THE FALSE GOD; THE GREAT RED DRAGON, SATAN

The False God: the Great Red Dragon, Satan

RV. Not as the AV but as the RV. "And he stood upon the sand of the sea, and I saw." The "he" is the dragon of chapter 12.

 

 His Identification vs. la
cf. 12:9
"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

 

As dragon he is a formidable monster, fiery in brilliance and therefore attractive (Ezek. 28:12).
"Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty."

As serpent he is the one who introduced all the sin and sorrow into the world (Gen. 3:1).
"Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?"

As devil he is the slanderer and accuser of the brethren through the centuries (12:10).
"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."

As Satan he is the opposer and adversary of the Lord and his people (Zech. 3:1).
"And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him."

As deceiver he is the one who was a liar from the beginning and the father of it (John 8:44).
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

His Location vs. 1a

He is located on the sand. This means that he is surveying something with great numbers (20:8). "The number of which is as the sand of the sea."

He is on the the sand of the sea. The sea stands for nations (cf. 17:15) and they are in confusion (Luke 21:25-26). "The waters . . . are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues."

His observation vs. la
cf. Luke 21:25-26

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;" "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken."

 

The sea of the nations is restless and agitated.

The nations are in confusion and disorder.
They are in perplexity with no way out of the difficulty. This is precisely what attracts him and provides the opportunity for which he has been looking.

THE SATANIC TRINITY IN THEIR FINAL CONFLICT

The Satanic Trinity in Their Final Conflict  13:1-18

"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." "And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority." "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." "And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven." "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." "If any man have an ear, let him hear." "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." "And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed." "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men," "And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live." "And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:" "And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."

Introduction

The Reason for the Introduction of This Inset at This Point

The Great Tribulation Now Comes Upon Israel

The beast in his war upon Israel has been men­tioned. 11:7

"And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."

The dragon in his persecution of Israel has been treated. Ch. 12.

The Great Trinity of Evil Now Comes Prominently Into View

The dragon is cast into the earth in the midst of the week and lays his plans for conquest. 12:12

"Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. 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."

The beast reaches the height of his career and breaks covenant with Israel. Dan. 9:27 with 2 Thess. 2:3-4.

"And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;" "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God."

The false prophet appears to foster and promote the cause of Antichrist. Rev. 13:11; 16:13.

"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon."

"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet."

The Great Necessity for the Acquainting of the Reader With This Satanic Trinity has now Arrived

The Program for Organizing the Nations of the Earth is set Forth in This Inset

The Satanic Trinity counterfeits the divine trinity and offers to men a lie.
The colossal organization of the nations controls the warriors and wealth of the world.

The Treatment of the 13th chapter of Revelation

The false God, the great red dragon. 1a

The false Christ, the first beast, Antichrist. lb-10

The false Spirit, the second beast, the false proph­et. 11-18

THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS

The Battle of the Wilderness vs. 15-16

"And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood." "And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth."

 

 The Dragon vs. 15

 "And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood."

 

Under Antichrist, the dragon marshals the armies of the world now under his sway and casts them forth like a great flood, thinking to lay siege to the natural fortress in the wilderness and to wear out these Israelites who have fled from the land.

In his eagerness to vent his wrath upon the nation in the wilderness, he forgets for the time the remnant gathered in Jerusalem and the saints throughout the world.

Flood Means Armies

• Flood is type of armies (Isa. 59:19).
• Antichrist wars against Jews (Rev. 11:7).
• Spirits go out to gather armies (Rev. 16:13-14).

The Woman vs. 16

"And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth."

But the Antichrist with his overwhelming force of men has still not reckoned with all the forces on the side of the woman. He does not know that God has already taken over the kingdom and is reigning. He does not know that God controls the forces of nature. And he does not know that God is on the side of those persecuted people huddled together in fear of the hordes now besieging their refuge. From the text it would appear that great natural demonstrations come to the aid of Israel. Earthquakes swallow up whole armies, and perhaps lightning, floods, etc. dispose of others. At any rate, Israel comes off the victor. (When God calls the forces of nature into operation, the weapons of men appear to be very puny things.)

The Battle of the Remnant vs. 17

"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
 The Dragon vs. 17a

"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed..."
Apparently realizing that he has been thwarted, the dragon turns about to vent his wrath upon others. The remnant of Israel's seed, a little group of Jews that had not fled into the wilder­ness, again comes to his attention. These are doubtless living back in Jerusalem. If the "seed" does not refer to them, then there is that vast throng of Gentiles who have washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. But the best interpretation is that they are Israelites (Zech. 12:8-9; 14:1-4).

"In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them." "And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem."

"Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee." "For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city." "Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle." "And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south."

The Woman vs. 17b

"....the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

The little group of Jews within the city battle courageously and magnificently against the overwhelming odds of Antichrist. They become as Davids (Zech. 12:8-9). When it appears that the city will fall into the hands of the enemy, the Lord goes forth to fight for Israel (Zech. 14:1-4). Christ descends the heavens on his white charger with the armies of saints follow­ing in his wake. One flash of the sword from his Mouth, his almighty word, and the armies of earth are shattered and lie in heaps upon the field of battle (Rev. 19:11-21).

"In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them." "And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.""Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee." "For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city." "Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle." "And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south."
"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war." "His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself." "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God." "And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean." "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." "And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;" "That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great." "And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army." "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." "And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh."

This one shall be broken without hand (Dan. 8:25) and none shall help him (Dan. 11:45).

 

"And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand."
"And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him."

ISRAEL'S CONFLICT WITH THE DRAGON IN THE FUTURE

Israel's Conflict With the Dragon in the Future  12:6, 13-17

"And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days."

"And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child." "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent." "And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood." "And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth." "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

(1)   This is now the final phase of the conflict with Satan.
(2)   This covers the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period (6).
(3)   When this period is finished, Israel's pains will be over & past.

The Battle of the Land vs. 6, 13-14

"And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days."

"And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child." "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent."

The Dragon vs. 13

"And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child."

 

 

The Perception of His Present Condition

When finally the full significance of his defeat in the air grips him, it is too much. He is then aware that the end is near. By this time he has become incor­rigible. He is determined to use the last opportunity to vent his wrath on any object within his reach.

The Persecution of the Sun-Clothed Woman

Israel is the only object within his reach, so he bares his fangs and turns upon Israel in the land of Palestine. He can never forget that this is the woman who bore the man child, the one who will rule the nations.

The Woman vs. 6, 14

"And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days."

"And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent."

The Human Response vs. 6

"And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days."

The woman for sheer fear flees into the wilderness for safety. Little did this people realize that God had already pre­pared a place for her protection for that period of time the dragon would be per­secuting the woman. There she is sheltered from the stormy blasts for 1260 days (cf. Matt. 24:15-22 and Dan. 11:41). Not all Israel will flee. Some will remain in Jerusalem (Zech. 12:8-10).

"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)" "Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:" "Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:" "Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes." "And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!" "But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day:" "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." "And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."

"He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon."

"In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them." "And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem." "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."

The Divine Provision vs. 14

"And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent."

For the sake of speed in flight, the Lord bares her on eagles' wings as he did in the days of old, and thus she escapes the dragon's hordes. She is fed times, time, and a half a time. Cf. Exodus 19:4; Dan. 4:16, 23, 25, 32.

"Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself."

"Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him: and let seven times pass over him." "And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him." "That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will." "And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will."

THE CONCERN OF THOSE IN THE HEAVENS

The Concern of Those in the Heavens vs. 10-12

"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." "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." "Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. 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."

 

The Proclamation of the Great Voice vs. 10

"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."

This is an announcement that the first phase of the conflict has been victorious. Satan is cast out into the earth, and the kingdom of God is supreme in the heavens, aerial, stellar, and God's abode. No more can Satan have access to accuse.

The Prevailing of the Brethren vs. 11

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."

The Penalty of Sin was Cared for by the Blood and Therefore That was the Cause for Victory Over Satan

"By the blood of the Lamb."

 

The Pollution of Sin was Cared for by the Word of Their Testimony, and That was the Cause for Victory over Satan

"By the word of their testimony."

The Power of Sin was Cared for by the Indwelling Spirit, and That was Cause for Victory Over Attractions of the World

"Loved not their lives unto the death."

The Prophecy for the Future vs. 12

"Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. 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."

The Facts That are True

1. Satan's personal presence in the earth.
2. Satan's emotional state is that of wrath.
3. Satan's mental persuasion is the shortness of time.

The Force of the Facts

1. The heavens should rejoice at the departure of Satan.
2. The earth should sorrow at the pres­ence of Satan.

THE CONFLICT

The Conflict in the Heavens vs. 7-9

"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels," "And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven." "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

The Character of the Conflict vs. 7

"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels."

War is a series of engagements lasting over a period of time. So it is possible that this war continues through some period of time. It may extend through the first half of the tribulation week. This war is waged between Michael and his angels and the devil and his angels.

Michael is the prince of Israel (Dan. 12:1). They have been in conflict before (Jude 9).

"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book."

"Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee."

The Occasion for the Conflict

While there is no direct statement of scripture except that the word "war" usually refers to a series of engagements, it seems legitimate to assume that this war had an occasion. The close proximity of Daniel 12:2 with 1 suggests that the rapture of the church through the domain of Satan, the aerial and stellar heavens, arouses Satan to hinder them if possible (1 Thess. 2:18). The angels of God, watching over the saints, rush to the rescue (Heb. 1:7, 14) and the war is on. It lasts for 3¹/₂ years. This may explain "the voice of the archangel" of 1 Thess. 4:16 and why Christ comes in the air.

"And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."

"Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us."

"And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire." "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:"

 

The Outcome of the Conflict vs. 8-9

"And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven." "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

 

The war is won decisively by Michael and his angels. In fact, after the war is over Michael and his angels proceed to mop up. Every nook and cranny of the aerial and stellar regions are searched out and no place is left for Satan and his minions. The devil and all his angels are cast out into the earth.

ISRAEL'S CONFLICT WITH DRAGON IN THE HEAVENS

Israel's Conflict with the Dragon in the Heavens 12:7-12

"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels," "And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven." "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." "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." "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." "Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. 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."

Introduction:

This is another phase of the conflict with the dragon, and this becomes open war on another one of Israel's fronts. The center of interest shifts from earthly scene to the aerial and stellar regions. Israel's air power together with Satan's are engaged in mortal combat in the air.

Between verses 5-6 there is a great prophetic gap. All of the present age of grace is dropped out and the writer transports the reader to the final week of years in this age, Daniel's 70th week. The reason for not indicating the gap, however, is to make clear that the dragon has not ceased to persecute the woman. In the second place, it is to make clear that God has not ceased to keep Israel in His plans and purposes. Third, it makes clear when the events of verse 7 begin.