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The Dragon grew wrathful at the Woman. [Genesis 3:15] And the Dragon went off to make war1 [Daniel 7:21] with the Remnant of her seed,2 [Genesis 3:15; Daniel 7:21-25] those who observe the Commandments of The God and have the Confession of Jesus.3
| 1 | The Dragon went off to make war: Compare the “war” of Daniel 7:21 and Revelation 11:7; 13:4-7. It seems clear there is an overlay with chapter 11. |
| 2 | The Remnant of her seed: The Woman flees toward the wilderness where there is a place prepared for 1,260 days and in her flight Satan spews a flood after her, but now he turns his attention to the Saints. The Great Oppression begins. The Woman’s “seed” on earth are the 144,000 end-time Saints. |
| 3 | Those who observe the Commandments of The God and have the Confession of Jesus: These “commandments” are likely those of John 14:15; 15:12; 1 John 3:23. Their “witness” is their confession. (Romans 10:9, 10) |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose Revelation 12:17 as the theme verse of chapter twelve – The Children of War. The apocalyptic angel returns to the eleventh chapter to take a look at the end-time Saints and the Great Oppression from another angle. First John sees the vision of a heavenly woman about to give birth to Christ in the first century. [1, 2] Satan in the symbol of a Dragon – ruler of seven world powers and associated political states – is prepared to devour the Child. [3, 4] The Son is born – a king who will reign over the nations with a rod of iron – and then at the moment of greatest danger he is rescued from the Dragon by being raptured to heaven and God’s Throne. [5, 6] The three and a half-year period of the great oppression is mentioned during which the Woman will have a respite herself. Upon the return of Christ to heaven war breaks out between the Dragon and Michael. [7-9]
As a final woe approaches the heavenly voices declare victory and salvation. [10-12] The Accuser of the Saints has been cast down and triumph for the end-time Saints follows. There is only “a little season” remaining. Satan first wishes to attack the Woman but she is protected during the three and a half-year period of the Great Oppression. [13, 14] Failing this Satan’s attention turns toward the remnant or end-time Saints. [15-17] These confess Jesus and observe God’s commandments. The Woman’s earthly children must experience war for three and a half years.
Abba our Father bless the children of the Jerusalem above.
[26 September 2002]
