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"He persecuted the woman"

Text: Revelation 12:13

THE PROTECTION THAT GOD GIVES

The dragon and his angels were soundly defeated. They had been cast out of heaven and confined to earth. In his wrath the dragon persecuted the woman. Thank God for His unfailing protection.

“Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth,
he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.
But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle,
that she might fly into the wilderness to her place,
where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time,
from the presence of the serpent.”
Revelation 12:13-14

1. The dragon’s plan.

a) He was angry that he and his angels had been driven out of heaven.

b) He took his anger out on the woman who had given birth to the Messiah.

c) He persecuted the woman severely.

2. The woman in reference.

a) This cannot be a reference to Mary.

b) There are no Biblical references to any special persecution of Mary at all.

3. Two wings of a great eagle.

a) This is an allusion to how God saved Israel (Exodus 19:4).

b) Modification was made to speak of “the woman” being given two wings of a great eagle.

4. This could only be a reference to Israel.

a) The Messiah came from Israel.

b) Israel had been chosen by the Lord to be His special people.

c) God had always protected Israel in His great grace and mercy.

d) The Lord would continue to grant special protection.

5. Nourished in the wilderness.

a) The Lord sustained Israel in the wilderness.

b) The Lord would sustain “the woman” (Israel) too.

c) For three and a half years, God would grant special protection from the presence of the serpent.