If you would like additional information, books, or if you would like to make a love donation; please visit us at https://www.walkinginpower.org

Bern Zumpano introduces Revelation Chapter 12, framing it as an overview of events from chapters 6 through 11, focused primarily on Israel's persecution (anti-Semitism) during the Tribulation. The chapter begins with a "great sign" in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and a crown of 12 stars . This woman is Israel, with the 12 stars symbolizing the 12 tribes (Genesis 37). She is "with child," representing the birth of Christ (the Messiah), a male child who "was caught up to God and to his throne" (His ascension), which terminates Daniel's 69th week. A second sign appears: a great red dragon (Satan) with seven heads (wisdom) and ten horns (authority), symbolizing the ten-nation confederacy (the resurrected Roman Empire/European Union) that will back the Antichrist. The dragon attempts to devour the child at birth (Herod's decree) and sweeps a third of the angels (stars) down to earth with him, establishing his kingdom on earth (Pergamum being his throne).

The shift to the future occurs between verses 5 and 6, marking the beginning of Daniel's 70th week (the seven-year Tribulation), where the woman (Israel) flees into the wilderness for 1,260 days (three and a half years) for God's protection from the Antichrist (Satan's incarnated man). A war in the heavenlies then occurs where Michael and his angels successfully cast the dragon and his angels down to earth, permanently dispossessing Satan from the atmospheric heaven (heavenlies) and limiting his control, which is the immediate consequence of Christ taking the title deed to the earth. A great voice announces that the "accuser of our brethren has been thrown down." Enraged, the dragon persecutes the woman, but she is protected by "two wings of the great eagle" (God's deliverance, Exodus 19). The serpent then pours a flood (either literal water or slander/propaganda) from his mouth to destroy her, but the earth helps the woman. Finally, the dragon turns to make war with the "rest of her offspring"—the remnant Jews who adhere to the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus, who overcome him by the "blood of the Lamb" and the "word of their testimony."

Episode 57: Understanding the Book of Revelation Chapter 12, Vol. 16 | By Dr. Bern Zumpano