The Male Child (Jesus): (12:5-6): The Lord Jesus Christ was incarnated as a child born in the family of David. He was both ways a royal descendant of David as both His mother Mary and father Joseph were the descendants of David. His birth fulfilled the prophecy (Isa. 7:14, 9:6; Micah 5:2). As the vision says: the child was taken up to God, Satan was undaunted in his efforts and go all out to destroy the Jewish people, so that the nation cannot be saved as the Bible promises (Zech. 12:10-13, Rom. 11:25-27). He will seek to kill the believing Jews so that none might enter into the millennial kingdom. But the Apostle John in his vision sees that “the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for 3 ½ years (1260 days). God will frustrate Satan’s attempt to destroy Israel during the tribulation by hiding His people (Matt. 24:15-21). Some scholars say that the place would be “Petra” a city in the wilderness but well secured.
The war in Heaven (12:7-12):
There has been war in heaven since the fall of Satan (Isa. 14:12-14; Eze/ 28:11-18). But the future war is between Michael and his angels with Satan and his fallen angels.
When Jesus Christ died on the cross, it meant Satan’s ultimate defeat (Jn.12:31-33). Again Satan will one day be cast out of heaven (Rev. 12:7-10), and then finally into hell (Rev. 20:10). But the future celestial war is significant because the arch angel Michael led by other God’s angels wins the battle. Michael is identified with the nation Israel (Dan.10:10-21; 12:1; Jude 9). The name Michael means “who is like God?” and this certainly parallels Satan’s egocentric attack on Jehovah “I will be like the Most High” (Isa. 14:14). Apparently, the devil’s hatred for Israel will spur him to make one final assault against the throne of God, but he will be defeated by Michael and a heavenly host.
Rewards for believers and Saints:
After the church is taken to heaven, believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and have their works examined. On the basis of this judgment, rewards will be given (Rom. 14:10-12; 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:10-11). It seems likely that Satan will be present at this event and will accuse the saints, pointing out all the “spots and wrinkles” in the church (Eph. 5:24-27).
After the defeat of the Satan and his angels, they will be evicted from heaven and cast down to earth.
The defeat of Satan and his force will trigger a mighty outburst of praise. The collective voice refer to the humans, the glorified saints in heaven. They start rejoicing that Salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of Christ have come. They offer praise because of events on earth where their brethren overcame Satan. It is only through God’s power that any believer in any age can defeat Satan. The reasons for praise of the Saints in heaven:
- God’s authority has been established by evicting completely Satan and his followers from heaven. The authority of Christ has come.
At that time, Satan goes all out to explode its fury against the nation Israel and 1,44,000 people. This event possibly occurs just after the rapture of the Church but certainly not later than the midpoint of the tribulation. Now Satan and his forces have only a limited time (about 3 ½ years). During the last 3 ½ years, Satan’s full power will be directed at anyone belonging to God, especially Israel.