The Woman (Revelation 12)

Let’s begin to understand the mystery of the woman who gave birth to a child and was persecuted by the dragon.

The Woman

Revelation 12:1 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:

At first glance, this appears to be speaking of Israel and Mary, but as we shall see by the end of the chapter, it has a deeper meaning, because there are others who are included as children of this woman who is in heaven. This is our mother, New Jerusalem (Revelation 12:2, 9-12). Israel is both a mother who gave birth to Jesus (Micah 4:10; 5:3; Song of Solomon 6:10), and a Bride (Isaiah 54:5; 61:10; 62:5).

Revelation 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

The Jewish church gave birth to the Savior and His Bride the Christian Church.

Revelation 12:3 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.

The dragon is symbolic of the evil one.

Revelation 12:4 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.

This is commonly understood as describing a third of the angels turning bad and becoming demons.

Revelation 12:5 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.

This is obviously Jesus.

Revelation 12:6 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.

1260 days equals 42 months and 3 1/2 years.

Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

The timing of this appears to be around the birth of Christ and seems to refer to the spiritual battle that necessitated Christ’s parents fleeing to Egypt for a time. However, it also seems to be looking back at a previous time in distant antiquity when the devil was cast out of heaven (Luke 10:18). It also pictures the spiritual battle faced by the church.

Revelation 12:8-9 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 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.

This is how they ended up in the abyss or prison (2 Peter 2:4) often translated as hell, but is the only scripture where a word loaned from Greek mythology, tartaroo is used, picturing an abyss or dungeon of torment.

Revelation 12:10 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 [accuses] them before our God day and night.

The word “accused” is “accuses” in Greek, revealing an ongoing false accusation from the devil. Michael the archangel did not return accusation for accusation against the devil, but instead said, “The Lord rebuke you.” (Jude 9). King David was inspired to write Psalm 109 as a prayer against his accusers.

Revelation 12:11 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.

How do we overcome the devil? All accusations, true and false, are covered by faith in the blood of the Lamb. If our testimony is to be true, it must be based on the Word of God (John 17:17). Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” (John 8:31) The paradox of Christianity is that if we love our lives, we are in danger of losing them (John 12:25). Not every Christian will become a martyr, as many still are in countries where persecution exists, but are we willing to live self-sacrificially (Romans 12:1)?

Revelation 12:12 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.

This is literally “woe to the earth and the sea.” This describes the suffering of everything that exists on planet earth and its primary cause, the devil.