Revelation Chapter 12

Last week we ended the interlude that took place between the sixth and seventh trumpet in chapters ten and eleven. Our study ended last week with the sounding of the seventh trumpet, which brought with it the consummation of all things… the end of the world as we would call it. It was recorded that with this trumpet, things would wrap up and judgement would come quickly.

However, the ending judgements and consummation does not start until chapter sixteen. Instead, chapters twelve through fourteen focus on the why is has to be done this way and starting in chapter fifteen, John shows us the how it is done.

Picking up today, John will start introducing us to the main characters, the plot, of Revelation. Then, in a story like way, John will explain to us this battle that has been raging and the reason it all happens the way it does.

Additionally, this chapter provides us with knowledge and truth on some false teachings and theologies of another religion. Since we are here in this chapter, while I try to not spend a lot of time discussing this other church, it must be addressed. The LDS church teaches that the great war in Heaven already took place and that those here on earth are here because we fought in that war on God’s side and helped kick Satan out of the heavenly realms. More on this in verses seven through twelve.

Verses 1-6

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and jten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 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.[1]

Verse 1

Great wonder – This is one of the places I tend to disagree with and stray away from the King James Version of the Bible. The Greek word used in the beginning of this chapter is not the word for wonder, but the word for sign. John transitions away from the seventh trumpet to a great sign taking place in the sky. This sign descriptively plays out the war in the heavenly realms, but is viewed by John from an earthly perspective.

A women, clothed with the sun and mood, a crown of twelve stars – Ok, some imagery here that draws from the Old Testament book of Genesis. Many commentators from all Christian denominations, but especially the Catholic church, have taught this to be the virgin Mary. Contextually, this cannot be the case. Even others have tried to describe this passage of verse as the body of Christ, or the church. It is properly understood that this verse is referring to the Nation of Israel as a whole. In Genesis 37:9-11, Joseph has a dream, where the sun and moon are his parents, Jacob and Rachel, and the crowns were the twelve tribes of Israel. This description leans heavily on that original vision and defines this women, the first character here, as Israel. The line of reasoning here points to Israel as the source for Christ.

Verse 2

Being with child – This refers to the state of Israel being ready to be redeemed and reflects their status as a reemerging nation during the first period of the tribulation. The labor and birth pains describe Israel’s suffering as they are awaiting to be redeemed.

This symbolism and interpretation come from Isaiah 26, where Israel, God’s people in distress, is likened to a women experiencing birth pains.

This verse also serves a double meaning, discussing the actual birth of Christ, which is the means by which God redeems His hurting people.

Verse 3

Another wonder – The vision of the women with child transitions to another scene playing out in the skies.

A great red dragon – We are introduced to the second character in the chapter and story, the dragon. Verses seven through twelve will identify this dragon as the personage of the devil, satan, that old serpent. The color read is the same color as the second of the four horsemen in Revelation 6. It has been speculated that red is identified with the warfare, or the blood that will be shed. If we draw from the description of the red horseman’s power and ability, this would seem accurate.

Seven heads, ten horns, seven crowns – The seven heads and ten horns is the combination of all the horns and heads of the beasts in Daniel 7. The ten horns represent the ten kingdoms/kings that will be simultaneously reigning during this portion of the tribulation. Some have suggested that if you look at a map, you could easily divide the world into ten distinct kingdoms/nations.

Others have said that the entire western hemisphere will not be in this at all (likely perishing in the portion of the world that is already destroyed) and all these kingdoms will be dominating around Israel. Of note, they mention that the US, Canada, Mexico and Southern America is not mentioned at all in Revelation as their reasoning for this.

It is difficult to say one way or the other, but there will be ten nations at the time. Of further note, and this will be discussed later on next chapter, it seems all ten nations will give their power over to the beast, and it will hence become a one world government.

The crowns, or more appropriately, diadems, are crowns of royalty, govenorship, and not of victory such as the crown the women will be wearing.

Verse 4

His tail… a third part of the stars of heaven – First, some commentators have used this verse to explain why a third of heaven goes dark during the forth trumpet judgement in Revelation 8:12 – But remember, that is a literal darkening of the skies (the entire skies) for a literal third of the day. That judgement does not reference that a third of the stars will go completely dark.

In this verse, stars are being used symbolically to represent a third of the host of heaven. In other words, a third of the angel in heaven were taken with satan when he transgressed against God.

In a passing though, I find this very sad that a full third of the heavenly host, living and dwelling in the presence of God, would decide to leave.

Stood before the women which was ready to deliver – This is a two fold description as well. This speaks first, of the devil who tried to slay Jesus when he was born with Herold, and eventually the cross, and of the devil standing before God’s people who are awaiting deliverance. He is standing before them waiting for them to show themselves so he can devour them. In this way, there will be a lot of martyrs in the tribulation. The devil will be standing by waiting to slay all who will not take his mark.

Verse 5

A man child – This is unequivocally Jesus Christ, the third character in this chapter. In the Old Testament, where we draw a lot of imagery from, deliverance came in the form of returning back to Israel or being taken away from a land of bondage.

Who will rule all nations with a rod of iron – Jesus Christ is the Lord of Lords and the King of kings. He will fulfil the desire of the psalmist from ps 2:9 to rule all the nations. Though this did not happen in Jesus first coming, it will happen. As we’ve seen, God is in control of everything.

And was caught up unto God and His throne – This refers to the resurrection and ascension of Jesus up to Heaven. In this quick summary, the entire life and ministry of Jesus is left out, because it is from His throne in Heaven where He will bring an end to these things. From Heaven will judgement pour out.

The same word for caught up in this verse is the same word we use for the rapture of the church.

Verse 6

Fled to the wilderness – In the books of Exodus through Deuteronomy, the wilderness was not only a place of trial for the Israelites, but it was a place of being provided for by the Lord. David, Elijah, and other greats went out to the desert to be sheltered from the world and receive providence from God.

The women, Israel, is fleeing the persecution from the beast and one world government. This verse describes the overall experience of all who will call on the name of God during the great tribulation.

A thousand two hundred and threescore days – Or, exactly three and a half years. This is referring to the last half of the tribulation period, and also accounts for the placement of the mark of the beast in the next chapter.

In these verses, we have also received the first of the answer’s to “why”. Why does God need to do it this way. As verse four indicated, the dragon, satan, is always standing before God’s people waiting to devour them. To stop what God has planned for them. In ending and consuming all, God will remove this possibility.

Verses 7-12

7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, awhich deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 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. 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. 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.[2]

Verse 7

And there was a war in Heaven – At the beginning of this study, I mentioned a religion that takes this verse extremely out of context. There is a religious believe, that teaches we were pre-mortal spirit children of God, and that we fought in this war. They teach that our choice to fight on God’s side of the war is what allowed us to be here on earth. They teach that in this war, we kicked Satan out of heaven before God even made the earth.

This has not yet happened, contrary to what they teach. We know this, largely by verse ten of this chapter, so more on it in a moment. This war is a future war, and will take place half way through the tribulation, and will be the moment the great tribulation begins.

Michael and his angels – Christ is not portrayed as being the leader of this war, Michael is. Michael remains the only archangel who is named in the Bible. While he is portrayed as the leader, it remains that this power is delegated from Christ and Christ is the ruler from the throne.

Michael is the fourth person introduced in this chapter, and in the general story of Revelation.

Verse 8

And prevailed not – Many have tried to portray the battle of good and evil and yin and yang, as two equally opposing forces at war with one another. Such is not the case. The battle between good and evil is between an all powerful God, at war with satan, whose power is limited by God, and he knows he has already lost.

The power of satan, though enough to draw a third of the heavenly host with him, was not enough to overcome the power of God, and the armies of Michael and his angel.

Neither was their place found any more in heaven – This is two-fold. First, Satan is going to lose his access to heaven and the throne room of God. There will be room no more for Satan, and in casting him out, his accusations will no longer make it to God.

Second – God is now beginning to move His kingdom to earth. There will be found no more a place for kingdoms built by mans hand. Instead, a kingdom built by God will come and be unmovable.

Verse 9

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan – We are finally told who the great dragon is. That old serpent refers to Genesis 3, when the serpent in the garden tempts Eve to eat the fruit from the forbidden tree. This great drama also fulfills the first prophecy regarding salvation, also in Gen 3, when God foretells that He will put enmity between the women’s descendants and the serpent. Though the serpent is never identified directly in the Old Testament as Satan, it has been both assumed throughout, and later confirmed in the New Testament book of Romans, chapter 16 when Paul writes that the God of peace will crush satan under your feet, referring to the prophecy found in Gen 3.

Devil – A word that means slanderer.

Satan – In both Hebrew and Greek, satan means the accuser. More on this in verse 10.

Additionally, dragon and sea monster in the Greek are the exact same word – In the book of Job, we are introduced to such a dragon (Leviathan). While it be true then, that dragons do/did exist, they were not flying creatures, but sea creatures.

Was cast out into the earth…angels with him – At this moment, which is still in the future, Satan will be cast out of the heavens and to the earth. For the first time, Satan will never have access to heaven again.

Some have used Isaiah 14:12-14, which gives the account of the falling of the morning start, to say that satan has already fallen. But if read contextually, it is clear that the scriptures are referring to the king of Babylon. It was not until many centuries later that it was interpreted to mean satan, the devil.

Others have used what Christ said in Luke 10:18, when He stated that “I saw satan fall like lightning from heaven” as evidence this has already happened. But to say that satan has already been cast to earth and is no longer acting would be incorrect (just look at the world around you to see that). Christ, then, being all knowing and having a surety of the completion of His work, was looking forward to the ultimate fall of satan.

Satans fall happened in stages.

1. The first time he was beat was during Christs earthly ministry, when He was resurrected.

2. Satan will be beat again here in Revelation 12 when he is cast out of heaven

3. Satan will later be locked into the pit for a thousand years.

4. Finally, satan will be cast into the everlasting lake of fire.

Verse 10

Loud voice – There is once again a loud, authoritative voice, from heaven. The next three verses are a doxology, that is, verses that praise God. They start their praise with the coming of the Kingdom of God, and the power of Christ.

For the accuser of our brethren is cast down – Satan is the accuser of God’s people. As his name suggests, he is constantly accusing us (ironically, and honestly so) of the things we’ve done.

Which accused them before our God day and night – Ah… Here is how we know that this war in heaven has still not happened. Satan stands before God day and night – Did you see what Matt did? Oh, look, Shawnee just did something wrong, did you see that?

Satan stands in a consistent and continual effort to condemn us. We have seen an example of this in the book of Job (which took place after earths creation, so satan could not have been cast out by this point) chapter 1 verses 6-8.

Verse 11

And they overcame by the blood of the Lamb – Satan accused us day and night, but we overcame by the blood of the Lamb. Because of Christs substitutionary death for us on the cross, we have overcome the accusations and sins and have been made righteous in Christ.

By the word of their testimony – When things got tough, these saints did not turn from their testimony. They held on to their faith and overcame.

Loved not their lives unto death – Christ says, paraphrasing here, that he who loves his life would lose it and he who loses his life should gain it. Meaning, we are not to love our lives more than we love Christ. We must be willing to die for what we believe in. Many Christians have, and many more will, die for the sake of Christ.

Verse 12

Rejoice ye heavens, and ye that dwell there – For those who are saved, we are told to rejoice. By the last part of this verse, we once again see how the inhabitants of the earth refer to the unsaved, the perishing, and not to those that belong to God.

Woe to the inhabiters of the earth – This is a warning to those who dwell on the earth. The lost, the unsaved. This is going to be miserable, this is going to be painful.

For the devil… come down… great wrath…short time – This woe is because the devil knows he is short on time. The war has already been won, and the devil knows that. With this knowledge, he is on the earth and is wrathful, and will take it out on the inhibitors. The devil will work tirelessly to bring as many with him as he can. Strict rules will he set forth, he will control the markets and money, he will control healthcare, and he will slay all who disagree with him.

Interestingly enough, I can begin to see the world transitioning to a place where this can actually happen.

Verses 13-17

13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 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. 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. 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. 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.[3]

Verse 13

He persecuted the women – When the dragon was cast to the earth and could not win the heavenly war, he then decided that he would persecute the women from the beginning of this chapter. That is, then, turned to persecute the people of God, and more specifically, he persecuted Israel, who brought forth the Christ.

Verse 14

Two wings of a great eagle – Many people have speculated that this is referring to a plane, however, this seems unlikely. The same reference was used in Ex 19:4, when referring to God delivering Israel from Egypt on the wings of an eagle. This expression carries the idea that God’s protection is swift, is strong, and is secure. God will protect Israel as they flee the devil.

Into the wilderness – Many have speculated that this would be the fortress of Petra, which is a city that is only accessible through a narrow access point surrounded by mountains. There is no contradiction here, as this is in the desert mountains, out in the wilderness. This city would provide proficient protection and make attack extremely difficult.

A time, a times, and half a time – We have already discussed throughout Revelation the period of three and a half years, however, this is the first and only time this specific phrasing of the three and a half years, from Daniel, is used in Revelation. This refers to the portion of the tribulation known as the great tribulation.

Verse 15

Many have speculated verse fifteen is making reference to a literal flood of water. However, given the geography of the promised land, such a flood would be impossible. Rather, it seems that John is using symbolic language to state that the devil issued a flood of attacks and persecutions so that he may kill God’s people, Israel.

Zechariah 13:8 says that two thirds of the people who flee from this would be slain. Only a remnant, a third of them, will make it to safety.

Verse 16

Verse sixteen describes that the earth helped the women. Given the context of this passage and what seems to make the most sense, this would describe that the geography, the lay of the land, make it difficult to pursue and slay all of Israel. The geography will also offer many hiding places along to route to wherever they go, and desert may swallow up many of the pursuers.

Verse 17

In the last chapter, the nations were angry. In this chapter, that is paralleled with satan being angry, or wroth as our text would say. This is in direct relation to rejecting God and His judgement. Satan is no longer able to contend with God and His angels, as he has been cast from heaven, and so has turned his attention to the rest of the offspring, the people who continued to follow God.

[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 12:1–6). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 12:7–12). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[3] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 12:13–17). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.