TOPICS for CHAPTER 12

• Satan Thrown Down from Heaven, V:1-9

  The main drama in this portion is the CONFLICT between God and Satan (Satan is represented mostly as beasts.)

  This portion contains a variety of events, many totally outside of our life's experiences. Yet, the spiritual nature of these incidents do have a direct meaning upon each of us.

  A woman clothed with the sun appears, crying in pain to give birth to a child. An enormous RED DRAGON stands in front of her so that he may devour the child when it is born. She gives birth to a son, who is snatched up to God and to His Throne. The woman flees to the wilderness, to a place of protection prepared by God.

  There is war in heaven (for me, this is hard to imagine). The angel, Michael, and his angels fight against the dragon and his angels. The dragon, who is Satan, is thrown down to the earth.

  Are we living through this now? Was it in the past? What are your thoughts, study@ne1.com?

• Satan Persues the Woman, V:10-17

  This passage continues the events in the preceding segment. A song of victory and praise is sounded first by a loud voice in heaven.

  A loud voice in heaven calls upon its dwellers to rejoice! Why? Because the devil has been thrown down to earth. Martyrs in heaven overcame him by the Lamb's blood (Jesus' blood) and their testimony.

  But when he (the Devil) arrives on earth, he persecutes the woman and tries to devour her. She is swiftly helped to a safe place in the wilderness. Enraged, the devil is determined to make war with/against her offspring - BELIEVERS!