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Osborne, Grant R. Revelation. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002. Location: Ellis BS 2825.53.O73 2002
III. God in Majesty and Judgment (4:1-16:21) pp. 218-602.
B. Great Conflict between God and the Forces of Evil (12:1-16:21) pp. 451-602
Osborne observes that the earlier portions of Revelation focused on God’s sovereignty. In this portion, the focus is on the forces of evil who oppose God (Osborne 2002, 451).
1. “Interlude: Great Conflict Described (12:1-14:20)” pp. 452-557.
Revelation 12:1-14:20 is sometimes considered an interlude, as it is placed between the trumpets and the bowls, thus interrupting God’s work of judgment. However, it does not, like other interludes, interrupt an ennumerated series of events. Osborne notes the focus “on the activity of the false trinity (the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet/second beast, 16:13)” (Osborne 2002, 452). The fate of Satan is already sealed in this passage, but his tactics and demise are spelled out. All Satan does is a parody of something God has done. Osborne observes that various commentators have made attempts to find a pattern of seven in this area, but have not been unified in their findings (Osborne 2002, 453).