The Revelation of Jesus - The Mediator. (Vision 3. ch. 12 & 13)

[Marilyn C]

In the unveiling of the Lord as Mediator, (Vision 3, ch. 8 - 13) I believe that Father God has shown -

 

- Christ as the High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary (Rev. 8 & 9),

- Christ as the Messenger who empowers His two witnesses to speak of Him to Israel, (Rev. 10 & 11)

- Christ as the Victor who overthrows the great enemy. (Rev. 12 & 13)

What aspects do you see of the promised deliverer & His fight against the great enemy, in Rev. 12 & 13?

Marilyn.
 

Edited August 2, 2015 by Marilyn C

[Marilyn C]

The first thing I notice when reading the beginning of Rev. 12, is that we are given a short summary of the scriptural identity of Christ & then of Satan.

`Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, & on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labour & in pain to give birth.` (Rev. 12: 1 & 2)

1. Christ is the seed of the woman that bruised the serpent`s head. (Gen. 3: 15)
2. Christ would be born from the nation of Israel. (Gen. 37: 9) (sun, moon & 12 stars represent Abraham & Sarah & the 12 sons – Israel)
3. Christ is the `child` promised. (Isa. 9: 6) (`unto us a child is born. Unto us a Son is given.`)

Thus God foretold that the `seed` of woman would crush the serpent. The deliverer would come as a seed, not a tree, meaning not fully grown & He would come from the woman & not from the man, (not Adam`s sinful blood line but the Holy Spirit`s implanted `blood.`) He would also come through God`s special nation of Israel.

Next I see that we are given Satan`s origins. He came from the heavens to the area of the earth. He had aspired to be as God but was cast down & with him a third of the angels.

`And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads & ten horns, & seven diadems, on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven & threw them to the earth.` (Rev. 12: 3 & 4)

This description of Satan reveals him as one who masquerades as an angel of light. It then shows his authority over the kingdoms of this world. Note the word `seven,` in Hebrew means to be complete. Satan has complete control over the kingdoms of the world.

Red – fire like – flame coloured, fig. lightning. (2 Cor. 11: 14, Luke 10: 18)
Dragon – a fabulous kind of serpent, to fascinate. (2 Thess. 2: 9)
7 heads – complete authority. (1 John 5: 19)
7 diadems – complete rulership. (Matt. 4: 8 & 9)
10 horns – lawlessness, power. (Eph. 2: 2, 2 Thess. 2: 8 & 9)

Thus we are shown the scriptural identity of Christ the victor & of the great enemy whom He overcomes.

Marilyn.

[Marilyn C]

Next, I see there is a summary of the attempts of Satan to destroy Jesus. He is the promised Son, the Child that Israel would bring forth to be the ruler of Israel & the kingdoms of the world. (Isa. 9: 6 & 7) Satan, through King Herod tried to kill Jesus when He was born. (Matt. 2: 16)

`Then being with child, she cried out in labour & in pain to give birth.... And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.` (Rev. 12: 2 & 3)

Jesus was born of David`s line, in the nation of Israel. He is their Messiah but they did not receive Him. After His crucifixion & resurrection, He ascended into heaven & is seated at the right hand of the Father on His throne ready to `rule the nations with a rod of iron.` (Ps. 2: 9 Rev. 2: 27)

`She bore a male Child who was to rule the nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God & His throne.`(Rev. 12: 5)

The scene now moves in time from where Jesus was taken into heaven, to the time where He told Israel to `flee to the mountains.` (Matt. 24: 15 – 21)

`Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there 1260 days.` (Rev. 12: 6)

The archangel Michael, Israel`s `great Prince who stands guard` over them, is now brought into the battle to protect the nation from Satan & his evil angels. (Dan. 12: 1)

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

`So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil & Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast out to the earth, & his angels were cast out with him.`(Rev. 12: 7 - 9)

 

 

Marilyn.





 

[Marilyn C]

At this point there comes a voice that I believe would be a representative of the Body of Christ - `our God,` our brethren.` They declare that it is the time for the deliverer to come.

`Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, & strength, & the kingdom of our God, & the power of His Christ have come, For the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before God day & night, has been cast down, and they overcame him by the blood of the lamb & by the word of their testimony, & they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, & you who dwell in them!” (Rev. 12: 10 – 12)

Then we see the outworking of this when Satan is cast to the earth & seeks to destroy Israel. The great `eagle,` is a symbolic picture of God, I believe, who `bore them on eagle`s wings,` in times past. (Ex. 19: 4)

“ Woe to the inhabitants of the earth & the sea! For the devil has come down to you having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

`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 & times & half a time, from the presence of the serpent.` (Rev. 12: 12 - 14)

Satan then sends forth spirits of demons who go out to the kings of the whole world to gather them together for war against Israel. (Rev. 16: 13 – 16) The symbolic picture of this great world army is as a flood that covers the land. (Jer. 47: 1 & 2 has a similar picture.) After Christ has dealt with this great army the blood of the slain then soaks into the earth giving the picture of the earth `swallowing the flood.`

`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, & the earth opened its mouth & swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.` (Rev. 12: 16)


We are also shown that it is not only Israel that Satan is against but those who have received the message of Christ, Israel`s Messiah & His coming kingdom.

`And the dragon was enraged with the woman, & he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God & have the testimony of Jesus Christ.`(Rev. 12: 17)

 

 

Marilyn.





 

[Ezra]

In the unveiling of the Lord as Mediator,...

 

Marilyn, if you were doing a study of the epistle to the Hebrews, it would be quite appropriate to focus on Christ as "the Mediator" between God and men. It is not appropriate for Revelation. 

 

The book of Revelation presents Christ as the Judge of mankind,the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Almighty God. There is no more mediation in Revelation, since He is primarily dealing with the ungodly and with His enemies.  Please note how Revelation begins (Rev 1:7,8):  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

[WilliamL]

Rev. 4:1 After these things [Gr. tauta] I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after these things [Gr. tauta].”
 
Everything from Rev. 4:1 forward takes place after John's time. Therefore, the birthing and ascension of the Manchild of Rev. 12 is not about Jesus. Jesus, however, has told us who it is.
 
Rev. 12:5 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. ...11 “And they overcame him [satan the Dragon] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
 
Rev. 2:26 “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— 27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—
as I also have received from My Father...
 
The Manchild, like the Woman of Rev. 12, is a group, not an individual. This prophecy is for the End Times.

[Marilyn C]

`What aspects do you see of the promised deliverer & His fight against the great enemy, in Rev. 12 & 13?

In Revelation ch. 12, we are shown the four names of the diabolical enemy, which reveal, from scripture, his fourfold strategy. But thanks be to God we are also told throughout scripture of the glorious Victor & how He overcomes this greatest enemy.

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

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, “Now salvation, & strength, & the kingdom of our God, & the power of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day & night, has been cast down.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb & by the word of their testimony, & did not love their lives to the death.”` (Rev. 12: 9 – 11)

The four great offices of our Lord Jesus Christ – Lord, Heir, Mediator & Judge, are each highlighted in Revelation, & reveal how Christ overcomes the enemy.

The Lordship of Christ overthrows the Great Dragon. (Administation)

The great dragon is the devourer who uses man`s rulers to try & wipe out the nation of Israel in an attempt to thwart God`s plans, & to make himself supreme ruler. Christ, however, is the only ruler who is capable of adequately undertaking for humanity in every sphere of jurisdiction.

The Heirship of Christ overcomes the Serpent of old. (Legal)

The serpent deluded Adam & Eve causing them to disobey God & robbing them of their inheritance – dominion over the earth. Christ the last Adam never sinned or gave away His inheritance. But by obedience & the word of God He overcame the enemy.

The Mediatorship of Christ overpowers the Devil. (Moral)

The Devil is the destroyer, but Christ came that He might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3: 8) And it is through Christ`s sacrifice, by the `blood of the Lamb`, that He overcame the unrighteous works of darkness. (Rev. 12: 11)

The Judgeship of Christ overrules Satan. (Ajudication)

Satan is the deceiver,  who works through the lawless one, (the anti-Christ) who with all `unrighteous deception` `works signs & lying wonders` on those who do not receive the truth. (2 Thess. 2: 8 – 10)

Christ shall `consume him (A/C) with the breath of His mouth, and destroy him with the brightness of His coming,` (v. 8). Christ comes as `the Word of God,` (Rev. 19: 13) the one who fulfilled all of God`s word. Thus He is pictured with a `sharp sword,` the Word, coming out of His mouth (v. 15)

 

 

What a wonderful Lord, a great Executor, a sacrificial Mediator, & righteous Judge. Christ is all of these & although God the Father highlights each in turn they are all & ever will be Christ`s complete person.

 

 

Marilyn.

 

Edited August 7, 2015 by Marilyn C

[Marilyn C]

When we read the book of Revelation I think it is good to remind ourselves of Christ`s great victory, for Revelation is a culmination of all the Holy Spirit has written concerning Christ.

(These are excepts from Dr. Charles J. Rolls. `His Glorious Name.`)

Christ has secured the supreme victory over the greatest foe. He has triumphed in the age-long battle of good & evil, truth & error, light & darkness, life & death. He has definitely conquered in the age-old conflict between righteousness & lawlessness, authority & anarchy, obedience & defiance, submission & rebellion.

Insofar as this world is concerned, the conflict began at the commencement of Bible history. The enemy left his satanic nature`s imprint upon the man God had created, by first capturing his mind. When this was accomplished he indulged his malicious spite against God. The human mind, which is the finest expression of God`s creative wisdom, became corrupted & a recruit was gained on the side of evil, to promote disobedience toward God & propagate transgression.

This moral tragedy would gratify the whole realm of fallen spirits in the kingdom of darkness, where God`s holy name is profanely blasphemed. Wherefore God intervenes to uphold His honor &, even before He passes sentence on guilty man, He addresses the deceiver. Firstly as Sovereign Lord of the universe, he imposes a humiliating penalty on Satan, & then proceeds to declare a champion would arise & smite evil in its most vital part (Gen. 3 : 14 & 15). The conflict, the Conqueror, & His Conquest are cited within the compass of one verse (Gen. 3: 15).

When the fullness of time was come God sent forth His Son, born of a woman (Gal. 4: 4). This great historic event made clear to the human mind the age-old conflict that was being waged through the centuries. As the years passes, the enemy gained as confederates the pharaohs of Egypt; the kings of Syria, Assyria, Babylon, Mede-Persia, Greece; the emperors of Rome. History records that for the most part. Gentile rulers have been agencies of the prince of this world.

“The kings of the earth took their stand, & the rulers were gathered together against the Lord & against His anointed.” (Acts 4: 26)

We speak at times of the heroic gallantry of some distinguished soldier on the battlefield. But all such pale in the presence of the Christ of Calvary. He was unaccompanied by a retinue of servants & unprotected by a personal body guard, when He faced superhuman assailants, altogether unswayed & unafraid.

During His ministry He made no truce or treaty with unrighteousness in any form. His condemnation of hypocrisy, falsity, & tyranny was most pronounced. Gethsemane & Golgotha were now to become the battle grounds for the fiercest of conflicts ever fought. There was never an encounter of such magnitude, involving good & evil, truth & error, righteousness & lawlessness, freedom & bondage, life & death, the issues of which were eternal.


The prince of the regency of darkness, with his mind of malignity, his heart of hate, & his will of revenge, had conceived the most despicable & diabolical action against the Son of Man. Satanic power could not have invented a darker calumny or instigated a deeper insult than was inflicted on the Christ of God. Who else but the valiant Saviour would have continued to pursue his course of securing salvation for mankind, amid every possible disadvantage, devised by the most subtle of foes? Malicious cruelty & vicious hate were rampant. A motley crowd had been assembled & bribed to demand the death of the greatest Lover of all time.

The courageous demeanor & chivalrous deportment Christ exhibited under such dire circumstances by far exceeds the most valiant of all history. No tribunal of justice & justification so magnificent is in existence; no throne & regency of mercy & grace so majestic has ever been established anywhere; and no triumph & victory so manifold in range & renown is ever recorded as that of the cross of Christ. (John 12: 31)

The greatness of our Deliverer is thereby elevated to the highest degree, death is subdued, & the dominion of the devil disrupted. His cross & death astonished a nation, astounded a universe, & aroused all Heaven to great admiration & adoration in rendering deathless honor to such a conqueror. (Rev. 5: 11 & 12)

 

 

Marilyn.







 

Edited August 5, 2015 by Marilyn C

[Marilyn C]

We have been shown Christ the great mediator between God & man –

- the heavenly High Priest at the golden altar, interceding & bring retribution on His enemies. (Rev. 8)
- the heavenly Messenger of the Covenant bringing the message of reconciliation. (Rev.10)
- & then shown His scriptural identity as the Son prophesied to Israel, who is the great conqueror of the great enemy. (Rev. 11)

Finally in this section, (Rev. 8 – 13) we are shown how Satan deceives the whole world into thinking that he can mediate for man, that he can bring `peace & safety,` with his global government.

Through deception, lies, signs & lying wonders the enemy brings together his global government. This will be the most terrifying power & authority that this world has ever seen. It will control people`s `buying & selling,` (economics) & force them to worship Satan & his ruler, the global leader, the anti-Christ.

The main power blocs of the world will be dominated by a cabal of 10 kings who give their authority to one man – the anti-Christ. The Global Government is described in great detail, & I will give you my view. How it relates to our contemporary scene, however, would be a topic for another thread as it takes us away from focussing on Christ & His work.

The Global Government & its Leader.

`Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having 7 heads & 10 horns, & on his horns 10 crowns, & on his heads a blasphemous name.` (Rev. 13: 1)

We can see this is similar to the great dragon, Satan, but without his full authority & power. The difference is –

The great dragon
- 7 heads with 7 crowns. - complete authority & rulership.
- 10 horns – lawlessness, power.

The Global Government
- 7 heads. (7 consecutive leaders)
- 10 horns with crowns. (10 kings)


The Apostle John saw it in a vision, as a `beast` coming up out of the sea. This symbolises the `wicked` who are like the `restless sea.` (Isa. 57: 20)


Kingdom of 10

This Global Government is ruled over by 10 kings who form a terrifying confederacy, uniting together for a common purpose. The 10 horns speak of `power,` while the `crowns,` refer to Political authority

`The 10 horns which you saw .. God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose, by having a common purpose, & by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God should be fulfilled.` (Rev. 17: 16 & 17)


The 10 kings receive their authority over the Global Government, but only for a very short time.

`And the 10 horns which you saw are 10 kings, who have not received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour.` (a short time) (Rev. 17: 12)


7 Consecutive Leaders. (heads)

These seven kings are 7 leaders who rule, one at a time over the Global Government. Near the middle of the tribulation 5 leaders have come & gone, one is ruling. The Anti-Christ is the 7th ruler & he is possessed by Satan, (the 8th).

`Here is a mind which has wisdom. The 7 heads are 7 mountains .....& they are 7 kings (leaders); 5 have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come.. & the beast (Satan) ...is himself also an eighth, & is one of the 7,..` (Rev. 17: 9 – 11)

 

 

 

Marilyn.















 

[Marilyn C]

The `Beast.`

The composite `beast` is made up of the `lion, the leopard & the bear,` powers. These reveal its beastly character & represent the different confederacies that come together to form the Global Government.

`Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, & his mouth like the mouth of a lion.` (Rev. 13: 2)


The Mouth – This is the confederacy that speaks forth `Peace & Safety,` to the world. It has a sovereign as its leader. (lion – king/queen)

`his mouth was like the mouth of a lion,` (Rev. 13: 2)



The Body – This confederacy `s philosophy gradually dominates & controls the world`s economies. It started as the `Common Market.` (the pair of scales, Rev. 6: 5 & 6) Today it reaches out across the world drawing all into its economic system involving – finance, multi-nationals & commerce, till eventually no-one can buy or sell without their authority.

`the beast ....was like a leopard...` (Rev. 13: 2)



The Feet – This confederation has always been quick to tread down & dominate by force. Its part in the Global Government, this `beast,` has been greatly reduced by war. (Rev. 6: 3 & 4)

`his feet were like the feet of a bear,....` (Rev. 13: 2)


These main confederations make up the Global Government with the 10 kings eventually ruling over them. The various institutions that are being set up Politically & Economically & Religiously, will be brought together to dominate & control the peoples of the world.

 

 

Marilyn.