Revelation 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: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
These passages of scripture describe for us briefly, the ages old conflict between Christ and satan, between good and evil, and also the final war to be waged between the dragon and the offspring of the woman who keep the commandments of God. The beautiful woman that is described in this passage represents the true people of God, who are likened unto a chaste virgin in the Bible. Let's read:
Jeremiah 6:2 I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman.
And lest we conclude that this passage only refers to the literal children of Israel, the scriptures go on to show that the delicate woman here spoken of also includes the gentiles and non-Jews who are a part of the body of true believers. Let's read:
2nd Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
The dragon or beast therefore refers to satan who was cast out of heaven for his rebellion in heaven and who has waged war relentlessly against the government of God and all those who endeavor to keep all of the ten commandments. Let's read:
Revelation 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.
The war against those who have God's law written in their hearts has raged from time immemorial, beginning with the murder of righteous Abel by his brother Cain, to Pharaoh who tried to kill all of the Jewish male children, and on to Herod who slew all the baby boys in Jerusalem at Christ's birth. Persecution, resistance, malice, and harassment have always been hurled at the commandment keeping people of God, for they represent the kingdom of God in the earth, and therefore they are always at odds with the principles and methods by which satan governs the kingdoms of this world.
This stark difference in principles can be seen throughout the ages, for when the righteous are in authority, the people under their jurisdiction prosper. And conversely, when the wicked bear rule, the inhabitants of the land are subject to great distresses, because the laws and principles of God's kingdom, which have been given for the good of all humanity are routinely trampled upon. Let's read:
Proberbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Proverbs 19:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
The atrocities being committed by the terrorist group Boko Haram in Nigeria, are the result of a flagrant violation of God's law that says "Thou shalt not kill". The two hundred plus girls who have been abducted from their dormitory is a violation of God's law that says "Thou shalt not steal". The illicit rendezvous between a former president and another woman is a violation of God's law that says "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife". The many lies and character assassinations which take place every day in the political arena are violations of God's law which says "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor". And we can go on and on and on.
However, the ire of the dragon is not arrayed against terrorist groups, politicians, or adulterers perse, for those who do these things are already aligned with satan's kingdom of darkness. The focus of the beast is on those who keep the commandments of God, for by their lives and steadfast adherence to God's laws and principles, they present the much better option to the crime and instability that satan's methods and principles always bring. Especially is this the case today, where a pseudo type of religion and righteousness is being actively developed and promoted by the devil's agents, even though many who are thus engaged, do not now see it that way.
In place of the seventh day Sabbath, the beast has introduced a false day of rest, to which the majority of Christians have now unwittingly subscribed, and as a direct result, this system of worship is scheduled to become the law of the land right here in America, as it has already taken root in several countries across the globe. That's why the Lord warns us about the coming cataclysmic conflict to be waged between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. Let's read:
Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
It's therefore necessary that Christians everywhere understand that God's law of ten commandments, including the fourth which stipulates the seventh day Sabbath as God's only sacred day of rest, are still binding upon us, and as such we are required to show our love and our regard for God by engaging in worship that He has ordained. We therefore end with a passage of scripture that reminds us that God's law is still valid, and that obedience to His ten precepts is still a prerequisite for admittance into heaven. Let's read:
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
May God grant us His grace so that we may be fully aligned with "Beauty", the true people of God who abide by His laws, and not with the "Beast". "Good night" and God bless!