ray provides us with spiritual and physical protection and is pivotal to the proper expression of power and leadership. It is also essential for developing faith and attuning to the divine will and one's divine plan.
 
Of the four major archangels, Uriel is the least known or written about; this can be attributed to two causes.  Little literature or commentary exists about Uriel because Uriel is an archangel of non-canonical lore that in early Jewish texts was referred to as Phanuel.  Uriel also has a vibration that few humans truly understand.

Uriel is Hebrew and means: God is my Light; God is Light; radiation of God; God is the radiating principle of Light; fire of God.  When one positions Uriel as guardian of the West (emotions, the heart) one can put in perspective Uriel's unique vibratory pattern and gift to all.  Uriel's legendary acts, appellations and symbols become cohesive when viewed from the West.

 Legend tells us that Uriel stands at the gate of the Lost Eden with a fiery sword.  The Lost Eden is a term describing forgetting to Love God.  The fiery sword shows that negative matter (selfish and unpure desires) are destroyed when one truly focuses their love on God.  In this legend Uriel reminds humanity to Love God by using the "fire of God" (by using the fiery sword).

Uriel is sometimes described as the Archangel of Salvation.  Uriel teaches the path of the heart, the fire of pure Love. Without this pure Love and devotion to Spirit, all spiritual study remains an intellectual pursuit, fairy gold.  This understanding of true spiritual study is further supported by the tradition that Uriel brought to Earth: Alchemy, the heavenly arcana and was the giver of the Cabala to man.

It is through Noah's devotion and Love of God that Uriel is able to warn him of the flood.  Noah's pure love and devotion was the telephone number of Uriel.  If Noah had been unable to express divine love and devotion to God, he would have been unable to hear Uriel's warning via the cosmic phone.  This is how another attribute associated with Uriel has arisen, the attribute of Divine Vengeance and Judgement.  Only if the heart is ignited in devotion to God can one hear Yahweh's call.  If one does not hear Yahweh's call, one will perish (get caught in the flood).  Without Yahweh's guides and messages, one cannot find the Eternal Light.  Uriel is said to have been the interpreter of Ezra's visions which also explains why Uriel means "God is the radiating principle of Light."

Uriel's symbol of an open hand holding a flame depicts a great gift to humanity.  It is the flame of Love to ignite the heart in service to God.  Uriel holds out the flame of Love towards all souls.  The soul by filling with the flame of Love becomes devoted to serving Yahweh's plan.  Uriel's flame of Love, the fire of God, the Light of God, purifies emotional and mental understanding transmuting the lower vibrations into frequencies that can assimilate Spiritual Understanding.  The planet that Uriel is associated with is Venus, the planet symbolizing love.

FROM: http://visit.elysiumgates.com/uriel.html

NOTE:  EA/ENKI warned Noah of the flood. Interesting correlation.

SAME ARCHANGEL BY ANOTHER NAME

      Also called Iophiel and Zophiel, his name means "Beauty of God". Jophiel is the Angel of Paradise and the Patron Angel of Artists. Archangel of Illumination, he teaches the outer consciousness the Power of Light within oneself, stirs the feelings, through Radiation of Illumination, into aspiration for spiritual things. He helps in absorbing information, studying for and passing tests, dissolution of ignorance, pride, and narrow-mindedness, and exposure of wrongdoing in governments and corporations. Jophiel helps in fighting pollution, cleaning up our planet and brings to mankind the gift of Beauty. Jophiel is said in Jewish lore to be a special friend to the angel Metatron, and is one of the chiefs of the choir of Cherubim. He is a ruling prince of the Order of Thrones and the first World Teacher for our world.

      It was the Archangel Jophiel who drove Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, after they ate the fruit of the forbidden tree. If this is the case, Jophiel receives also the honor of being the first angel to be mentioned in the Bible. In such a role, he is last left guarding the Tree of Life with a flaming sword to prevent the return of man.

      Jophiel is preceptor angel to the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham and Japhet.

      FROM: http://www.sarahsarchangels.com/jophiel.html

       

      Genesis 3:22-24 (King James Version)

       

       22And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

       23Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

       24So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

      TREE OF LIFE WITH THE FLAMING SWORD SIGIL

 
Archangel Haniel is one of the chief angels in charge of the Order of Principalities, along with Cerviel and Amael.

According to Judaism, he belongs to the hierarchy of the Eloheem. His God name is YHVH Tzabaoth, and his ruling planet is Venus. Haniel is also said to be closely associated with Enoch, and that it was Haniel who escorted Enoch to the spiritual realm. Haniel was also associated with Lucifer, before he became the fallen angel.

Haniel is also known as Anael, Aniel, Omoel, Hamael and Hanael.

The principalities are the third group in the hierarchy of angels, and the role of the principalities is to be the caretakers over every nation on the earth. Principality angels are empowered with the great strength of God to have a direct impact on the affairs of humanity. They can, if called to, move a vast nation of hearts and minds to bring about change for the betterment of the planet Earth.

Judaism folklore states that an angel of the principalities, carries a sceptre, cross and sword. Haniel has been said to appear as an extremely beautiful woman. He symbolises beauty, friendship and pleasure. He’s purported to be able to turn something that’s barren into something fruitful, and change your mood from one of great sadness to happiness. If you feel you life is incomplete, invoke Archangel Haniel to assist you.

Haniel is said to be the Archangel associated with the ruling astrological sign of Capricorn. One of his symbols is a a rose, which is meant to symbolise enfoldment, spiritual growth, love and beauty.

Haniel will help those who wish to enhance their psychic and mystical energiesby helping you to use the energies of the Moon. Haniel will also assist you if you wish to use crystals to enhance and promote healing and good health.

Below is a list of area's in your life that Archangel Haniel can assist you in:-

  • Balance
  • Company
  • Crystals
  • Dignity
  • Emotions
  • Friends
  • Harmony
  • Healing Rituals
  • Health
  • Intuition
  • Love
  • Lunar Energy
  • Performance
  • Spirituality
     

If you wish to invoke Archangel Haniel, you can also use the following to help you make a more stronger connection to his energies:-

Silver Candles to represent the colour of the moon and will help you in the realms of developing your spiritual gifts.

Green Candles to help boost your energy levels and bring about spiritual healing.

Purple Candles to help you develop your psychic abilities.

Red Jasper Crystals will help Archangel Haniel's energy draw close to you. Hold this crystal in your hands while meditating. Alternatively wear a piece of Red Jasper Crystal Jewelery.  

FROM: http://www.anewbelief.com/Angels/haniel.htm

 
BOOK OF DANIEL - REGARDING REPROACH & THE ANTI-CHRIST

DANIEL Chapter 9

9:1
In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;
9:2
In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
9:3
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
9:4
And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
9:5
We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:
9:6
Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
9:7
O LORD, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.
9:8
O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.
9:9
To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;
9:10
Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
9:11
Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.
9:12
And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.
9:13
As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.
9:14
Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.
9:15
And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
9:16
O LORD, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.
9:17
Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.
9:18
O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
9:19
O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.
9:20
And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;
9:21
Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
9:22
And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
9:23
At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
9:24
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
9:25
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
9:26
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
9:27
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Bible study guide

Daniel Chapter 11

The angel declares to Daniel many things to come, with regard to the Persian and Grecian kings: more especially with regard to Antiochus as a figure of Antichrist.

English (Douay-Rheims)

1 And from the first year of Darius, the Mede, I stood up, that he might be strengthened, and confirmed. 2 And now I will show thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand yet three kings in Persia, and the fourth shall be enriched exceedingly above them all: and when he shall be grown mighty by his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece. Three kings... Viz., Cambyses, Smerdes Magus, and Darius, the son of Hystaspes. -- Ibid. The fourth... Xerxes.

3 But there shall rise up a strong king, and shall rule with great power: and he shall do what he pleaseth. A strong king... Alexander. 4 And when he shall come to his height, his kingdom shall be broken, and it shall be divided towards the four winds of the heaven: but not to his posterity, nor according to his power with which he ruled. For his kingdom shall be rent in pieces, even for strangers, besides these.

5 And the king of the south shall be strengthened, and one of his princes shall prevail over him, and he shall rule with great power: for his dominions shall be great. The king of the south... Ptolemeus the son of Lagus, king of Egypt, which lies south of Jerusalem. -- Ibid. One of his princes... that is, one of Alexander's princes, shall prevail over him: that is, shall be stronger than the king of Egypt. He speaks of Seleucus Nicator, king of Asia and Syria, whose successors are here called the kings of the north, because their dominions lay to the north in respect to Jerusalem. 6 And after the end of years they shall be in league together: and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to make friendship, but she shall not obtain the strength of the arm, neither shall her seed stand: and she shall be given up, and her young men that brought her, and they that strengthened her in these times. The daughter of the king of the south... Viz., Berenice, daughter of Ptolemeus Philadelphus, given in marriage to Antiochus Theos, grandson of Seleucus. 7 And a plant of the bud of her roots shall stand up: and he shall come with an army, and shall enter into the province of the king of the north: and he shall abuse them, and shall prevail. A plant, etc... Ptolemeus Evergetes, the son of Philadelphus. 8 And he shall also carry away captive into Egypt their gods, and their graven things, and their precious vessels of gold and silver: he shall prevail against the king of the north. The king of the north... Seleucus Callinicus. 9 And the king of the south shall enter into the kingdom, and shall return to his own land. 10 And his sons shall be provoked, and they shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and he shall come with haste like a flood: and he shall return, and be stirred up, and he shall join battle with his force. His sons... Seleucus Ceraunius, and Antiochus the Great, the sons of Callinicus. -- Ibid. He shall come... Viz., Antiochus the Great. 11 And the king of the south being provoked, shall go forth, and shall fight against the king of the north, and shall prepare an exceeding great multitude, and a multitude shall be given into his hands. The king of the south... Ptolemeus Philopator, son of Evergetes. 12 And he shall take a multitude, and his heart shall be lifted up, and he shall cast down many thousands: but he shall not prevail. 13 For the king of the north shall return, and shall prepare a multitude much greater than before: and in the end of times, and years, he shall come in haste with a great army, and much riches. 14 And in those times many shall rise up against the king of the south, and the children of prevaricators of thy people shall lift up themselves to fulfil the vision, and they shall fall. 15 And the king of the north shall come, and shall cast up a mount, and shall take the best fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, and his chosen ones shall rise up to resist, and they shall not have strength. 16 And he shall come upon him, and do according to his pleasure, and there shall be none to stand against his face: and he shall stand in the glorious land, and it shall be consumed by his hand. He shall come upon him... Viz., Antiochus shall come upon the king of the south. -- Ibid. The glorious land... Judea. 17 And he shall set his face to come to possess all his kingdom, and he shall make upright conditions with him: and he shall give him a daughter of women, to overthrow it: and she shall not stand, neither shall she be for him. All his kingdom... Viz., all the kingdom of Ptolemeus Epiphanes, son of Philopator. -- Ibid. A daughter of women... That is, a most beautiful woman, viz., his daughter Cleopatra. -- Ibid. To overthrow it... Viz., the kingdom of Epiphanes: but his policy shall not succeed; for Cleopatra shall take more to heart the interest of her husband, than that of her father. 18 And he shall turn his face to the islands, and shall take many: and he shall cause the prince of his reproach to cease, and his reproach shall be turned upon him. The prince of his reproach... Scipio the Roman general, called the prince of his reproach, because he overthrew Antiochus, and obliged him to submit to very dishonourable terms, before he would cease from the war. 19 And he shall turn his face to the empire of his own land, and he shall stumble, and fall, and shall not be found. 20 And there shall stand up in his place one most vile, and unworthy of kingly honour: and in a few days he shall be destroyed, not in rage nor in battle. One most vile... Seleucus Philopator, who sent Heliodorus to plunder the temple: and was shortly after slain by the same Heliodorus.

21 And there shall stand up in his place one despised, and the kingly honour shall not be given him: and he shall come privately, and shall obtain the kingdom by fraud. One despised... Viz., Antiochus Epiphanes, who at first was despised and not received for king. What is here said of this prince, is accommodated by St. Jerome and others to Antichrist; of whom this Antiochus was a figure. 22 And the arms of the fighter shall be overcome before his face, and shall be broken: yea, also the prince of the covenant. Of the fighter... That is, of them that shall oppose him, and shall fight against him. -- Ibid. The prince of the covenant... or, of the league. The chief of them that conspired against him: or the king of Egypt his most powerful adversary. 23 And after friendships, he will deal deceitfully with him: and he shall go up, and shall overcome with a small people. 24 And he shall enter into rich and plentiful cities: and he shall do that which his fathers never did, nor his fathers' fathers: he shall scatter their spoils, and their prey, and their riches, and shall forecast devices against the best fenced places: and this until a time. 25 And his strength, and his heart, shall be stirred up against the king of the south, with a great army: and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with many and very strong succours: and they shall not stand, for they shall form designs against him. The king... Ptolemeus Philometor. 26 And they that eat bread with him, shall destroy him, and his army shall be overthrown: and many shall fall down slain. 27 And the heart of the two kings shall be to do evil, and they shall speak lies at one table, and they shall not prosper: because as yet the end is unto another time. 28 And he shall return into his land with much riches: and his heart shall be against the holy covenant, and he shall succeed, and shall return into his own land. 29 At the time appointed he shall return, and he shall come to the south, but the latter time shall not be like the former. 30 And the galleys and the Romans shall come upon him, and he shall be struck, and shall return, and shall have indignation against the covenant of the sanctuary, and he shall succeed: and he shall return, and shall devise against them that have forsaken the covenant of the sanctuary. The galleys and the Romans... Popilius, and the other Roman ambassadors, who came in galleys, and obliged him to depart from Egypt.

31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall defile the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the continual sacrifice: and they shall place there the abomination unto desolation. They shall place there the abomination, etc... The idol of Jupiter Olympius, which Antiochus ordered to be set up in the sanctuary of the temple: which is here called the sanctuary of strength, from the Almighty that was worshipped there. 32 And such as deal wickedly against the covenant shall deceitfully dissemble: but the people that know their God shall prevail and succeed. 33 And they that are learned among the people shall teach many: and they shall fall by the sword, and by fire, and by captivity, and by spoil for many days. 34 And when they shall have fallen, they shall be relieved with a small help: and many shall be joined to them deceitfully. 35 And some of the learned shall fall, that they may be tried, and may be chosen, and made white, even to the appointed time: because yet there shall be another time. 36 And the king shall do according to his will, and he shall be lifted up, and shall magnify himself against every god: and he shall speak great things against the God of gods, and shall prosper, till the wrath be accomplished. For the determination is made. 37 And he shall make no account of the God of his fathers: and he shall follow the lust of women, and he shall not regard any gods: for he shall rise up against all things. 38 But he shall worship the god Maozim, in his place: and a god whom his fathers knew not, he shall worship with gold, and silver, and precious stones, and things of great price. The god Maozim... That is, the god of forces or strong holds. 39 And he shall do this to fortify Maozim with a strange god, whom he hath acknowledged, and he shall increase glory, and shall give them power over many, and shall divide the land gratis. And he shall increase glory, etc... He shall bestow honours, riches and lands, upon them that shall worship his god.

40 And at the time prefixed the king of the south shall fight against him, and the king of the north shall come against him like a tempest, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with a great navy, and he shall enter into the countries, and shall destroy, and pass through. 41 And he shall enter into the glorious land, and many shall fall: and these only shall be saved out of his hand, Edom, and Moab, and the principality of the children of Ammon. 42 And he shall lay his hand upon the lands: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 And he shall have power over the treasures of gold, and of silver, and all the precious things of Egypt: and he shall pass through Libya, and Ethiopia. 44 And tidings out of the east, and out of the north, shall trouble him: and he shall come with a great multitude to destroy and slay many. 45 And he shall fix his tabernacle, Apadno, between the seas, upon a glorious and holy mountain: and he shall come even to the top thereof, and none shall help him. Apadno... Some take it for the proper name of a place: others, from the Hebrew, translate it his palace.

Old Testament first published 1609 by the English College at Douay
New Testament first published 1582 by the English College at Rheims
Revised and Annotated 1749 by Bishop Richard Challoner
Imprimatur. +James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, September 1, 1899

DANIEL - CHAPTER 12

Daniel Chapter 12

Michael shall stand up for the people of God: with other things relating to Antichrist, and the end of the world.

English (Douay-Rheims)

1 But at that time shall Michael rise up, the great prince, who standeth for the children of thy people: and a time shall come, such as never was from the time that nations began, even until that time. And at that time shall thy people be saved, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those that sleep in the dust of the earth, shall awake: some unto life everlasting, and others unto reproach, to see it always. 3 But they that are learned, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament: and they that instruct many to justice, as stars for all eternity. Learned... Viz., in the law of God and true wisdom, which consists in knowing and loving God. 4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time appointed: many shall pass over, and knowledge shall be manifold.

5 And I, Daniel, looked, and behold as it were two others stood: one on this side upon the bank of the river, and another on that side, on the other bank of the river. 6 And I said to the man that was clothed in linen, that stood upon the waters of the river: How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? 7 And I heard the man that was clothed in linen, that stood upon the waters of the river, when he had lifted up his right hand, and his left hand to heaven, and had sworn by him that liveth for ever, that it should be unto a time, and times, and half a time. And when the scattering of the band of the holy people shall be accomplished, all these things shall be finished. 8 And I heard, and understood not. And I said: O my lord, what shall be after these things? 9 And he said: Go, Daniel, because the words are shut up, and sealed until the appointed time. 10 Many shall be chosen, and made white, and shall be tried as fire: and the wicked shall deal wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the learned shall understand. 11 And from the time when the continual sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination unto desolation shall be set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred ninety days. 12 Blessed is he that waitedth, and cometh unto a thousand three hundred thirty-five days. 13 But go thou thy ways until the time appointed: and thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot unto the end of the days.

Old Testament first published 1609 by the English College at Douay
New Testament first published 1582 by the English College at Rheims
Revised and Annotated 1749 by Bishop Richard Challoner
Imprimatur. +James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, September 1, 1899

 
THE BOOK OF REVELATION:

THE WORK OF THE ARCHANGELS

The Visions and the Angel

The revelation will be given in pictures as well as words, for Jesus will show his servants what is going to happen. Again we are reminded of the Gospel of John, where Jesus "shows," or makes visible in the world, that which the Father has shown him (compare Jn 5:20; 10:32; 14:8). But there are differences. In John's Gospel the "servants"of Jesus become his "friends" by virtue of the revelation they receive (Jn 15:15), while in the book of Revelation they will remain "servants" to the end, even in the new Jerusalem (22:3). Another difference is that in the book of Revelation an angel is introduced as an additional link in the chain. The revelation proceeds from God to Jesus Christ through the angel to one servant in particular, named John. The long letter of "John" comprises the remainder of the book.

Who is this angel and, more importantly, who is "John"? The two are seen together near the end of the book. At the end of John's final vision of the new Jerusalem (21:9--22:5), the angel who "showed" him the vision in all its detail (21:9, 10; 22:1) concludes with the solemn assurance, "These words are trustworthy and true" (22:6). This angel is "one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues" (21:9; compare 15:1, 6), which one we are not told. When the angel has finished speaking, another voice adds by way of summary, "`The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place'" (22:6). An angel identified in a similar way (17:1) plays much the same role in a preceding vision of God's judgment on "Babylon the prostitute" (17:1--19:10), concluding with a similar assurance from the angel that "these are the true words of God" (19:9).

Here at the beginning of the book the angel is still unidentified, and he will play no recognizable role in John's early visions. Only in the two later visions will the reader come to know the angel by what he does for John as revealer and interpreter. Yet so important is the angel in John's experience that John twice falls down to worship him (19:10; 22:8) and has to be reminded that the angel is merely a "fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!" (22:9; compare 19:10). If we are reading the book for the second time, we may sense that the closing scenes of John's visionary experience are still fresh in his mind as he begins to write. He has learned not to confuse the messenger of God with God himself, yet he cannot forget the messenger.

Most of us are not that perceptive in our reading, however, and many of us (like the original readers) may be reading the book of Revelation for the first time. To us the angel is simply an angel, lending to these opening lines a touch of mystery and anticipation. Angels are not a familiar part of our world today, even among devout Christians. When I was in college, a friend from high school then studying for the Russian Orthodox priesthood asked me if I believed in angels. Being a new Christian, I said I did, not because I had given the matter much thought but because I felt this was the proper answer. My friend was surprised at my reply, telling me he that had never before met a Protestant who believed in angels. The fact is, however, that we cannot make much sense of the book of Revelation without believing in angels, or, if we cannot quite bring ourselves to believe, we must at least make a conscious effort to suspend our disbelief in order to participate fully in the story.

Previous commentary:
The Nearness of the End
 

Next commentary:
The Testimony of John

About this commentary:
IVP New Testament Commentaries are made available by the generosity of InterVarsity Press.

 
THE WOMAN WITH CHILD IN THE BIBLE

Revelation 12 (New King James Version)

Revelation 12

The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon
 1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.
3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
Satan Thrown Out of Heaven
   
7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them[a] in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
The Woman Persecuted
   
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.[b]
 
Footnotes:
  1. Revelation 12:8 M-Text reads him.
  2. Revelation 12:17 NU-Text and M-Text omit Christ.
New King James Version (NKJV)

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
 

Revelation 12 - The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon

A. The woman.

1. (1) The woman is described in celestial images.

Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.

a. Now a great sign appeared: This is the first of seven signs that John relates, and is described as a great sign (mega semeion).  In Revelation chapters 12, 13, and 14 the main figures of the Great Tribulation are described, and this great sign introduces the first of the seven:

 

·        The woman, representing Israel

·        The dragon, representing Satan

·        The man-child, referring to Jesus

·        The angel Michael, head of the angelic host

·        The offspring of the woman, representing Gentiles who come to faith in the Tribulation

·        The beast out of the sea, representing the antichrist

·        The beast out of the earth, representing the false prophet who promotes the antichrist

b. A woman clothed with the sun: Because John plainly says this is a sign, we don’t expect this woman to appear literally on the earth.  God will use this sign to communicate something to John and to us.  Women often represent religious systems in Revelation.

·        Jezebel is associated with a religious system of false teaching (Revelation 2:20)

·        The Great Harlot is associated with false religion (Revelation 17:2)

·        The Bride is associated with the church (Revelation 19:7-8)

c. The woman clothed with the sun in this passage has been associated with many different religious ideas.  Roman Catholics claim this woman is Mary, pictured as the “Queen of Heaven.”  Mary Baker Eddy said she was this woman.

i. It is common in Roman Catholic art to represent Mary as standing on a crescent moon with twelve stars around her head.

d. Scripturally, this woman clothed with the sun should be identified with Israel, according to Joseph’s dream (Genesis 37:9-11).  In that dream, the sun represents Jacob, the moon represents Joseph’s mother Rachel, and the eleven stars are the sons of Israel which bow down to Joseph.  In this sign with twelve stars, Joseph is now “among” the other tribes of Israel.

i. In other Old Testament passages, Israel (or Zion or Jerusalem) is often represented as a woman (Isaiah 54:1-6, Jeremiah 3:20, Ezekiel 16:8-14, and Hosea 2:19-20).

2. (2) The woman gives birth.

Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.

a. Being with child: Later in the chapter, it is clear that this child born of Israel is Jesus (She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron, Revelation 12:5).

b. She cried out in labor and in pain to give birth: The pain described refers to the travail of Israel at the time of Jesus’ birth (under Roman occupation and oppression).

B. The dragon.

1. (3) A fearful, powerful dragon appears.

And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.

a. Another sign appeared in heaven: Again, we are reminded that this is a sign.  The creature here is not literally a great, fiery red dragon, but the dragon represents his nature and character.

i. His description “symbolically suggests his fierce power and murderous nature . . . a picture of the fullness of evil in all its hideous strength.” (Johnson)

b. Seven diadems on his heads: This dragon has great power (seven heads and ten horns) and claims royal authority (seven diadems).  The crowns represent his presumptive claims of royal authority against the true King.  He wants to be considered a king.

i. “From the similar description given in 13:1 and the parallel references in Daniel 7:7-8, 2, it is clear that the revived Roman Empire is in view . . . The seven heads and ten horns refer to the original ten kingdoms of which three were subdued by the little horn of Daniel 7:8, who is to be identified with the world ruler of the great tribulation who reigns over the revived Roman Empire.” (Walvoord)

2. (4) The dragon looks to the earth.

His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.

a. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven: Many believe this describes one-third of the angelic host in league with Satan (his angels of Revelation 12:9).  This army of angelic beings in league with Satan makes up the world of demonic spirits.

i. “God never made an evil being; but He made angels, principalities, and powers capacitated for mighty joys and distinctions in His glorious domain, yet with free will, implied in the very creation of moral beings, which they could exercise for their everlasting weal or woe.  Many have remained steadfast, to wit, ‘Michael and his angels.’  But some abode not in the truth, but revolted against the rule of Heaven, and became unchanging enemies of God and His Kingdom.” (Seiss)

b. To devour her Child as soon as it was born: The attempt to devour her Child was initially fulfilled by Herod’s attempts to kill Jesus as a child (Matthew 2:16-18).  It was also fulfilled throughout Jesus’ life as Satan attacked Him (John 8:58 and Mark 4:35-41).

C. The child.

1. (5) Jesus’ ministry is described by its earthly beginning and end.

She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.

a. A male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: Clearly, this refers to Jesus Christ, the Messiah.  He rules the world with a rod of iron (Psalm 2 and Revelation 19:15).

b. She bore a male Child refers to Jesus’ birth.  Rule all nations with a rod of iron refers to the triumphant return of Jesus.  By stating the “bookends” of Jesus’ earthly work, John alludes to all that stands in between.

i. “After a conflict with the Prince of this world, who came and tried Him, but found nothing in Him, the Son of the woman was taken up to heaven and sat on the right hand of God.  Words can hardly be plainer than these.” (Alford)

c. This male Child is obviously Jesus.  This means that the woman of Revelation 12:1 cannot be the church, because Jesus “gives birth” to the church, not the other way around.  The woman must therefore either be Mary or Israel, the only two “women” who could have “given birth” to Jesus.  The rest of Revelation 12 will demonstrate that this woman is Israel, not Mary.

2. (6) The woman in the wilderness.

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

a. Then the woman fled into the wilderness: Persecuted by the dragon, the woman is protected by God in a prepared place for one thousand two hundred and sixty days

i. This helps us to understand with certainty that the woman is Israel and not Mary.  How could Mary possibly flee into the wilderness in this way?

b. One thousand two hundred and sixty days: This reference to a three and one-half year period connects these events with the final seven years of the Daniel 9 prophecy.  Since Revelation 12:5 describes the ascension of Jesus, and Revelation 12:6 describes yet-to-occur events in the 70th week of Daniel, between these two verses lies hundreds of years (our current period).  This obvious “near-far” break in time is typical of prophecy.  Daniel’s seventy week prophecy has such a break (Daniel 9:24-27). 

c. Into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God: Some believe this place in the wilderness is the rock city of Petra, south of the Dead Sea.  Reportedly, Christian businessmen have stocked the place with food and evangelistic tracts written in Hebrew.

d. Prepared in the wilderness: Prepared uses the same ancient Greek word Jesus used in I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:2-3).  This demonstrates that God’s careful planning works on earth as well as in heaven.

D. Conflict in heaven.

1. (7-8) War between Michael and the dragon.

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.

a. War broke out in heaven: At the mid-point of the great tribulation, God will turn the tide against Satan - first in heaven, then on earth.  A battle will take place that will deny Satan access to heaven.

b. Michael and his angels: Some individuals and groups (such as the Seventh Day Adventists and Jehovah’s Witnesses) insist on saying that Michael is actually Jesus.  This is wrong on every count.

i. Some say Michael must be Jesus, because he has his angels.  But if Satan - a fallen angelic being - has his angels (Revelation 12:7), which can’t Michael - an unfallen angelic being - have his angels?

ii. Some say Michael must be Jesus, because his name means One like God.  But if this were a title of Jesus, it could argue against His deity, not for it - because it would say that Jesus is like God, but not God.  “There is also an unquestionable Godlikeness in all holy beings, which must be very exalted in those preeminent among the ministers of the throne.” (Seiss)

iii. Some say Michael must be Jesus, because he is called the archangel (Jude 9), which means leader or prince among the angels, and they say that only Jesus is the leader of the angels.  But we know from Daniel 10:13, 10:20 and 10:21 that Michael is one angelic prince among others.  Also, Paul refers to an archangel in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 in a way that presupposes other archangels.

iv. Some say that Michael must be Jesus, because Paul says that at the rapture, the Lord will call His people with the voice of an archangel (1 Thessalonians 4:16).  But Jesus can use an angel to call out for His people without being that angel, just as much as God can use a trumpet to sound out a call without being the trumpet.

v. Jude 9 says that Michael would not rebuke or accuse Satan on His own authority, but only say “The Lord rebuke you.”  This shows that Michael isn’t Jesus, because Jesus often rebuked Satan and demons in His own authority (Matthew 17:18, Mark 1:25, 9:25, Luke 4:8, 4:35).

vi. “Michael is not to be identified with Christ, any more than any other of the great angels in this Book.  Such identification here would confuse hopelessly the actors in this heavenly scene.” (Alford)

c. Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought: This is a dramatic scene of battle between “good” angels and “bad” angels.

i. Who fights in this battle?  This is truly a battle between equals. The dragon represents Satan (Revelation 12:9), and Satan is not the counterpart of God - God has no counterpart.  If anyone, Satan is the counterpart of Michael, who seems to be the chief angel opposite this chief of fallen angels.

ii. Why is the battle fought?  In a previous scene of conflict between Michael and Satan (Jude 9), Satan wanted to prevent the resurrection and glorification of Moses, because he knew God had plans for the resurrected and glorified Moses (Luke 9:30-31).  Here is another occasion where Satan wants to get in the way of God’s plan for the end-times.

iii. When is this battle fought?  This battle occurs at the mid-point of the seven-year period, as described by Daniel.  At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered. (Daniel 12:1)

iv. How is this battle fought?  We know this is a real fight; but is it a material or a spiritual battle?  Our battle with Satan and his demons is spiritual, fought on the battleground of truth and deception, of fear and faith (Ephesians 6:12).  In regard to material attacks against the believer, Satan and his demons were disarmed at the cross (Colossians 2:15).  But it is possible that among angels, there is a material battle to be fought in a way we can only imagine.  In his classic work Paradise Lost, Milton imagined this battle:

Michael bid sound

Th’ archangel trumpet: through the vast of heaven

It sounded, and the faithful armies run

Hosanna to the Highest: nor stood at gaze

The adverse legions, nor less hideous joined

The horrid shock: now storming fury rose,

And clamour such as heard in heaven till now

Was never; arms on armour clashing brayed

Horrible discord, and the madding wheels

Of brazen chariots raged; dire was the noise

Of conflict; overhead the dismal hiss

Of fiery darts in flaming volleys flew,

And flying vaulted either host with fire:

So under fiery cope together rushed

Both battles main, with ruinous assault

And inextinguishable rage; all heaven

Resounded, and had earth been then, all earth

Had to her centre shook.

e. Nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer: This shows us that up until this happens (at the mid-point of Daniel’s 70th week), Satan does have access to heaven, where he accuses God’s people before the throne (Job 1:6-12, Revelation 12:10).

i. It troubles some to think that Satan has access to heaven, because of the mistaken teaching that God can allow nothing unholy in His presence.  But the Bible clearly says that that while Satan appears on earth (Luke 4:1-13), and describes him as the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), it also says that Satan has access to heaven, where he accuses God’s people before the throne (Job 1:6-12).

2. (9) Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven.

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

a. So the great dragon was cast out: This single verse uses many different titles for Satan.  Dragon, serpent of old, the Devil, Satan, and he who deceives the whole world.  These titles describe Satan as vicious, an accuser, an adversary, and a deceiver.

i. Walvoord on the Devil: “The title ‘Devil’ is from the Greek diabolos, from the verb diaballo, which has the meaning of ‘defaming’ or ‘slandering.’  He is the master accuser of the brethren.”

b. He was cast to the earth: The Bible describes four different falls of Satan.  Revelation 12:9 describes the second of these four falls.

·        From glorified to profane (Ezekiel 28:14-16)

·        From having access to heaven (Job 1:12, 1 Kings 22:21, Zechariah 3:1) to restriction to the earth (Revelation 12)

·        From the earth to bondage in the bottomless pit for 1,000 years (Revelation 20)

·        From the pit to the lake of fire (Revelation 20)

c. In Luke 10:18, Jesus said “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”  This fall Jesus spoke of either refers to the first fall of Satan (from glorified to profane), or they are a prophetic look ahead to the second fall at the mid-point of the seven year tribulation period.

d. His angels were cast out with him: This indicates that demonic spirits are indeed fallen angels, those who joined with Satan in His rebellion against God.  These are “his angels.”

i. These angels are also the same as the third of the stars of heaven described in Revelation 12:4.  Since Satan only drew a third of the stars of heaven, it means that two-thirds of the angels remained faithful to God.  It’s comforting to know that faithful angels outnumber fallen angels two to one.

3. (10-12) A joyful declaration in heaven.

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

a. Whoever is behind this loud voice, it is some representative of redeemed humanity - not an angel or God - because the voice speaks of the accuser of our brethren.

b. The accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down: Satan’s work of accusing only ends here, when he is cast out from his access to heaven.  Today, we have (and need) an intercessor and advocate (Hebrews 7:25, and 1 John 2:1).

c. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death: This tells us three keys to the saint’s victory over Satan.

d. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb: The blood overcomes Satan’s accusations.  Those accusations mean nothing against us because Jesus has already paid the penalty our sins deserved.  We may be even worse than Satan’s accusations, but we are still are made righteous by the work of Jesus on the cross (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, and Hebrews 9:14).

i. Although, it is important to say that we should not regard the blood of Jesus in a superstitious manner.  It is not a magical potion, nor is it the literal blood of Jesus, literally applied that saves or cleanses us.  If that were so, then His Roman executioners, splattered with His blood, would have been automatically saved, and the actual number of molecules of Jesus’ literal blood would limit the number of people who could be saved.  The blood speaks to us of the real, physical death of Jesus Christ in our place, on our behalf, before God.  That literal death in our place, and the literal judgment He bore on our behalf, is what saves us.

ii. By the blood emphasizes the death of Jesus.  He did not only suffer, He died.  Of the Lamb emphasizes the substitutionary work of His death, because the Passover Lamb died as a substitute for others.

iii. The blood of Jesus heals our troubled conscience, because we know that by His death our sin is atoned for (Hebrews 9:14).  But to only use the blood of Jesus in that way is selfish.  We should be like “these saints used the doctrine of atonement not as a pillow to rest their weariness, but as a weapon to subdue their sin.” (Spurgeon)

iv. How does the blood of the Lamb conquer Satan in the life of the believer?  How does the death of Jesus on the cross as our substitute bring us victory?

v. It works first because His victory is our victory.  “First, you are to regard Satan this day as being already literally and truly overcome through the death of the Lord Jesus.  Satan is already a vanquished enemy.  By faith grasp your Lord’s victory as your own, since he triumphed in your nature and on your behalf . . . Come, my soul, thou hast conquered Satan by thy Lord’s victory.  Wilt thou not be brave enough to fight a vanquished foe, and trample down the enemy whom thy Lord has already thrust down?  Thou needest not be afraid, but say, ‘Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’” (Spurgeon)

vi. It works because the work of Jesus on the cross for us is the ultimate demonstration of God’s love (Romans 5:8), and a constant remembrance of the blood of the Lamb assures us that every fear Satan whispers into our mind is a lie.

vii. It works because the death of Jesus on the cross as our substitute reveals the true nature of sin, and this makes us want to avoid sin.  “Satan makes sin seem pleasurable, but the cross reveals its bitterness.  If Jesus died because of sin, men begin to see that sin must be a murderous thing.” (Spurgeon)

viii. It works because the death of Jesus on the cross as our substitute purchases us as God’s personal property, and this makes us want to live unto God.  “If anything can make a man holy it is a firm faith in the atoning sacrifice.  When a man knows that Jesus died for him, he feels that he is not his own, but bought with a price, and therefore he must live unto him that died for him and rose again.” (Spurgeon)

ix. Therefore, we use the blood of the Lamb in spiritual warfare - not as a Christian “abracadabra,” as if chanting “The blood of Jesus, the blood of Jesus” could keep Satan away like garlic is said to keep away vampires.  Rather, our understanding, our apprehension, our focus - may I say our obsession with the death of Jesus on the cross as our substitute wins the battle.

x. “The precious blood of Jesus is not meant for us merely to admire and exhibit.  We must not be content to talk about it, and extol it, and do nothing with it; but we are to use it in the great crusade against unholiness and unrighteousness, till it is said of us, ‘They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb.’  This precious blood is to be used for overcoming, and consequently for holy warfare.  We dishonor it if we do not use it to that end . . . The dog of hell knows the dread name which makes him lie down: we must confront him with the authority, and specially with the atonement of the Lamb of God.” (Spurgeon)

e. They overcame him . . . by the word of their testimony: The word of their testimony overcomes Satan’s deception.  Knowing and remembering the work of God in their life protects them against Satan’s deceptions.  As faithful witnesses, they have a testimony to bear - and because they know what they have seen and heard and experienced from God, they cannot be deceived by Satan’s lies telling them it isn’t true (as the testimony of the man born blind in John 9:25).

f. They overcame him . . . they did not love their lives to the death: Loving not their lives overcomes Satan’s violence.  If they do not cling to their own earthly lives, then there really is no threat Satan can bring against them.  If they believe to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21), then how can Satan’s violence against them be effective?

i. The ancient Greek word for love here is agape, which speaks of a self-sacrificing, decision-based love.  It is up to each one of us to choose: will we love our lives to the death?  Will our physical lives be the most precious thing to us, or will we find our life by losing it for Jesus? (Mark 8:35)

g. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them!  Heaven rejoices at the eviction of Satan.  But heaven’s gain is the earth’s loss: Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and sea!

h. He knows that he has a short time: Satan’s power is real and terrifying, but not because he is triumphant, but because he knows he is beaten and has a short time left.  He is like a wounded, cornered animal that fights ferociously.

i. Why doesn’t he just give up?  Don’t forget that Satan is utterly depraved, and probably “insane” - he may have deceived even himself into thinking that he has a chance.  A better question is “Why don’t we give up?”  Our rebellion against God makes even less sense than Satan’s rebellion does.

E. Conflict on the earth.

1. (13-16) Satan attacks the woman, and God protects her.

Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.

a. He persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child:

Some teach that the woman is a symbol representing all the people of God, including faithful Israel and the church.  They use this to advance the idea that the church is here during the tribulation period.  But if the woman represents all the people of God (the church and faithful Israel), then who are the rest of her offspring described in Revelation 12:17?  It is better to see her as Israel in general or Messianic Jews in particular.

i. Why does Satan attack the Jewish people?  This is a question for all history, not only for the Great Tribulation.  The reason us because Israel, from the time of Abraham, has had a critical role in God’s plan of redemption.  First, it was in bringing forth the Redeemer.  Then, it was in the fulfillment of His plan, because Jesus promised that the Jewish people would exist and welcome Him when He returns in glory to this world (Matthew 23:39).  If Satan succeeds in destroying the Jewish people, then God’s eternal plan is thwarted.

ii. “The persecution of Israel is part of the satanic program to thwart and hinder the work of God . . . Israel is hated by Satan not because of any of its own characteristics but because she is the chosen of God and essential to the overall purpose of God for time and eternity.” (Walvoord)

b. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place: Eagle’s Wings are an emblem from the Exodus deliverance (Exodus 19:4), another way of connecting these people with Israel.

i. Some have wondered if the reference to the two wings of a great eagle do not in fact describe a great military transport plane used to evacuate people in an emergency situation.

c. Where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time: This is another reference to a three and one-half year period, indicating that these events - this dramatic persecution of Israel - takes place during the 70th week of Daniel 9.

d. So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman: The fury poured out against Israel after the abomination of desolation (marking the half-way point of 70th week of Daniel) was spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24:15-22, and spoken of in distinctly Jewish terms (housetop . . . pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath).  This passage in Revelation describes the fury that Jesus told them to flee.

e. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth: This passage also describes God’s ultimate protection of Israel from the fury of Satan and his antichrist in the great tribulation.

i. As it says in Isaiah 59:19, When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.

2. (17) The wrath of the dragon is focused against God’s people.

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

a. The dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring: This may refers to Israel (the woman) and Gentiles who come to faith in Jesus during the Great Tribulation (the rest of her offspring).  These two groups are particular targets of Satan and his antichrist’s persecution in the last days.

b. This either begins or continues the fierce persecution of all those who would not submit to and worship this great Satanic dictator.  The martyrs of this period were shown in Revelation 6:9-11 and Revelation 7:9-17.

i. “It is precisely when Satan has lost the battle for the souls of saints in heaven that he begins the fruitless persecution of their bodies.” (Farrer)

© 2001 David Guzik -

 FROM:http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/6612.htm

 
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