Old Testament Reading: Job 1:1-12

“There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, ‘It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.’ Thus Job did continually. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, ‘From where have you come?’ Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.’ And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?’ Then Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.’ And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.’ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.” (Job 1:1–12, ESV)

Sermon Text: Revelation 12:7-17

“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!’ And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.” (Revelation 12:7–17, ESV)

Introduction

Remember that in Revelation 12:1-6 John described for us a sign that he saw in heaven. And we discovered that the sign he saw revealed something to us about the ancient and spiritual battle that rages in the invisible realm beyond our senses. The battle is very old, stretching all the way back to the time of the fall of man. And the battle is very real. Though we do not see it, we do see the effects of it. This spiritual battle manifests itself in the world even today. The evil that we see in the world – the trials and tribulations that God’s people face – are visible manifestations of this ancient cosmic conflict.

In particular Revelation 12:1-6 revealed that it is the dragon, “that ancient serpent… called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world”, who is the primary opponent of God, his people, and of his Christ.

The dragon is there portrayed as a viscous opponent of God who, before the birth of Christ, pursued the people of God, in an attempt to swallow up the Christ of God.  Indeed, the history of redemption is filled with examples of this invisible battle manifesting itself in the world. Cain rose up and killed Able, but God provided Seth. The world was filled with wickedness before the flood, but God showed grace to Noah and to his family. Abraham and his seed were threatened continuously, particularly by the bareness of Sarah, but God fulfilled his promise by bringing forth Isaac his son. Jacob’s offspring were swallowed up by Egypt and were enslaved there, but God sent Moses to redeem them. And when the people left Egypt only to find themselves stuck between the sea and the army of Pharaoh, God divided the waters for them, so that they might walk through on dry land. When Israel was threatened by hunger and thirst in the wilderness, God provided water from the rock and bread from heaven. God gave Israel victory over all her enemies and brought her safely into the land promised to her. When false prophets and wicked people multiplied in Israel, God kept a remnant for himself. When taken to captivity by the Babylonians, God was faithful to bring some back. And so things were until, when the fullness of time had come, the Christ was born.

And he too was pursued by the dragon. When Jesus was born Herod sought to kill him. He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness to abandon his mission. He was despised and rejected by men. In the end he was crucified. Surely Satan thought that he had finally succeeded when the Christ was crucified, but he new that he was defeated when Christ rose again and “was caught up to God and to his throne” (Revelation 12:5, ESV). When the Christ was caught up to the right hand of the Father the dragon then turned his attention to the woman again (remember, the woman symbolizes God’s covenant people) his objective being to devour her. But God had a place prepared for her in the wilderness where she would be nourished by him for 1,260 days (a period of time that throughout the book of Revelation symbolizes the time of tribulation for the church stretching from Christ’s first coming to his second coming).

So what we have in Revelation 12:1-6 is the whole of the history of redemption compressed into six verses with special attention given to the battle that rages in the heavenly places between Satan and God, his people, and his Christ. Though this battle is first spiritual, it manifests itself on earth.

The rest of Revelation 12, which we will consider today, is focused upon the same cosmic conflict, but considered from different vantage points. In verses 7-11 we learn that Christ’s victory on earth produced a victory in heaven. In verse 12 we learn that Christ’s victory in heaven produced trouble for those living upon the earth. And in verses 13-17 we will learn that God will keep those servants of his who live upon the earth.

Let us consider verses 7-12 this morning and save 13-17 for next week.

Christ’s Victory On Earth Produced A Victory In Heaven

First of all, notice that Christ’s victory on earth produced a victory in heaven.

When I speak of Christ’s victory on earth I am, of course, speaking of his life and death followed by his resurrection from the dead and his ascension to his heavenly throne. We should recognize that this victory won on earth – Christ’s death and burial followed by his resurrection and ascension – produced a victory in the heavenly places.

We are accustom to thinking of all that Christ accomplished for us in his death and resurrection, but our minds typically go to those aspects of our salvation that are intensely personal.

For example, we speak often of how Christ took our sins upon himself when he died on the cross. He payed the penalty for your sins and mine, and for the sins of all who ever have or ever will believe in him. And we speak often of how Christ took upon himself God’s wrath in our place. He shielded us from it. The justice of God demands that sin be judged, but Christ took the judgement upon himself, standing in the place of all who ever have or ever will believe upon him.

Indeed it was this work – Christ’s atoning work, and his work as a substitute for sinners – that makes our salvation possible. We are justified by God through faith in Christ because Christ has paid the penalty of our sins. We are adopted as sons because Christ has removed the enmity that once existed between us and God because of our sin – you were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind (Ephesians 2:3), but now you are adopted as sons (Ephesians 1:5).

This is all true1 The victory that Christ has won in his life, death, resurrection, and ascension has brought us benefits that are intensely personal. We are personally justified, adopted, and sanctified if we have faith in Christ. And there are many other personal “benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from then”, such as the “assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end” (Baptist Catechism 39). But his victory accomplished more than this.  When he was raised up from the grave (see Matthew 28), and when he ascended to his heavenly throne (see Acts 1:9-11) a victory was won in the heavenly realm with cosmic consequences.

Notice that Christ’s death, burial, resurrection and ascension were very quickly but clearly summarized in 12:5 where we read, “She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne….” (Revelation 12:5, ESV). Who is the woman? She symbolizes the people of God in general, but Mary the Mother of Jesus in particular. Who is the male child? Clearly he is Jesus the Christ, for he is the “one to rule all the nations with a rod of iron” And what does it mean that the “child was caught up to God and to his throne”? In this one little phrase we have summarized the whole process of Christ’s exultation – his resurrection and his his ascension. His humiliation is summarized in the words, “she gave birth to a male child” – The eternal Son of God took on flesh, suffered and died. But his exultation is summarized with the words, the “child was caught up to God and to his throne.” Christ died, but he rose from the grave and 40 days later he ascended and was seated at the Fathers right hand. That process of exultation is what the phrase, the “child was caught up to God and to his throne” refers to.

With that victorious event in mind we are then prepared to read on. Verse 7 picks up there and shows us the effect that Christ’s earthly victory – his humiliation followed by his exultation – had within the heavenly realm. We read,

“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God’” (Revelation 12:7–10, ESV).

The heavenly battle described here is between Michael and his angels and the dragon and his angels. In other words, the battle is between the elect angels with Michael leading, and the fallen angels with Satan leading.

Surely you have heard of Satan. But perhaps you have not heard of Michael. He is referred to in Daniel 10 as “one of the chief princes” of God’s angels. He is mentioned again in Daniel 12 as “the great prince who has charge of [God’s] people”. In Jude 9 he is referred to as “the archangel”. Friends, notice this. The scriptures are clear that there exists a spiritual world that corresponds to the physical one in which you and I live.

Notice that “the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven” (Revelation 12:7–8, ESV). Satan was then “thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (Revelation 12:9, ESV). The end result was that Satan and his angels were barred from heaven.

When did this battle and the barring of Satan from heaven take place?

Some might assume that what we have here is a description of the fall of Satan and his demons which took place sometime before the fall of man. And I can understand why your mind would go in that direction. A quick read of the passage might conjure up thoughts of the original fall of Satan, but this cannot be the case, as we will see.

Others think that this battle has not happened yet, but will happen in the future immediately before the so called great tribulation. But it is an unbiblical system of doctrine and faulty methods of interpretation that produce this view, and not a careful consideration of this text.

The correct answer is that this battle and the barring of Satan from heaven took place when Christ rose from the dead, ascended to his heavenly throne, and was seated there. Christ’s victory on earth produced a victory in heaven.

Notice three things that prove that this is the proper interpretation:

First of all notice that verses 1-6 and 7-12 are tightly linked to each another. The first section concludes with the words, “her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days”, and verse 7 begins with the words “now war arose in heaven”. It is clear that the victorious event described in 12:5 – namely the “ascension of Christ to his throne” – is the event which prompted the victory over Satan in the heavenly realm, which is described in 12:7-9.

Secondly, notice that the heavenly voice of verses 10-11 specifically says that the victory won in heaven is owed to Christ’s victory on earth.  In verse 10 John says,

“And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death” (Revelation 12:10–11, ESV).

When was salvation earned? It was earned at Christ’s first coming, through his life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.

And when did the kingdom of God arrive in power? It came in power at Christ’s first coming, through his life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. This is why John the Baptist prepared the way for the Christ by saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2, ESV). And Jesus himself also said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15, ESV).  In Matthew 12:28 Jesus explicitly said that his ability to cast out demons by the Spirit was proof that “the kingdom of God [had] come upon [them]” (Matthew 12:28, ESV).

And when was Christ given all authority? He was given all authority at his first coming through his life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. You remember the great commission, don’t you? Christ commissioned his disciples, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:18–19a, ESV).

The voice that John heard in heaven connected the salvation earned by Christ, the arrival of God’s kingdom in power, and the authority given to Christ with, “the accuser” being throne down.

Thirdly, we should also pay attention to what the rest of scripture has to say about this subject.

You would do well to notice that prior to the resurrection of Christ Satan did indeed have the ability to stand before God and to accuse the people of God.

I read from Job 1 at the beginning of the sermon to demonstrate this. Job 1:6: “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them” (Job 1:6, ESV). Where did he come from? He came “from going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it” (Job 1:7, ESV). And what did Satan do once he stood before God? He accused Job, saying, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face” (Job 1:9–11, ESV). Satan is the accuser of the brethren.

The same can be seen in Zechariah 3 where we read, “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him” (Zechariah 3:1, ESV).

And remember how Jesus revealed to Peter that Satan was actively accusing him in the heavenly realm. “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31–32, ESV).

So prior to Christ’s resurrection and ascension this was indeed the case. Satan did come before the Lord to accuse the people of God. He would stand before the Lord and say, “this one is unworthy. This one is unclean. This one deserves your condemnation.”

Why would Satan be able to do such a thing? It is because salvation had not yet been accomplished. From Satan’s limited perspective the people of God were being accepted as righteous before God but for no good reason. From Satan’s limited perspective these men and women were filthy and deserving of condemnation and nothing had been done to make them righteous before God.

But from God’s perspective these were clean and righteous and holy by virtue of the finished work of Christ on the cross working retroactively. It is true, the Christ had not been born, nor had lived in obedience to the law, nor had he died, nor had he risen and ascended in the days of Job and Joshua and even Peter (prior to the crucifixion). But these men, and many others, were made righteous by the blood of Christ working ahead of time as they believed upon God and promises concerning his provision of a redeemer.

From God’s perspective Joshua the high priest was clean, not because of his own righteousness, but because of the righteousness of the Christ (who would come at just the right time) imputed to him by faith. But did Satan know about the cross of Christ beforehand? Could he see into the future and know that Christ would die and rise again for the sins of his people? Could Satan understand the accomplishment of salvation before it was finished? No. He, like the elect angels, is a finite creature. He knew what God had promised to bring salvation. He could see the gospel portrayed through the types and shadows of the Old Covenant. But he could not see the work as finished as God did. 1 Peter 1:10-12 tells us that the prophets and the elect angels herd the gospel under the Old Covenant, but the exact plan for the accomplishment of our redemption remained mysterious to them, and they longed to see it. The same was true for the fallen angels. The accomplishment of redemption was a mystery to them before it was finished.

And so there Satan stood before God, accusing the people of God day and night, not understanding how it could be that a righteous and holy God could receive sinners like Job, Joshua, and Peter as holy in his sight. But then the Christ came. He lived, he died for the sins of his people, he rose, and he ascended. Now it is clear even to that finite creature, Satan, and to his fallen angels that salvation has been accomplished by Jesus the Christ, who is the eternal Son of God come in the flesh, through the sufferings of the cross, his death and resurrection. And now that he is ascended and is seated in the heavenly places with all authority in heaven and on earth being given to him, there is no longer room for Satan to accuse, for our salvation has been accomplished.

Please listen to Paul’s words in Romans 8:31-34. They are pertinent to the subject at hand. Paul asks,  “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” The implied answer is, no one, ultimately.  He continues by asking, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” The implied answer is, yes, if God has loved us to the point of sending his Son to die for us, certainly he will graciously give us all things. And then he asks, “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?” The world “charge” means to bring accusations against someone. “Who will dare to accuse the elect of God”.  The implied answer is, no one can bring an accusation against God’s elect.  And why is that, Paul? He says, “For is God who justifies. Who is to condemn?” And then Paul presents the basis for it all, saying, “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:31–34, ESV).

So why is it, brothers and sisters, that we are able to speak in such a bold way as Christians, asking, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” And “who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?”  And “who is to condemn?” It is because, “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:31–34, ESV).

His victory accomplished on earth has produced in heaven so that we might say with confidence, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?… No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37–39, ESV).

Brothers and sisters, when Christ died, rose, ascended, and was seated in power he did more than pay for your sins. He also won a cosmic victory in the spiritual realm so that Satan and his angels were “defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.”

Christ’s Victory In Heaven Produced Trouble For Those Living UpOn The Earth

Secondly, and very briefly, notice that Christ’s victory in heaven produced trouble for those living upon the earth.

Satan was barred from heaven. Over this fact the angels in heaven rejoiced. But being banished from heaven where is now confined to roam? Verse 9 says, “And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (Revelation 12:9, ESV). In verse 12 the heavenly voice says, “Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (Revelation 12:12, ESV).

In the days of Job Satan roamed the earth but also had access to God so that he might accuse. No that the Christ has accomplished salvation Satan is confined to roam the earth and it barred from heaven.

And now he is particularly furious. Why? “Because he knows that his time is short”. His days are numbered. The victory has been won by Christ. Satan has been mortally wounded. He has taken that great and decisive blow to the head of which God spoke shorty after the fall. So what can he do except continue to bite at the heal of the women on to the very end.

It is true, the Bible teaches that because of the victory won by Christ Satan has been barred from heaven. No longer does he have access to God to accuse the elect before him. And it is true, the Bible teaches that because of the victory won by Christ Satan is now bound. He is bound so that he can no longer deceive the nations (Revelation 20). He is bound so that he his house (the world) might be plundered by Christ. (Matthew 12:29). He is, in other words, bound so that the great commission of Matthew 28:18-20 will be accomplished. But it would be foolish to live as if Satan is no more. No, having been barred from heaven, he is now confined to the earth where he “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, ESV). And how does he devour? The rest of Revelation will make it clear that he devours through the threat of persecution, false teaching, and the seductiveness of the world.

“Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”” (Revelation 12:12, ESV)

Application 

Let us take a moment to apply this text before we conclude so that we “be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving [ourselves]” (James 1:22, ESV).

Of course this text can be applied in many ways, but I have three suggestions for application.

One, I do wish to encourage us to cultivate thankful hearts concerning all of the benefits that we have in Christ Jesus. We are very rich in Christ Jesus, friends.

Our Savior has won for us the cosmic battle. He has triumphed over all his and all our enemies. God has “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in [Christ] (Colossians 2:15, ESV).

And our Savior has taken our sin away.  He has “forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13–14, ESV).

And our Savior has given us new life. “[We], who were dead in [our] trespasses and the uncircumcision of [our] flesh, God made alive together with [Christ]” (Colossians 2:13, ESV).

We are rich in Christ. We have been justified by him. We have been adopted as Sons. We are being sanctified day by day.  We ought to be very thankful, friends. And our thankfulness should be constant, for these things do not fade.

I could add to this the mention of all the temporal blessings we enjoy in this world. We have food to eat, water to drink, cloths to wear, and shelter. Indeed, by the grace of God, we have these things regularly and in abundance.  And indeed, by the grace of God, we have much more than this. We have friends and family. We have one another in Christ Jesus. We should be very thankful in this life.   Indeed, “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6, ESV). And yet so often we are found moping around like ungrateful children. How wrong we are to sin against God in this way. How right it is to wake in the morning with thankful hearts, to eat and drink with thankful hearts, and go to sleep with thankfulness in our hearts.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4–7, ESV).

We should think more deeply about all that we have in Christ Jesus and we should give God thanks always for things big and small.

Two, I must warn you again to “be sober-minded” and “watchful”concerning “your adversary the devil” who “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:7–8, ESV). This point will be made again and again as we progress through the pages of Revelation but with ever greater detail and precision. We will be reminded that Satan has been thrown down to the earth and that he has come down “in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” But will also be reminded that he is cunning in his ways. He is indeed fierce like a lion, but he also deceptive like a serpent.

I was in the backyard with David a few weeks ago doing some yard work when out of the corner of my eye I see a large rattle snake slithering along. As I walked towards it moved up into our large and overgrown tomato plant and I quickly lost sight of it. I’m sure he moved on but I didn’t pick tomatoes for a few days. Serpents are very sly. They come and go quietly. They hide. The catch their pray by taking them by surprise.

Our spiritual foe fights against us in this way. He strikes when we least expect it. He hides behind the powers of this world, false teachings that at first tickle the ears, and seductiveness of this world.  Be sober-minded and watchful concerning him.

Lastly, I cannot close without urging you to trust in Jesus. Indeed, he is our champion. He is our king who has defeated all that threatens us. He has paid for our sins, he has defeated all of his and our enemies, and he has done so in such decisive manner that there no longer remains a place for Satan in heaven to accuse us. Believe upon Christ. And once you have believed upon him, cling to him, for he is our rock and our salvation.

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 3

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ And he said, ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.’ He said, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?’ The man said, ‘The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.’ Then the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this that you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’ The Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.’ To the woman he said, ‘I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.’ And to Adam he said, ‘Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.’ The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. Then the Lord God said, ‘Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—‘ therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life” (Genesis 3, ESV).

Sermon Text: Revelation 12:1-6

“And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days” (Revelation 12:1–6, ESV).

Introduction

If we were to step back from the book of Revelation for a moment to ponder all that it has revealed to us so far, here is one question we might ask: why is the world as it is?

Why are there two kingdoms in the world today, one that belongs to God, wherein he is worshipped and served by his people as Lord, while those in the other remain diametrically opposed to his rule? Why is the world this way?

And why does there exist such hostility between these two kingdoms? The church of God, as we have seen, is under continual assault as she sojourns in this world. The assault that comes against her is far from monotone. No, the church is besieged in a diversity of ways. Her members are often tempted by the world. False teaching is also a threat. And persecution threatens the church too.

But why is the world this way? Why the conflict? Why the suffering? Why the persecution? Why the evil, and thus the judgments of God poured out? Indeed, this is the picture that the book of Revelation has painted for us so far. We can see it with our eyes as we observe the world today, and Revelation has revealed it authoritatively – the world is not well. The world is not right with God. Indeed, God has his people in the world. They are known by him. They are spiritually protected and preserved. But they will be trampled by the nations, being given over to trials, tribulations, suffering and even death for a time. Why is the world this way?

We have come now to the heart of the book of Revelation. In chapter twelve verse one we find the major transition. The book up to this point has mainly described to us how things will be in heaven and on earth in the time between Christ’s first and second comings. God and his Christ are enthroned in heaven, but on earth God’s people will live in the midst of crocked and rebellious people where they will have tribulation. But God is not blind to it. He knows who belongs to him. They are numbered for battle and sealed as his possession. And he also knows the wicked and their deeds. He is able to judge the wicked even now, pouring out partial and perpetual judgments with precision, and he will judge fully and finally in the end.

Friends, in this age there will trials and tribulations, “wars and rumors of wars… nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:9–14, ESV). This is what the book of Revelation has portrayed for us so far.

But now the book will provide a more piercing answer to the question, why? Why is the world as it is? The book of Revelation will now answer that question by revealing that behind it all – behind all that has been revealed so far, and behind all that we perceive with our natural senses – rages an ancient spiritual battle that is invisible to your eyes and mine. We see the effects of it in this world! But the battle is first of all spiritual and invisible to us. Revelation is going to reveal something of this ancient cosmic conflict so that we might see it with eye of faith.

At this point I think it would be beneficial for you to know something of the basic structure of Revelation chapters twelve through twenty. Four figures will be introduced to us in these chapters. These four represent powers that oppose God and his people. And then these same four will be defeated by God and his Christ and judged in the reverse order that they were introduced. These chapters, therefore, reveal to us something of the spiritual battle that rages beyond our sense perception.

Notice that here in chapter twelve Satan himself is introduced. In 12:3 he is described as a “great red dragon”. In 12:9 he is identified by name: “And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (Revelation 12:9, ESV).

Notice that in chapter thirteen two of the powers that Satan uses to wage war against God and his people are introduced. First there is the beast that rises out of the sea (13:1). This beast, we will see, represents persecuting powers. Secondly, the beast that rises out of the earth is introduced (13:11). This beast will later be called the false prophet (16:3; 19:20). And then in chapter seventeen the great prostitute or harlot is introduced (17:1). She will represent the seductiveness of the world.

So by the time we come to the end of chapter 17 four key players in this ancient and cosmic battle will have been introduced to us. Satan is the person behind all of the opposition towards the kingdom of God and of Christ, but he uses these three powers primarily in his fight, the persecuting beast, the false prophet, and the harlot. These wage war against all that belongs to God and to his Christ.

But notice that beginning with chapter 18 each of these are defeated by God and judged in the reverse order that they were introduced. In chapter 18 the harlot is judged. In 19:19-20 the false prophet and the persecuting beast are judged. And in 20:7-10 we find a description of the defeat and judgment of Satan.

So chapters 12 through 20 have a chiastic structure. If you were to diagram this section of the book of Revelation is would form an “X”. Satan, the persecuting beast, the false prophet, and the harlot are introduced – 1, 2, 3, 4 – and then they are in reverse order quickly removed, being defeated by Christ at his second coming – 4, 3, 2, 1.

What is the point of it all? Revelation chapters 12 through 20 peal back the curtain a bit more to reveal something of the ancient and spiritual battle that rages beyond our sense perception which produces the hostility to God’s rule that we observe in the world today.

Friends, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm” (Ephesians 6:12–13, ESV).

All of chapter 12 goes together. It is divided nicely into there parts – verses 1-6, 7-12, and 13-17. We will consider only verses 1-6 today given our time constraints. And as we consider verses 1-6 three things need to be recognized concerning this ancient and invisible battle. One, notice that in this cosmic conflict Satan is identified as the primary opponent of God. Two, notice that Satan is also identified as the primary opponent of God’s people. And three, notice that Satan is identified as the primary opponent of God’s Messiah.

Satan Is The Primary Opponent of God

Let us first consider that in this cosmic conflict Satan is the primary opponent of God.

He is explicitly mentioned for the time in Revelation 12:3 where we read, “And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems” (Revelation 12:3, ESV).

We are not left to wonder who this image represents for in 12:9 we are told that this great dragon is “that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world…” (Revelation 12:9, ESV).

Notice that “his tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth” (Revelation 12:4, ESV). Here is symbolize the fall, not only of Satan, but of other angels too. It is likely that included in this reference to the fall of angels is also a reference to the effect that these fallen angels have had upon the people of the earth (heaven and earth correspond to one another in Revelation. The churches have angelic representation, remember. So too, fallen angels correspond to fallen sinful world powers.)

In 12:3 the dragon is described as having “seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems”. Quoting from Dennis Johnson’s commentary on Revelation, “The dragon… is shown in symbols signaling his cunning wisdom (seven heads), great power (ten horns), and authority to influence others (seven diadems)” (Johnson, Triumph of the Lamb, 181).

All of the symbolism is, of course, drawn from the Old Testament. What I have come to love about the symbolism of the book of Revelation is that the symbols are complex. They are a composite of variety of symbols found within the Old Testament. It is not as if we can point to one passage, or to one image in the Old Testament and say, look! John has taken this straight from there! Instead, it’s as if the Lord has passed through through the entire Old Testament, picking up this symbol and that along the way, and then having joined them together into one image, has shown them to John, who has in turn given them to us. G.K. Beale refers to this sign of the dragon as a “mosaic of OT imagery”.

When the dragon is described to us here in 12:3 if should remind us of the serpent of Genesis 3. It should also cause us to remember the Old Testaments repeated reference to God’s defeat of an evil sea monster which symbolized the evil kingdoms who oppressed Old Covenant Israel (see Psalm 74:13-14, Job 26:12-13, Psalm 89:10, and Ezekiel 29:3, for example). The imagery of ten horns is drawn from the description of the fourth beast of Daniel 7.

What we have, then, is a symbolic description of Satan. He does not really look like this. You do understand that, I hope. We are studying a book that communicates truth via symbol. Satan is, in fact, a fallen angel. He is a spiritual being. But he is described to us in this symbolic way so that we might know something of his character. He is that ancient serpent who opposed God in the beginning (Genesis 3). He is ferocious. He is bloodthirsty (think of the color red especially in connection with Revelation 17:3-6 where the harlot is described as riding upon “a scarlet beast”, “drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus” (Revelation 17:6, ESV). He is cunning, having seven heads. He is powerful, having ten horns, and has authority upon the earth, wearing ten diadems, or crowns.

The simple truth to observe is that Satan is here set forth as the primary opponent of God in this cosmic battle.

You would also do well to notice that when the other three characters are introduced in chapters 13 and 17 – the beast, the false prophet, and the harlot – they are described in such a way so as to make it clear that they are motived and empowered by this dragon and that they serve him. Notice that the beast that raises from the sea in 13:1, also has “ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns” (Revelation 13:1, ESV). He shares this in common with the dragon. And notice that the beast (who is later called the false prophet) that rises from the earth in 13:11 is said to “speak like a dragon”. And as for the harlot of chapter 17, she serves the dragon through her connection with beast the beast of 13:1, with “ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns”, that has already been mentioned.

The point is this: Satan is the primary opponent of God in this cosmic battle. He wages war against God’s kingdom using the powers of persecution, false teaching, and seduction, but he is the source of all opposition.

As I was considering these things an image came to mind of allied soldiers fighting a battle somewhere in Europe during WWII. What did they see with their eyes except German soldiers with machine guns and tanks and such. But what did they imagine in their minds except Hitler and his officers hidden away somewhere in Germany. Those allied soldiers were well aware of the fact that there was more to the battle that they were currently fighting than what they could see with their eyes. There was a person and a power that stood behind it all, motivating the conflict. Though they could not see him, they knew he was there, for they could see the effects of his power before their very eyes.

Revelation reveals even more to us. It reveals that standing behind the earthy powers and the earthly conflicts, there are spiritual powers there is a spiritual battle that rages. Satan is the primary opponent of God in this cosmic conflict.

Before we move on I would like to read for you the description of Satan’s demise from Revelation 20:10. And I would like for you to notice the brevity, terseness, and simplicity of the description. In Revelation 20:10 the final judgment of Satan is described and here is what we read: “and the devil who had deceived them [the wicked] was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10, ESV).

Notice how brief the description of Satan’s destruction is especially when compared to the extensive, vivid, and, quite frankly, terrifying description of the dragon and his servants found in Revelation chapters 12 through 17. It’s almost as if the book of Revelation builds things up leading the reader to expect that God will have a great and difficult battle to win at the end of time if this mighty dragon will ever be overcome, but then when we come to the end we find that God snaps his fingers, if you will, and it is over. Christ speaks a word, and it is finished.

In this cosmic conflict Satan is the primary opponent of God, but before God Almighty he is nothing. He will be destroyed in an instant.

Satan Is The Primary Opponent Of God’s People

Secondly, notice that in this cosmic conflict Satan is the primary opponent of God’s people. If Satan is opposed to God, then it is no wonder that he is also opposed to all who have God as Lord and King.

In verse 1 we read, “And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth” (Revelation 12:1–2, ESV). Look now at the second part of verse 4 where we read, “And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days” (Revelation 12:4–6, ESV).

Who does this woman symbolize?

The Roman Catholics tend to say that this woman symbolizes Mary the mother of Jesus only. The Dispensationalists will usually say that the woman symbolizes ethnic Israel who will be particularly persecuted for three and a half years during a great tribulation yet in our future. Both of these interpretations are too narrow. The second, I would argue, is just plain wrong, being based upon faulty presuppositions and a flawed method of interpretation.

It is far better to see that this woman symbolizes God’s people – the elect of God under both the Old Covenant and the New. The Roman Catholics are actually not wrong to say that Mary the mother of Jesus is symbolized here. But they are wrong to think that the symbolism points only to her. Something more profound is being communicated here – something broader Mary as an individual, though clearly she is in view.

I read from Genesis 3 at the introduction to this sermon mainly to orient your minds to the promise delivered to Adam and Eve shortly after the fall by way of the curse pronounced upon the serpent who deceived them.

God spoke to the serpent saying, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15, ESV). And do not forget the curse announced to the woman: “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children” (Genesis 3:16, ESV).

It is here in Genesis 3:15 that the gospel is first announced. Man had fallen. Man was now alienated from God, being now at enmity with him. But God, in his grace, would provide a Savior who would stomp the head of the deceiver and thus bring salvation to man. Who is this Savior? Who is this Redeemer? Who is the one who has defeated the serpent and will destroy him fully and finally in the end? It is Jesus the Christ! And would he come to save us according to Genesis 3:15? Through the woman, Eve. He would be one of her offspring.

Remember, the dragon heard this, for the gospel was announced to him and in the hearing of Adam and Eve! And what do the scriptures describe to us from that point forward except the story of the hostility between the offspring of the woman and the offspring of the serpent.

It becomes exceeding clear, by the way, that this story was not about the hostility that exists between human beings and snakes. Instead, the story is about the hostility that exists between God and Satan, the people who belong to God and the people who belong to the Devil, the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom go the World. The whole of the bible describes this conflict that exists, first of all, in the spiritual realm, but manifests itself, secondarily, in the physical and earthy realm.

The dragon, from the beginning, has been opposed to God’s people. That fact is illustrated in Genesis 4, when wicked Cain raises up and kills righteous Able. Both were the offspring of Eve according to the flesh. But spiritually, Able was of Eve and of God, and Cain was the offspring of the serpent. So do you see that from the beginning the dragon has been opposed to the people of God? His objective from the beginning has been snuff them out. He is opposed is to God primarily, but he is also against all who belong to God. Think of the lives Noah and Abraham, Moses and David, the prophets and all of the elect remnant within ethnic Israel. Think of the opposition they faced in the world!

The woman of Revelation 12 symbolizes more than just Mary the mother of Jesus. She also symbolizes mother Israel – the elect of God under the Old Covenant. She is described as being “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Revelation 12:1, ESV).

You should read Genesis 37 sometime. There you will find a description of Joseph’s dream where his father Jacob is symbolized by the sun, his mother Rachael by the moon, and his eleven brothers as eleven stars, Joseph himself being implied as the twelfth. The sun, moon and twelve stars symbolizes Israel. Also, you should read Isaiah 54 sometime. There Israel is described as a barren women but God promises her that she will have children.

This woman in Revelation 12 clearly symbolizes Mary the mother of Jesus for she would be the highly favored individual who would have the privilege of giving birth to the Savior promised to Adam and Eve long ago, but the people of God prior to the birth of Christ are also symbolized here. Indeed, their whole history can rightly be described as a time of “crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth”, as they awaited the arrival of the Messiah who was to come from them.

Notice also that the New Covenant people of God are also represented by this woman. In 12:17 her offspring are said to be, “those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12:17, ESV).

The woman symbolizes the people of God in every age. The dragon is opposed to her and seeks to devour her. This true, not only before she gives birth to her child, but also afterwards. After she gives birth the dragon pursues her into the wilderness “where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days” (Revelation 12:6, ESV). In 12:14 we read, “But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time” (Revelation 12:14, ESV). What does this period of three and a half years represent? It stand for the time in-between the first and second coming of Christ; an aged marked by tribulation for the people of God, in fulfillment to the prophesy of Daniel 7.

In this cosmic conflict Satan is the primary opponent of God’s people. But do you see that the emphasis of the text is, and will continue to be, upon God’s provision and protection. The woman “has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days”. The text reveals something of the cosmic conflict, but it is also reveals that is able to keep his people. This is the truth that must not be overlooked.

Satan Is The Primary Opponent Of God’s Messiah

Lastly, and very briefly, notice that in this cosmic conflict Satan is the primary opponent of God’s Messiah.

Who is the dragon most concerned with in this passage? His objective is to devour the child of the woman.

Who is this child? Cleary he is Jesus the Christ. He is the one born to the virgin Mary. Go back and read Matthew 1 and be reminded of his birth. He was of the seed of Abraham and David. And then read Matthew 2 and be reminded of how the dragon sought to destroy the Christ child from the moment of his birth, through that beast named Herod. Then read Matthew 4 and be reminded of how the dragon sough to derail the Christ from his mission as he tempted him, where? In the wilderness. It was in the wilderness that God sustained him, for “it is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’”(Matthew 4:4, ESV). And then continue on reading of all the hostility endured by the Christ in his life by those whom he at on point called, children of the devil (John 8:44). Soon you will come to the account of Jesus’ crucifixion. Surly the dragon thought that had finally succeeded. The Christ was born from Israel in general, and from Mary in particular, and he had finally gobbled him up. He breathed his last and he was put into the grave. Certainly Satan rejoiced! But then he rose again and ascended to God’s right hand.

To use the language of Revelation 12:5, “She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne” (Revelation 12:5, ESV).

Now the serpent knows he has been defeated. He could not stop God’s Messiah from delivering that fatal blow to his head. And now, having been mortally wounded, the Christ child having been caught up to heaven where he rules and reigns in victory, what is left for the dragon to do except to pursue the woman and her offspring in the wilderness for these “three and a half years” of tribulation. But just as God was able to keep the Christ child, so too will he keep his people. They will be nourished for these 1,260 days.

Application

I have one point of application that I would like to emphasize with you before we close.

If as you read Revelation and the description of the dragon, the two beasts and the harlot you come away thinking, the world is such a scary and dangerous place, I must run and hide, then I’m afraid you have missed the point of the book entirely.

The book is honest. It tells how things really are. Indeed, the battle is real. The opponents of God and his people are powerful and fierce. But the book is given to produce confidence and boldness in the people of God. Confidence, not in ourselves, but in Christ who has won the victory, and in our God who is willing and able to nourish us as we wonder in this wildness place.

If you are arrogant, thinking yourself to be self-sufficient in this wold, my prayer is that you would sober up and come to realize that “your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, ESV). May you sober up concerning the treat and run to Christ, the shepherd of the sheep, for shelter.

But if you are a timid Christian I would urge you to remember who you are in Christ Jesus.

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37–39, ESV).

Bothers and sisters, let us not live timid, isolated, and fearful lives in this world. Let us not be like the those timid and faithless spies of Israel who returned back from spying out the land that God had promised to them, saying, the people there are too large and too strong. Let us not go up (Numbers 13:25ff.) But let us have the boldness and the faith of Caleb and Joshua instead who said, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey” (Numbers 14:7–8, ESV). Let us sojourn in this wilderness with the faith and the boldness of Caleb and Joshua. Let us run to engage in the battle, and not flee from it in fear.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore [do not run in fear, but] take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm” (Ephesians 6:10–13, ESV).

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 2 

“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, ‘Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.’ He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, ‘As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.’ I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 2, ESV).

Sermon Text: Revelation 11:15-19

“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.’ And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God 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. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.’ Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail” (Revelation 11:15–19, ESV).

Introduction

I wrote a little poem to summarize this passage. It goes like this:

The book of Revelation has done it again.
It has taken us to the time of the end.

When the first six trumpets did resound,
they revealed how things would be in the hear and the now.

But when the seventh trumpet by us was heard,
it showed how things will be after Christ’s return.

And what a marvelous sight to behold!
All things belong to Christ, his people are safely home!

While the angels and saints rejoice on that day,
the wicked do wish they could run away.

For it is then the wrath of the Lamb will come.
The nations raged! But now is the time for the dead to be judged.

Then the kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of Christ.
No more sin, nor suffering, even death will be silenced!

Oh Christian, take comfort in these God inspired words.
May they move you to have Christ as Lord, today, and until he returns.

As I began to prepare for this sermon it dawned on me that you might have forgotten that we were still in the trumpet cycle.

Thumb back to Revelation 8:6. It is here that the trumpet cycle begins. We read, “Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them” (Revelation 8:6, ESV). The first trumpet was blown in 8:7; the second in 8:8; the third in 8:10; an the fourth in 8:12. And then in 8:13 we read these words: “Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, ‘Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!” (Revelation 8:13, ESV). Here we were warned that the remaining three trumpets – trumpets five, six, and seven, would be particularly significant and filled with “woe”, or sorrow, for the earth dweller, which is one of the ways that the book of Revelation refers to those not in Christ. It was in 9:1 that the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and it was in 9:13 that the sixth angel blew his. With each of these trumpet blasts something was revealed to us concerning the judgments of God that would be poured out upon the ungodly throughout the church age.

Then we came to the interlude of chapters 10 and 11. Five sermons were devoted to these two chapters. Also, there were three other sermons delivered by other preachers in that time. So about two months have passed since you have heard anything about the trumpet cycle.

Remember that the interlude, particularly chapter 11, gave attention to the question, how will it be for the people of God as they live upon the earth in the midst of a wicked world upon which the judgments of God are being poured out? And the answer given was that though the people of God be trampled under foot, God will ultimately protect, preserve, and vindicate his faithful witnesses.

And remember that near to the end of chapter 11 we were given a glimpse of the beginning of the end when Christ returns to rescue his intensely persecuted bride and to judge the wicked. 11:12:  “Then they [the two witnesses] heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here!’ And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven” (Revelation 11:12–13, ESV). Here we have a description of something that will happen when the Lord returns: his bride will be rescued through rapture, and those found assaulting his bride will take it in the teeth.

Friends, notice that with the sounding of the seventh trumpet here in verse 15 the scene shifts geographically from earth to heaven, and also temporally from the moment of Christ’s returns to a description of the state of affairs brought about by his return.

The relationship between 11:12-13 and 11:15-19 can be compared to the relationship between the story of the allied troops storming the beaches at Normandy and the account of their taking Normandy. Really it is one event accomplished in two stages. So it will be with the return of Christ. It will be one event with many stages. 11:12-13 describes Christ’s return to rescue his severely persecuted church on earth. 11:15-19 describes the occupation of the kingdom of Christ.

The important thing to notice is that the seventh trumpet takes us to other side of Christ’s return and to a time beyond the age in which we now live. Notice five things that will happen on that day the day.

The Kingdom Of The World Will Become The Kingdom Of Christ

One, notice that it is on that day the kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of Christ.

Look at verse 15. When the seventh angel blew his trumpet “there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever’” (Revelation 11:15, ESV).

Something very significant will happen on that day. The kingdom of this world  – those kingdoms which oppose the rule of Christ and seek to establish their own rule independent of him – will be no more. Only the kingdom of our Lord and of Christ will remain. Everything will belong to him. Everyone will worship and serve him. On that day he will begin to rule without challenge or rival.

Now it is true that our Lord reigns supreme even now. He is sovereign over all things. He is Lord Most High. No one and no thing is able to thwart his purposes. But according to his infinite wisdom he has decreed that for a time there exist a kingdom that is rival to his – a kingdom of darkness – a kingdom, not of heaven, but of the earth. This he has permitted according to his wisdom in order to bring about his ultimate purposes.

Also, it is also true that the kingdom of heaven has already broken in upon us. It arrived with Spirit wrought power at the first coming of Christ. “Behold the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”, was the proclamation of John the Baptist and of Christ himself. Indeed, when Christ rose from the dead he rose in power and ascended to the right hand of the Father where he rules and reigns over his kingdom even now with all authority having been given unto him.

And so the current situation is this: The kingdom of Christ has begun. It has broken in upon us. It has intruded into human history. We feel power of it. Indeed, we are in it, if we are in Christ by the Spirit, confessing him as Lord. But we know that the kingdom is not here in its full and consummate glory. Why? Because there still exists a rival kingdom in the world today! Many stubbornly refuse to bow the knee to Christ. Many do not confess him as Lord. Many are the citizens of the kingdom of this world who oppose Christ’s rule, submitting instead to the rule of another king. So as you can see there are two kingdoms present in the world today. There is the kingdom of the world, which is the kingdom of darkness, who has the evil one for a king. And there is the kingdom of heaven, also called the kingdom of God and of his Christ. These two are opposed to one another. All who live upon the earth are in fact in one kingdom or another. Either Christ is your king, or the evil one is. Christ said, “Whoever is not with me is against me” (Matthew 12:30, ESV). And listen to the way that Paul describes our salvation in Colossians 1:13. He describes it as having been “delivered… from the domain of darkness and transferred… to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13, ESV). This is, in part, what it means to be saved. It is to be delivered from one domain, or kingdom, to another – from the domain of darkness to the domain of Christ. Those who do not have Jesus as Lord believe themselves to be free – independent from any outside rule. They are badly mistaken. For the scriptures teach that you are either a bondservant of Christ or that you are in bondage to another. Satan is cruel taskmaster, my friends. He is liar and a deceiver. His end is death and destruction. He is bent on taking as many with him as possible.

But here is the thing to recognize. There are two kingdoms present in the world today. The kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of darkness. Christ’s kingdom is here. It is present wherever the church is. It is present wherever men and woman are found who have Christ as Lord. But it is not here in its full and final form. This is why as citizens of this inaugurated kingdom we are taught to pray for its consummation, saying, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9–10, ESV).

Hebrews 10:12-13 sums it up: “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet” (Hebrews 10:12–13, ESV). This one verse says it all. Christ began to reign over his kingdom upon his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God. But while he rules there he is also waiting there. Waiting until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.

This is the thing that Revelation 11:15 describes. It is describes the day when the enemies of Christ will be made a footstool for his feet. On that day the kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ. All will be Christ’s kingdom. No rival power will remain. This is why

Notice that this is not the half-baked earthly, and sin prone millennial kingdom of the dispensational pre-millennialists, but it is the full and final kingdom of our Lord. Our God and his Christ are Lord over all in this kingdom, and the text says that “he shall reign [in this kingdom] forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15, ESV).  It is a myth that Christ will in the future establish some new, earthly, and sin prone kingdom that will come to end after 1,000 years being brought to and end by a great rebellion (second fall, I guess). That view is unbiblical and it come from a misreading of the scriptures. In particular it arises when men assume that the book of Revelation is mainly about our future, that it is to be interpreted literally whenever possible (whenever the want), and that the order of the book of Revelation corresponds to the order of events in human history. I’ve shown that all three of these assumptions are false in past sermons. Know that it is this flawed method of interpretation that produces pre-millennialism.

The coming of the Christ was promised in the Old Covenant. He was born when the fullness of time had come. He lived, died, and was buried, and on the third day he rose from the grave, the New Covenant being ratified in his blood. He ascended to the right hand of God where he rules and reigns, all authority having been given unto him in heaven and on earth. We his people in this world, members of the New Covenant, citizens of his kingdom, enduring difficulty, and awaiting his return. When he returns everything will be his kingdom forever and ever. It is the final state.

Revelation 11:15 describes the beginning of Christ’s eternal kingdom. This is a description of the new heavens and the new earth where all is placed fully under the authority of Christ, with no rival, for on that day his enemies will be fully and finally judged .

The praise that is heard from the lips of the angels confirms it. Verse 16: “And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God 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” (Revelation 11:16–17, ESV). On that day the kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.

The Dead Will Be Judged

Two, notice that it is on that day that the dead will be judged.

Look at verse 18: “The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged…” (Revelation 11:18a, ESV).

Surely the phrase “the nations raged” is meant to remind us of Psalm 2. The prophesies of Psalm 2 will be filled most fully when on the day when Christ returns.

Indeed in this present evil age “the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, ‘Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us’” (Psalm 2:2–3, ESV). And even now “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision” (Psalm 2:4, ESV). And indeed the Lord has already “set [his] King on Zion, [his] holy hill” (Psalm 2:6, ESV). This has happened in the heavenly places (read Revelation and Hebrews). But Revelation 11:15ff. is showing us something of the day on which “the nations [will become the]… heritage [of the Christ], and the ends of the earth [his] possession. [He] shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel” (Psalm 2:7–9, ESV). Therefore, the peoples of the earth are appropriately warned concerning that day. The Psalm says,  “Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 2:10–12, ESV).

Psalm 2 warns of the final judgment and urges men and women to live accordingly, taking refuge in Christ. When John in Revelation 11:18, says, “the nations raged”, he is summoning Psalm 2, as if to say, these two texts are talking about the same event, they are both about the final judgment.

In Revelation 11 the final judgment is mentioned only briefly. In Revelation 20:11-13 we find a more detailed description of the final judgment. John writes,

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done” (Revelation 20:11–13, ESV).

What Revelation 20:11-13 describes in some detail, Revelation 11:18 mentions only in passing.

For now simply notice that the beginning of Christ’s consummate reign and the day of judgment coincide. It will be on that day, when the Lord returns and begins to reign, that the dead will be judged according to what they had done.

Those Who Belong To Christ Will Be Rewarded

Three, notice it is on that day that those who belong to Christ will be rewarded.

Verse 18:“The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great…” (Revelation 11:18, ESV).

Did you know that Christians will be judged too?

They will not be judged in the same way that those not in Christ are judged. They will not stand before the great white throne of Revelation 20 to be judged according to what they had done. That judgment can only lead to damnation, for who could possibly stand though that judgment. No, the one trusting in Christ has their sins covered by Christ’s blood. He paid for their sins, and he has given them his righteousness. You, if you are trusting in Christ, will not be amongst the dead who are raised to stand before the great white throne to be judged there for you will already be alive in Christ. Your name is in the book of life!

Indeed, we should be comforted by the fact that we will not have to stand before the great white throne to judged unto damnation. Indeed we should rejoice that we will not be judged concerning whether we will go to eternal life or eternal death based upon what we have done in this life – none will stand! But I do believe that we should talk more about the judgment of Christians unto rewards. For it is a kind of judgment, isn’t it? For how can you possibly reward someone without making a judgment concerning their work?

Please don’t misunderstand. I am not saying that we will in any way contribute to our salvation. I am not saying that our obedience in this life will have anything to do with our eternal destiny. All of that comes down to the question, are you trusting in yourself or in Christ, in his righteousness, or your own?

But I am desiring to make this point: Christians will give an account. We will stand before God our Father and give an account for the deeds done in the flesh. This will be a Fatherly judgment, not unto condemnation (for there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1), but a judgment unto rewards, or the lack therefore.

This seems to be what Paul had in mind when he wrote these words to Corinthians:

“According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:10–15, ESV).

Friends, do not be one of these. Do not be the Christian who, though his faith be sincere and saving faith, his life be devoted to kings of little eternal value. Brothers and sisters, “do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19–20, ESV).

The Destroyers Of The Earth Will Be Destroyed

Four, notice that it is on that day that destroyers of the earth will be destroyed.

Look at the last line part of verse 18: “…and for destroying the destroyers of the earth” (Revelation 11:18, ESV).

Who are the “destroyers of the earth”? When we take into consideration the way that this phrase is used in the prophets, especially in Jeremiah and Daniel, and when we take into consideration what is depicted in the rest of the book of Revelation, we must come to the conclusion that the “destroyers of the earth” are the dragon, the beast, the false prophet and the harlot along with all of the men and women who follow them and do their bidding, but particularly the wicked kingdoms of this world. On that day God will destroy the destroyers. God’s wrath we be poured out upon those who lead astray the people and now are destroyed themselves.

The People Of God Will Enjoy The Fulness Of His Presence Forevermore 

Five, notice that it is on that day that the people of God will enjoy the fulness of his presence forevermore.

Look at verse 19: “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail” (Revelation 11:19, ESV).

The temple symbolizes God’s presence with his people. The ark of the covenant also symbolizes God’s presence with his people, particularly his covenantal faithfulness. This vision concludes with John seeing the temple opened before him and the ark of the covenant revealed. The meaning is clear. God is with his people now, and his presence will be enjoyed in a most immediate way on that last day.

Notice that John also saw “flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail” (Revelation 11:19, ESV). This scene appears repeatedly in the book of Revelation whenever the final judgment is in view. God will be comfort his people with his presence on that day, but he will judge his enemies.

Remember the Jericho story that stands behind the image of the seven trumpets? For seven days the people of Israel were to march around Jericho and seven priests were to blow seven trumpets and the walls of the city would fall flat and the city conquered. Here I simply wish to remind you of the central place the ark of the covenant played in that event. It was forever in the midst of God’s people – a comfort to them as a symbol of his presence and covenantal faithfulness, and a threat to the enemies of God.

Application

Let us take some time to apply these truths before we conclude.

The first point application is theological. I wonder if your eschatology is biblically sound. Does your view of the end square with what this passage teaches? I’m afraid that many in our day hold to a view that cannot square with it. Theirs are the infinitely complex charts that insert gaps of time in between the many things that are to happen on that last day. The scriptures teach that the last day will be a full day. On that day the Lord will return to raise the dead in Christ and to rescue through rapture those who are alive on earth enduring persecution. On that day the Lord will pour out his wrath upon the persecutors living upon the earth. On that day the dead will be raised and judged, and those in Christ will be rewarded. On that day the destroyers of the earth will be destroyed, On that day the kingdom of the earth will become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ. On tat day all will be come temple. The last day will be a full day. The pre-tribulational pre-millennialists are wrong to take these individual events and to spread them out over 1,007 years. Theirs is an umbilical system thrust upon the text of scripture, and often found crammed into the gaps. I’m urging you to abandon it if you have not already and to adopt instead the Amillennial position which I am in the process of the describing to you.

Secondly, in light of the final judgment I ask, have you taken refuge in Christ? On that last day you will stand clothed either in your own garb, or in the garb of Christ. Your garb and mine is filthy and sin stained. Christ’s garb is radiant white. Be clothed in his righteousness, friends. Repent and believe upon him. Confess him as Lord. Be washed by his blood.

Thirdly, I wonder if all of this teaching concerning the time of the end is having an effect upon the kind of person you are. The Apostle Peter had some things to say about the time of the end, and Peter also expected his teaching to have an effect upon his audience. He said, “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11, ESV).