03.17. Lesson 17
Lesson 17:Read Revelation 12:1-17, Revelation 13:1-18, Revelation 14:1-20, Revelation 15:1-4 once, then Revelation 12:1-17 alone at least two additional times, without referring to notes or commentaries. Most students of Revelation agree that Revelation 12:1-17 begins a new section (though some would begin the section with Revelation 11:19, and others end it with Revelation 14:20).
(1) Think about the chapter as a whole. What images here must be symbolic? Are there any that are possibly literal?
(2) Who does the child represent? How do you know (see Psalms 2:7-10)? Who does the dragon represent? How do you know? Consider also Ezekiel 29:1-7; Ezekiel 32:1-10, noting that in the LXX, the word translated "monster" in Ezekiel 29:3 and Ezekiel 32:2 is dra,kwn, the same word translated "dragon" in Revelation 12:1-17.
(3) The woman is harder to interpret. Who or what might the woman represent? List her characteristics as described in this chapter. Don’t forget Revelation 12:17. See Genesis 37:9-11, Romans 9:1-8, Galatians 4:26-28. Given these Scriptures and the characteristics of the woman, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the different possible interpretations?
(4) How would you describe the wilderness or desert described in Revelation 12:6 and Revelation 12:14? Try to put yourself in the position of someone hearing this in 95AD, who is familiar with the Old Testament. See, for example, Exodus 16:10-12 and 1 Kings 19:1-8.
(5) Consider the battle between Michael and Satan. Note that this may, but need not, follow the events of Revelation 12:1-6 chronologically. For other references to Michael, see Daniel 10:13; Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1, and Jude 1:9. What does Satan’s being thrown down represent? These verses may or may not help: Job 1:1-22; Job 2:1-13, Zechariah 3:1-2, Matthew 28:18, John 12:31; John 16:11, Hebrews 2:14, 1 John 3:8. Is this the same event or something different from what Jesus describes in Luke 10:18?
(6) In Revelation 12:11, who has conquered? By what means? What are the implications for us today? See John 12:25. What Greek word is translated “conquered”? Where have we seen that word before?
(7) Consider Revelation 12:13-16. Look at Exodus 19:3-6, Deuteronomy 32:9-13, Isaiah 40:27-31. Recall the images used in Ezekiel 29:1-21; Ezekiel 32:1-32, which we looked at in question 2. How does this section speak to us today? What is Satan able to do to the woman and her "other offspring" (Revelation 12:17)? What is he not able to do? Recall our discussion of the witnesses in Revelation 11:1-19.
Now read Stedman chapter 18 as well as Wilcock pages 110-122. Stedman is particularly good when discussing the application of verse 11 to us today (p. 237f). In this section of Wilcock, he includes a look back at the structure of Revelation to this point; this is another key section for understanding his arguments for the way Revelation should be interpreted. Revise your answers, if necessary, in light of the insights of these two commentators.