“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.... Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.” Verses 10-12.
8. Why was woe at this same time proclaimed to the world?
“Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Verse 12, last part.
Note.—This not only shows that, since the crucifixion of Christ, Satan knows that his doom is sealed, and that he has but a limited time in which to work, but that his efforts are largely if not wholly now confined to this world, and concentrated upon its inhabitants. Better than many professed Christians, Satan knows that time is short.
9. What did the dragon do when cast to the earth?
“And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.” Verse 13.
Note.—The persecution of Christians began under pagan Rome, but was carried on far more extensively under papal Rome. Matt. 24:21, 22.
10. What definite period of time was allotted to this great persecution of God's people under papal Rome?
“And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, unto her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.” Verse 14.
Note.—This is the same period as that mentioned in Dan. 7:25, and, like the ten horns, identifies the dragon with the fourth beast of Daniel 7, and its later work with the work of the little horn of that same beast. In Rev. 13:5 this period is referred to as “forty-two months,” and in Rev. 12:6 as 1260 days, each representing 1260 literal years, the period allotted [pg 267] to the supremacy of papal Rome. Beginning in 538 a.d., it ended in 1798, when the Pope was taken prisoner by the French. See notes on page [223]. The woman fleeing into the wilderness fittingly describes the condition of the church during those times of bitter persecution.