Revelation 12:1-12

1Co 2:10

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Viewing earthly things from a spiritual and panoramic perspective, there isn't a better place to start than Revelation 12, with insight from Hebrews 12.

We can compare actual events witnessed in history on earth and carry on to the view and true from heaven to expand our understanding of the way things are, the way things were, and the way things will yet come to happen and endure to the end.

Having a lens for the book of Revelation as a panorama of things that were, things that are, and things that are yet to come is essential for understanding everything recorded in the book, and God's desire for releasing the vision and experience to John for our sakes, the unveiling of Jesus who is the ever living WORD of God, who is, who was and who is to come must necessarily include clarity from His perspective in all these regards.

I want to give an overview of Chapter 12 starting here, but before we go there, it needs to be considered that the first three chapters were begun by a specific visitation to heaven on that occasion (Rev 1:10), and beginning (Chapter 4:1-2) a visitation on that occasion as described, and while it may not be obviously noticeable how many visitations to heaven John experienced overall, we can distinguish by his account of at least these two, by the separate and unique description of initiation in each instance. The content following each occasion moves from the immediate necessity of specific validation and preservation of the 7 Churches in priesthood as Light givers on earth, to the second more broad scope of heavenly and global effects of Jesus manifest Kingdom and leadership over all humanity the heavens and the earth. The time between these two visitations is not clearly delineated creating some controversy about the date and or dates of which the "whole" book as we have it, was penned. We know that everything in these visitations contains information of what is, what was and what is to come, and is completely relevant to every generation.

I mention this because, the information in Revelation 12 as the Apostle John presents it is, as it were a book of revelation in itself and in uniquely parallel to the Apostle Paul's presentation of Hebrews 12, so that in the reading of both we can ascertain the certainty of the heavenly and earthly environment at present, and the process of change in both environments that occurred at the exaltation and enthronement of Jesus Christ in immortality, before you and I were born, with respect to which, we have no idea what it was like to be born into any previous generation for adequate comparison, or more especially to know by experience what kind of spiritual climate there was in any other, as in Job's generation where we have a depiction of Satan parading before the pre incarnate Christ in heaven in accusation against all humanity.

We must consider, the level of spiritual and physical violence foisted against Jesus Himself as He was in exercise of, and transition to, His Kingdom from heaven not by force of violence in the flesh, but by inheritance from His Father, conquering the violence of humanity against God in His own flesh, as He describes the initiation of transition through John's testimony and His own, berating the soulish and self preserving wisdom of Jewish leadership in a complete failure to acknowledge and honor Him, in Matt 11:12,13.

We can, with this record and our effectual new birth through faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who is ever living to make intercession for us, enjoy the present experience of God's justice in raising Jesus from the dead, by having the eyes of our understanding enlightened to know the Truth, and by receipt of His Holy Spirit through calling upon His name, and I trust as you are reading here the Lord will confirm the witness of Himself in your own heart to the Truth as given by the testimony of Jesus, and the witness of the Apostles, to your effectual transference from the domain of darkness to the new and present Kingdom of God's beloved Son, (Col 1:13) being exercised over all the earth from heaven right now, through the exaltation and presence of the Lamb in the immortal flesh of His glorious person enthroned there. Amen.

Revelation Chapter 12 is complete to the purpose of condensation of history leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ and to His ascension after His resurrection and events taking place in heaven as a result of His divine and Holy entrance and being seated there in the flesh.

In several places throughout the scriptures it is given for us to understand that even the angels of God are given to service of the leadership of Jesus Christ, we will see that in play as we progress through the Chapter.

The heavenly perspective:

Rev 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:

As it begins we see that a wonder "appeared in heaven", this alludes to Israel's redemption and secured seat of authority and placement in heaven through Jesus' resurrection and indicates that all who had believed in Him before His appearing, are now present with Him in Kingdom from heaven being witnessed as appearing there with Jesus, by John, ( and Paul, in Hebrews 12:22) this view is taken while we are engaged in the narrative of those events as they unfolded on earth, through a new witness of heavenly lens both before and after the fact in the wonder of their appearing there.

The woman is being viewed as one corporate body of Israel, who is clothed with the Light of Christ while her feet are on the moon, which depicts her Light as from heaven, creating a reflection of the same Light on the earth in her corporate expression of redemption through the expected person of Christ who was yet to come down from heaven through the virgin birth. She is crowned with His glory in Kingdom, each of the 12 tribes being a jewel in her crown like a shining star. Joseph's dream provides a point of scriptural reference for this kind of picture language being used, the Sun represented the Father, the moon represented the Mother, and the stars represented the offspring of 12 Brothers. Joseph himself though one of them, represented the person of Christ over all. Gen 37:9,10

The activity on earth:

Rev 12:2

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

While as yet, and before this point she had not been exalted to experiential and everlasting Kingdom and indeed could not become so, without the manifestation of Christ the Messiah in the flesh for it is He alone who exalts her in His Kingdom seating her with Him in heavenly places. We are observing that which affirms with great clarity of her pre incarnate position as she is groaning in pain to be delivered, and travailing, in crying out, to give birth, to bring forth the Messiah expected throughout their generations being pregnant with His WORD. More especially now since the virgin has conceived according to Isaiah 7:14.

The heavenly perspective again:

Rev 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.

Another "wonder in heaven", the dragon (Satan) for at this time of wonder, preceding the wonder of Israel's King, and her with Him in eternal exaltation to heaven, that is before Jesus' birth he (Satan) had not yet been cast down from heaven by the authority and command of Jesus, and not yet been completely dislodged from heaven by Jesus' ascension to power, and Kingdom, and dominion over all. However, this is the battle of his confusion as it was in the beginning when he thought by subverting humanity he could gain the preeminence over that which God had initiated in creation for the expression of His image and advancement of the Kingdom of His beloved Son, he, and they who desire preeminence in this world, did not perceive God's ultimate plan of redemption, to dwell with humanity in new creation by immortality first of the One and then by Him of the rest, nor did he, nor they, properly regard the language of the prophets in this declaration, 1 Cor 2:8.

The activity on earth:

Rev 12:4

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

In this instance there is at first a witness of Satan, through Herod against Christ in the form of jealous envy and use of violent force to kill Jesus in His infancy, by slaying all the 2 year old children born in the same time frame and region, and a foreshadow of the antichrist in a similar seat of power created again in the generation of the Lord's return at the end of the age to kill the two witness prophets and divide the Church by the predetermined confusion of the Jewish Religion, before swallowing up mortality all together and the final destruction of Satan and all the ungodly with him.

The dragon, (Satan) is being engaged in an earthly confrontation and conflict with accompanied confusion of angels falling from heaven with him by his leadership, and making his stand upon the earth in ready to seize the inheritance of Jesus if possible before He reaches an age of maturity by killing Him through Herod's edict and assembly. We see also in Jesus very dialogue revealing that the Jewish leaders were still motivated to this end, during His adult ministry in His parable. Matt 21:38

We see from the birth of Christ, forward, this increasing intensity and activity of Satan raging on the earth, vying by violence (Matt 11) for preeminence, and for the first time since the beginning in the Garden, the only man who can, has confronted him face to face on the earth, on behalf of God, in the obedience and inheritance of Christ, as witnessed immediately after Jesus' baptism, and throughout His ministry. We can observe the beginning of Satan's displacement also from access in heaven at that time in Luke 10:18.

The implication of Jesus' remark here is that as He was confronting Satan on the ground and his forces were being divided and conquered by binding him to the earthly realm and wrapping him up in the false theology of the Jewish leaders who sought redress by Herod in the past and the Antichrist in the future, rather than representation by Christ alone who is the exclusive messenger of God that came down from heaven.
Rev 20:1
The book of Revelation gives us a view of Spiritual events and the realities of Christ Jesus that were not reported from this vantage point before His ascension, to compare with earthly events of history and that which is yet to come by the same model of historic proofs and heavenly witness. Where else is there a view of His coming down from heaven as the pre existing Christ, the Angel of the Lord, the Gen 1:3 Light from the beginning and exclusive messenger of God? For even Daniel did not see His coming down from a heavenly vantage, but rather His incarnation as a stone cut without human hands, and His ascension as the Son of Man.

Rev 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.

Here is a condensation of the whole of Jesus' birth, through the virgin daughter of Israel, performance of His ministry exclusively among them, His death on the cross and 3 days visitation to hell, the confirmations of His resurrection for 40 days and the ascension with Him of those who had formerly been captive of death hell and the grave, (Matt 27:52) resulting in His ascension to the Throne in Heaven. Which occasion was the culmination of the fullness of Israel's time, in the engagement and scenario of His virgin birth. The manchild was born of the virgin woman, by the corporate anointing of Christ over Israel through the one virgin who conceived of the Holy Spirit, and the singular witness of John the baptist in conference with God being filled with the same Holy Spirit from his mother's womb, then decreasing after the baptism of Jesus, while the offspring of Christ is maintained as His corporate body on the earth by the outpouring of His Holy Spirit upon all flesh and His incorporation of the Church. The manchild of Israel, is exalted in His destiny to rule the nations with a rod of Iron from heaven. His WORD cannot be broken. The 2nd Psalm is in progress of action and manifestation here.

Galatians 4: 4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Rev 12:6

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

The diaspora is mentioned to close out this section of dialogue concerning the natural branch of Israel having been measured and numbered and preserved of God through the administration of Christ in person exalted to heaven. (Rev 11:2, that number is set by the ascension of Jesus and can be already known and counted, after His cleansing of hell and the grave, Matt 27:52 for they are presently preserved in His court. Heb 12:22, Those coming after are being added to the number of them, daily by opening the door of salvation to the gentiles through the Church to end of the age.)

The number of Abraham's children by sharing his faith in Jesus Christ, is salvation without number because the number is ever increasing of jew and gentile mingled. However the one and same woman who is the mother, and bride retains her purity by the virgin birth, so that her offspring of continuation is through Christ from heaven, in His body of believers called the Church, and since Israel is exalted in the New Jerusalem she is the same beloved of God, who continues with her feet on the moon, more especially even after after Jesus is born, resurrected and ascended, revealing the one virgin bride of Christ as having her first expression through Israel, and after Israel's glorification with Christ and by ruling and reigning with Him in exaltation she continues her earthly manifestation through the Church, on earth as He is in heaven, and so she depicts the earthly expression of bridal identity, both in historic Israel now exalted and in the Church who is remained to the end of all mortality. Isaiah 30:26 Now that Israel is exalted to the New Jerusalem her light is as 7 times brighter, (fullness of new creation shining in security of His immortality) and the moon (those that are alive and remain on the earth) shine brightly like the sun, being clothed with the Light of Christ in us the hope of Glory, and sustained to the end with a more sure WORD of prophecy. 2 Pet 1:16-21

So, after the birth and ascension of the man child, there is a sustained woman of faithful loyalty to the Lamb on earth, confirming those who have gone before of Israel as having been exalted with Christ to heaven, as we noted above in verse one depicted as the "wonder that appeared in heaven" she continues to represent with her feet on the moon, more especially even after Jesus is born, resurrected and ascended, revealing that the one and same virgin bride of Christ as having had her first expression of earthly reflection through nationalization of Israel, and there after of Her glorification with Christ exalted to heaven, in formation of the New Jerusalem, still continues in earthly manifestation through the incorporation of the Church, as the corporate body of Christ on earth representing Him on earth as He is presently in heaven, His radiant person shining through the Church from heaven. Eph 3:21

This verse ending gives us a good transition back to the beginning topic, with more revelation of the immediate and ever continued victory and effects in heaven at the ascendance of Jesus.

Rev 12:7	¶ And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
	Rev 12:8	And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
	Rev 12:9	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.
	Rev 12:10	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.

The view from heaven is initiated to give us insight on what happened as Jesus entered the Throne to occupy from Heaven and the total displacement of Satan and his angels from the 3rd heaven realm and the excitement of Heaven and the captives that had been heretofore contained in hell who had also ascended with Jesus, and the eternal nature of His leadership in intercession and all power and authority and every name mentioned whether in heaven or on the earth. Instead of the provocation of God and accusation against all humanity that had before existed in heaven by Satan, Jesus is enthroned and making intercession. Hebrews 12

Rev 12:11	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.
	Rev 12:12	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.

Verse 11-12 The testimony of every witness that is presently there ascended (Hebrews 12:1) and the key to every believer yet on earth where the limitation to Satan's activity is now confined, is hereby delineated, we overcome as they overcame, by the blood of the lamb, and the WORD of our testimony which is the Spirit of prophecy, and we spend and risk our lives in loyalty to Him to the like ascendance with them in death, and or the change to immortality at His appearing.

2 Peter 1:16-19 "We have been given a more sure WORD of prophecy".