"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" (Revelation 12:1).

"A virtuous woman represents a pure church, a vile woman an apostate church."–The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p. 233.

Suggested Readings: Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 33—43.
The Great Controversy, pp. 49—60.

Sunday August 19

1. A GREAT WONDER

a. What symbol is used in the Bible to represent the church of God? 2 Corinthians 11:2. How was the woman of Revelation 12 arrayed? Revelation 12:1.

"In the Bible the sacred and enduring character of the relation that exists between Christ and His church is represented by the union of marriage. The Lord has joined His people to Himself by a solemn covenant, He promising to be their God, and they pledging themselves to be His and His alone."–The Great Controversy, p. 381.

b. What was the dragon trying to do as the woman was about to deliver a child? Revelation 12:2—4. Who were "a third part of the stars" the dragon had drawn to himself?

"Through their sympathy with [Satan] one third of the angels lost their innocence, their high estate, and their happy home."–Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 291.

Monday August 20

2. WAR IN HEAVEN

a. How does the Bible describe the conflict between Christ and Satan in heaven? Revelation 12:7, 8.

"Until this time all heaven had been in order, harmony, and perfect subjection to the government of God. It was the highest sin to rebel against His order and will. All heaven seemed in commotion. The angels were marshaled in companies, each division with a higher commanding angel at its head. Satan, ambitious to exalt himself, and unwilling to submit to the authority of Jesus, was insinuating against the government of God. Some of the angels sympathized with Satan in his rebellion, and others strongly contended for the honor and wisdom of God in giving authority to His Son. There was contention among the angels. Satan and his sympathizers were striving to reform the government of God."–Early Writings, p. 145.

"The influence of mind on mind, so strong a power for good when sanctified, is equally strong for evil in the hands of those opposed to God. This power Satan used in his work of instilling evil into the minds of the angels, and he made it appear that he was seeking the good of the universe. As the anointed cherub, Lucifer had been highly exalted; he was greatly loved by the heavenly beings, and his influence over them was strong."–The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 973.

b. What was the result of the struggle between Christ and Satan? Revelation 12:9, 10.

"The happiness of the angelic host consisted in their perfect obedience to law. Each had his special work assigned him, and until Satan rebelled, there had been perfect order and harmonious action in heaven. Then there was war in heaven. The Son of God, the Prince of heaven, and His loyal angels, engaged in conflict with the archrebel and those who united with him. The Son of God and true, loyal angels prevailed; and Satan and his sympathizers were expelled from heaven. All the heavenly host acknowledged and adored the God of justice. Not a taint of rebellion was left. All was again peaceful and harmonious as before."–The Story of Redemption, p. 19.

Tuesday August 21

3. THE WOMAN IN THE WILDERNESS

a. After Satan had been expelled from heaven, what was pronounced upon the inhabitants of the earth? Revelation 12:12, 13.

"Through paganism, and then through the papacy, Satan exerted his power for many centuries in an effort to blot from the earth God’s faithful witnesses. Pagans and papists were actuated by the same dragon spirit. They differed only in that the papacy, making a pretense of serving God, was the more dangerous and cruel foe. Through the agency of Romanism, Satan took the world captive. The professed church of God was swept into the ranks of this delusion, and for more than a thousand years the people of God suffered under the dragon’s ire." –The Signs of the Times, November 1, 1899.

b. Where did the "woman" (the church) seek refuge, and how long was she persecuted? Revelation 12:5, 6, 14.

"In the sixth century the papacy had become firmly established. . . . Now were fulfilled the words of Jesus: ‘Ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake’ (Luke 21:16, 17). Persecution opened upon the faithful with greater fury than ever before, and the world became a vast battlefield. For hundreds of years the church of Christ found refuge in seclusion and obscurity. Thus says the prophet: ‘The woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days’ (Revelation 12:6).

"The accession of the Roman Church to power marked the beginning of the Dark Ages. As her power increased, the darkness deepened. Faith was transferred from Christ, the true foundation, to the pope of Rome. Instead of trusting in the Son of God for forgiveness of sins and for eternal salvation, the people looked to the pope, and to the priests and prelates to whom he delegated authority."–The Great Controversy, pp. 54, 55.

Wednesday August 22

4. PROVIDENTIAL INTERVENTION

a. What means of escape did the faithful Christians find, and where did they go for refuge? Revelation 12:15, 16.

"It was the desire for liberty of conscience that inspired the Pilgrims to brave the perils of the long journey across the sea, to endure the hardships and dangers of the wilderness, and with God’s blessing to lay, on the shores of America, the foundation of a mighty nation."–The Great Controversy, p. 292.

b. After the persecuted Christians found a land of liberty, what counsel were they bidden to heed? 2 John 1:8; Hebrews 10:23.

"When first constrained to separate from the English Church, the Puritans had joined themselves together by a solemn covenant, as the Lord’s free people, ‘to walk together in all His ways made known or to be made known to them.’–J. Brown, The Pilgrim Fathers, page 74. Here was the true spirit of reform, the vital principle of Protestantism. It was with this purpose that the Pilgrims departed from Holland to find a home in the New World. John Robinson, their pastor, who was providentially prevented from accompanying them, in his farewell address to the exiles said:

"‘Brethren, we are now erelong to part asunder, and the Lord knoweth whether I shall live ever to see your faces more. But whether the Lord hath appointed it or not, I charge you before God and His blessed angels to follow me no farther than I have followed Christ. If God should reveal anything to you by any other instrument of His, be as ready to receive it as ever you were to receive any truth of my ministry; for I am very confident the Lord hath more truth and light yet to break forth out of His holy word.’ . . .

"‘Remember your church covenant, in which you have agreed to walk in all the ways of the Lord, made or to be made known unto you. Remember your promise and covenant with God and with one another, to receive whatever light and truth shall be made known to you from His written word; but withal, take heed, I beseech you, what you receive for truth, and compare it and weigh it with other scriptures of truth.’"–The Great Controversy, pp. 291, 292.

Thursday August 23

5. THE IRE OF THE DRAGON

a. Who is the special target of the dragon’s ire? Revelation 12:17 (first part). Who is symbolized by the seed of the woman and the remnant of her seed?

"The reverence of God’s people for His law is a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord and are trampling on His Sabbath.

"Satan will arouse indignation against the minority who refuse to accept popular customs and traditions. Men of position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of God. . . . Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith."–Prophets and Kings, pp. 605, 606.

b. What description is given of the remnant people of God in these last days? Revelation 12:17 (last part); 14:12; Zephaniah 3:12, 13.

"The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects, he has gained control of the apostate churches; but here is a little company that are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. As he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy the people of God." –Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 472, 473.

Friday August 24

1. How is Satan’s rebellion depicted in Revelation 12?
2. What has Heaven been like following Satan’s expulsion?
3. What took place in the "time, times, and half a time"?
4. How can John Robinson’s advice to his flock apply now?
5. Explain what is meant by the "remnant" church and describe its characteristics.

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