Read Revelation 12
The Woman and the Dragon
12 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. 4 Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. 6 The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.
7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.
12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens
and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short.”
13 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. 15 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. 16 But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.
Go Deeper
Because of its symbolism, Revelation is one of the most highly debated books in all the Bible. Oftentimes, people either avoid it all together or obsess over the death, judgment, and apocalyptic narrative of it. Either extreme isn’t helpful in stirring our affections for Jesus. Remember, Revelation’s main theme is to reveal to us more about Jesus. To make Jesus more clear to us, not confuse us. Revelation gives us an understanding of God’s perspective on empire and evil and the judgment of the powers invading God’s people preventing them from living in the freedom and forgiveness won on the cross.
Revelation 10-14 are parenthetical chapters of the book, meaning they are John’s way of highlighting or giving extra information about events. Events that have happened, are happening, or are still to happen. The timing of and literal interpretation of these events are some of the most debated and polarizing passages of Scriptures. Which, isn’t that what the enemy wants? For us to be divided and distracted and miss the point of Revelation?
Before we throw our hands up and say, “This is getting too weird” or “There are so many interpretations, I guess we’ll never know”, let’s ask God to give us wisdom, discernment, and understanding. He preserved this book for a reason. Understanding it, even if it’s a limited understanding, can bring encouragement, meaning, and profound hope. John begins by pointing to signs early on in this chapter. Signs are always a symbol of something else–signs point to something. John is pointing us to a greater reality. Revelation 12 tells a bigger story.
Revelation 12 is a behind the scenes look at the epic battle between God and Satan. This battle spans millennia and across cosmos (heavens and earth). This invisible battle in the unseen realms. While we are reading about it, John watches it play out in the heavens. As we read Chapter 12, there are three main sections: The Prelude to the War (v. 1-6), The War in Heaven (v. 7-12), The War on Earth (v. 13-17).
Verses 1-6 give us the prelude, the introduction, to the invisible war—the battle of the ages between Good and Evil. We don’t know for certain if this war has happened, happening now, or is it still to come; but what we do know is that the story goes back to Satan’s rebellion (v. 4), the fall of mankind, and the first prophecy in Scripture (Genesis 3:15). There are two kingdoms in conflict.
John introduces us to the main characters: The Woman, Child, and Red Dragon. In verse 9, John identifies the Red Dragon as “The great dragon…that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan”. John identifies the dragon as “great” referencing the enemy’s fierceness. He calls him the “ancient serpent” speaking to the enemy’s subtlety and influence through the ages. John names him the “devil”, which means accuser and slanderer. Finally John identifies him as “Satan” whose name means adversary. The enemy stands against all that is righteous and good, attempting to deceive the whole world. The Red Dragon is Satan.
We have clues identifying the Woman and the Child. We read in verse 5 that the child “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” There is only One who will rule with an iron scepter (Revelation 2:27). The Victorious One who has authority over the nations is the Messiah, the Lion of Judah, the Risen Christ. The child in Revelation 12 is Jesus.
The Woman is more difficult to identify and many scholars differ on who she is. Referencing Genesis 37:9 (Joseph’s dream that the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down), it would make sense that the woman is the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people.
What we know is The Red Dragon has been after the child, wanting to destroy him, long before the child was ever born. Then, war breaks out in heaven and the great dragon was hurled down along with all of his demons and his access to God ends (v. 7-12). We end the chapter with the dragon’s rage and his war on the earth and God’s people.
There’s a beautiful application for us in the middle of the chapter. How do we defeat the enemy? How do we walk in victory? We learn 3 things: atonement and authority, activity, and attitude. The atonement and the authority of the blood of the Lamb is the basis of our victory. We stand on the merit of the blood of Christ. Since our sin has been covered, we need to tell and proclaim this Good News. Our testimony-in word and deed- is the activity that overcomes the devil. Finally, our attitude being like Christ and laying down our lives making this good news known. Laying aside our preferences and our rights so that others may believe and receive the forgiveness of sins and the gift of salvation through Jesus.
Questions
- What can we learn from this passage about God’s Sovereignty?
- How does seeing the end give you hope now?
- The enemy continues to work behind the scenes tempting us to believe his accusations through guilt and shame. He will stop at nothing to keep us from living bold, courageous, free lives. What ways does he tempt, discourage, and attack you? Ask God to remind you of the victory over sin and shame through the blood of the Lamb.
By the Way
This passage is reminiscent of the truths of Ephesians 6. Our accuser is at war with God and with us (Ephesians 6). Yet, one day, Satan will be silenced and defeated forever. While we wait and hope for that day, let’s take courage and defeat his attempts and attacks by standing on the merit of the blood of Jesus, proclaiming the gift of salvation through our testimony, and laying down our lives for the sake of others.
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6 thoughts on “Revelation 12”
Thank you for this helpful commentary on Revelation 12. I was captivated by v11, “ They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Here is where we take our stand against evil forces around us. Christ completely atoned for the sins of mankind, we must declare and stand firmly on this truth, not fearing for our lives or what is to come. We know how the story ends.
This commentary is excellent. I am so grateful for this reading plan. Everyone who comments, I appreciate as well. Bottom Line- let’s stick together Church, and give grace and grace again for what we fall short in. Battle together – undivided and help keep each of us in the race and good fight
Thank you! Yes, as we read Revelations, I definitely am tempted to think “this is getting too weird” and check out!
This is the passage that I will be meditating upon today:
10 “Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.“
For memorizing this passage, here it is set to music:
https://open.spotify.com/track/0AKLHviJ6Ihj8V3tEDo2hm?si=0VLrEda0SQqZBhf4JAO8ZA&context=spotify%3Aplaylist%3A0zUpAfSuSUPmIPLet2V1Fv
I too am thankful for the BRP commentary as it reminds us that Revelation is about Jesus.
I recently attended a powerful evangelism class at HC. The key to effective evangelism is to share your testimony which is summed up by the following: I was one way, I then found Jesus, and now I am this way.
Then V11 reinforces the power of our testimony.
11 They triumphed over him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.
I pray that I am bold enough to share and live out my testimony today, and tomorrow, and so on…..
Satan is after the church BUT GOD has already put into plan, THE PLAN. We know how the story ends, but we have to live like no one knows Jesus. We have to stand in the gap for those who are struggling and those who do not truly know Him. We have to speak Jesus. I have a son and a dear friend who need someone to speak Jesus to them. My words fall short on their ears BUT GOD has someone out there that they will hear. I believe that I am somone out there, as well as you reading this, that need to speak Jesus to someones loved ones. Satan is battling but we must put on that armor and battle with God and all the believers to stand firm and speak Jesus!!!!
Ephesians 6:10-11″Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
2 Thessalonians 3:33 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
Romans 8:37-39″No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
God I thank You for all the scriptures You have given me to fight this fight. God thank You for boldness to speak to others loved ones about who You are and how they can be a part of this kingdom, here now and forever more. Thank You for the minutes of this day, that I can glorify You with my actions, words, thoughts and deeds in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!
We are in a spiritual battle, but we know the outcome. I know how the story ends….