REVELATION 12
(Continued)
Revelation 12:1-2 A great and wonderous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. [NIV]
The process through the ages of the woman (Israel as seed bearer) going through the pain of giving birth to the male child (Jesus Christ the Messiah), had it's root in the first sin, that was committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The serpent (Satan) deceived Eve into eating the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge. Eve influenced Adam into eating the fruit also. Eve was deceived but Adam had committed high treason against God.
In Genesis 3:15-16 The LORD God said to the serpent....."From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." Then He said to the woman, "You will bear children with intense pain and suffering...." This was the first prophesy concerning God's redemption plan for mankind.
The labor pains of the woman (Israel) manifested as Satan attempted throughout the ages to interfere with God's plan of redemption for mankind (the birth of the Messiah).
Labor Pain
Cain kills Abel - Satan's attempt to blot out rigtheous seed but God intervenes with birth of Seth [Genesis 4, 5]
Fallen Angels Mingle Seed With Mankind- Satan's attempt to corrupt mankind but God intervenes by destroying mankind and all living creatures except righteous Noah, his family, and the creatures he brought into the Ark of safety. [Genesis 6,7,8, 9, 10]
All of Mankind United By One Language - Satan's attempt to corrupt mankind through one world government but God scatterred man across the earth and confused their languages. He also called Abraham to leave his family and the culture of idolatry and death. Abraham was called to be the "Father of Many Nations" (Gen. 12:1-3). [Genesis 11, 12]
Abraham & Sarah (Barren) - Satan causes Sarah to doubt God & offer Hagar as a substitute for providing seed, thus creating a rival to God's promised seed. But the LORD assures the birth of Isaac through Sarah; and later Hagar and Ishmael are sent away. [Genesis 15,16, 17, 18, 21, 22]
Dinah's Rape By Shecem - Satan's attempt to corrupt the seed of Israel through assimilation; prevent Messiah's birth. After Jacob's sons killed the men of Shecem, Jacob was in danger of destruction by surrounding nations. But God allowed Jacob and his family to leave and protected them from the surrounding people [Genesis 34, 35:1-5]
Joseph Sold into Egyptian Slavery By His Brothers - Satan planted animosity and jealousy in the brothers of Joseph, because he was Jacob's favorite son. Satan attempted to destroy the seed of Israel during a period of crushing famine. But God elevated Joseph from a slave to second in power in Egypt, positioning him to preserve the seed of Israel. [Genesis 37-----50]
Pharoah Ordered Destruction of All Male Hebrew Children in Egypt - Satan attempted to assimilate Israel into Egypt, but God called Moses and raised him up to deliver Israel out of Egyptian bondage. God sent plagues upon Egypt to demonstrate His power and that He alone is God. [Exodus 1---12]
Haman Ordered Destruction of All Jews In Persia - Satan attempted to destroy the Jews and prevent the birth of Messiah, but God brings Esther to the Persian Kingdom as Queen to intercede for Israel and to destroy their enemies. [Esther 1---10]
Herod Ordered Destruction of All Male Children Under the Age of Two - Satan attempted to destroy the Messiah (Jesus) as a child. But God warned Joseph in a dream to flee with the child and his mother to Egypt. [Matthew 2]
Crucifixion of Jesus - Satan made direct attempt to destroy the Messiah. Jesus was killed on a cross, and remained in a tomb for 3 days. But God raised Him from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus ascended into heaven, sitting at the right hand of the Father. This was the first coming of Jesus Christ as Messiah, occurring at Daniel's 69th week. [Matthew 27, 28]
World Wide Religion (Islam) a rival to God's Covenant With Israel - A system created to transfer land promised to Israel; to build a rival temple; to prevent existence of Israel as a nation. But God promised that Israel to become a nation. [Ezek. 36---39]
Hitler Ordered the Destruction of All Jews - Satan moved Hitler and his followers to attempt to eliminate all Jews from the face of the earth through the Holocaust. Satan was attempting to prevent the Word of God from being fulfilled by eliminating all Jews. But God delivered the Jews after the world conquered Hitler. Israel went on to be victorious against it's foes and to create the Jewish State of Israel. [Ezeliel 36, 37]
The Dragon (Satan) will make a final attempt to destroy the seed of the woman (Israel), in an effort to prevent the second coming of the Messiah. This will occur during the second half of the Tribulation Period. But God will make a place of refuge for the remnant of Israel to escape and Messiah will have the final victory over the kingdom of Satan and his Anti-christ. [Rev. 12---20]
The spiritual and physical birth pains endured by the woman (Israel) throughout the ages makes natural birth pain seem like a mild headache. The scriptures tell us that all of creation is groaning, as it awaits redemption.