The Study of Revelation, Part 16

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Revelation Chapter 12

Verses 7 and 8And 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.”

When did this war occur?

At first glance, the war would seem to have taken place after the woman (true Church) fled into the wilderness (Verse 6), but such is not the case.

The woman fled into the wilderness (1) after the man-child was born and (2) after the dragon was cast out of heaven (as proved by Verses 13 and 14). The interpretation has to be harmonized with the context of the whole chapter. It was not until after the warfare that the dragon was cast down. Therefore, the warfare, which required time, occurred somewhere between the beginning of the ascension of the child to heaven (in A.D. 314), who ultimately became as God (Pontifex Maximus in A.D. 539), and the defeat of the dragon in the religious realm (roughly 225 years).

There is harmony here. The dragon did not fight before the birth of the child because he had already cast down a third of the stars to earth (Verse 4) and was in posture before the woman, waiting to devour her child. The child escaped, however, and was caught up to heaven (to ecclesiastical supremacy). The account tells about a fight between the dragon and his angels or supporters on the one hand, and Michael and his angels or supporters on the other hand. This fight occurred sometime between the elevation of that child from before the face of the dragon and the casting out of the dragon. After the warfare, the dragon was cast out.”

Thus the interpretation is narrowed down to distinct points of time, and the order of events is as follows:

(1) The woman gave birth to the man-child.

(2) The child began his ascension to heaven.

(3) A fight occurred in “heaven” between the dragon and his angels, and Michael and his angels.

(4) The dragon was cast down into the earth.

(5) The woman fled into the wilderness “from the face of the serpent” for 1,260 years.

The warfare in heaven was a contest between the nominal Church (Michael) and the political powers of the Roman Empire (the dragon). This struggle for supremacy did not take place in the political field but in the ecclesiastical or nominal heavens, prior to the pope’s being recognized as the highest authority in religious matters. The true Church was not involved in this battle.

In A.D. 539 Justinian formally acknowledged that in all matters pertaining to religion, the pope was the supreme head of the Church
.

The statement “the dragon … and his angels … prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven” indicates that from this point in time Civil Rome (the dragon) never regained its authority in the spiritual realm. However, not until Charlemagne’s day, A.D. 800, which marked the beginning of the papal millennium, did Papacy exercise considerable authority even in civil matters; and thenceforth it was styled the Holy Roman Empire.”

Now it is asks: does it not seem a forced construction to suppose Michael to symbolize the "Man of Sin?"

Is not this the same Michael referred to in Dan 12?

If it is a symbol in one case, is it not in the other?

No the account in Dan 12 is a literal statement
. The resurrection and other matters there mentioned are literal, but not so Rev 12. The woman, dragon, tail, stars, horns, etc., are all symbols (symbolic), and it would be out of order to have a real Michael fight a symbolic dragon. However, it seemed puzzling at first to know why this name should be given to Antichrist, but on turning to a biblical dictionary we find that the meaning of the word Michael is (One Who as God or Who is like God).

It is quite remarkable that the meaning should be in such close accord with Paul's description-- "He as God sits in the temple of God," (2 Thess 2:4) When the dragon was cast out of heaven (out of the ruling position) it left this one ("Who as God,") in control, or in the heavens, and from him issues the "loud voice" (a great proclamation) of Verses 10 to 12. That is, Papacy claimed that when it assumed control-- "The kingdom of God and the power of his anointed," had come to the world. They claimed that they had overcome by the blood of the Lamb, their lives and testimonies. They claim that their victory was the result of the firm stand of the ("Smyrna") church, which just previously had suffered so much persecution. "Therefore, rejoice ye heavens." (Let Papacy and all connected therewith rejoice, but) "Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, etc." As the church had once been persecuted when Paganism reigned, so now when she reigns she makes the Pagans and heretics suffer, this, Papacy claims as the millennial reign, during which it broke in pieces the kingdoms with the rod of iron.

But it is the dragon that causes the woe, not the church.

Remember that the dragon represents Rome, and that the same dragon has various heads. (See Rev 17) Here it had fully taken on its fifth head--Papacy. It was the same Rome under a new ruler-ship, or head, and the same power which had previously persecuted the church, -- the Empire and its army-- under the new ruler it persecuted pagans and heretics. Remember, therefore, that hereafter the dragon represents the empire or military power under the control of its ecclesiastical head. This military power must be made use of by its new head, and its force was directed against the woman and against the remnant of her seed, [who joined not in the apostasy], which keep the commandments of God and have “the testimony of Jesus." ["The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."]

Among those of the church who did not join, were some, whose descendants in after years were known as Waldensian's, Huguenots, etc. These doubtless knew from the prophetic word, not only that the "same Jesus" would come again "to be glorified in his saints," but also that there should "first come a great falling away, and that the Man of Sin would be revealed--the son of perdition,"—before the day of the Lord. And they probably recognized Papacy in its true light as Antichrist.” (R 306)

It is true that many have erroneously assumed that Jesus is here meant because Jesus also owns the name of Michael, but it should be remembered that whatever Jesus owns, the man of sin (Jesus' counterfeit) also owns by usurpation.

This Scripture could never have applied to Jesus because heaven HAS NO WAR nor ever has. If it did, how terrible would be the prayer, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." “God’s will, has ALWAYS been done in heaven.” (Matt 6:10)

Continued with next post.

Blog entry information

Author
Harvest 1874
Read time
5 min read
Views
633
Last update

More entries in General

More entries from Harvest 1874

Share this entry