The Dragon Attacks the "Woman"

Rev. 12: 15, 16 "And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. Andthe earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth."

The Nature of the Attack

A Flood of Deception

"…The serpent cast out of his mouth water…"

The devil will seek to destroy the Church through deception.

Water is a Symbol of the Word

This is a Spiritual Vision; the water is words of deception. This water is not God's Word but it is the devil's lies. This is a violent attack upon the "Woman" with lies, deceit and terrible accusations.

II Thes. 2: 10 "…With all deceivableness of unrighteousness…"

Jesus warned that in the last days before He comes again,there would be deception.

Matt. 24: 5 "For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."

Matt. 24: 11 "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."

Matt. 24: 24 "For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, theyshall deceive the very elect."

Eph. 4: 14 "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"

Doctrines of Devils

I Tim. 4: 1, 2 "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith , giving heedto seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils ; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;"

Heb. 13: 9 " Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines …"

Rev. 16: 13, 14 "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out ofthe mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of themouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, togather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty."

The Source of the Flood

Rev. 12: 15 "And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood."

The Serpent

Rev. 12: 9 "And the great dragon… that old serpent, called the devil…"

The Deceiver

Rev. 12: 9 "…Which deceiveth the whole world…"

The Accuser

Rev. 12: 10 "…The accuser of our brethren…"

The Adversary

I Pet. 5: 8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

The Purpose of the Attack

To Destroy the Woman

Rev. 12: 15 "And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood ."

Many will be Carried Away

II Tim. 3: 13 "…Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,deceiving, and being deceived."

Rev. 17: 6 "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration."

"Thauma" -- "Admiration" -- wonder -- marvel -- to gaze in wonder

The Apostle John was astonished at the vision of the harlot church.

The "Woman" will Escape

Rev. 12: 16 "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."

Remember, this is a Spiritual Vision, the waters are wordsof deception .

"…The earth… swallowed up the flood…"

Man was made from the earth and God used man (the earth) tohelp the "Woman."

Jn. 3: 31 "He that cometh from above is above all: he that is ofthe earth is earthly…"

Most consider this to be the physical earth opening up and swallowing up a physical flood. This is simply not the truth. This is a spiritual happening in which God has put in the hearts of man to fulfill His will and help the "Woman." (Rev. 17: 16)

The devil uses people to spread his lies and deceptions. Who are these people? They are the false prophets, the false christs (the harlot church). God puts the desire into the hearts of people, which once supported the devil, to turn against his lies, deceptions and evil devices, and to help the "Woman."

Job 6: 3 "…Therefore my words are swallowed up."

TheResults of the Attack

On the Enemies Part

It was a failure. Instead of the evil plans of the devil succeeding, they were divinely thwarted by an interruption of God.

Rev. 12: 16 "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."

The earth in Scripture frequently signifies "the wicked." Now remember, this is a vision in the Spirit seen in the heavenly realm. Sothen, this is not a natural or physical happening but a spiritual event.

The flood, being the devil's deceptions and delusions, and "…the earth opening her mouth…" indicate that in some supernatural way, God will cause the world to protect the Church in that hour.

On God's Part

It will be a great success. The Church will have been refined and made ready for rapture. The Church will have, like the "Five WiseVirgins," awakened out of sleep through the persecution and "trimmed their lamps." The Church will go out in the middle of the Tribulation to meet the Bride and Bridegroom when they return from the wedding in the MidnightHour. (Lk. 12: 36) At this time the Church will be invited to the MarriageSupper of the Lamb.

Lk. 12: 37, 38 "Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that He shall gird Himself, andmake them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if He shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so,blessed are those servants."

Matt. 25: 10 "And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage (supper): and the door wasshut."

This is the #39;Marriage Supper.' The Interlinear says "the wedding feast." The Amplified N.T. says "the marriage feast." The JamesMoffatt translation renders it "marriage banquet." The Greek Diaglott says"nuptial-feasts."

Rev. 19: 9 "And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."

After the wedding has taken place, the Church is invited to attend the "Marriage Supper." The Lord will return after the wedding andRapture the Church. This will be the fulfillment of the "Five Virgins" being invited to the wedding feast.

I Thes. 4: 16, 17 "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the deadin Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shallwe ever be with the Lord."

The Persecution will have accomplished its work; the Church will be refined and made ready for Rapture.