By: Tom Lowe Date: 8/12/16
Series:Verse By Verse Through Revelation
Lesson: IV .A.1: The Woman, Child, Dragon, and Rest of the Woman’s Offspring (12:1-17)
Revelation 12:1-17 (KJV)
1 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 ten 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.
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, which 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.
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.
Introduction
This book of revelation is one of the most wonderful in all the Word of God, and the chapter before us is one of the most picturesque in the book. It is the great “sign” chapter. The word “wonder” in verses 1 and 3 is “semeion,” translated “sign” in the Revised Version, and used here for the first time in the Revelation. There are two “wonders” (or signs) in this chapter, the first being a “great wonder” and the second called “another wonder.”
This is a chapter of “great things.” Take note of “a great wonder” (verse one), “a great red dragon” (verse 3), “great wrath” (verse 12), and “two wings of a great eagle” (verse 14). We can be assured that the Holy Spirit’s use of the word “great” is discriminatory. Chapter 12 has to do with the woman, the war, and the woe. One theme of this chapter is Satan’s ruling passion—to exterminate the Jews.
Commentary
1 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:
In his vision, the apostle sees “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.” Our study will show that she represents Israel. Not everyone agrees with me, but I’ll give you several other theories and you can decide whether you agree with me or one of the others.
First, the Roman Catholic Church has made the woman to be the “Virgin Mary.” That theory can be discredited because there is not a shred of evidence that the body of Mary ever ascended into Heaven. Moreover, it is utterly ridiculous to show Mary in Heaven, about to deliver her child, after the birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. This is not a vision of the Virgin Mary.
Second, there are those among Protestants who tell us that the woman symbolizes the “Church.” Now it is a part of scripture symbolism to speak of the Church as a woman (see 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 19:7). But we do not read far into our chapter before discovering that the woman gave birth to a child, and that the child was the Lord Jesus Christ. Now we know that the Church did not give birth to Christ, but rather Christ founded His Church (see Matthew 16:18). If we just keep our bearings here and not lose our heads, we know that this is the Great Tribulation Period and that the church has already gone to heaven. This woman does not represent the Church.
Third, there is the blasphemous teaching of “Mary Baker Glover Patterson Eddy,” who was conceited enough to claim that this woman of Revelation represented herself. She added that the “man child” that she brought forth is Christian Science; that the “dragon” is “mortal mind” (whatever that is) attempting to destroy her new religion. I like how one theologian responded to her statement, he said that with such a theory “I need not take up the time of sane people.”
Most expositors have seen clearly that this woman represents “Israel,” and I concur with this view (see verse 2). She is the people of God, who as Israel in the Old Testament did produce the Messiah and as the Church and New Israel is now the persecuted “offspring.”
Notice the very extraordinary manner in which this woman (the “great wonder”) is clothed. She is wearing the “sun,” which means she’s reflecting the power of God—and for a footstool she uses the “moon” (“the moon under her feet”), which indicates that she is the nation God has marked as special. For her hat she wears a “crown studded with twelve stars” that corresponds to the twelve tribes of Israel. She is a mother-to-be, and her delivery is eminent. Her labor pains represent the struggles that were a part of the life of Israel. This woman is not actually in Heaven—but upon the earth. The sign is in the Heavens, but the birth takes place right here on this earth.
The “crown” on the woman’s “head” signifies royal dignity—but why the stars in the crown? Without a doubt the “stars” point back to Joseph’s dream in which the future Glory of the twelve tribes is set forth.
“Twelve stars”. . . The number 12 used here and in several other passages in Revelation, denotes an administrative rule in the hands of men. Israel is earthy with earthly promises, and every promise made to Abraham will be fulfilled to the letter and every minute detail—even to the possessing of the land promised to his seed.
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
The woman is dealing with the pain of childbirth and is almost ready to deliver her baby. The mother-to-be is Israel—but who is this man-child about to be born . . . this child whom Satan is ready to devour? It we compare Scripture with Scripture and spiritual things with spiritual; I see no reason why we should not see plainly who the “child” is.
He is to “rule all nations with a rod of iron.” Who could that be other than Jesus Christ, the Son of God? We, the Church, will reign with Him, but He will be King of kings and Lord of lords. He will rule with “a rod of iron” and we will reign with Him as He sets on the throne of David. (Read Psalm 2 in its entirety.) Jesus has been the object of the devil’s hatred since He was promised, in Genesis 3:15—“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” There is a trail of blood from Genesis to the cross—a trail of blood left by those whom Satan destroyed in his all-out attempt to stop the Seed of the woman. But praise God, Jesus fulfilled every demand of God the Father, He paid sin’s debt in full. He conquered death, hell and the grave. He arose, He appeared to men, He ascended back to the Father, and He is coming again in power and great Glory. Jesus will personally supervise putting Satan into the lake of fire, where he will be tormented with fire and brimstone forever and ever.
It can only be said of Israel that she brought forth this “child” who is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham” (Hebrews 2:10). The prophet wrote this about Him, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). He is the Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15); the Son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1); of the Tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:8-10; Revelation 5:5); the Star and Scepter of Jacob (Numbers 24:17-19). He is the descendant of David with whom God made a covenant (2 Samuel 7:11-16), which four generations later Jeremiah declared could never be broken (Jeremiah 33:17-18, 20-22). The same covenant was confirmed by other prophets in words which forbid fulfillment in David, or in any mere son of David (Ezekiel 34:23-24; 37:24-25). Indeed it was from the chosen people, the Israel of God that Jesus Christ sprang in His human linage. God’s great purpose in bringing Israel into being was to make that nation a storehouse for His Word and a nation out of which Christ should come.
Remember, beloved, we are dealing with earth and Israel in this chapter. The Church is with Jesus in the air, and has been since the beginning of the reign of the Antichrist. (The Church is to be raptured before the Antichrist is revealed.) Israel is on earth in her own land. The false messiah is in power. And now, during the last three and a half years of the Tribulation, all hell has broken out.
3 And there appeared another wonder in Heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
There is no problem in identifying the [2]“dragon.” He is “that old [7]serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world” (12:9). He is seen by John as having “seven heads.” Seven speaks of completeness, and the head of wisdom. Of Him it is written, “Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom” (Ezekiel 28:12). Our Lord said, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). The devil is a master strategist and deceiver. His past is recorded in Isaiah 14:12-15. His present activity is seen in part in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 11:13-15. Very few of us have ever realized the power of the devil. Ever since he became Satan he has been extremely envious and jealous of God.
The dragon has “seven heads” (a symbol of mock perfection, though some say it symbolizes the seven consecutive world empires of Revelation 17:10) and on each head there are seven diadems, or “crowns.” These crowns are not merely the wreaths worn by the victor of a contest, nor are they supernatural, heavenly crowns, like the crown of 12 stars on the woman’s head (12:1); instead, these heads and crowns symbolize nations over which Satan has control—they are the crowns of royalty and symbolize the dragon’s ability to rule. Scripture describes Satan as the “ruler” or “god of this world” (John 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19). His rule encompasses every area of this world. Oppressive and unjust political structures reflect Satan’s reign (see Revelation 12:13; 13:4-8; 18:1-20). Even the curse of death and sickness that God pronounced in Eden is the result of Satan’s work—“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44). Whatever authority the dragon has, though, is limited and delegated. God has allowed it. The dragon has “seven heads”—but whether he comes with the head of “an angel of light” or “the head of “a roaring lion,” he has the same heart and he is the father of the same deception and destruction. His head may change, but his heart never changes.
The [5]red dragon had “ten horns,” which in the most basic sense implies great strength. Horns are instruments of destruction (Zechariah 1:18-21), and ten is the number of evil, worldly completeness. With ten horns the dragon gores, wounds, hurts, scatters, destroys and kills. But some interpreters understand the ten horns to represent the ten nations that will rule under the Antichrist during the final days. Others believe the ten horns represent the leaders or rulers that have been a tool of Satan in his attempt to oppose the Messiah.
His “ten horns and seven crowns upon his heads” speak of his usurped authority. Our Lord called him “the prince of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). “Indeed the whole world lieth in the wicked one (1 John 5:19).” Entire governments are in his power and through them he operates. Jesus said that “he was a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44), and Peter adds that “Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
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.
The “dragon” is seen here standing before “the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.” The “dragon” was not trying to destroy “the woman”—but the Son . . . Jesus. The devil has been at war with God’s Son ever since the divine pronouncement in Genesis 3:15 (see verse 2). The history of the human race is a record of war between the seeds, the “seed of the serpent” and the “Seed of the woman.” God himself declared this war. The devil is determined to obliterate God’s witness in the world; while God is determined that He shall have a witness to Jesus Christ. Satan hates any testimony to the truth about the Son of God, and he will resort to any method to silence such a witness.
The picture of the dragon sweeping the stars from the sky with its tail comes from the picture in Daniel of the little horn who cast the stars to the ground and trampled on them (see Daniel 8:10). We note that the dragon’s tail will pull down one-third of the stars in Heaven. His tail swings through Heaven, coils about celestial principalities (angels), and “drew the third part of the stars of Heaven, and did cast them to the earth.” These are specific Heavenly beings (angels) with which we are now dealing—not the little stars that twinkle. The stars that plunged to earth with him are usually considered to be the angels who fell with Satan and became his demons. According to Hebrew tradition one-third of all the angels in Heaven fell with Satan. Remember, we are dealing with a “wonder” (vision, sign) in Heaven. The tail of this dragon is certainly one of his outstanding features. “The third part of the stars of Heaven” indicates the vast extent of the rebellion in Heaven.
The “stars” here are angels. The being (or angel) who came down to unlock the bottomless pit was referred to as a star (chapter 9). These angels are truly the “stars of Heaven.” When God made the world in the beginning, “the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:7). These were the angelic hosts . . . they are called “stars” because of their beauty and glory. They are the “stars of Heaven” because they pertain to Heaven, and are the most sublime ornaments of the celestial world.
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 (ascended) unto God, and to his throne.
This verse contains a remarkable summary of three significant events in Christ’s life, namely, His Incarnation, Ascension, and Second Coming to earth to rule. No other person in history fits into the details presented here. When we compare Scripture reference with Scripture reference we learn that it is only said of Christ, “He shall rule all nations with a rod of iron” (Psalm 2:8-9, Revelation 19:15).
We are not to be concerned about the total omission of detail concerning the earthly life of Christ. The vision here has to do with those crises in His life which bear directly upon His triumph over the hostile powers of darkness. The first prophecy concerning Christ, as recorded in Genesis 3:15, likewise omits His earthly life but includes the fact of His death. The interest in the Revelation is not in the human Jesus, who walked the roads in and about Palestine, but in the exalted and victorious Christ.
Those of us who are born again have nothing to worry about. Jesus is the head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23). He is the foundation of the Church (1 Corinthians 3:11), and the gates of hell shall never prevail against the Church (Matthew 16:18). We are bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh, so if you are born again, don’t worry. When all of these horrible things take place, all believers will have a grandstand seat in the sky! The Man child is caught up to God and to God’s throne. We who are members of the New Testament Church will be caught up with Him before the horrible time of Tribulation comes upon earth. Remember, the Church is the community of God’s people in every age.
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.
“And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God.” Verse 6 is closely related to verse 14. The woman (Israel) fleeing into the wilderness signifies a place devoid of natural resources . . . a place of complete isolation. In this case, the woman hides for three and a half years. She hides in a place that has been prepared by God in order for her to be cared for. God has a wilderness, a place of safety and security for His people in the time of their calamity. In this verse, the woman fleeing into the wilderness is a picture of her escaping to a place of protection. “The wilderness” represents a place of spiritual refuge and protection from Satan, probably not meant to be literal because this chapter is mostly symbolic.
“That they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” The Word tells us that Israel will again be fed as they were fed in the days when God rained manna from Heaven and sent quail for meat. If God did it then, couldn’t He do it again?
The period of “a thousand two hundred and threescore days” (1260 days, three-and-a-half years) is the period of the great tribulation. The Tribulation—the time of Jacob’s trouble—lasts for seven years, however, the last three-and-a-half years (the great tribulation) is much worse than the first three-and-a-half years. That is the time when Satan will do his worst, but God will not allow him to succeed. He will not even have the satisfaction of hindering for a moment God’s plans, all of which proceed on schedule. Even the exact number of the day’s involved in the tribulation has been written in the Word of God for centuries.
Satan always attacks God’s people, but God keeps them spiritually secure. Some will experience physical harm, but all will be protected from spiritual harm. God will not let Satan take the souls of his true followers. History shows that every nation has been frustrated in attempts to wipe out the Jew. Even in the Great Tribulation, when Satan puts forth his supreme effort to destroy the Jew, he is powerless to accomplish his evil desire. To the very end God frustrates the efforts of the dragon. Satan has power, but he cannot oppose the plan of God.
7 And there was war in Heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
“And there was war in Heaven.” That is about the very last place one would expect to find war. “War in Heaven!” It’s no wonder that at the end of the Apocalypse God makes both a new Heaven and a new earth, for Satan has defiled both realms. Sin is much older than mankind. It did not originate on earth; it originated in Heaven and began, not in a human breast, but in the soul of Lucifer. So this war is fought in Heaven. The idea expressed here seems to be that the dragon hated the Messiah so much that he pursued him even to Heaven, where he was met by “Michael” with his heavenly legions and finally cast out. Notice that the battle here was not between God and Satan or between Christ and Satan but between “Michael” and Satan. This evil prince never threatened God; it was Michael who defeated him; God does not do business with the devil.
This entire 12th chapter is one of conflict. Here we see the events that are to take place during the last half of the tribulation, the last three-and-one-half years of Daniel’s seventieth week. This period actually begins with the blowing of the seventh trumpet in 11:15-19 and concludes at the end of chapter 19. It brings Israel to the forefront in God’s plans.
Between verses 5 and 6, however, there is a prophetic gap. All of the present Age of Grace is omitted. Now there are reasons for this. The war spoken of here is a series of conflicts with the dragon persecuting the woman, who is Israel. The events in verse seven do not begin until after the Church has been raptured. In fact, it is possible that the Rapture brings about this conflict.
Satan will attempt to hinder the Rapture. Satan is the hinderer of all that God would accomplish through His own people (Daniel 10:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:18). At the moment when Satan interferes with the Rapture, Michael and his angels, who are ministers to the saints (Hebrews 1:7, 14), rushed to the rescue—and the battle is on.
Who IS Michael? He is leading the army of angels who are battling Satan and his angels (not demons). Michael is mentioned five times in the Scriptures: Daniel 10:13-21; Daniel 12:1; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7. He seems to be the highest of all angels. Jude calls him the archangel. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and Jude 9.
It seems that Michael is the leading angel having to do with the Jewish people . . . he is probably the guardian angel over God’s elect: (Daniel 12:1). That refers to Israel. Michael shall stand up to see that Israel does not perish in the Great Tribulation—the time of Jacob’s trouble—“In all history there has never been such a time of terror. It will be a time of trouble for my people Israel. Yet in the end they will be saved!” (Jeremiah 30:7). Michael is the militant angel who fights on the side of God’s elect—Israel. For instance, it was Michael who fought Satan for the body of Moses (Jude 1:9).
It is a Bible fact that the atmospheric Heaven just above us is the kingdom of Satan. The devil does not have access to the third Heaven where God’s house is. Paul was caught up into the third Heaven, and was forbidden to tell what he heard and saw there (2 Corinthians 12:1-3). There is the echo of the ancient story of a primeval war in Heaven. Satan was an angel who conceived “the impossible thought” of placing his throne higher than that of God and was cast out of heaven.
Satan knows what God’s house is like. Before he became Satan, he was Lucifer, the “anointed cherub that covereth” (Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28). But sin was born in the heart of Lucifer. He was cast out of Heaven and the angels he led astray are now in chains awaiting the judgment. There is a strong line of thought in the Old Testament in which Satan is still an angel under God’s command and with access to His presence. In Job we find Satan numbered amongst the sons of God and possessing access into His presence (Job 1:6-9; 2:1-6); and in Zechariah we also find Satan in the presence of God (Zechariah 3:1, 2).
In Ephesians 1:3 and 2:6 Paul tells us that we believers set together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Positionally we are dead and our lives are hid with Christ in God—“For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Positionally we are members of His body now, and He sits at the right of God; so we sit with Jesus in Heavenly places, in the third Heaven.
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in Heaven.
The war is decisively won by Michael and his angels and it appears to have been won without weapons. So complete is the victory that, after the war is over, Michael and his hosts supervise the mopping up exercises. Every inch of the aerial and stellar Heavens is searched thoroughly to make certain that none of Satan’s demons remain (Revelation 12:9). The Heavens as well as the earth must be cleared of all evil, demons, and sin—and of the curse (Romans 8:22). All creation suffers because of sin. All creation is out of joint, off balance, and must be set straight. The method by which the earth and the regions above the earth will be purified is stated in Colossians 1:20—“And through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross” (also see Hebrews 9:22). The blood of Jesus Christ is the answer. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission. Without the blood of Jesus there is no redemption. How complete—how far-reaching—how powerful—how pure and simple is the blood of the Lamb! “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
God’s clear teaching is that Christ is victorious—Satan has already been defeated because of Christ’s death on the cross (12:10-12). Even though God permits the devil to do his work in this world, God is still in control. And Jesus has complete power over Satan; he defeated Satan when he died and rose again. One day Satan will be bound forever, never again to do his evil work (20:10).
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
The purpose here is not the kind of reporting a war correspondent does. It is to tell the Christians why “earth” is under such devastating attack. Since there was no longer any place for them in Heaven, the “dragon” and his “angels” were thrown out and landed on earth.
Verse nine contains two reasons for why this all-important war was fought. First, it was fought to “cast” “Satan” down from Heaven. It is evident from Daniel 10 that behind the kingdoms of this “world” is a Satanic empire in the spirit world divided into kingdoms synonymous with those on earth. Satanic angels or “principalities” as they are called, supervise on Satan’s behalf the affairs of the nations over which they secretly rule. When God called Abraham out of UR of the Chaldees, He said to him, “I will make of thee a great nation” (Genesis 12:2). In God’s time, this nation emerged as a power to be reckoned with on earth. It was a new and divinely-created nation, and Satan had no angelic prince over it. On the contrary, an angel of God, Michael, “one of the chief princes,” was set over Israel in the spirit world. Michael defends Israel and God’s interests in this nation against the ceaseless attacks of Satan’s emissaries. In the Old Testament Satan was the angel who was the counsel for the prosecution against men in the presence of God; he was their adversary.
This war, then, will be fought to “cast” Satan down from Heaven. It is also fought (the second reason) to cast Satan down to earth. The campaign against Satan does not last long. All his followers are flung with him from the sky in one clean sweep. To borrow a famous statement from Israel’s persecuted past, “not a hoof will be left behind!” Satan may be mighty, but he is not almighty. This event probably takes place in connection with the blowing of the third trumpet (8:10-11).
Satan fell to the earth with “all his angels”—referring to demons. This world is their prison, where, as the enemies of God, they work against God’s people. Satan is not omnipresent—he cannot be everywhere at once, so his demons work for him. Demons are fallen angels, sinful spiritual beings who have Satan as their leader (Matthew 25:41; Luke 11:15).
This marks the end of [1]Satan’s rule in the air. The prince of this world is cast out of the Heavens. The first and second Heavens were part of his kingdom. He had access to all the Heavens, though limited (Job 1:6). Now his access to them comes to an end. He was cast out of heaven and forced to walk the earth; therefore, he can be called the Ruler of this World (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), for, having been cast out of Heaven, he has to exert his evil influence among men. This is not his final fate, however:
“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit[a] and a heavy chain in his hand. 2 He seized the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years. 3 The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while. Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (20:1-3, 10).
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.
“And I heard” reminds us that John is still a spectator and auditor of these events. He does not want us to forget that, because it is very important.
“A loud voice saying in Heaven” seems to refer to the Old Testament saints or to the tribulation saints who have been martyred up to this point (Revelation 6:9-10), for they mention their brethren on the earth: “for the accuser of our brethren is cast down.” The eviction of the dragon is followed by a loud voice in heaven announcing God’s triumph and that the day of His people’s conquest has come. This anticipates the Millennial Kingdom. In the meantime, a glorious event has taken place; “the accuser of our brethren is cast down.” No railing slander against a believer would ever again be heard in heaven.
“The kingdom” must be understood here in its largest extent as embracing the Heavens and the earth. This is the final phase of God’s great plan of salvation. While it has not already “come,” the end is in sight. In that day there will be no occasion to pray, only praise.
“The power” refers to the irresistible might which shall crush all opposing authority—whether satanic in the Heavens or human on the earth.
Many believe that until this time, Satan still had access to God (Job 1:7). But here his access is barred forever (9:1). He can no longer accuse people before God (see how Satan made accusations about Job before God in Job 1:6).
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.
There are no planes, bombs, missiles, nor atomic submarines. The destruction of bodies is not the goal. The people’s power to overcome Satan is found in three weapons:
The first weapon was “the blood of the Lamb.” The blood of the Lamb is forever the fortress of saints and of angels. Justified and forgiven men, who have no hope except for the merit of their Savior’s blood, are on the victory side. Men on earth may ridicule Christ’s blood, but in Heaven it is celebrated. They recognize that victory did not come by means of personal merit or might. Without the atoning blood Satan’s accusations could not be refuted. Christ’s blood gave them standing before God. And so it gives us standing even now. The devil has access to God today for the purpose of accusing us (Zechariah 3:1). He does this whenever we sin. But our Advocate, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, is there to plead our cause. Praise God for the Blood!
There is wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb. Don’t you forget that. Let us not minimize that.
The second weapon was “the word of their testimony.” This is God’s Word, the Sword of the Spirit, forever established in Heaven. They who believe it, identify themselves with it, and testify to it are assured of victory. This Word is authoritative against demons. It will work wonders in the heart and head of the weakest saint. John adds a testimony in full agreement with this (1 John 2:13-14). The believer who would resist Satan cannot afford to neglect the Word of God.
The third weapon was “not loving this life more than the next.” Satan uses death as a means to intimidate people into denying Jesus. Nevertheless, the saints who deal with the complete onslaught of Satan realize that their only hope is to proclaim Christ, no matter the cost.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” The critical blow to Satan came when the Lamb, Jesus Christ, shed His blood for our sins. The victory is won by sacrifice—Christ’s sacrifice for sin, and the sacrifices we make because of our faith in Him. As we face the battle with Satan, we should not fear it or try to escape from it, but loyally serve Christ who alone brings victory (Romans 8:34-39).
“And they loved not their lives unto the death.” The one who completely yields to God (holds nothing back) cannot possibly lose a battle. For the sake of the truth they resigned all that man counts dear. Battles are fought and won by blood, by the Word of God, and by surrendering our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ.
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.
The result of that war in Heaven is blessing in Heaven but “woe” on earth. This woe is the last in the predicted series of three (8:13; 9:12; 11:14; 12:12). The word “woe” is used as a divine denunciation. Whenever God pronounces a woe there is judgment ahead. This third woe upon the earth, aimed first at Israel, is more severe than any of the former. The reason is obvious. “He [the devil] knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Satan is now truly a being with nothing to lose. He knows his final defeat is simply a matter of time. We are living in the last days, and Satan’s work has become more intense. Even though Satan is very powerful, as we can see by the condition of our world, he is always under God’s control. One of the reasons God allows Satan to work evil and bring temptation is so that those who pretended to be Christ’s followers will be weeded out from his true believers. As the great confrontation with Jesus draws near, the devil is desperately trying to recruit as great an enemy force as possible for this final battle.
The Heavens are rejoicing because Satan is cast out forever, and the believers know how to handle him. The rest of the world, however, will have to endure his wrath for a short while. This will be a bad time on earth. But these days will not go unpunished.
As soon as he is cast down to the earth, he at once proceeds to make war against the woman (Israel).
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
We don’t have to wait long to find out the form Satan’s rage will take. It is directed against Israel and the saints of God. He cannot touch the child, so he attacks the woman who brought Him into the world. This is the last wave of anti-Semitism that will roll over the world, and it is the worst, because Satan is cast down to the earth and knows that his time is short. The dragon can injure the child by injuring the mother; that is to say, to injure the Church is to injure Jesus Christ. The words of the risen Christ to Paul on the Damascus road were: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4). Paul’s persecution had been directed against the Church; but the Risen Christ makes it clear that persecution of His Church is persecution of Himself. When we deprive the Church of the help we might have given it, we deprive Jesus of the help we might have given Him; and when we serve the Church, we serve Jesus himself.
The Jew has always been a target for Satan’s bitter attacks. There is no nation in history whose people have been hated and persecuted as much as the Jews. When God called Abraham He let it be known that he would be the object of cursing (Genesis 12:3). But why would this be so? For no other reason than this; Abraham was chosen by God. When a man answers the call of God and casts his lot on the side of righteousness, he can expect to be hated by the enemies of God. (Read John 17:14-16; 1 John 3:1-2). Israel was chosen by God to be the storehouse for His Word and the nation through whom God’s Son, the world’s Redeemer, would come. Little wonder that Satan hates the Jew. After his final defeat in Heaven his wrath against the Jew will be great, for he knows that he has only three-and-one-half years remaining before he is bound and cast into the abyss.
14 And to the woman were given two [6]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.
Verse 14 resumes the narrative where it was interrupted at verse six. What is now added to the statement of verse six is that God provides an airlift for Israel’s escape from the dragon. Those who are protected are the Jews who are loyal to God. The eagle’s wings suggest the miraculous swiftness with which God will help them to escape. After Israel’s exodus from Egypt God reminded the people, saying, “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bear you on eagle’s wings, and brought you unto Myself” (Exodus 19:4). (See also Deuteronomy 32:11-12). This expression is probably a metaphor for the divine provision afforded to God’s people once again when another flight from her enemy becomes necessary. This prophesied flight is doubtless the one which Christ referred to in Matthew 24:15-21. Perhaps it is employed here to suggest that Israel will once again be delivered from oppression.
The period of time that these believing Jews are protected is referred to as “a time, and times, and half a time.” This period is further described as “a thousand two hundred and threescore days” (12:6), or “forty and two months” (11:2; 13:5). The phrase “time, and times, and half a time” equals three-and-one-half years (Daniel 7:25; 9:27; 12:7).
“Into the wilderness, into her place.” Scripture does not say that the rock-hewn city of Petra will be that place. It could be, but we just simply do not know. This “wilderness” has been identified as various places—Petra is not the only place. Some say that it is the wilderness of the peoples of the world; that is, that there will be another worldwide scattering of Israel. Since Christ said, “. . . Flee into the mountain’s (Matthew 24:16), we believe it to be a literal wilderness, possibly that same one in which Israel spent 40 years under Moses. This time it will be forty-two months, and that is the meaning of “a time, and times, and half a time.” The important thing is not the place but the fact that God will protect them by His grace.
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.
Here we have the serpent’s last attempt to destroy the woman and her child. He cast out of his mouth a [4]flood of water in an attempt to drown the woman, but mother earth helped her. Israel is an earthly people with earthly promises; the earth came to the rescue, opened her mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast forth out of his mouth. While the possibility of a literal flood cannot be disproved, the term is more likely a metaphor for enemies of Israel (Psalm 144:7-8; Daniel 11:40) whose efforts God will thwart. The words “as a flood” indicate symbolic language. Possibly this is a flood of evil propaganda, with lies and deceit coming from his mouth. This propaganda against the Jew will spread throughout the world. There might be some organized effort on the part of the Antichrist to locate the Jews for the purpose of destroying them. As the water of life proceeds from the mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:2), so the water of death proceeds from the mouth of the Antichrist. This figure of a flood is used elsewhere in scripture to represent overwhelming powers of destruction against the people of God (see Psalm 124). But we have the assuring promise that “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19).
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.
By divine intervention God raises up a standard (battle flag) against the enemy of His people. There was a flood in Noah’s day which threatened to destroy the royal seed, but God designed an ark and Shem was preserved, and in him the Jewish race. Pharaoh would have destroyed that race, but God preserved the baby Moses in an ark. Later God used that same Moses to lead His people across the Red Sea to freedom and preservation. Pharaoh in mad pursuit of Israel was swallowed up by the sea. And there is reason to think that it is by some great and sudden rending of the earth that these pursuing hosts are stopped in their tracks, if not buried in mass in the convulsion. At least, the object of their bloody expedition is thwarted. They failed to reach the woman in her place of refuge. The very ground yawns to stop them in their hellish madness.
Israel’s plight will be desperate, but even so, God will raise up among the Gentiles those who will render help. They will shield and shelter the Jews at great personal risk and will be numbered among the sheep at the judgment of the living nations when the Lord returns (Matthew 25:31-46). But Israel’s chief hiding place will be in what is called “the wilderness” (v. 14). The greatest flight will be from Jerusalem and the land of Israel, the focal point of the beast’s hatred, and God will repeat His former miracles and furnish for His beloved refugees a table in the wilderness.
Baffled at every turn, Satan turns against a small remnant of faithful Jews in an effort to exterminate them.
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.
If the woman represents faithful Jews, then the phrase “the remnant of her seed” could refer to all believers—the entire church. If the woman represents all believers (both Jew and Gentile), then “the remnant of her seed” could refer to all who come to Christ through the testimony of God’s people or to those specifically chosen for martyrdom; but even more likely, the reference is to a believing remnant of Jewish people who come to faith in Messiah Jesus during the tribulation. Because Satan could not bring down the group (the Jewish believers or the church at large), he waged war against individuals.
There will be an attack upon the large body of Jews and also upon the remnant that are left behind by those who fled. This remnant may be the witnessing ones of the 144,000 mentioned in chapter 7. But they are destined to survive the attacks upon them, having been sealed for this very purpose (7:2-4). God’s people are completely sustained and empowered by the Spirit in their battle with the dragon. Because they are not afraid to die (12:11), God can use them to do His work.
At this time, Satan will know that he has lost forever his opportunity to destroy the Church and he has lost Israel as well, and he is very, very angry. The miracle-working God of yesteryear, who delivered His ancient people on many occasions, has frustrated the plan of Satan again. Satan knows it and he is furious. (He was informed that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”) Satan will turn his frustrated rage against every follower of the Lamb he can find—Jew or Gentile. His drastic, all-out drive to mar and scar the Church will fail, and it will be presented to Jesus without spot or wrinkle . . . a perfect church.
It is said that they “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ;” which is the revealed truth from God and Christ contained in Scripture. Obedience to God’s word always marks a genuine believer (John 8:32). This is what God expects of His people at all times. As we approach the end of this present Age of Grace, an age characterized by lawlessness and opposition to God and His Son, we Christians, even as those saints in the tribulation, must be loyal to God’s Word and to our Lord Jesus Christ. A battle is raging today, and no man can remain neutral in the conflict. You are either on the side of the Savior or on the side of Satan and be certain that the devil is not resting in his all-out effort to damn the souls of men.
All anti-Semitism is Satan inspired and will finally culminate in Satan making a supreme effort to destroy the nation of Israel. From the brickyards of Pharaoh’s Egypt, Haman’s gallows, Herod’s cruel edict, through Hitler’s purge, and to the world of the Great Tribulation, Satan has led the attack against these people because of the man child—Jesus Christ.
Satan cannot win. Just as the blood of the [3]martyrs has proved to be the seed of the church, so during the tribulation, persecution will only serve to drive many Jewish people into the arms of the Lord Jesus. Satan, in a rage, displays a notable lack of imagination and originality. He has tried persecution many times before, and it has always failed to deter our faith and conversion. That he tries it again is a mute confession of failure, the last resort of a desperate and darkened mind. The godly Jews will not repent. They will only scattered far and wide, bearing as they go the gospel of the kingdom and their triumph will be complete. What can Satan do with the likes of these? Lock them up in prison, and they will convert their jailers; torture them, and they become partakers of Christ’s sufferings and heirs to a great reward; martyr them, and they go straight to be with Christ; turn them loose, and they evangelize the world!
The chapter closes with the dragon, frustrated and angry, standing on the seashore ready to call up his reserves, the two terrible monsters of chapter 13.
End Notes:
[1] The name Satan means “Adversary” or “Accuser” (12:10). He actively looks for people to attack (1 Peter 5:8, 9). He likes to seek out believers who are vulnerable in their faith, who are spiritually weak. He is the prince of this world, an angel who rebelled against God. Satan is real, not symbolic, and is constantly working against God and those who obey Him. To overcome Satan we need faithful allegiance to God’s Word, determination to stay away from sin, and the support of other believers.
[2] A dragon is a flying serpent, a Biblical symbol for Satan (20:2). Satan is pictured here as a great red dragon, an eloquent symbol for cruelty, blood-lust and power. He is the cause of the woman’s sufferings.
[3] The martyrs are those who have overcome Satan. Martyrdom is itself a conquest of Satan. The martyr has proved superior to every seduction and to every threat and even to the violence of Satan. Here is a dramatic truth for life—every time we choose to suffer rather than to be disloyal we defeat Satan.
[4] A flood is a common Old Testament picture of overwhelming evil (Psalms 18:4; 32:6; 69:1-2; 124:2-5; Nahum 1:8).
[5] Red is a symbol of bloodshed and violence (Revelation 6:4).
[6] Not actual bird’s wings, but a graphic depiction of God’s providential protection of Israel (Exodus 19:4). Wings often speak of protection (Deuteronomy 32:9-12; Psalm 91:4; Isaiah 14:31). Eagles—probably vulture-like griffin’s—was the largest birds known in Palestine. [The griffin, griffon, or gryphon is a legendary creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion; the head and wings of an eagle; and an eagle's talons as its front feet. Because the lion was traditionally considered the king of the beasts and the eagle the king of birds, the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature. The griffin was also thought of as king of all creatures.]
[7] He comes to be identified with the “serpent” because of the story of the fall in Genesis 3.
