In today’s episode, we explore the spiritual and cosmic struggles detailed in Revelation 12. The dialogue offers a profound insight into the battle between good and evil, and God’s ultimate plan for salvation. With compelling discussions on the Jewish roots of Christianity, this episode will enlighten your understanding of biblical narratives and encourage you to seek deeper truths in faith.
00:00:00 Origins of Christianity and Jewish Influence
I was astonished in speaking to a group of Italian Catholics in Austria because they’ve been brainwashed all of their life to believe that the Roman Catholic Church is Israel. A lot of Protestant denominations believe the same. But I said to them, I just want you to know that Christianity began… with Jewish blood. It was a Jewish church with Jewish leaders and Jewish Messiah and a Jewish Bible. I said they had to have a church council to even let any Gentiles in. That did not bless the priests.
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Thank you.
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Flames rip across heaven. The cosmos shakes. The sound of war erupts like thunder colliding with lightning. Michael and his angels charge forward, a storm of pure fire. The dragon howls his wings like shadows that cover the sky. He strikes, falls back. He strikes again. The battle rages and heaven resounds with a clash of armies. And then… a shout, a decree. The accuser is cast down. No more access to heaven. His time is short. His wrath is great. And the earth becomes his prison. This is Hope for Today with Bible teacher David Hawking. And on today’s program, David takes us back to Revelation chapter 12 for day two of his message, Satan’s War, where the dragon is thrown down and the people of God overcome by the blood of the Lamb. First, for some encouragement for our day and time, go to our website for the daily devotional, Meditations in the Psalms. Again, it’s our online devotional through the book of Psalms, each devotional written by David. And you can find it on the homepage at davidhawking.org. Meditations in the Psalms. You know, as we come to the close of this month, we need your help. Summer always brings a slump in giving, but the cost of keeping this program on the air, that doesn’t stop. So would you prayerfully consider giving a special gift today? Your gift right now will be very strategic to help us finish the month of September strong. You can give online at davidhawking.org or call us at 1-800-75-BIBLE, that’s in the U.S., or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada, Bible by the numbers 24253. And here’s David.
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Well, it is a war. Revelation 12, verse 7. It’s Satan’s war. Whether we like it or not, what’s behind all the political maneuverings and military schemes of this world is our diabolical enemy, Satan, the devil himself. Let’s pick it up at verse 7. There was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not. Neither was their place found anymore in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the devil and Satan, who deceiveth the whole world. He was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now has come salvation and strength in the kingdom of our God and the power of his Messiah Christ. For the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they love not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! For the devil has come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” When the dragon saw that he was cast under the earth, he persecuted the woman who brought forth the male child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time. Hebrew idiom for three and a half years. From the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water like a flood after the woman that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was angry with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. There’s going to be a godly remnant. It’s what it says, the seed of the woman. Let’s pray. Lord, please help us. Help us, Lord, to understand the seriousness of our times. There are so many who hear world events and know what the Bible says and continue to doubt and question. Lord, we see the rapid movement in our world preparing us for the end. And there’s sadness in us as we think of the suffering that will come to many, but there is also joy in us as we remember that soon the Messiah will come. We know the only hope of this world is for leaders to seek the Lord and the people to seek the Lord. May those in our audience cry out to God and seek the Lord before it’s too late. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. In verses 7 to 9 we read about the struggle in heaven. And I’d like to point out three things as to what it describes. One, a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Secondly, it also describes the failure of satanic forces to overcome the purposes and plans of God. They not only lost, they were cast out. Neither was their place found anymore in heaven. Verse 9, he was cast out into the earth and his angels were cast out with him. So it describes the failure of satanic forces to overcome the purposes and plans of God. The third thing that I would mention is that it describes the struggle in heaven, also describes the fall of Satan and his angels. The struggle in heaven is presented to us in verse 7 to 9, but in verses 10 to 12 we have the secret of victory over the devil. And it’s based on at least three things. One, it’s based on the coming of the Messianic kingdom. Look at that. That is the secret of victory right there. Not only that, but it’s based on the cleansing that only the blood of the Messiah can bring. Look at verse 11. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. Don’t give the devil even a foothold of operation, but flee to the cross of Jesus Christ. It’s our only hope. But third, it’s also based on God’s control of Satan and his wrath. The secret of victory lies in God’s control, not in man’s control or any political maneuverings of world leaders. And we talked about the struggle in heaven in verse 7 and 9 and the secret of victory over the devil in verses 10 to 12. But in the last few verses, 13 to 17, we see the suffering of the Jewish people. The suffering of of the Jewish people. By the way, I was astonished in speaking to a group of Italian Catholics at the castle in Austria. I was astonished at their total ignorance of anything Jewish. I had a hard time explaining to them words like kosher, what it even means. They’d never heard of it before. Just the whole issue of Israel, because they’d been brainwashed all of their life to believe that the Roman Catholic Church is Israel. And by the way, a lot of Protestant denominations believe the same, whether you know it or not. All the views of amillennialists and covenant theologians are right in that category. And I know there’s a lot of well-meaning people and sincere, but the Bible speaks about the Jews, the Gentiles, and the church of God. In 1 Corinthians chapter 10, the Bible’s very clear about that. And I was just astonished by their total ignorance and of the whole issue of Jews. I said in one of the meetings, you know, funny, they had me teaching Hebrews written to Jewish people. They seemed surprised. I mean, it’s in the title. It’s hard to believe. But when you look at this whole thing, I said to them publicly, I said, I just want you to know that Christianity began… with Jewish blood. It was a Jewish church with Jewish leaders and Jewish Messiah and a Jewish Bible. I said they had to have a church council to even let any Gentiles in. That did not bless the priest. Not at all. He saw it totally different. He saw the church beginning in Rome. He said, no, it’s Rome. No, it’s not. It’s Jerusalem. Man. You know, it’s hard to be sweetly firm. especially when you’re staring heresy in the face. But can you imagine what Jewish people really feel listening to all that? It’s like saying you don’t exist. And they’ve had to suffer. And unfortunately, in the name of the cross. As Christians throughout the centuries have persecuted the Jewish people, the very people we should be loving and blessing. Salvation is first to the Jew, it says. The gospel, we’re not ashamed of it, because it’s the power of God and the salvation of everyone who believes. To the Jew first, and then to the Gentile. Well, we’ve sure turned that around. Now we’re serving ham at the church picnic. Please think about that. Some of you are listening to that and saying, what’s wrong with Ham in Jerusalem? I’d like to point out three things to you about this terrible suffering of the Jewish people. I don’t like to talk about this. I really don’t. I know it’s in the Word of God. I mean, I love to preach the Bible. Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I’m saying that the content of what I’m preaching now causes you a little funny feeling inside. I don’t want any of my dear Jewish people to suffer ever again. Notice, first of all, that the persecution seems connected to the Messiah. Isn’t this interesting? Verse 13, when the dragon saw that he was cast under the earth, he persecuted the woman who brought forth the man-child, brought forth the Messiah. The woman represents the nation of Israel, and his primary reason is she brought forth the Messiah. But notice, secondly, the protection of God that’s going to be given to the Jewish people. This is a beautiful part of this in verses 14 to 16. It mentions the eagle. The woman was given two wings of a great eagle. Turn to Exodus chapter 19. I think this is well worth our attention. Exodus chapter 19, verse 4. I think it’s one of the most beautiful statements in the entire Bible. Exodus 19.4. Talk about God’s love and God’s care for the people of Israel. Exodus 19.4. God said, Isn’t that beautiful? The beauty of the Lord’s care and protection. Isn’t that great what that says? I brought you unto myself. The Lord is our refuge. The eternal God is our refuge. And underneath are the everlasting arms. Go to Deuteronomy chapter 32. Deuteronomy chapter 32. Another interesting little comparison scripture to what is said in Revelation 12 about bearing the people of Israel on eagle’s wings to a place where God can protect them from the persecution. In Deuteronomy chapter 32 and verse 11 and 12. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings, so the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange God with him. What a beautiful statement. God, again, describes himself as an eagle. In verse 9, he says, the Lord’s portion is his people. Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste, howling wilderness, he led him about. He instructed him. He kept him as the apple of his eye, the pupil. He sees the world through Israel. And as an eagle stirreth up her nests, and fluttereth her wings, and beareth on her wings, so the Lord alone did lead him. Isn’t that great? What a wonderful Savior we have. Back to Revelation 12, the eagle of God’s protection. And he takes them, the Bible says, into the wilderness. Daniel 11, 41 said the same thing. The wilderness, the country of Moab and Edom and perhaps the rock city of Petra or somewhere else in that vast Judean wilderness, God’s prepared a place to take care of his people. And the extent of that protection is stated to be time, times, and half a time. and from the face of the serpent. God’s going to protect them from the devil’s desire to wipe out the entire nation. And that’s what Daniel 7.25, Daniel 12.7, it speaks about God’s care of Israel. Time, times, and half a time, three and a half years, the last half of the tribulation, when Israel’s going to be persecuted like no other time. But God’s going to take a remnant of his people who’ve been faithful to him. It’s interesting, isn’t it, what Revelation 12 says in the last part of verse 17. The remnant who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. You say, wait a minute. You mean there are going to be Jewish people in the tribulation period who had become believers that Jesus is the Messiah. That’s what it says. That’s what it says. So I get kind of excited about that. And he gives us just one example of God’s protection. He says, he swallowed up the flood, which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Just swallowed it up. I can think of a lot of examples, can’t you? How about Exodus 15? Pharaoh and all his chariots destroyed. Hey, God can do anything. I love that story when Moses comes. Oh. One of the greatest leaders of all time, but a very meek man, the Bible said. But I love this dramatic scene at the Red Sea. He’s backed up to the Red Sea. Pharaoh and his army’s coming. He’s got the children of Israel out there. And he raised that rod to heaven and says, Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Boy, great message, except that wasn’t the one God wanted. God wanted him to keep moving. But there’s the Red Sea there. Stand still and see what God’s going to do. God said, Moses, get going. Now, this is David. This is not clear in the Bible. This is only my conjecture. I just want you to think about it. In the light of the context, I do not believe that that water parted until he put his little twinkie in it, his toe. I don’t believe until he stepped into the water did it part. I think God made him come all the way up. Yeah, come on, everybody. Can’t you just see him at the water? God, if you ever did anything, do it now. When God says go, he means go. There may be somebody back there on a limb sawing it off, you know, but hey, we need to trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and not to lean to our own understanding. But you know, there were a lot of times when God rescued his people, told them that, hey, the floods will never wipe you out. God’s going to take care of you. And here’s a definite example. But it seems to me we also have to say in conclusion to this chapter that the purposes of Satan are clearly revealed, aren’t they? Clearly revealed. In verse 15, he’s trying to kill the woman. Verse 17, he’s angry with the woman. He tries to make war with the remnant of her seed who are faithful to the Lord, whoever this remnant is. His anger against those who become believers. He hates the Messiah and hates all of the Messiah followers. And that’s the message of Revelation about the enemy. His purposes are clear. He hates the believer. He’s like a roaring lion, Peter said, going about seeking whom he may devour. He wants to destroy us and defeat us and to keep us from commitment to Christ. And you may know that you need to believe in the Messiah or it’s going to be curtains for you one day. You know you need to turn to the Lord and to seek the Lord with all your heart. But you are wrestling inside terribly. My friend, the enemy is going to cause you to say, you know, I really need to think about this. The Bible says now is the accepted time and now is the day of salvation. You don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring. Let’s pray. We’re all very much aware that we’re living in critical times and desperately, desperately in need of seeking the Lord while he may be found. God, you know how many people listening right now are not sure that if they died now, they’d be in heaven. Are not sure that if the Messiah would come, they’d be ready to meet him. Both Jew and Gentile, we stand in need. Our world’s in a crisis. Our leaders are confused. And we need to know that Messiah is the only hope. God, I pray that you’d move by your Holy Spirit into the hearts of all of us. Some of us have been ignoring you, running away from you, trying to hide from you. Oh, God, move by your Holy Spirit on our hearts that we would turn to the Lord before it’s too late. Thank you, Lord, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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A lot of people ask us about our objectives as a radio broadcast. Well, one of the great objectives is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Savior. We get a letter or a call from people who have heard the broadcast and have heard we’re interested in not only in their growth in the Word of God if they’re believers, but if they don’t really know the Lord, we want to communicate with them as well. We believe in repentance. That’s getting right with God and confessing our sin. The Bible teaches repent and believe the gospel. And a lot of times people want a ticket to heaven without getting right with the Lord. That’s not the way to do it. let’s come clean with God. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Folks, we need to do it the way the Bible says it. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. But Peter also told us on the And he said it a few days later, repent and be converted. It’s very important to get right with the Lord by acknowledging our sin. Well, God bless you.
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That’s David Hawking, and this is Hope for Today. And friend, if you’d like some free materials, a booklet by David called What is Christianity? and a Bible study by mail, these are free if you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you’re not yet a Christian, or if you’re new to the Christian faith. Call us at 1-800-75-BIBLE, that’s in the U.S., or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada, and we’ll send these materials your way. And once again, these are resources for new believers or those who, they’re not yet a Christian, but want to know more about what it means to follow Jesus Christ. And before David closes us out, Matt’s here. And together we have something very special for you. Matt?
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When we talk about Old Testament prophecy, we have to include Zechariah. This book is packed with exciting and powerful prophetic details about the first and second comings of our Lord, God’s mercy, judgment and restoration of Israel, judgment on Israel’s enemies, end times events, and more.
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Matt, just consider the prophecies here. Zechariah 9.9 predicts, Rejoice greatly, daughter Zion. Shout, daughter of Jerusalem. See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt. the foal of a donkey. This verse, as you know, is a powerful prophecy of the Messiah’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, fulfilled in Jesus’s earthly ministry.
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And Visions of the Future was written to help believers study Zechariah for wisdom, confidence in prophecy, hope and repentance, and the future for believers.
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Well, this month, we’re again featuring Visions of the Future by David Hawking. This is your dad’s study of Zechariah for $15. When you purchase, preferably consider adding a donation. Your donation will help us continue the work of Hope for Today. Or perhaps send a contribution by itself. And consider becoming a regular monthly giver.
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And as always, please faithfully pray for Hope for Today. Amen.
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Order your copy of Visions of the Future by calling 800-75-BIBLE. That’s in the U.S. Or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. Bible by the numbers. Once again, that’s 24253. You can also order and give safely at davidhawking.org, davidhawking.org. And friend, as you’ve heard us say before, you know, summer, it’s just always a tough season for ministries. Families travel, schedules change, people are busy with summer activities. When that happens, donations often drop. But the expenses, the expenses of keeping a ministry strong, they don’t take a vacation. Broadcast time still needs to be paid, resources need to be printed. The website has to be maintained, and so forth and so on. And the gospel, we want it to still go forward, unchanged and unapologetic. Believers need to be encouraged. That’s what we’re all about. Your gift right now is so important, and you can give by calling 800-75-BIBLE. That’s in the U.S., or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. If you prefer to give by mail, you can do that by writing to Hope for Today, Box 3927, Tustin, California, 92781. That’s in the U.S. In Canada, write to Hope for Today, Box 15011, RPO, Seven Oaks, Abbotsford, B.C., V2S 8P1. Or call us again in the U.S., 875-BIBLE, and in Canada, 888-75-BIBLE. And of course, you can give securely online at davidhawking.org. Let’s get back to David for his closing thoughts.
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Well, thanks for listening, folks, to our broadcast. And we’ve been in chapter 12. We’re told that the devil, who was kicked out of heaven, and we learned earlier, is going to come down to the earth and has great wrath, knowing that he has a limited time. And the dragon is going to persecute the woman who brought forth the Messiah. And it talks about how God’s going to protect and care for Israel in the wilderness somewhere and be nourished for the last half of the tribulation and nourish from the face of the serpent. He casts out of his mouth a flood, as you know, and is trying to drown the woman. But God opens up the earth and and swallows up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And you talk about anger. Now it says the dragon was wroth with the woman, went to make war with the remnant of her seed. That’s Israel. which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ our Lord. Wow, what a terrific chapter it is. Revelation chapter 12. And if you have any special questions, you can send them to us at DavidHocking.org. We will be happy to try to answer them on the radio. God bless you, and thanks for listening.
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Well, next time on Hope for Today, we dig into our archive of question-and-answer programs for David’s answers to many of your listener questions. So join us then, right here on Hope for Today.
