Revelation 12
(Continued)
Revelation 12:13--14 When the dragon realized that he had been thrown down to earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the child. But she was given two wings like those of a great eagle. This allowed her to fly to a place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be cared for and protected from the dragon for a time, times, and half time. [NLT]
The two wings that the woman was given were protection from God. In Exodus 19:4 God had sent a message to the His people that....."I bare you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself." And just as God brought the remnant of Israel into and through the wilderness; the woman (Israel, the seed bearer) would be carried into the wilderness, protected and provided for until she reached the promised land (heaven).
John describes an enraged Satan who has lost access to the throne of God, and has been restricted to the earth. Satan pursues, chases, attempts to overtake the woman (Israel, the seed bearer), who had given birth to the male child (the Messiah). God will provide not only a means of escape, but a specially prepared place of refuge in the wilderness, to meet all of the woman's needs. In other words, God in going to protect and provide for the surviving remnant of Israel, during the second half of the Tribulation Period (time, times, and half time; 3.5 years; 1260 days).
Revelation 12:15-16 Then the dragon tried to drown the woman with a flood of water that flowed from it's mouth. But the earth helped her by opening it's mouth and swallowing the river that gushed out from the mouth of the dragon. [NLT]
Satan, making a final attempt to destroy Israel, is depicted by John as using a flood of water, to annihilate Israel. Satan is trying to interfere with God's plan of redemption. This was not a spray of water, but came forth with the strength of a tsunami. The earth, under the control of God Almighty, opened her mouth and swallowed this massive flood of water that was cast out of the mouth of Satan. This scene brings to mind Israel's deliverance from Egypt, as God parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground, but drowning the Egyptians in that same sea, as they attempted to pursue Israel. [Exodus 14]
The water that is cast out of the mouth of Satan represents the words of Satan (false doctrine) that is sent forth to destroy the people of God. The earth, typified as "the world" will open it's mouth and swallow this massive flood of deception that originates from the mouth of Satan. Thus the world will become increasingly deceived in the end times. Thus the woman (Israel) will not be swept away by the deception of Satan.
Revelation 12:17 Then the dragon became angry at the woman, and he declared war against the rest of her children--all who keep God's commandments and confess that they belong to Jesus. [NLT]
An absolutely enraged Satan will declare war against Christians (those grafted in as seed of Abraham, through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross). The rest of her children (Covenant Israel) are all who call upon the Name of Jesus, from any and all nationalities. Satan's final attempt to destroy Israel, is his attempt to keep Israel from accepting Jesus Christ as their Messiah.