Revelation: The Witnesses, the Beast, the Woman with Child and the Dragon

2023-07-02

Jonathan Falwell

The Revelation Series / Chapters 11 and 12 (NKJV)

Week 1 – Chapter 1

John sees and hears the vision of Jesus from the Isle of Patmos in about 95 A.D. Jesus begins to unveil His message for the churches and the plans for eternity.

Week 2 – Chapters 2-3

Jesus addresses seven churches before He gives us prophecy. He gives them a performance review by using the format of: Picture, Praise, Problem, Prescription, Prediction and Prize.

Week 3 – Chapters 4-7

Jesus begins to unveil the plan for future events. This vision starts in the Throne Room of God where the Lamb of God is introduced as the only one worthy to reveal God’s plan. As this plan begins to be unveiled, we see the seven seals which describe the times of the tribulation.

Week 4 – Chapters 8-10

John sees the Seven Trumpets being revealed. The times of the tribulation are getting greater, and destruction is widespread. The “woes” continue.

Week 5 – Chapters 11-12

Jesus reaffirms His promise to the chosen people – Israel. Two witnesses appear to declare the Gospel to the world at a time when it needs it the most. The Antichrist kills the witnesses when their work is done. Satan goes on the offensive to persecute Israel and do away with the Lamb of God.

We continue moving through the book of Revelation, which is Jesus’ revelation to John and by extension, to us all. To recap, for the most part, chapters 1-3 are dealing with John’s current day where chapters 4 and beyond are all dealing with the future. How long in the future is anyone’s guess but it’s important to know what God has in store. Last week, Charles walked us through the Seven Trumpets of judgment found in chapters 8-10.

Today, we’re going to continue in chapters 11-12. In the middle of the seven trumpets is a pause. We’re introduced to SEVEN CHARACTERS who play a pivotal role in the tribulation period. However, it’s a pause of major significance. Today we’re going to look at the events which take place during this pause as well as be reminded of the promise-keeping God we serve. In chapter 11, Jesus tells John to focus on the people of Israel during this pause.

Revelation 11:1–2 NKJV Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. ² But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.

This is a clear reference to Israel as the temple is an obvious Jewish icon.

Chapter 11 1. Two witnesses share the truth

Vs 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

In the Old Testament the Mosaic Law required two witnesses to validate matters pertaining to Jewish religion.
19:15 One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.
In Matthew 18:16b, Jesus also stated “…by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”
The identity of these witnesses has caused much debate:
- Some say Elijah and Enoch, some say Elijah and Moses, others Elijah and John the Baptist. Some state the reference to the “lampstand and olive trees” to be a reference to Joshua and Zerubbabel. Ultimately there is no way to truly know but most scholars agree Elijah could likely be one of them based on the references to the powers given and Malachi 4:5.
- Malachi 4:5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet, Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”
It is best to accept we will not truly know the identity until it occurs.

It seems far preferable to regard these two witnesses as two prophets who will be raised up from among those who turn to Christ in the time following the rapture.[1] – John Walvoord

Vs 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.

“two olive trees and the two lampstands” – refers to an unlimited source of oil (power) for the lights which shine the message of Christ and His church around the world.
These witnesses will preach the Gospel to the world in that day from Jerusalem.

David Jeremiah: If we look at the prophecy of Zechariah we see, again, two witnesses: Joshua and Zerubbabel (Zechariah 4:1–14). God uses the lampstand and the olive trees as a picture of them. The lampstand burned brightly and the olive tree produced the oil, which was burned by the candelabra. It is a picture of the fact that these two witnesses are going to shine in the darkness of the Tribulation and that they will be fueled by the holy oil of the Spirit of God.^[2]

These witnesses are raised up by God during the first part of the tribulation period to preach the Gospel which gives us a clear understanding there will be those who have the opportunity to trust in Jesus during this time. This validates what is spoken in the seals regarding the “144,000” and the “great multitude” from chapter 7.

2. These witnesses are given supernatural power

Revelation 11:5–6 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. ⁶ These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

Vernon McGee states, “These two witnesses are immortal and immune to all attacks until their mission is completed…These two witnesses are granted unlimited authority. They control rainfall on the earth, and they are able to turn the water into blood. This certainly reminds us of both Elijah and Moses.”^[3]

Jeremiah 5:14 Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts: “Because you speak this word, Behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire, And this people wood, And it shall devour them.

Warren Wiersbe says: “Not only do these witnesses declare God’s words, but they also do God’s works and perform miracles of judgment.”^[4]

Mark Hitchcock states “The two witnesses will be given incredible power by God (Revelation 11:3, 6). Apparently, the two witnesses are the human instruments God uses to call forth the first six trumpet judgments in Revelation 8–9, just like Moses called forth the terrible plagues on Egypt.”^[5]

3. When their work is done, they are killed but God delivers on His promise

Revelation 11:7–10 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. ⁸ And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. ⁹ Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. ¹⁰ And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

“when they finish their testimony” refers to a specific work which they are called to do.
When this work is complete, the “beast” is unleashed for the Great Tribulation.
This doesn’t mean people will not be able to still believe, however.
“the beast (thērion-wild beast) that ascends out of the bottomless pit” – this is the antichrist who appears to begin his shift from peaceful leader (first 3-1/2 years) to evil leader (second 3-1/2 years) who breaks his pact with Israel.
Their bodies will be on display throughout 3-1/2 days for the world to see.
“great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified” – this is Jerusalem, a place which has been given over to evil to the point it is compared to Sodom and Egypt from the Old Testament.

Revelation 11:11–14 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. ¹² And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. ¹³ In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Paige Patterson states “This resurrection of the two prophets is attributed directly to God and to the fact that the breath of life entered into them from God, and they then stood.”^[6]

The language describing the death of the seven thousand is worth noting. The original text actually reads “men of name” instead of “people.” As the dramatization at the beginning of this chapter shows, these seven thousand men may be leaders or well-known individuals.”^[7] – David Jeremiah

These are people who are significant leaders and are following the Antichrist.

Verse 14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

Warren Wiersbe states, “It may be that part of this third “woe” is casting out Satan and permitting his terrible wrath on earth.”^[8]

Most believe the “third woe” simply refers to the end of the world which is soon to come.

4. The seventh trumpet

Revelation 11:16-17 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.

This is a reference towards the ultimate judgment of God on the earth but also of the ultimate victory God for eternity
This is a moment of hope given to all who are on the earth at this time. It is a reminder there is always hope as God is in control.

Chapter 12 1. Who is the woman and who is the child?

Revelation 12:1–2 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.

Some believe this woman is Mary (Catholic tradition). Some believe this woman represents the church. However, the correct interpretation is the woman is a reference to Israel, God’s chosen people.
“a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars” is a reference from Genesis 37.
- Genesis 37:9 Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.”
The child referenced here is Jesus.

Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

Revelation 12:5–6 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.

The child was born as the Savior and Ruler of the world (Isaiah 9)
“Unto us” in Isaiah 9 is again a reference to Israel. Israel gave birth to Jesus, not the church. Jesus gave birth to the church.
“caught up” refers to His ascension in Acts 1
“Then the woman fled…” refers to the attacks on the people of Israel which have come and will continue to come.
Some believe this will be Petra, though unlikely, but regardless of where this location might be, God will protect the remnant of Israel for the next 3-1/2 years of the Great

Vernon McGee says, “Certainly Israel has suffered satanic anti–Semitism from the time of the birth of Christ to the present, in fact, even since before that day, because Satan knew that Christ would come from this nation.”^[9]

2. Who is the dragon?

Revelation 12:3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.

This is Satan. The seven heads refer to his knowledge and wisdom. The ten horns refer to the reestablished Roman empire with ten leaders/kings as the seven diadems refers to as crowns.
“great, fiery red dragon” = (great-megas) (fiery red-pyrros)
Daniel also refers to this dragon in his prophetic visions.

Daniel Akin says, “The description of seven heads, ten horns, and seven diadems recalls the fourth beast of Daniel 7 and speaks of his great power and authority. We will see this again in chapters 13 and 17.”^[10]

Revelation 12:4 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.

“a third of the stars of heaven” is a reference to the fall of Lucifer and his angels recorded in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28.
Satan waited for the opportunity to destroy this Child as he has always desired, but God had other plans as always. (Verses 5 & 6)

3. What happens to the dragon?

Revelation 12:7–9 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 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.

A battle begins in Heaven where Satan is thrown out with his angels and are now ready to bring fire and destruction on the earth. It is interesting to note there was actually a war in Heaven.
Michael first appears in Daniel 10:21 where is the “prince” of Israel and again in Daniel 12:1 where he is the “protector” of Israel.
This passage is an indication that Satan still has access to Heaven and the presence of God as the “devil (diablos) – slanderer” and “Satan (satanas) – adversary” but at this moment, he is forever cast out from having access to God.

Bob Bonheim states “While pondering the thought that Satan will no longer have access to the throne of God, it occurred to me that he will more than likely retaliate his removal from heaven by venting his anger on Israel, the apple of the Lord’s eye.”[11]

4. The declaration of God

Revelation 12:10–12 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.”

Satan knows his time is short so he exacts as much destruction as he can in this short period of time.
“overcame him by the blood of the Lamb” – the blood of Jesus is the only thing which can save us from the attacks of Satan.

Vernon McGee says “The many references to the blood of the Lamb necessitate its being on display in heaven. This is not a crude conception; rather, the crudity is in our sins which made it necessary for Him to shed His blood. If you and I get any victory, it will be because He shed His blood for us.”^[12]

5. So, what happens next?

Revelation 12:13–17 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. ¹⁶But 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.

“But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle” refers back to what God did for Israel in the Egypt.
- Exodus 19:4 You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself
“a time and times and half a time” – 3-1/2 years
As we move into the second half of the tribulation period, everything gets worse and worse which we will see in the weeks to come. But ultimately Jesus wins!

[1] Walvoord, John. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Moody Bible Institute, 1966.

^[2] Mark Hitchcock, The End: Everything You’ll Want to Know about the Apocalypse (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2012), 346.

^[3] J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary: The Prophecy (Revelation 6-13), electronic ed., vol. 59 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), 133.

^[4] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 599.

^[5] Mark Hitchcock, The End: Everything You’ll Want to Know about the Apocalypse (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2012), 349.

^[6] Paige Patterson, Revelation, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, vol. 39, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012), 250.

^[7] David Jeremiah, Agents of the Apocalypse: A Riveting Look at the Key Players of the End Times (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2014), 103.

^[8] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 604.

^[9] J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary: The Prophecy (Revelation 6-13), electronic ed., vol. 59 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), 148.

^[10] Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Revelation, ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2016), 211.

[11] Bonheim, Robert, The Revelator. (Xulon Press, 2005), 83.

^[12] J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary: The Prophecy (Revelation 6-13), electronic ed., vol. 59 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), 160.

July 2, 2023/by TRBC Media