Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Revelation Chapter 12
Metaphysically Interpreting Revelation 12:7-12
12:7And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going forth to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels; 12:8And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. 12:9And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.
12:10And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying,
Now is come the salvation, and the power,
and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Christ:
for the accuser of our brethren is cast down,
who accuseth them before our God
day and night.
12:11And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb,
and because of the word of their testimony;
and they loved not their life even unto death.
12:12Therefore rejoice, O heavens,
and ye that dwell in them.
Woe for the earth and for the sea:
because the devil is gone down unto you, having great wrath,
knowing that he hath but a short time.
September 21, 1941: Rev. 12:7-12
What is the meaning of the word "Heaven" as used in this lesson, and how can we enter into it? Heaven is the realm of conscious harmony, a consciousness of peace in mind, body, and soul. Since man is free to think what he will, discordant thoughts may enter heaven. When this takes place, man's harmony is disrupted and there is "war in heaven."?
In an individual sense, what does this state of discord represent? It represents the struggle that goes on in the mind and soul of man while he tries to adjust his worldly nature tot he requirements of divine order.
Why did "the dragon” ever have a place in Heaven? The dragon is another name for Satan, which means "Herein wait." The Idea of Satan assumes various forms in man's consciousness, but, as an idea of power, it originally had a legitimate place in divine order. It is when power is turned to selfish or destructive ends that the great dragon is "cast down to the earth."
What form of satanic power operates in man as “the Accuser”? Self-depreciation causes man to accuse himself of being inherently evil and incapable of achieving his divine stature as a son of God. This form of negation is satanic in its origin and nature and has a demoralizing effect on man.
What is symbolized by the "great voice in Heaven" acknowledging the salvation, power, and kingdom of God and the authority of his Christ? The "great voice" from Heaven symbolizes the beginning of the reign of Christ, through whom comes salvation. When we free the mind from Satan, the resurrection of the body (salvation from the earth, or mortal concept of the body) into the consciousness of immortality follows, for Christ is "the resurrection and the life."
Why has the "Devil" but a short time in the earth”? In a literal sense the time is relatively short compared with eternity. Metaphysically, man soon tires of discord and inharmony and longs for peace, that he may have by claiming his heritage as a son of God through the Christ. When he asserts his better nature, the Devil's reign over him is soon at an end.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 10-23-2013
