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indicate a power from heaven. This is in direct contrast with the seven heads and ten
horns and the seven diadems, which plainly indicate the powers of the beast that support
the woman of Rev. 17: (see verse 3).
The dragon in the sign is said to draw the third part of the stars from heaven and cast
them to the earth. This is taken by some to refer to the fall of Satan away back in the
beginning, but we cannot see how this fact can come into the story here. There is no
necessity to leave the period under view, for the reference to the stars is interpreted in
verse 9, "and his angels were cast out with him", viz., at the moment of the defeat by
Michael. The chief interest of the passage however is the man-child that is born:--
"And she brought forth a man-child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron;
and her child was caught up unto God, and His throne" (12: 5).
To whom does this refer? Undoubtedly the words in the first instance are prophetic of
Christ Himself, as we find them in Psa. 2: In Rev. 2: 26, 27 these words are quoted of
the overcomer:--
"And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give
power over the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter
shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father."
In Volume VII, pages 97-101, we pointed out the way in which the seven churches of
chapters 2: and 3: were related to the rest of the book. The reader is referred to the
article for the complete statement, argument, and illustration. We now merely extract the
portion which bears upon our present study:--
THE THYATIRA CHURCH (2: 18-29).--The woman Jezebel; the morning star;
the rod of iron; the depths of Satan; keep works; faith and patience; false prophetess;
her children killed.
THE THYATIRA PERIOD (12: and 13:).--The woman clothed with the sun;
the twelve stars; the rod of iron; Satan; keep commandments; patience and faith;
false prophet; God's children killed.
The close parallel between the "church" and the "period" in each case provides a
valuable key to interpretation. There in the future day to which Revelation refers this
man-child is born. This cannot refer to Christ personally, but it can indicate that
company of faithful overcomers who share the millennial reign of Christ. The catching
up of this man-child to God and His throne precedes the tribulation, it is a complete
escape from that day of trouble. In Matt. 24: 4-8 we have the beginning of the
birth-pains, which are the false Christs, wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes.
These have already been indicated in the opening of the seals. They lead the way for the
tribulation under the Beast and false Prophet, and when they reach their meridian, the
man-child is born.
After the man-child is caught up the woman flees into the wilderness. So in
Matt. 24:, after the period spoken of as the beginning of birth-pains, which
synchronizes with Rev. 12: 2, we hear of affliction and hatred, of offence and betrayal,