REVELATION 12
Revelation 12 --- The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon
The woman.
(v.1) The woman is described in celestial images.
“Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.”
“Now a great sign appeared:” This is the FIRST OF 7 SIGNS that John relates, and is described as a great sign (mega semeion). In Revelation chapters 12, 13, and 14 the main figures of the Great Tribulation are described, and this great sign introduces the first of the seven:
The woman, representing Israel
The dragon, representing Satan
The man-child, referring to Jesus
The angel Michael, head of the angelic host
The offspring of the woman, representing Gentiles who come to faith DURING the Tribulation
The beast out of the sea, representing the antichrist
The beast out of the earth, representing the false prophet who promotes the antichrist
“A woman clothed with the sun:” Because John PLAINLY SAYS THIS IS A SIGN, we DON’T/SHOULD NOT expect this woman to appear literally on the earth. God will use this sign to communicate something to John and to us. Women often represent religious systems in Revelation.
Jezebel is associated with a religious system of false teaching (Revelation 2:20)
The Great Harlot is associated with false religion (Revelation 17:2)
The Bride is associated with the church (Revelation 19:7-8)
The woman clothed with the sun in this passage has been associated with many different religious ideas. Roman Catholics claim this woman is Mary, pictured as the “Queen of Heaven.”, but then women like Mary Baker Eddy have claimed that she WAS this woman.
It is ALSO a common mistake in Roman Catholic art that they SEEK to MAKE Mary as standing on a crescent moon with twelve stars around her head.
Scripturally, this woman clothed with the sun should IS identified with ISRAEL, according to Joseph’s dream (Genesis 37:9-11). In that dream, the sun represents Jacob, the moon represents Joseph’s mother Rachel, and the eleven stars are the sons of Israel which bow down to Joseph. In this sign with twelve stars, Joseph is now “among” the other tribes of Israel.
NEED more proof? Okay…In other Old Testament passages, Israel (or Zion or Jerusalem) is often represented as a woman (Isaiah 54:1-6; Jeremiah 3:20; Ezekiel 16:8-14, and Hosea 2:19-20).
(v.2) The woman gives birth.
“Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.”
“Being with child:” Later in the chapter, it is SO CLEAR that HIS MALE CHILD born of Israel is Jesus (She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron, Revelation 12:5).
“She cried out in labor and in pain to give birth:” The pain described refers to the travail of Israel at the time of Jesus’ birth (under Roman occupation and oppression).
The dragon.
(v.3) A fearful, powerful dragon appears.
“And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.”
“Another sign appeared in heaven:” Again, John does NOT want us confused, so he REMINDS us AGAIN, that this IS A SIGN. The creature here is not literally a great, fiery red dragon, but the dragon represents his nature and character, as FULLY EVIL in ALL its hideous strength.
“Seven diadems on his heads:” This dragon has great power (seven heads and ten horns) and he CLAIMS royal authority (seven diadems). The crowns represent HIS ARROGANT BELIEF…that he too is of ROYAL authority against the true King Jesus Christ. He WANTS to be considered a king.
This WAS prophesied in Daniel 7:7-8; 7:2, it is clear that the revived Roman Empire is in view because The seven heads and ten horns refer to the original ten kingdoms of which three were subdued by the little horn of Daniel 7:8, who IS IDENTIFIED as THE WORLD RULER of the great tribulation.
(v.4) The dragon looks to the earth.
“His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.”
“His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven:” Many believe this describes one-third of the angelic host in league with Satan (his angels of Revelation 12:9). This army of angelic beings in league with Satan makes up the world of demonic spirits.
God NEVER MADE ANYTHING EVIL; but He made angels, principalities, and powers capacitated for mighty joys and distinctions in His glorious domain, yet ALSO WITH free will.
“To devour her Child as soon as it was born:” This SCRIPTURE confirms WHAT the Bible tells us, that THERE WAS ATTEMPTS to devour her Child was initially fulfilled by Herod’s attempts to kill Jesus as a child (Matthew 2:16-18). AND also fulfilled throughout Jesus’ life as Satan attacked Him (John 8:58 and Mark 4:35-41).
The child.
(v.5) Jesus’ ministry is described by its earthly beginning and end.
“She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.”
“A male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron:” Clearly, this refers to Jesus Christ, the Messiah. He rules the world with a rod of iron (Psalm 2 and Revelation 19:15).
She (Israel) bore a male Child refers to Jesus’ birth. Rule all nations with a rod of iron refers to the triumphant return of Jesus. By stating the “bookends” of Jesus’ earthly work, John is CONFIRMING the TRUTH of Old Testament/New Testament prophesy that this male child IS Jesus. John is also TELLING us that the woman of Revelation 12:1 IS NOT the church, because Jesus “gives birth” to the church, not the other way around. The woman must therefore either be Mary or Israel, the only two “women” who could have “given birth” to Jesus. The rest of Revelation 12 will demonstrate that this woman IS ISRAEL….NOT MARY.
(v.6) The woman in the wilderness.
“Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.”
“Then the woman fled into the wilderness:” Persecuted by the dragon, the woman is protected by God in a prepared place for one thousand two hundred and sixty days. This VERSE AGAIN HELPS us to understand with ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY that the woman IS Israel and not Mary.
“One thousand two hundred and sixty days:” This reference to a THREE AND ONE HALF YEAR period connects these events with the FINAL SEVEN YEAR of the Daniel 9 prophecy. Since Revelation 12:5 describes the ascension of Jesus, and Revelation 12:6 describes yet-to-occur events in the 70th week of Daniel, between these two verses lies hundreds of years (our current period). This obvious “near-far” break in time is typical of prophecy. Daniel’s seventy week prophecy has such a break (Daniel 9:24-27).
“Into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God:” Some believe this place in the wilderness is the rock city of Petra, south of the Dead Sea. Reportedly, some Christian businessmen believe it SO WELL that they have stocked the place with food and evangelistic tracts written in Hebrew.
“Prepared in the wilderness:” Prepared uses the same ancient Greek word Jesus used in “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2-3). This SHOWS us God’s careful planning works on earth & in Heaven.
Conflict in heaven.
(v.7-8) War between Michael and the dragon.
“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.”
“War broke out in heaven:” At the mid-point of the great tribulation, God will turn the tide against Satan - first in heaven, then on earth. A battle will take place that will deny Satan access to heaven.
“Michael and his angels:” Some individuals and groups (such as the Seventh Day Adventists and Jehovah’s Witnesses) INSIST on saying that Michael IS actually Jesus. This is wrong on every count.
Some say Michael MUST be Jesus, because he has his angels. But if Satan - a fallen angelic being - has his angels (Revelation 12:7), why can’t Michael - an unfallen angelic being - have his angels?
Some say Michael must be Jesus, because his name means One like God. But if this were a title of Jesus, it WOULD DISPROVE His deity, not for it - because it would say that Jesus is like God, but not God.
Some say Michael must be Jesus, because he is called the archangel (Jude 1:9), which means leader or prince among the angels, and they say that only Jesus is the leader of the angels. But we know from Daniel 10:13; 10:20-21 that Michael is ONE angelic prince among others. Also, Paul refers to an archangel in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 in a way that presupposes other archangels.
Some say that Michael must be Jesus, because Paul says that at the rapture, the Lord will call His people with the voice of an archangel (1 Thessalonians 4:16). But Jesus can use an angel to call out for His people without being that angel, just as much as God can use a trumpet to sound out a call without being the trumpet.
Jude 1:9 says that Michael would not rebuke or accuse Satan on His own authority, but only say “The Lord rebuke you.” This shows that Michael ISN’T Jesus, because Jesus often rebuked Satan and demons in His own authority (Matthew 17:18; Mark 1:25; 9:25; Luke 4:8; 4:35).
“Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought:” This is a dramatic scene of battle between “good” angels and “bad” angels.
WHO fights in this battle?
This is truly a battle between equals. The dragon represents Satan (Revelation 12:9), and Satan is not the counterpart of God - God has NO EQUAL. If Satan has an equal it is Michael, who seems to be the chief angel opposite this chief of fallen angels.
WHY is the battle fought?
In a previous scene of conflict between Michael and Satan (Jude 1:9), Satan wanted to prevent the resurrection and glorification of Moses, because he knew God had plans for the resurrected and glorified Moses (Luke 9:30-31). This battle is just ANOTHER attempt by Satan to TRY & get in the way of God’s plan for the end-times.
WHEN is this battle fought?
This battle occurs at the mid-point of the seven-year period, as described by Daniel. At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered. (Daniel 12:1)
HOW is this battle fought?
We know this is a REAL fight; but is it a material or a spiritual battle? Our battle with Satan and his demons is spiritual, fought on the battleground of truth and deception, of fear and faith (Ephesians 6:12). In regard to material attacks against the believer, Satan and his demons were disarmed at the cross (Colossians 2:15). But it is STILL possible that among angels, there is a MATERIAL battle to be fought in a way we can only imagine.
“Nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer:” This shows us that up until this happens (at the mid-point of Daniel’s 70th week), Satan DOES have access to heaven, where he runs and tattles all day and all night long on God’s save children to God before the throne (Job 1:6-12; Revelation 12:10).
It troubles some to think that Satan has access to heaven, but the Bible clearly says that that while Satan appears on earth (Luke 4:1-13), and describes him as the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), it also says that Satan has access to heaven, where he accuses God’s people before the throne (Job 1:6-12).
WHO wins this battle?
(v.9) Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven.
“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
“So the great dragon was cast out:” This single verse uses many different titles for Satan. Dragon, serpent of old, the Devil, Satan, and he who deceives the whole world. These titles describe Satan as vicious, an accuser, an adversary, and a deceiver.
“He was cast to the earth:” The Bible describes FOUR DIFFERENT falls & DEFEATS of Satan. Revelation 12:9 describes the second of these four falls.
From glorified to profane (Ezekiel 28:14-16)
From having access to heaven (Job 1:12; 1 Kings 22:21; Zechariah 3:1) to restriction to the earth (Revelation 12)
From the earth to bondage in the pit for 1,000 years (Revelation 20)
From the pit to the lake of fire (Revelation 20)
In Luke 10:18, Jesus said “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” This fall Jesus spoke of either refers to the first fall of Satan (from glorified to profane), or they are a prophetic look ahead to the second fall at the mid-point of the seven year tribulation period.
“His angels were cast out with him:” This PROVES that demonic spirits ARE fallen angels, those who joined with Satan in His rebellion against God. These are “his angels.”
These angels are ALSO the same as the third of the stars of heaven described in Revelation 12:4. Since Satan ONLY drew a third of the stars of heaven, it means that two-thirds of the angels REMAINED faithful to God.
(v.10-12) A joyful declaration in heaven.
“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
“The accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down:” Satan’s work of accusing ENDS here, when he is cast out from his access to heaven. Today, we have (and need) an intercessor and advocate (Hebrews 7:25, and 1 John 2:1).
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death:” This tells us THREE KEYS to the saint’s victory over Satan.
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb:” Jesus’ blood overcomes Satan’s accusations. Those accusations mean nothing against us because Jesus ALREADY PAID the penalty our sins deserved. We may be even worse than Satan’s accusations, but we are still made righteous by the work of Jesus on the cross (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14, and Hebrews 9:14).
Although, it is important to say that we should not regard the blood of Jesus as a magical potion, nor is it the literal blood of Jesus, literally applied that saves or cleanses us. The blood of Jesus REFERS INSTEAD to the REAL DEATH of Jesus Christ in our place, on our behalf, before God. That LITERAL DEATH in our place, and the literal judgment JESUS BORE/PAID IS what SAVES us all.
How does the blood of the Lamb conquer Satan in the life of the believer? How does the death of Jesus on the cross as our substitute bring us victory?
It works first because JESUS victory is OUR victory.
It works because the work of Jesus on the cross for us is the ULTIMATE PROOF of God’s love (Romans 5:8), and SHOULD BE a constant REMINDER that EVERY FEAR Satan whispers into our mind is A LIE.
“They overcame him . . . by the word of their testimony:” KNOWING & REMEMBERING the work of God in their life protects them against Satan’s deceptions. As faithful witnesses, they have a testimony to bear - and because they know what they have seen and heard and experienced from God, they cannot be deceived by Satan’s lies telling them it isn’t true (as the testimony of the man born blind in John 9:25).
“They overcame him . . . they did not love their lives to the death:” If WE do not cling to OUR earthly lives, then there really is NO THREAT Satan CAN bring against US. If WE believe as Paul says, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21), then Satan THREATS/ATTACKS are useless.
The ancient Greek word for love here is “AGAPE,” which speaks of a self-sacrificing, decision-based love. It is up to each one of us to CHOOSE: Will our physical lives be the most precious thing to us, or will we find our life by losing it for Jesus? (Mark 8:35)
“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Heaven rejoices at the eviction of Satan. But heaven’s gain is the earth’s loss:” Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and sea!
“He knows that he has a short time:” Satan’s power is real and terrifying, but NOT triumphant. He KNOWS he is beaten and has a short time left, so like a wounded, cornered animal He fights ferociously…insanely…rabidly…viciously.
Many who study Revelation are STUNNED and SHOCKED and invariably ask: GOOD GRIEF!!!! WHY doesn’t he just give up?
Remember Satan is UTTERLY depraved, pure evil, narcissistic, egomaniacal, and absolutely “insane” - he has DECEIVED HIMSELF (how I have no idea) but he STILL BELIEVES he has a CHANCE to defeat Almighty God & Jesus Christ.
A BETTER question, after studying and SEEING what mankind has SUFFERED so far is this: “GOOD GRIEF!!!! Why don’t we (mankind) give up?” WHY isn’t the WORLD at large on its face crying out FORIVE ME ABBA!? SAVE US JESUS!!!” Our rebellion against God makes even LESS SENSE than Satan’s rebellion does.
Conflict on the earth.
(v.13-16) Satan attacks the woman, and God protects her.
“Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.”
“He persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child:”
Some MISTAKENLY teach that THE WOMAN is a symbol representing ALL the people of God, including FAITHFUL ISRAEL & THE CHURCH. They use this to advance THEIR teachings that THE CHURCH goes through The tribulation period.
But this is NOT confirmed/backed up with scripture!
WHY?
Okay…for the sake of debate, IF the woman represents all the people of God (the church and faithful Israel), then WHO ARE the rest of her offspring described in Revelation 12:17? That is why “THE WOMAN” can NOT be Mary, nor The Church, but can ONLY be Israel in general or Messianic Jews in particular.
So WHY DOES Satan attack the Jewish people?
This IS a BIG QUESTION throughout ALL of mankind’s history, not only for the Great Tribulation.
The reason is because Israel, from the time of Abraham, has had a critical role in God’s plan of redemption, which is:
First, it was in bringing forth the Redeemer.
Second, it was in the fulfillment of His plan, because Jesus promised that the Jewish people would exist and welcome Him when He returns in glory to this world (Matthew 23:39).
Third, if Satan WERE to succeed, (which he WON’T,) in destroying the Jewish people, then God’s eternal plan is STOPPED.
So the persecution of Israel is part of the satanic program to STOP the work of God. Israel IS HATED by Satan because she IS the chosen of God and essential to the overall purpose of God for time and eternity.
“But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place:” Eagle’s Wings are an emblem from the Exodus deliverance (Exodus 19:4), another way of connecting these people with Israel.
“Where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time:” This is another reference to a three and one-half year period, indicating that these events - this dramatic persecution of Israel - DO TAKE PLACE DURING the 70th weeks of Daniel 9.…NOT the past.
“So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman:” The fury poured out against Israel after the abomination of desolation (marking the half-way point of 70th week of Daniel) was spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24:15-22, and spoken of in distinctly Jewish terms (housetop . . . pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath). This passage in Revelation describes the fury that Jesus told THE JEWS to FLEE.
“The earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth:” This passage also describes God’s ultimate protection of Israel from the fury of Satan and his antichrist in the great tribulation.
As it says in Isaiah 59:19, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.”
(v.17) The wrath of the dragon is focused against God’s people.
“And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
“The dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring:” This refers to Israel (the woman) and Gentiles who come to faith in Jesus DURING the Great Tribulation (the rest of her offspring). These TWO GROUPS ARE THE MAIN TARGETS of Satan and his antichrist’s persecution in the last days.
This BEGINS the FIERCE persecution of all those who would not submit to and worship this great Satanic dictator. The martyrs of this period were shown in Revelation 6:9-11 and Revelation 7:9-17.
It is precisely WHEN Satan REALIZES he HAS LOST the battle, then The Anti-Christ REALLY begins to HUNT DOWN & PERSECUTE & KILL the Tribulation saints/Israel.
TIME IS SHORT FOR MANKIND AS WELL.
AS JESUS SAYS…TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION…
CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND YOU SHALL BE SAVED NOW…DO NOT DELAY...
BECAUSE TOMORROW IS PROMISED TO NO ONE.