I would like to discuss Revelation 12 and cycles in scripture. Throughout scripture, God is repeating cycles.
Hebrews 10:1For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
The law is seen as a “shadow” of “good things to come”. The tabernacle on earth as well as persons in the Old Testament are also considered “shadows”, “examples”, or “types” of Christ. These show us the pattern of Jesus Christ who was to come.
Hebrews 8:4For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 5Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. 6But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Jesus Christ is the very image of the Heavenly. We are changed from glory to glory as Jesus Christ is revealed to us from Heaven.
Hebrews 1:1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
2 Corinthians 3:17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
One day, Jesus Christ will be clearly revealed at His return. God will take vengeance on those who do not know God with flaming fire. (Let’s recall from the last blog post that vial #7 at Final Armageddon is fire of wrath. Vial #7 of wrath will burn and destroy the enemies of God who attack the saints.) They will be punished with everlasting destruction. Yet, God will be glorified in His saints who seem so clearly and fully to reflect His glory by revelation of Him. God will be admired in all who believe.
2 Thessalonians 1:6Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
In scripture, we see “shadows”, “examples”, “types”, and “patterns” of God revealing Jesus Christ to His chosen people. These “shadows”, “examples”, “types”, and “patterns” of God revealing Jesus to the overcoming bride of Christ ~~ the church ~~ will continue in ever-increasing cycles of increasing glory. Finally, Jesus Christ will be fully revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels.
Regarding Revelation 12, this scripture specifically describes a people and an event that occurs during the 7 year period of the apocalypse.
Revelation 12:6The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.
This statement of timing, as well as the description of the kingdom of darkness arising on the earth during the last days, shows that this particular nation rises during the 7 year period of the end days.
Revelation 12:3Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads.
Daniel 7:20And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.21I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 22Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. 23Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. 25And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
I am going to “review” Revelation 12 within the 7 year period of the apocalypse. I will compare and contrast with Revelation 18 and other scripture. I clearly grant that the overcoming bride of Christ in Revelation 12 is a “type”, “pattern”, “example” of Mary (Matthew 1:18), Joseph (who had the dream of the sun, moon, and and eleven stars, Gen. 37:9), etc.
As stated previously, the same picture of the overcoming bride of Christ in Revelation 12 is “patterned” and “exemplified” throughout scripture as well as in the elect on earth. My position is that this same “pattern” exemplified of the overcoming covenant people of God in Revelation 12 will also be even repeated in a different manner “later”. For example, a time will come when the Lord Jesus Christ fully returns. At that time, believers will arise in bodily resurrection into new spiritual bodies (1 Cor. 15:48-57).
What we see in Revelation 12 takes place during the 7 year period of the apocalypse. This is a pattern of the revelation of Jesus Christ that has occurred prior to this event and shall later occur in greater power of revelation of Jesus at His return. Yet, the pattern is the same pattern “cycling” in increasing glory.
I will write about this people group as I perceive them in Revelation 12 and 18.
It is quite possible that the 7 year period of the apocalypse has already begun. I will detail that more in future posts. Events in Revelation 18 and 12 appear to happen as the abomination of desolation occurs in the middle of the 7 year period of the apocalypse (middle of the week Daniel 9:27).
Let’s continue to explore the Word of God regarding current events with a vision of the larger plan of God working throughout all time.
Grace.
Laura
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