3. Struggle upon of the earth. 12:13-17 V.13 a) Persecution of the woman - The first he persecutes in his wrath is Israel. V.14 b) Prepared Place for the woman - I. Jesus prophesied of this escape. Matt.24:15-28; Mark 13:14-23 II. The wings might refer to the Israelites flying by airplanes or to their swiftness of their flight. Isaiah 40:31; Acts 8:39 III. God bore the Israelites "On eagles wings" when He assisted them in their escape from Pharaoh. Ex.19:4; Deut.32:11 IV. The Israelites flees from the dragon like they fled in the past from Pharaoh. Ex.14:5; Joshua 24:6 V. Its only 1/3 of the Israelites that makes it in the escape, the rest is killed. Zech.13:7-9 VI. In the wilderness God will purge Israel and bring them into His covenant. Ezek.20:33-38 VII. The wilderness could perhaps (Its only a suggestion) be referring to Petra in Jordan: A. Petra is an empty city in Jordan in a rocky place: 1. Petra lays about 80 kilometres south of the Dead Sea. 2. Its about 900 meters wide and 1600 meters long. 3. The city has many buildings carved into the rocky cliffs. 4. There is only one entrance into the city through a narrow entrance way in the rock. B. Modern Jordan is equal to ancient Ammon, Moab and Edom. 1. Jesus at His 2nd coming first appears in Bozrah (an ancient city of Edom). Isaiah 63:1; Jer.49:20-22 2. The remnant of Israel will be assembled in Bozrah. Micah 2:12-13 3. Jordan will escape Antichrist’ s dominion. Dan.11:41 C. Some believes that the city Sela mentioned in Old Testament is modern Petra. Judges 1:36; 2.Kings 14:7 D. The remnant of Israel will go to Sela and the Moabites (modern Jordan) are exhorted to take care of them. Isaiah 16:1-4 VIII. It’ s a period where no one can buy or sell without the mark of the beast. 13:17 God will supernaturally provide for Israel 3½ years, like He provided for the Israelites during the exodus for 40 years. Deu.8:1-16 V.15 c) Panic response of the serpent - Isaiah 59:19 I. The Devil spews a flood of water after the Israelites in the wilderness. II. The flood could be a real flood. III. It could also be an army of soldiers. Jer.46:7-8; 47:2-3 IV. It could refer to any evil outpouring. Psalm.18:4 V. Perhaps Psalm Ch. 124 refers to this attack. V.16 d) Protection by the earth - I. The earth helps the woman, perhaps by an earthquake that swallows the flood, or the earth can be referring to a people that aid her. II. In the exodus from Egypt, the earth swallowed Pharaoh’ s soldiers Ex.15:12 V.17 e) Persecution of the woman’ s offspring - I. The Devil’ s Wrath is shown toward her offspring: A. Its not her Male Child for its caught up to the throne of God. v.5 B. Its not the Church for its caught up before the tribulation period. Luke 21:36; 1.Thess.1:10; 4:16-17; 5:9; Rev.3:10 C. It’ s not Israel for it’ s the woman that gives birth. 12:1-6 D. It could be the tribulation saints but perhaps best interpreted as the Messianic Jewish Christians. E. In context with chapter 13 and 14 it seems to be the 144.000 thousands Messianic Jewish Christians that he makes war with and kills. 14:1-5 II. The Devil makes War against the Messianic Jewish Christians.