Revelation 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

This woman was Faithful Israel. She consisted of Hebrews like Abraham, David, Simeon, and Joseph who believed God. She was also composed of Gentiles like the Moabitess, Ruth and Jericho's harlot, Rahab, who by faith joined true Israel. Their faith linked with Mary's and blessed the seed of Adam. The faith of God's true Israel brought forth God's greatest promise -- the Messiah. The Gentile's inclusion into God's Israel underscores one truth. Faith is more important than blood line or flesh.

The symbols around Revelation's woman perfectly match the symbols of Joseph's dream. Thus we call this woman Faithful Israel, the true and lasting Israel of God. Israel's children were only blessed when found in faith and will only continue to be blessed through faith. Gentiles and Jews alike are included in Abraham's line when faith is in operation! This is in full agreement with the Old Covenant! Faith is God's only eternal covenant that brings Salvation and God's promise.

Rev. 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

Micah 5:2-3 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.

Reading Micah 5:2-3, in the light of Revelation 12:2, brings fresh insight to this "Christmas" prophecy. Most of Israel was a faltering lot when Jesus came. The Jews were following a perverted form of their religion concocted in Babylon, called the Talmud. Jesus condemned this false imitation because it nullified the true religion of Israel. (Mark 7:13)

In Revelation 12 the woman we call Faithful Israel exercised here faith and brought forth Jesus the Messiah. Once Messiah appeared, Israel's lost remnant began to return to God. Many Jews gladly believed on Jesus and came from all around to hear Jesus and his disciples. (Acts 4:16, 32, 14:1) At last, the Gospel went everywhere! This Good News was also heard and received by a remnant of the lost or deported tribes of Israel. (Acts 26:7, James 1:1)

The Gentiles received the Gospel as prophesied and became one in the family of God. They were inducted into the woman Faithful Israel. This was the same woman that had previously brought forth the man child Jesus. Now, this woman was taking on her new name that Jesus himself gave -- the Church.

To become a part of Faithful Israel you must receive the God of Israel. To be included is to have the testimony of Jesus. (Rev. 12:17) This agrees with Joel's message of, "...whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Being part of true Israel is only found in Jesus Christ. Fleshly Israel will only be restored in Jesus Christ. Jew and Gentile alike enjoy the benefits as one people in him. To take another view of this is to deny the Gospel !

Caution! Deadly Danger! We now clearly understand our identity as part of the commonwealth of Israel. Therefore, don't be taken captive by legalistic Judaizers who teach the law assures Salvation and as an Israelite you must live under law. This is deadly legalism and will spoil your Salvation! Faith in Jesus is our only hope of Salvation. Remember the law is forever and is forever only fulfilled in Jesus Christ! (Romans 8:3-5)

The Reformers firmly believed faithful Israel was extant in the Church. Evidence of this belief is seen all throughout their writings. Lacunza the Jesuit disagreed and argued for a distinct separation of the two. This separation was one of his major themes. He strongly contended for a fleshly Jewish restoration and maintained that the Church had no part in that renewal. Why was Lacunza denying the long held unity of faithful Israel and the Church? Was Lacunza a diligent Bible scholar or a man with a mission? Why would a Jesuit attempt to assign so many blessings to the unbelieving Jews? Hadn't the Jesuits been among their worst persecutors in Europe? Perhaps a more pressing issue had arisen.

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Rome was seeking to disarm the Reformation. If the Protestant believer was devalued and striped of his priesthood, he might turn again to an earthy Roman priest. As long as people understood they were kings and priests in God they were free men.

"And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel." (Exodus 19:6)

"And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." (Revelation 5:10)

Who rightfully possesses the blessings of Abraham? Who will be a kingdom of priests unto the nations? Rome says the Pope possesses and assigns the gifts of God. Lacunza says fleshly Israel inherited the blessings of Abraham. The Reformers declared the believer enjoys both! Christ is the promised blessing of Abraham and we may reach out and receive Him though faith! All of the blessing of Abraham and all of the gifts of God become ours through Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:14)

Revelation 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

The man child is Jesus, whom the Devil tried to destroy at birth. Jesus takes his seat at the right hand of God.

Revelation 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, (the fallen angels) and did cast them to the earth...

This dragon is naturally symbolic of Satan, but his numerous heads, etc. give him a second significance. He is symbolic of Satan inhabiting heathen Rome. There, the Babylonian religion was honed to a sharp edge as the Romans served the Mythological gods.

8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come Salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Because of the Cross, Satan is cast out of his high and heavenly abode. Jesus said, "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." (John 12:31) Through Christ's triumph, men have obtained Salvation and the Devil has been brought down in defeat.

Although Satan is defeated, he still wants to fight. He now walks upon the earth and there continues the fight. Our job is to extend Jesus' heavenly victory among the nations. We have many mighty weapons to accomplish this task and shall tread down our enemy.

Jesus has given us the Gospel of the Kingdom to set men free. The blood of the lamb cleanses from sin as God's Spirit of power converts the heart. Satan fights to destroy the witness of God's messengers but shall at last be defeated. The Good News of the Kingdom shall win the day!

A long lived being like Satan considers the time since Calvary to be very brief. Therefore, he is doing his best to carry out his mischief. He knows Jesus will return and end his day of slaughter. Until Jesus comes, we must put on our armor and meet the foe!

Woe to the ... Earth

Because of the victory of the Cross, Satan as antichrist was cast down to the earth. Thus, an unparalleled age of testing began for God's elect. We now find ourselves in the unique and long tribulation of prophecy. {Soon to reach 2000 years} The catching away of the saints will end that long period of testing.

Consider the physical contrast between those under the law and under grace.

1. Under the Old Covenant, God's people were physically protected while they lived righteously. When Israel turned from God they were physically punished. What could be simpler?

2. New Covenant people are given mighty spiritual power but are warned of sure physical persecution and tribulation. Their trouble comes as a direct consequence of Satan's hatred. New Testament Christians are not given a physical kingdom but look for the eternal reward.

The reason for this discrepancy is that Satan was cast down to earth through the Cross! When that happened the heavens were opened in full spiritual power but the earth became a great battlefield. Remember, we are promised both spiritual victory and a physical struggle. Jesus always taught both principals. Christians from every century will form the unnumbered multitude that comes out of great tribulation. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man..." (1 Cor. 10:13)

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