Commentary on the Book of

"Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: and he touched my mouth with it, and said, Lo, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin forgiven. And I heard the voice of Yahweh, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hearing you hear, but understand not; and seeing you see, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn again, and be healed. Then I said, Yahweh, how long? and he answered, Until cities be waste without inhabitant, and houses without man, and the land becomes utterly waste, and Yahweh has removed men far away, and the forsaken places are many in the middle of the land. And if there is yet a tenth in it, it also shall in turn be eaten up: as a terebinth, and as an oak, whose stock remains, when they are felled; so the holy seed is the stock of it." (Isaiah 6:1-13).

The holy Elohim, Yahweh, on a level three times holier than man can achieve, revealed Himself in vision to the prophet Isaiah in the passage we have just read. After seeing the vision, Isaiah immediately volunteers to serve Yahweh as His messenger. Yahweh cautions Isaiah concerning the manner in which the people will react to His message. Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel about two centuries later are also shown a similar insight into the human psyche. Yahweh additionally warns each of these prophets how the people will reject and malign His chosen servant, as has been stated in maxim, "If you don’t like the message, kill the messenger!"

Why do the Israelites seemingly out of hand reject these messages coming from the very throne of Yahweh? It is obvious that they have a different opinion about the stand Yahweh takes regarding what the prophet is preaching, as is also the case today. When we speak to various religious people, the sound doctrines we espouse are typically rejected virtually out of hand. This happens because the sound doctrines of the Bible appear to be so different than what people have been taught from their youth up.

When we explain the Word of Yahweh to people they frequently transpose meanings. A prime example of this mental oddity is the subject of which day is the weekly Sabbath. Usually Sunday is instantly transposed for the seventh-day Sabbath. People simply insert their own meanings for terms found in the Bible. The term Sabbath then becomes the "Chr-stian Sabbath," Sunday. Their own personal meanings or interpretations for these terms are applied to the text. Another example of this practice is the teaching of the Trinity, a doctrine which is never found in the Bible, but must be proof-texted. Possibly most people simply interpret a passage arbitrarily according to their preference, liking, or personal inclinations, rather than harmonizing the Biblical text from Genesis to Revelation.

Some of the groups that have tried to teach prophecy have largely misinterpreted the message of Revelation. It should be up to us to interpret this passage of chapter 12 strictly out of the Bible, and if we do, we shall clearly learn the will of Yahweh for His True Worshipers in the last days.

The book of Revelation bears the unmistakable characteristics of being a translated document. Although passed down to us in the Greek language (for the most part), scholars concede that its language is course, the grammar irregular, and not in the least scholarly or even proper. Some misunderstood passages can easily be explained when a Hebrew original document underlying the Greek text is accepted.

Let us begin reading with verse 1 of Revelation 12. A great sign was seen in heaven. This passage begins with a conjunction that reveals the Hebrew waw in the original text, which indicates that a new discourse is about to begin. The waw is usually translated "and." It is not good Greek grammar to use the conjunction (kai), with the frequency the waw appears in the Hebrew language.

"And a great sign was seen in heaven; a woman arrayed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." (Revelation 12:1). First of all we notice that the woman who appears is to serve as a sign, and that this sign appears in heaven.

Let us not get diverted by that description of a sign in heaven, because we also read back in Revelation 4:1-2. "After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, a voice as a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up here, and I will show you the things which must come to pass after this. Immediately I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne." The passage goes on to describe the things John saw in the Spirit in heaven: in other words, this was obviously a vision, and the Apostle John was not actually in heaven.

Likewise, in Revelation 12, John saw this sign, evidently in a vision of heaven. Yahweh is showing us these signs through this recorded description. He identifies what we shall understand of the prophecies of the Old Testament so that we can prepare ourselves for the events that will occur in the last days. The vision from heaven begins with the appearance of a woman dressed in distinctive garb.

We are told in Revelation 12:2, "And she was with child; and she cried out, travailing in birth, and in pain to be delivered." The phrase "the woman in travail" is used approximately 24 times in the sacred Scriptures. Let us consider several of them just to relate this term with these other symbols.

"Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she who travails has brought forth: then the residue of his brethren shall return to the children of Israel." (Micah 5:3). This passage employs the term residue in the associative field with the term "woman in travail." (Residue also relates to the term remnant.)

Yahshua the Messiah discussed this same subject in John chapter 16. "A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour has come: but when she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world. And you therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one takes away from you." (John 16:21-22).

Yahshua Messiah indicates that the time prior to His return will be the time of the woman in travail when he says, "I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice." Consequently, Yahshua is undoubtedly pointing to the time in which we are now living, because we are drawing close to His Second Coming.

Jeremiah chapters 30 to 34 constitute a five chapter segment that concentrates upon the last days, the latter times, the return of the captivity of the people of Israel. "For, lo, the days come, says Yahweh, that I will turn again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, says Yahweh; and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it." (Jeremiah 30:3). Jeremiah goes on to show how Yahweh will accomplish this purpose.

Now when we insert this secondary meaning in here, the passage reads, "in the trial she is pained to be delivered." This means that Yahweh’s judgment has befallen this woman. She is in the midst of the trial of Yahweh’s judgment.

Further in verse 3 of Revelation chapter 12, we encounter the following: "And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems." Verses 9 and 10 of this chapter clearly identifies the symbol of the dragon. "And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.…For the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuses them before our Elohim day and night." The dragon is none other than Satan the devil. He is the power behind the throne of the Beast in Revelation 13:1. "…And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns ten diadems, and upon his heads names of blasphemy." Satan is trying to get rid of the Names of Yahweh and Yahshua by substituting pagan idolatrous names for the true Messiah. His purpose is to withhold the key to salvation so no on can call upon the only Name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

In Revelation 12:5, we find written, "And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught away to Elohim, and to his throne." Many of the ch-rches that delve into prophecy claim that this symbol refers to Yahshua. They do so on the strength of the one who is predicted to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. We know this is Yahshua from the prophecy of Psalm 2.

However, when we turn to Isaiah 66:7-9, we discover that this passage in Revelation 12 is quoted from there almost verbatim. "Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? says Yahweh: Shall I that cause to bring forth shut the womb? says your Elohim." (Isaiah 66:7-9).

We should understand the term Zion in Isaiah’s prophecy to represent nominal religion. Before she actually goes into travail and judgment, she brings forth this man child. Yahweh has the power to protect this man child from being devoured by the Adversary. The man child is described here as A LAND AND A NATION. This nation is to rule all the nations of the world with a rod of iron.

Turn again to Revelation chapter 12, continuing to read with verse 7. "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going forth to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels." (Revelation 12:6-7).

This is almost a verbatim quote from Daniel chapter 12. "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who stands over the children of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to the same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." (Daniel 12:1).

As we scrutinize these passages we can determine the identity of Michael. "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes [#8269, sar (in the plural)], came to help me: and I remained there with the kings of Persia." (Daniel 10:13). Also, "But I will tell you that which is inscribed in the writing of truth: and there is no one who holds with me against you, but Michael your prince." (Daniel 10:21).

Now when we turn to and consider chapter 3 of Zechariah, our understanding grows. "And the angel of Yahweh protested to Yahshua, saying, In this manner says Yahweh of hosts: If you will walk in my ways, and if you will keep my charge, then you also shall judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you a place of access among these that stand by. Hear now, O Yahshua the high priest, you and your fellows that sit before you; for they are men that are a sign: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch." (Zechariah 3:6-8). Yahshua, is the high priest to whom the prophet speaks in this passage. Yahshua is here associated with the term branch (which means the Messiah), see Isaiah 11:1. Notice that Yahshua is the prince (#8269 in Strong’s concordance) a term associated with the Messiah in such prophecies as Isaiah 9:6 (Prince of Peace, Hebrew—Sar Shalom) and Daniel 9:25 (Messiah, the Prince).

Returning to Revelation 12:8-9, we read, "And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was CAST DOWN, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; HE WAS CAST DOWN TO THE EARTH, and HIS ANGELS WERE CAST DOWN WITH HIM."

The book of Revelation describes how the people will be worshiping demons in the last days. Notice first the passage of Revelation 9:20. "And the rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk." (Revelation 9:20). People will be worshiping demons because we are told in Revelation 12:9, that Satan will deceive the whole world, see 1 John 5:19.

People sometimes question concerning when the prophecy of Luke 10:18 will occur. "And he said to them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven." Turn to Revelation 2:5 for an explanation. "Remember therefore from where you are fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to you, and will move your lampstand out of its place, except you repent."

In Revelation chapter 11, let us observe the similarity between what we also read about in Revelation 12:10-12. "And the seventh angel sounded; and there followed great voices in heaven, and they said, The kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Yahweh, and of his Messiah: and he shall reign forever and ever.

"And the twenty-four elders, who sit before Yahweh on their thrones, fell upon their faces and worshiped Yahweh, saying, We give thanks, Oh Yahweh El Shaddai, who is and who was; because you have taken your great power, and did reign. And the nations were angry, and your wrath came, and the time of the dead to be judged, and the time to give their reward to your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear your name, the small and the great; and to destroy them that destroy the earth." (Revelation 11:15-18).

Then when we return to the book of Job we notice this phrase, "the small and the great" in Job 3:19. This book of Revelation is just a tremendous book! We might also be reminded that Revelation 12:10 is the middle verse in the book of Revelation. "…Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our Elohim, and the authority of his Messiah: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuses them before our Elohim day and night." The entire message of Revelation is summarized in this one verse. Satan seeks to undermine Yahweh’s authority but Yahweh’s power emerges supreme! And, His people are saved!

Compare this verse with others, to pursue Yahweh’s truth and proper interpretation. "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to myself." (Exodus 19:4). The pronouncement by Yahweh compares the Egyptians on the one hand and the Israelites on the other hand. What did Yahweh do to Israel? He brought them forth from Egypt through protecting them, but He severely judged Egypt and virtually destroyed this ancient world power.

Now the woman is given the two wings of a great eagle in Revelation 12:14. Let us consider the meaning of this description. "As an eagle that stirs up her nest, that flutters over her young, he spread abroad his wings, he took them, he bore them on his pinions. Yahweh alone led him, and there was no foreign el with him. He made him ride on the high places of the earth, and he ate the increase of the field; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock; butter of the herd, and milk of the flock, with the fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the finest of the wheat; and of the blood of grape you drank wine." (Deuteronomy 32:11-14). All of the good things of the earth were given to Israel. What a glorious picture!

In Revelation 12, we continue reading with verse 15. "And the serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth." (Revelation 12:15-16).

First, we have to understand that this river and stream are people and their false, idolatrous ideas and lifestyle. Read this interpretation in Isaiah chapter 57, "I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him that is far off and to him that is near, says Yahweh; and I will heal him. But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it cannot rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, says my Elohim, to the wicked." (Isaiah 57:19-20). "There is no peace, says Yahweh, to the wicked." (Isaiah 48:22).

What is described here is mankind who resemble a troubled, churning sea. Turn to Ezekiel chapter 38 where we will begin reading in verse 7. "Gomer, and all his hordes; the house of Togarmah in the utmost parts of the north, and all his hordes; even many peoples with you.

When we remain in context and continue into Revelation chapter 13, we clearly perceive why this passage appears in the Bible. The man child, the Assemblies of Yahweh, if we remain faithful, this remnant, that faithfully keeps all of the commandments of Yahweh and holds the testimony of Yahshua, has an assignment, a responsibility to fulfill in the chapters 11, 13, and 14. Over in chapter 15 these dedicated saints ultimately will stand on the sea of glass and they will receive their reward. "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that come off victorious from the beast, and from his image, and from the number of his name, standing by the sea of glass, having harps of Yahweh." This is the reason for Revelation chapter 12 being in the Bible. It encourages all sincere people to obey the commandments of the Scriptures.

"Here is the patience of the saints; They that keep the commandments of Yahweh, and the faith of Yahshua." (Revelation 14:12). This verse follows the passage where the third message with a great voice warns that if anyone worships the Beast or his image, he will be punished severely. In verse 11 in the phrase "the smoke of their torment," the term torment in the Greek text is basonos and it means judgment.

May Almighty Yahweh bless us as we study the sacred Scriptures. Let us not forget what the Word of Yahweh teaches us. We are rapidly moving toward the Second Coming of Yahshua, however long that will be. It may be soon, but we must still wait and do the will of Yahweh as He tells us to occupy until He comes (Luke 19:13 in the King James Version).

Let us not forget these encouraging prophecies which are meant to instruct and to stabilize us as members of the Assemblies of Yahweh. I trust that this study of the book of Revelation chapter 12 has done exactly that for you. May Yahweh bless you!

Editor’s Note: Since the method employed by the author is such a radical departure from that employed by other teachers of Bible prophecy, yet it is so simple and logical to interpret Scripture with other Scripture, the author recommends that you restudy this chapter several times to gain the full impact of what he has pointed out. Don’t just read this material, but study it very carefully so you will not forget it.

Join us in the next issue for more of this absorbing study of the book of Revelation.