In these three chapters we see a great conflict between a red dragon and a woman who gave birth to a male Child, who is a Shepherd and Ruler. The dragon did not destroy Him because He was caught up to God and to His throne. Then there was a war in heaven with Michael and his angels and the great dragon and his angels. "The great dragon is the ancient serpent who is called the Devil and Satan, the one who deceives the whole world" (12:9). He is the accuser of the brethren. Since the great dragon was banished to earth, he went after the woman, but the earth protected her, so he went after the descendants of the woman, those who keep God's commandments and have the testimony of Jesus." (This goes back to Genesis 3:15.) Chapter 13 we learn of the Beast of the Sea, and the Beast of the Earth. These two with the Red Dragon are an unholy trinity. They are imitators of the true trinity because they have the number of man, 666. They are full of lies and deception, but the 144,000 that are with the Lamb are different. They sing a new song of the redeemed, that only they can sing. These chapters end with a calling for believers to endure, keep the commandments of God and faith in Jesus. Believers in Christ have rest. Believers in the Dragon and the Beasts, will not have rest, but they will experience the wrath of God.
