The Israelite people have a prominent place in God’s Plan for human history. The Bible gives a lot of space to their early days, their first settlement into the Land promised to their forefathers, then their Dispersion, first of the Northern ten tribes: referred to as the House of Israel and 135 years later the House of Judah. Judah, the Jewish people, has remained as a visible entity, but Israel was scattered among the nations, Deutonomy 4:27-28 They are now represented as the Christian peoples. Romans 9:6 Then there are many prophesies that talk of their redemption, rejoining and resettlement into the new country of Beulah. Isaiah 62:1-5
According to the Bible, Satan has a deep hatred of Israel and has tried by many means to destroy them. God has never allowed this to happen and although the Jewish people have suffered severe persecutions, they are now in control of part of the Land. The other ten tribes of Israel will join them as so clearly prophesied in Ezekiel 37:15-27, Isaiah 11:11-12, Jeremiah 50:4
Revelation 12:1-6, gives details about how this new nation of Israelites will survive during Satan’s time of control of the worlds peoples; the Great Tribulation. The nation is represented by a woman with a special child, who is none other than the Messiah Himself.
The Sign of the Woman; The Bible often uses the symbol of a woman to demonstrate a religious system, e.g. Jezebel and the ‘great harlot’ of Rev 17. Likewise, Israel is described as the ‘wife’ of the Lord, one who separated herself, but will once again be remarried to Him. Rev. 12:1 Says that this woman is ‘a great sign in heaven’ . This may be construed as an astrological sign of star formations and planetary alignments and maybe the time will come for us to see it.
Unusual attempts have been made to identify this woman. The Roman Catholic Church says that she represents Virgin Mary. Mary Baker Eddy claimed that she was that woman and the child was the religion of Christian Science. However, the description of the sun, moon and stars, is a clear reference to the dream of Joseph. Genesis 37:9-11 So the ‘woman’ represents the twelve tribes of Israel and her ‘child’ is Jesus, ‘caught up to the Throne of God’, at His ascension in 33AD.
Revelation 12:7-9 Satan is thrown down to earth. This happens at the mid point of the 70th week of Daniel – the commencement of the great Tribulation period of 3½ years.
Revelation 12:13-16 Satan goes to persecute Israel, but those in the Land who have kept faithful, will be ‘given the wings of the great eagle’ , Exodus 19:4, to escape to a place prepared by God and they are protected there for 1260 days. Zechariah 14:2b Satan sends a ‘flood’, Psalm 32:6-7, a way of describing a task force, to destroy them, but God causes the earth to swallow them up. Numbers 16:31-33 Satan then goes to persecute all those non Israelite peoples who ‘keep God’s commandments and maintain their witness to Jesus.’’ Those faithful Christian Israelites who are placed in safety, will be gathered again at the Return. Matthew 24:31
Revelation 14:6-7 An angel proclaims the Gospel. These verses are straight after the commissioning of the 144,000 and are an allegorical way of saying how it is those people who spread the Good News. A flying angel is hardly a suitable way to give any message, people would be terrified or simply hide from it. Fear God and pay Him homage for the hour of His judgement has come. Worship Him who made all things. The 144,000 will proclaim the coming Kingdom in the same way as described in Luke 10:1-12
Much of today’s preaching falls short for two reasons. First, the appeal for salvation no longer emphasises the coming judgement, but often only the personal benefits that may come as a result of belief in Jesus. Second, by allowing evolution to be promoted as fact, the purpose and intention of God’s creation is negated. Romans 1:19-32