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Arrogant King of the North

Beginning with the division of the Greek empire, the angel outlines the coming conflicts between two of the subsequent realms that will culminate in the rise of a “ contemptible ” ruler. Previously, the rise and division of the Greek empire were portrayed in the vision of the “Ram” and of the “ Goat ,” representing the realms of the “ Medes and Persians ” and “ Greece ,” respectively.

Satan's Allotted Time

When Satan is expelled from heaven, a “ great voice ” warns that the “ Dragon ” is enraged since he has only a “ short season ” remaining to inflict harm on those who have the “ testimony of Jesus .” He vented his rage by persecuting the “ woman ” who produced the messianic “ son ,” but he was thwarted from destroying her. Consequently, he launched his “ war ” against her “ seed .”

War on the Earth

After his expulsion from heaven, Satan wages war against the seed of the Woman, those who hold the testimony of Jesus .  Having failed to destroy the messianic “ son ,” and now, thoroughly enraged, the “ Dragon ” vents his rage by pursuing the “ woman ” into the “ wilderness ,” not by waging war against the " inhabitants of the earth .” But he is thwarted in this effort, so instead, he turns his rage on her offspring – the men and women who “ have the testimony of Jesus. ”

Shepherding the Nations

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The “ Son ” in the twelfth chapter of Revelation represents the Messianic figure from the Second Psalm whom God declared would “ shepherd the nations .” Following the enthronement of the “ slain Lamb ,” heaven declared, “ Now is come the Kingdom of God and the authority of His Christ .” His “ faithful testimony ” in death and his victory through resurrection marked the start of his reign over the “ nations .” However, he rules by “ shepherding ” them, and not through conquest and tyranny - (Revelation 5:6-14, 12:5).

War in Heaven

The saints overcome the Dragon through the death of the Lamb and their faithful witness even unto death  – Revelation 12:11.  In Chapter 12 of the book of  Revelation , the “ sign of the Great Red Dragon ” appears in the heavens, signifying that the “ war ” has commenced between his forces and those of the “ son ” who is destined to “ shepherd the nations .” But the result of Satan’s attempt to destroy the “ son ” is his expulsion from “ heaven ,” and the proclamation of the victory of the “ brethren. ”