Lesson 18
This chapter symbolically describes the satanic hatred toward God’s plan for the messianic line—Israel. The word translated sign, or “wonder,” (SĒMEION, say-mi’-on) means an indication or a token (12:1 & 3). It is a symbol representing a reality. The woman in these verses represents Israel. How does verse 5a–b make this clear?
The crown of twelve stars (12:1d) probably represents the twelve tribes. Next, John sees another sign appear in heaven: a great red dragon, Satan (12:3a–b), who clearly relates to the beast (13:1). He had seven heads and ten horns, which represent power and Satan’s control over the world during the Great Tribulation. He had on his heads seven diadems, or “crowns” (12:3c–d). These are royal crowns (DIADĒMA, di-ah’-day-ma) rather than the victor’s crown (STEPHANOS, stef’-an-os) on the sun-clothed woman (12:1). What did Satan do, according to Revelation 12:4a?
Michael is the only angel in the Bible specifically called an archangel, who is the guardian of God’s people (Jude 9). He is also called a prince, which means “commander” (Dan. 10:13, 21). Michael and his angels defeated Satan and his angels, and they were cast out of heaven and thrown down to earth. Then, the great dragon … who is called the devil and Satan became the deceiver of the whole world (12:7–9). What does Satan do (12:10c–d)?
Because of the defeat of Satan, the loud voice in heaven (12:10) says, “Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath” (12:12a–d). Why, according to the last phrase of that verse?
The dragon continues to pursue, or persecute, the woman who gave birth to the male Child. Therefore, the woman is given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness (12:14a). This pictures swift, powerful protection. This same picture is used when God reminds the Israelites of their deliverance from Egypt. What does He say in Exodus 19:4b?
This beast has already been mentioned as rising from the bottomless pit (11:7), so the sea is probably symbolic of the bottomless pit. The first beast represents the Antichrist. He has ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads (13:1). Apparently, Satan summons the beast to do his bidding because he gives the beast his power and his throne and great authority (13:2). One head has a mortal wound that is miraculously healed. Therefore, the whole earth marvels and worships the beast (13:3–4). How does 2 Thessalonians 2:9 describe this event?
Revelation 16:13; 19:20, and 20:10 call the second beast the false prophet. He has all the authority of the first (13:11–12a). Now, we have the “unholy trinity”—the devil, the Antichrist, and the false prophet. What is the purpose of the second beast, according to 13:12b?
The image of the first beast also commands all people to receive a mark on the right hand or the forehead. No one can buy or sell anything without the mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number of its name (13:16–17). What is that number (13:18d)?
Some believe the three numbers represent the unholy trinity. However, no one knows the meaning of this number, but one day it will identify the beast, or the Antichrist. This section reveals that, during the second half of the Great Tribulation, there will be one world ruler, one government-sanctioned religion, and one world economic system. This passage should be a challenge to obey what command in 1 Corinthians 16:13?
