Revelation 12
“The Woman and
The Dragon”
Chapter 12
Revelation
By: Michael Fronczak
Bible Study Resource Center
564 Schaeffer Drive
Coldwater, Michigan 49036
mikefronczak@
Copyright © 2005, 2007
Revelation 12 The Woman and the Dragon
J. Vernon Mcgee: The theme of this chapter is the final conflict between Israel and Satan after he is cast out of heaven. Seven performers are introduced to us (see chs. 12–13) by the blowing of this seventh trumpet during the Great Tribulation Period. Although the seventh trumpet brings us through the Great Tribulation and the Millennium to the very threshold of eternity, a great deal of detail was omitted. Beginning with chapter 12, this will be compensated for in the presentation of seven prominent personages who play a dominant part in the Great Tribulation Period. After that, we will have the pouring out of the seven bowls of wrath and then the final destruction of commercial Babylon and religious Babylon.
The prominence of the nation Israel is brought before us. It was suggested in the previous chapter with the measuring of the temple on earth and the opening of the temple in heaven. The last verse of chapter 11 is actually the opening to this chapter.
These seven personages are representatives of persons, both natural and supernatural, physical and spiritual, rulers and nations. The identification and clarification of these are essential for a proper understanding of the Revelation.
As we take up the very first one of these personalities, it will illustrate this point. We come now to the crux of the interpretation of the entire Book of Revelation which revolves about this first personality. An outstanding and very intellectual minister years ago made the statement: “If you tell me your interpretation of the woman in the twelfth chapter of Revelation, then I’ll tell you your interpretation of prophecy.” At the time, I thought he was foolish, but I have come to agree with him. I believe that the identification of this woman is the key to the understanding of the Book of Revelation.[1]
One of the most important chapters in the Bible: an overview of the enigma of Israel, without which the Bible cannot be fully understood. With chapter 12 we begin another parenthetical and explanatory portion of Revelation that discusses seven great personages of the Tribulation, particularly of the last half. These seven personages of 12:1-14:20 are:
1. the woman who represents the nation Israel (12:1-27);
2. the great red dragon, a picture of Satan (12:3-4);
3. the male child, the Lord Jesus (12:5);
4. Michael who represents the holy angels (12:7);
5. the remnant of the woman, regenerate Israel (12:17);
6. the beast out of the sea, the world dictator (13:1-10); and
7. the beast out of the earth, the false prophet and religious leader of the world (12:11-17).
Chapter 12 really begins in Rev 11:19: The Temple is in heaven, not on earth; the real ark is in heaven, not on earth; Moses’ was but a replica (Heb 8:5). Represents throne of God (1 Sam 4:4; Isa 6; Ezek 1, 10; Rev 4, 5)
One must come to God on His terms: Lev 16:14, 10:1; Deut 10:8 vs. 2 Sam 6:11-12; (cf. Jn 14:6; Mt 7:13).
Judaism in this period (e.g., Josephus, Philo; later evident in synagogue mosaics and the rabbis) often associated the twelve signs of the zodiac with the twelve tribes. Jewish Mazzeroth. Beth Alba the Mazzeroth was found on the floor of a synagogue.
Van Impe: As noted previously, chapters 12 through 19 constitute a rerun of the Tribulation hour as presented in chapters 6 through 11. Thus, at this point we come once again to the middle of the Tribulation-and to the worst wave of anti-Semitism the world has ever observed. This is truly what Jeremiah had in mind in chapter 30, verse 7, when he said, Alas/for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble. Jacob, as one discovers in Romans 11:26, is Israel.
A number of great signs and occurrences are witnessed in this chapter, each having to do with the horrendous judgment that is enveloping the earth, including the persecution being directed against Israel. These include a great wonder (verse 1), a great red dragon (verse 3), great wrath (verse 12), and two wings of a great eagle (verse 14).[2]
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:
[wonder] Greek: semeion (G4592), sign. Significant of momentous truths. It refers to something like a special event, an object, or even a miracle that is seen and that stands as a sign or symbol designed to reveal some special meaning, truth, or idea.
This is the first of a number of places where the word signs (wonder) occurs in Revelation. Regarding the signs mentioned in this section of Revelation, 12-14, Alan Johnson writes:
“In this section there is what might be called a Book of Signs. While no signs (semeion) appear in chapters 1 to 11, at least seven signs are mentioned in chapters 12 to 19 (cf. the seven signs in John 1-11). Three are in heaven (12:1, 3; 15:1); four on earth (13:13-14; 16:14; 19:20). Only one is a sign of good (12:1); the others are omens of evil or judgment from God. These signs explain and amplify previous material (e.g., the beast in 11:7 is more fully described in ch. 13) and also advance the drama to its final acts.”
[great] A great sign or wonder, indicating something great, remarkable, momentous.
[a woman] One of four women described in this book:
1. Jezebel (Rev 2:20) the high priestess of paganism;
2. the Harlot (Rev 17, 18) the scarlet woman, the high priestess of apostasy;
3. this one, (Rev 12), Israel; and
4. the Bride the Lamb’s wife, the representative of the true, blood bought Church (Rev 19:7; 21:2, 9).
The Woman cannot be the Church, The Church is the Bride, The Bride is the espoused Virgin (2 Cor 11:2): if this woman is the bride, she is in a lot of trouble—she’s pregnant! We should remember that Christ gave birth to the church, not the church to Christ.
(2 Cor 11:2) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Her identity is interpreted for us by Jacob in Gen 37:9-10. Israel is described as a woman in travail in OT (Isa 54:5; 66:7; Jer 3:6-10; Micah 4:10; 5:2-3). The Messianic Line begins, however, at Gen 3:15. Revelation codes are interpreted by the Bible.
(Gen 37:9-11) 9And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. 10And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? 11And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
This woman has been taken by Roman Catholic expositors to represent Mary, the mother of our Lord, seen in her post-assumption role as the exalted Queen of heaven, but vv. 6 and 13-17 make this impossible.
Genesis 37:9 indicates that the woman represents the nation of Israel. Verse 5 informs us that the woman gives birth to Christ, and this symbolism points again to Israel (Rom. 1:3; 9:4-5). In the OT, Israel is pictured as a woman and mother (Isa. 54:5; Jer. 3:6-10; Ezek 16; Hosea 2). The woman is in travail, and the Child that is born is Christ (v. 5 with Ps. 2:9; Micah 5:2-3; Rev. 19:14ff). There is a gap of at least thirty-three years between the first and second sentences in v. 5, and between vv. 5 and 6 we have the entire church age.
As already indicated, the woman is the nation of Israel. This is evident for the following reasons: (1) Her description is reminiscent of Genesis 37:9-10 where these heavenly bodies, the sun and the moon, represent Jacob and Rachel. This identifies the woman with Israel and the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant. (2) The 12 stars in her crown would link her to the 12 tribes of Israel or the 12 sons of Jacob, the patriarchs of Israel. (3) In verse 2 she is seen with child, one who rules with a rod of iron (vs. 5). This can be none other than Christ, who as promised in Scripture, was from the nation of Israel (Matt. 1:1-25; cf. also Psalm 2:8-9; Rev. 2:27; 19:15). (4) That she is Israel, the nation, and not simply Mary, the mother of Jesus, is clear from the fact she will be persecuted in the last half of the Tribulation (vss. 6, 13-17). So the woman is the nation of Israel, the matrix and source of Messiah.
The description given here is not merely to identify her but to describe her in queenly terms because of Israel’s prominence in the plan of God and especially in the millennial reign of Christ. This identifies her with the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant (cf. Psalm 89:34-37).
Joanna Southcott said that she herself was the woman in chapter 12 and that in October 1814, she would have the man child. She never did, but she had 200,000 followers.
Mary Baker Eddy presented herself as this woman, but her claim was absurd.
The Old Testament portrayed faithful Israel (or Judah or Jerusalem) as a virgin or God’s bride but their unfaithful equivalent as a prostitute; thus the tale of two cities that contrasts the heavenly Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2) and Babylon the prostitute (Rev. 17:5).
[in heaven] Symbol seen in heaven, but the thing symbolized is on earth (Rev. 12:6,13,15-16).
Van Impe: In total, the Book of Revelation pictures four different women: (1) Jezebel, the high priestess of paganism (chapter 2, verse 20); (2) the scarlet woman, the high priestess of apostasy (chapter 17); (3) the Lamb's wife, the representative of the true, blood-bought Church (chapter 19, verse 7); and (4) Israel, in the text before us.
This woman of chapter 12 is a picture of Israel. Mary Baker Eddy Glover Patterson presented herself as this woman, but her claim was absurd, to say the least. The woman's offspring could not possibly be the Christian Science movement. Who, then, is this woman, and why does she appear? The term wonder in our text comes from the same Greek word sign. Thus, we see that the woman is a sign. What sign? The sign of Israel. Let's prove this assertion.
The woman of Revelation 12:1 was pictured in the dream of Joseph centuries ago: And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it [to] his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon [representing father and mother] and the eleven stars [representing Joseph's eleven brothers] made obeisance to me [the twelfth star]. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou host dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying (Genesis 37:9-11).
Clearly, the woman clothed with the sun and wearing a crown of twelve stars upon her head, just like in Joseph's dream, is Israel. The birth of this woman's (Israel's) son is predicted in Isaiah 66, verses 7 and 8: Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children [or her son]. Isaiah's prediction finds its fulfillment in the next verse.[3]
Jewish New Testament Commentary: The woman is not Miryam, Yeshua’s mother, but Israel, in its normal sense, the Jewish people, because the imagery is from Isaiah 66:7–10 (compare also Isaiah 26:17, Micah 4:10). Because of v. 17 this cannot be the “extended Israel” concept which includes Gentile Christians (see 7:4 on “from every tribe of the sons of Israel”).
Although Israel is on earth, Yochanan sees her in heaven, symbolizing the fact that God protects and preserves the Jews; this is made more explicit at vv. 6, 13–16. Moreover, Mikha’el is Israel’s angelic protector (v. 7&N). There is an obvious resemblance between the woman and “heavenly Jerusalem” (Ga 4:26, MJ 12:22–24).
Twelve stars. Some think this means the twelve signs of the zodiac. While writers draw on materials from their own culture, and Judaism became embroiled with astrology well before Yochanan lived, it is clear that his purposes have nothing to do with astrology. At 21:12–14 the number twelve refers to the tribes of Israel and the emissaries of Yeshua, and this understanding is adequate to the context here too.
She screamed in the agony of labor. See Mt 24:8N on the “birth pains” of the Messiah. [4]
Revelation 12:2
And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
She gives birth to the man-child who is to rule with a rod of iron.
Man-child (Ps 2:9; Rev 2:27; Rev 19:15) = Christ.
This is Israel, not the Church (Micah 4:9; 5:2).
Isa 9:6: “Unto us a child is born...” (Unto who? Israel).
Righteous Israel was portrayed as the mother of the restored future remnant of Israel (Isaiah 54:1; Isaiah 66:7-10; Micah 5:3; cf. Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 26:18-19), an image freely mixed with the image of Israel as a bride (Isaiah 62:5). The Dead Sea Scrolls also spoke of the righteous remnant of Israel travailing to give birth (either to a saved Israel—cf. Rev. 12:17—or to the Messiah; the precise referent is disputed). Cf. John 16:21.
(Isa 9:6-7) 6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Also Acts 15 in regards to Jesus on the throne of David to rule the world forever.
Chuck Smith: So she was ready to give birth to the child.
You see the purposes of God for the nation of Israel was that they were to bring the Messiah into the world. He was to be of the seed of Abraham and of the seed of David. And so God was working with this nation preparing them as the instrument, the nation, by which His Son would come into the world. God had to choose some nation, so He chose the nation of Israel. And that is why they are the chosen people. Chosen for what? Chosen to be the instrument, the people, through which God would bring His Son into the world.
Now, the tragic thing is that when God used them for this purpose, then they rejected His Son that He sent. But they had rejected the prophets before they had rejected His Son. In fact, Jesus got them quite angry one time with a parable that he gave of a certain man who went away to a far country and left his fields in the charge of his servants. And he sent back a servant that he might collect the fruit from the field, but they beat the servant, mistreated him. So he sent other servants. They beat them and mistreated them. He said, "I will send my own son. Surely they will respect him." And when they saw his son coming, they said, "Here is the heir. Let's kill him." He said, "What will the master do when he comes?" They said, "He will utterly wipe them out." The Lord said, "That is right." But it was a parable really against the Jews who had persecuted the prophets. "Which of the prophets have you not slain? Have you not persecuted?" Stephen said (Acts 7:52).
And so God chose this nation to bring forth the Messiah.[5]
Van Impe: Here we have the mother, Israel, bringing forth a man-child who is none other than the blessed Lord Jesus Christ, as one discovers in verse 5. This truth harmonizes with many New Testament texts. For instance, Romans 9:4,5 states; [They] are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Christ, in His flesh, came forth from Israel; and, at this point in our text, Christ's adversary, Satan-the one who rebelled centuries ago against the authority of God (see Isaiah 14:12-14)-is about to strike another blow.[6]
McGee: The important thing here is: “Who is the woman?” You are acquainted with the interpretation of the Roman church that she represents the Virgin Mary. There are Protestant interpreters who have been as far wrong as that. Today most of them follow the method of Rome and interpret the woman as the church of all ages. Practically all denominational literature follows this line.
There have been several female founders of cults who could not resist the temptation of seeing themselves pictured in this woman. Joanna Southcott said that she herself was the woman in chapter 12 and that in October, 1814, she would have the man child. She never did, but she had 200,000 followers. We have had in the United States several founders of cults and religions who thought they were this woman. In Southern California, we even had a few female preachers who got the idea they might be the woman, but they weren’t. We can dismiss all these claims, unless we want to forsake all intelligent approach to the interpretation of Scripture.
The identifying marks of the woman are the sun, moon, and stars. These belong to Israel as seen in Joseph’s dream: “And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?” (Gen. 37:9–10). Old Jacob interpreted the sun, moon, and stars to mean himself, Rachel, and Joseph’s brothers. And they did bow down before Joseph before things were over with (although Rachel had died by that time).
The woman is a sign in heaven, although her career is here on earth. She is not a literal woman; she is a symbol. The career of the woman corresponds to that of Israel, for it is Israel that gave birth to Christ, who is the Child.
At Christmastime we all use Isaiah 9:6 and other verses concerning the birth of Christ. This verse does concern the birth of Christ, but it does not concern us at all; rather, it concerns the nation Israel. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). Who is referred to here when Isaiah says, “Unto us”? The church? No; it’s the nation Israel. It is quite obvious that Isaiah is speaking to the nation Israel, and he is speaking not relative to a Savior but to a Governor, a Ruler, a King, One who was to come and rule over them. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” It is interesting that as a child He was born in His humanity; but as a Son from eternity, He was given. “And the government shall be upon his shoulder”—we are not talking now about the Savior but about the One who is coming as King. We will see that happen in the Book of Revelation. “And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” There will not be any peace until He comes. When the rulers of this world say, “… Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them …” (1 Thess. 5:3). They were having a big peace conference in Holland when World War I broke out, and most of the delegates almost got fired upon before they got home! When men say, “Peace and safety,” it is idle talk, because man is working at peace from the wrong end. It is the human heart that is wrong, and only Jesus will bring peace. He is the Prince of Peace. Isaiah is talking to Israel when he says, “Unto us a child is born,” and that is the figure that John picks up here in Revelation.
The writer to the Hebrews says, “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda …” (Heb. 7:14). Paul writes in Romans: “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen” (Rom. 9:4–5). Paul is talking about Israel. He begins by asking the question: “Who are Israelites?” The answer just happens to be: “And of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came.” The woman at the well was accurate when she identified the Lord Jesus as a Jew: “… How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? …” (John 4:9, italics mine). We read in Micah 5:2–3: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.” Notice that He will be born in Bethlehem, but He comes out of eternity.
“Travailing in birth” is a figure associated with Israel: “Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children” (Isa. 66:7–8). Israel will go through the Great Tribulation after Christ was born in Bethlehem—“before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child,” meaning Christ.
Therefore, we identify the woman as the nation Israel. No one woman who has ever lived, including the Virgin Mary, fits into this. It is the nation Israel and certainly not the church of all ages. 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 is not the church of all ages.
“Being tormented.” Certainly Israel has suffered satanic anti-Semitism from the time of the birth of Christ to the present, in fact, even since before that day, because Satan knew that Christ would come from this nation.[7]
The Red Dragon
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.
McGee: [And there was seen another sign in heaven] Notice that these are signs that are given to us; they are not literal. I told you that if John is giving you a symbol, he will make it clear that it is a symbol.
The red dragon is clearly identified as Satan in verse 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.” We can identify this character without speculating at all.
In this second sign, the true character of Satan is revealed with all the wrappings removed:
1. He is called “great” because of his vast power. He controls the nations of the world and offered them to the Lord Jesus if He would worship him (see Matt. 4:8–9). Worship of himself is Satan’s ultimate goal. The kingdoms of this world are his, and, he controls them today. In that day it was Rome, but he has controlled every nation.
2. He is called “red” because of the fact that he was a murderer from the beginning (see John 8:44). He has no regard for human life. I do not understand why so many serve him. Why is it that alcohol finally kills its victims? It is the worst killer there is today. It is because Satan is back of it, my friend, and he has no regard for human life at all.
3. He is called a “dragon” because of the viciousness of his character. He was originally created Lucifer, son of the morning (see Ezek. 28:12–19), but he is now the epitome of evil and the depth of degradation. He is the most dangerous being in all of God’s creation. He is my enemy, and he is your enemy if you are a child of God.
The reason that the Beast in chapter 13 is similar to the dragon is because both the restored Roman Empire and Antichrist are empowered and controlled by Satan. Rome, through the instrumentality of both Herod and Pilate, sought to destroy the child of the woman.
“Seven heads” suggests the perfection of wisdom which characterized the creation of Satan who was originally the “covering cherub.” Ezekiel 28:12 speaks of how he was at his origin: “… full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.” This reveals two of the fallacies that the world has concerning Satan. This world thinks he is ugly, but may I say to you, he was created “perfect in beauty.” If you could see him, you would not see the foul creature that is often pictured for us by the world. Sometimes he is pictured as having horns, cloven feet, and a forked tail. That is the “great god” Pan that the Greeks and Romans worshiped. That is not Satan, although Satan is back of that worship, also. I have seen the ruins of the temple at Pergamum and of other temples to Pan in at least a dozen cities. It is not strange that men are worshiping him; when they will not have God, they certainly will take him. But Satan is smart, he’s clever, and he’s wise. You and I are no match for him at all. We will be overcome if we try to stand in our own strength against him. He is not only beautiful, he is also full of wisdom. This is the way he is presented in Scripture.
“Ten horns” suggests the final division of the Roman Empire, which is dominated by Satan and which is his final effort to rule the world. The crowns are on the horns, not on the heads, since it is delegated power from Satan. The crowns represent kingly authority and rulership.
“The third of the stars of heaven” indicates the vast extent of the rebellion in heaven when one third of the angelic host followed Satan to their own destruction. Daniel makes reference to this in an admittedly difficult passage (see Dan. 8:10; Jude 6).
The dragon hates the Man Child because it was predicted from the beginning that the child would be the undoing of Satan. “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shalt bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15).[8]
[another] allos, (G243) a primary word; “else,” i.e. different (in many applications) :- more, one (another), (an-, some an-) other (-s, -wise). Another of the same kind compared to heteros = another of a different kind.
[great red dragon] He is identified as Satan in Rev 12:9. “Red” only used 2X: Here, and Red horse (Rev 6:5)! Associated with death (6:4).
Walvoord says “From the similar description given in 13:1 and the parallel reference in Daniel 7:7-8, 24, it is clear that the revived Roman Empire is in view. Satan, however, is also called the dragon later in 12:9, and it is clear that the dragon is both the empire and the representation of satanic power.” [9]
Satan: Ezek 28:2-15 (talking to King of Tyre); Rebellion in heaven (Isa 14:12-17) – talking to the King of Babylon . [Gap? Gen 1:2 vs. Isa 45:18.]
Ancient = beginning (Gen 3);
• Deceives the whole world: Blinded (2 Cor 4:3,4);
• Liar from the beginning (Gen 3:4, 5; Jn 8:44);
• Enmity with Man (Gen 3:14-15);
• Seven heads, 10 horns, crowns: appears again in Rev 13:1 and 17:3 (Dan 7, et al.).
Background on spiritual warfare: 2 Cor 2:11; Dan 10:1-19; Rev 9, cf. Amos 7:1 (LXX); Eph 6:10-13; Isa 59:17; Elisha’s servant vs. Syrian threat (2 Kgs 6:16); Satan’s Methods: deceit (Gen 3; 2 Cor 4:3-4; Jn 8:44); Ultimate lie (2 Thess 2:11).
The ultimate victory (1 Jn 4:4; 2 Kgs 6:16; Rom 8:25-38). Satan already defeated (1 Jn 3:8; Heb 2:14; Jas 4:7; Eph 1:20-21; Heb 10:12, 13; Phil 2:9-11; Ps 110:1; Rev 12:10).
[dragon] Used 13 times in Revelation as a symbol of Satan (Rev. 12:3-17; Rev. 13:2-4,11; Job 41).
The red dragon is called “great” points to the magnitude of Satan’s power and activity in the world.
This is Satan (v. 9); and the heads, horns, and crowns refer us to 13:1 and 17:3, where the Beast (Antichrist) is described. Keep in mind that the Beast is present from the outset as the leader of the federated nations of Europe, but he will not openly be revealed as Satan’s “superman” until the middle of the Tribulation period. Verse 4 relates to Isa. 14:12ff, when Satan revolted against God and drew some of the angels down with him. See Job 38:7 and Jude 6. The identification of this dragon is given in 12:9. Ten horns. Cf. Dan 7:7, 24. Also Dan 10:20 return to fight with the prince of Persia 200 years later.
Satan has always been a murderer (John 8:44), and now he seeks to destroy Christ. During OT days, Satan did all he could to keep the Savior from being born; when Jesus was born, Satan tried to kill Him (Matt. 2:16). During His earthly life, Satan attacked Christ in various ways, culminating in the cross. Satan also attacks the Jews. The 144,000 will be protected because God seals them, but God will also care for the other Jews. Perhaps the “they” in v. 6 refers to the Gentiles who care for the Jews at that time (Matt. 25:31-46).
Names that Describe Satan
1. “The great dragon” stresses Satan’s vicious and cruel character and emphasizes his end time activity and behavior.
2. “The serpent of old” clearly identifies him as Satan and draws our attention to his crafty character. It reminds us of the garden of Eden, the fall of man, his usurpation of man’s rule on earth, and his constant activity of temptation and deception.
3. “The devil” is the Greek diabolos and means “slanderer, defamer.” It reminds us of Satan’s activity to impugn the character of God (see Job 1) and to accuse believers for whom Christ died (cf. Rev. 12:10 and Rom. 8:34).
4. “Satan” is the Greek satanas and is derived from the Hebrew satan which means “adversary.” It points to Satan as the opponent of God, of believers, and of all that is right and good. Satan may appear as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14), but it is only a sham of deception to further aid him in his work as the arch adversary and opponent of God. In 1 Peter 5:8 Satan is called “your adversary, the devil.” Here the word “adversary” is not satanas, but antidikos, and though similar in meaning, antidikos is more explicit. It specifically refers to “an opponent in a lawsuit.” It was used of a court scene where accusations are made.
5. “Lucifer,” “Star of the Morning,” and “Son of the Dawn” (Isa. 14:12). The term “Lucifer” of the KJV is Helel which means literally “the shining one.” Ironically, it comes from the Hebrew verb halal meaning “to shine, boast, praise.” As the shining one Satan got his eyes off of God, the source and cause of his brilliance, and became proud and boastful instead of being full of praise to God.
6. “The evil one” (1 John 5:19). Here, the word “evil” is the Greek word poneros, an active noun that points to an active and malignant kind of evil. It refers to what is not only ugly and useless, but to that which is injurious and destructive. Satan, as the poneros one, is actively engaged in destruction, in causing pain, injury and death.
7. “The ruler of this world” (John 12:31). This description points to Satan as the unseen head and energy behind the arrangement of world affairs as they stand in total opposition to the arrangements and divine viewpoint set forth in the Word of God.
8. “The god of this age” (2 Cor. 4:4). This again emphasizes Satan’s rule and increased activity in the dispensation of the church which will be marked by a continual increase of apostasy and deception and by extreme moral degeneration. This title particularly associates him with blinding men to the good news of Jesus Christ.
9. “The prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2). This title is of particular importance because it points to Satan as the head of the demonic hosts (fallen angels) who operate night and day in our immediate atmosphere to fill it with satanic deception, satanic viewpoint, doubts, and temptations.
10. “Of the spirit that is now working” (Eph. 2:2). This is often taken as another title for Satan. When it is so understood, it is taken as an appositional phrase describing “the prince of the power,” i.e., a further description of the prince. So the prince is also the unholy spirit (1 Cor. 2:12) who apes the operations of his divine counterpart by working in the sons of disobedience in opposition to the Holy Spirit.
11. “Belial” is the Greek word beliar which comes from an Old Testament word meaning “worthless” or “hopeless ruin.” In 2 Corinthians 6:15 it is used as a name for Satan who is the epitome of worthlessness, hopeless ruin, and the source of all idolatry and the futile religious works of man.
12. “Beelzebul” or “Beelzebub” or “Beelzeboul” (Mark 3:22; Matt. 12:24). There are three possible spellings of this word because of variant manuscripts and each spelling has a slightly different meaning so I have listed them all. (1) Beelzebul means “lord of the dung.” It is a name of reproach and uncleanness for Satan. (2) Beelzebub means “lord of the flies.” This has the same implication as the above. (3) Beelzeboul means the “lord of the dwelling.” This may portray Satan as the leader and head of the unclean spirits of demon possession! This best fits the context of Matthew 10:25 and 12:29 and has the best manuscript evidence behind it. Note that Matthew, Mark and Luke all define Beelzeboul as the prince of demons.
13. “Abaddon” and “Apollyon” (Rev. 9:11). Abaddon is the Greek form and Apollyon is the Hebrew equivalent. They mean “destroyer” or “destruction.” As seen previously this name connects Satan with the demons of the Abyss (their leader) and their work of destruction on earth in the Tribulation. Primarily, however, it stresses his character and activity as the great source of destruction and ruin in the world.
[having seven heads] Symbols of the 7 world empires that precede the kingdom of Antichrist, which is the 8th . The number 7 speaks of completeness – control over the whole earth, and may picture his wisdom (Ez 28:12) Satan is full of wisdom.
1. The Egyptain Empire
2. The Assyrian Empire
3. The Babylonian Empire
4. The Medo-Persian Empire
5. The Grecian Empire
6. The Roman Empire
7. The New or Revised Roman Empire
[ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads] His 10 horns are not crowned, while those on the beast are (Rev. 13:1), symbolizing his power over the 10 kingdoms will be given to the beast. His 7 heads are crowned (Rev. 12:3), symbolizing his rule over the 7 kingdoms preceding the Antichrist kingdom. The 7 heads on the beast are not crowned (Rev. 13:1), meaning that the Antichrist has not ruled the 7 kingdoms preceding his, the 8th kingdom (Rev. 17:8-11).
John 8:17-59 Ye are of your father the devil….
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.
[third part of the stars] One-third of the stars = angels (Dan 8:10 Jude 13). The stars stand for fallen angels who revolted with Satan at his fall which many Bible expositors believe is described for us in Isaiah 14:12-17 and Ezekiel 28:12-14. “Star” is a term used in Scripture of angelic beings and specifically of Satan (cf. Job 38:7a; Isa. 14:12; Luke 10:18; Rev. 9:1). In the light of the context (Rev. 12:7), then, it is not unlikely that the stars represent one-third of the angels who rebelled with Satan and who became his chief emissaries in his fight and hatred against Israel and the purposes of God (cf. Daniel 10 for an illustration of the great conflict of angelic beings in regard to Israel). This shows how many will be with him in the future war in heaven under the 7th trumpet (Rev. 12:4, 7-12).
[stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born] This is the dragon's first purpose—to destroy the man-child as soon as it is born. Verse 4a takes us back to the beginning, to Satan’s original fall; now verse 4b skips hundreds of years and takes us forward to the first advent of Christ and Satan’s efforts to destroy the Christ Child. In between were numerous attacks in Satan’s attempt to defeat God’s purposes through the seed of the woman and especially with the Jews. (a) Many believe that in Genesis 6 Satan tried to infiltrate the human race in order to destroy the promise of Genesis 3:15 by corrupting the true humanity of mankind. (b) In Genesis 10 and 11 Satan instituted the politico-religious system of Babylon with its mother-child cult under Nimrod and his wife, Semiramus. (c) Then, through the rest of the Old Testament Satan attempted over and over again to defeat God’s purposes with Israel through Pharaoh, through Amalek, through Balak and Balaam, etc., but always to no avail. (d) Finally, in Matthew 2:13, after Messiah was born, he tried through Herod to destroy the baby Jesus by putting to death all the boy babies two years and under (Matt. 2:13-18).
[drew] Greek, present tense, "draweth," "drags down."
(2 Pet 2:4) For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
(Jude 6) And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
The Real Cause of Anti-Semitism
Satan attempts to thwart the Plan of God by destroying the nation and the Messianic line: Cain and Abel (Gen 4); Angelic corruption (Gen 6); Pharaoh, Moses; Saul pursuing David; Abraham, Isaac, Jacob; tribe of Judah; the royal line... Jehoram’s plot against his brothers (2 Chr 21:16); Athaliah (2 Kgs 11:1-3 “one little boy left!”); Haman, Esther
(acrostic!); Jeconiah’s blood curse (Jer 22); Babes in Bethlehem; Temptations of Christ (Lk 4); Rev 13 final effort. [Cf. Road to Holocaust, Hal Lindsey.]
Seven Abodes of Satan:
1. Was the guardian of God’s thrown, Ez 28:14
2. On earth in mineral garden, Ez 28:13
3. Lives in the atmosphere, the air, Eph 2:2; 6:12
4. The earth cast down during tribulation, Rev 12:7-9
5. The Abyss, Rev 20:1-3
6. The Earth “loosed a little season” Rev 20:3, 7-10
7. The Lake of Fire, Rev 20:7-10
Chuck Smith: So, the two wonders, the woman Israel ready to bring forth the Messiah, the Christ, and Satan ready to destroy it as soon as it was born.
You remember Herod, when the wisemen came to him and inquired where the king was to be born. Herod inquired of the Bible teachers. They said "Bethlehem". So Herod directed them to Bethlehem, but he said, "When you have found the child, come back and tell me about it, so I can come and worship him also." Herod was paranoid. He was fearful that someone was going to take his throne. He killed his wife. He killed his sons. In fact, they used to say it was safer to be Herod's pig than it is to be his son. He's paranoid. He felt people were plotting, trying to take his throne.
So when he heard that the king had been born, he was threatened. So he asked the wisemen to come back and tell me, but he intended to go and kill the child. And when the wisemen didn't come back, he then ordered that all the baby boys in Bethlehem area be killed that were two years and under. The dragon was ready to devour the child as soon as it was born.
Now, here an interesting thing with Satan. The stars of heaven, angels are often referred to as stars and this would indicate that when Satan rebelled, a third of the angels rebelled with him. That is why that I believe that there were probably three angels created in the highest order of angelic being, called the archangel. They were of the cherubim class of angels, but three special, and that was Gabriel, Lucifer and Michael. And that they each probably had under their authority a third of the angelic host. And those that were under Lucifer's authority, when he rebelled against God, joined in his rebellion. With his tail he drew a third part of the stars of heaven.
Now when this happened, we don't know. Where in prehistory this took place, we don't know. Before the world existed, no doubt, this rebellion took place of these angels. Prior to his rebellion, Satan was a perfect model. Ezekiel says he was perfect in wisdom, perfect in beauty, perfect in all of his ways, until the day that iniquity was found in him (Ezekiel 28:17).
Isaiah fourteen tells us that pride filled his heart. He said, "I will exalt my throne above the stars of heaven. I will sit in the congregation of the sides of the north. I will ascend above the clouds. I will be like the most High. I will be like God. And yet, art thou cast down"(Isaiah 14:14). There will come a time that you will see Satan one day, and you will be amazed. You'll say, "Is that the critter that caused us so much trouble?" Isaiah fourteen tells us that.
So, there appeared this other wonder in heaven, this red dragon with seven heads, ten horns and seven crowns upon his head. We are reminded of the description of the antichrist who is the embodiment of Satan. His tail drawing a third part of the stars.[10]
Van Impe: The red dragon is conclusively proven to be Satan in verse 9. The number seven speaks of completeness, and therefore, the dragon's seven heads picture his wisdom. It is written that Satan is full of wisdom (Ezekiel 28:12). God created him that way when he was the anointed cherub [or angel] that covereth (Ezekiel 28:14). His ten horns speak of universal power, just as the ten toes of Daniel's image do. Satan's international control, of course, is possible because millions of demons jump at his command. Remember, he is the god of this world system (2 Corinthians 4:4). He is also the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2) and the prince of this world (John 12:31). However, since he is not omniscient (all knowing), or omnipresent (in all places at all times), Satan must rely on demonic hosts (fallen angels) in diversified places to administer his power. This explains why Christians are not fighting against flesh and blood only but against spiritual wickedness in high places as well (Ephesians 6:12). Satan probably enlisted the angels who fell at the time of his rebellion when his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven [a reference to angels] and did cast them to the earth. A similar reference is found in Jude 13.
At this point, one may ask why we use these texts to discuss past, present, and future history. The answer is simple. The scene we are about to witness speaks of the entire age-long conflict from beginning to end. Its details are squeezed into these few verses before us. The same devil who attempted to destroy the woman's (or Israel's) son in centuries past (see Genesis 3:15) is now about to strike out against the woman herself via the greatest anti-Semitic purge in history. Hitler's murderous and barbaric attempt at Jewish annihilation will seem like a Sunday school picnic compared to this holocaust! That's why Daniel stated: There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book (12:1). Jesus himself said in Matthew 24:21,22, For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. The elect, as spoken of here, are the Israelites of Romans 11:28.
Verse 5 proves my earlier statement that the verses before us cover the age-long conflict-past, present, and future.[11]
The dragon is Satan, the Adversary (see v. 9); its seven heads and ten horns also equate it with the “fourth beast” of Daniel 7:7, 24 (see 13:1). It stood in front of the woman, opposing Yeshua, ready to devour the child the moment it was born.
Stars. Possibly natural stars (6:13, 8:12; Mt 24:29), but more likely “his angels” (v. 7; compare 1:20, 9:1), who rebelled with Satan against God (see 2 Ke 2:4N). [12]
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.
[caught] harpazo, G726, from a derivative of Greek 138 (haireomai); to seize (in various applications) :- catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).
Snatched up to God = ascension or rapture (of “His Body”)
Also the rapture of the church may fit into this prophecy – G.H. Pember says simultaneous reference.
There is a gap between v.5 & v.6. There are 24 such “gaps” in Scripture; an under-standing of Daniel 9 is essential.
Same word used of rapture of the church in 1 Thes 4:17 where the church is being caught up to heaven. The same word is used of Paul being caught up to paradise in 2 Cor 12:2, 4 and of the Spirit of God catching up Philip in Acts 8:39.
[rule] Greek, "poimainein," "tend as a shepherd"; (see on Rev. 2:27).
[rod of iron] (Ps 2:9) Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
(Rev. 2:27) And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
(Rev. 19:15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Chuck Smith: When Jesus comes to establish His reign and kingdom, He will rule the world with a rod of iron.
And that is where He is right now. Jesus has been caught up into heaven. He ascended into heaven. Luke records it in his gospel, as do other gospels. And He is there now sitting on His throne waiting for the Father to put all things in subjection unto Him. So the woman brought forth the child, he was caught up to God and to His throne.[13]
A male child. Compare Isaiah 66:7; see v. 17&N. Who will rule all the nations with a staff of iron. This phrase from Psalm 2, in its entirety about the Messiah, is also quoted at 2:26–27&N and 19:15; see also 11:18&N. [14]
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.
[And the woman fled into the wilderness...] The Great Tribulation.
Mary's flight with Jesus into Egypt is a type of this event.
[prepared of God] Edom, Moab, and Ammon escape the Antichrist and make the place of refuge for Israel in the tribulation (Dan 11:41; Isa 15,16).
[they should feed her there] The Arabs of modern Jordan and Arabia.
[a thousand two hundred and threescore days] This is the number of days the woman flees into the wilderness and the man-child, and/or the 144,000, are in heaven before the second coming of Christ (Rev. 11:1-3; Rev. 12:6,14; Rev. 13:5; Daniel 7:25; Daniel 12:7). The most documented time in the Bible. The prevailing opinion is that the one thousand two hundred and sixty days, during which the woman is fed in the wilderness, is the second half of the seventieth week of Daniel 9:24-27, and corresponds therefore, to the final three and a half years prior to the Second Coming of Christ.
Chuck Smith: They asked Jesus what will be the sign of His coming, the end of the world. And Jesus began to give them the signs of His coming and of the end of the world. And He said, "Now when you see the abomination that was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, the abomination of desolation, then flee to the wilderness. If you are on your housetop, don't even bother to get your coat going through. Get out of there as quick as you can. If you're out in the field, don't even go home. Split. Get down to the wilderness"(Matthew 24:15).
The abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet; what is it? When the temple is rebuilt and the worship reestablished, after three and a half years, or three and a half years into the seven-year cycle, or in the midst of the seven-year cycle. Not three and a half years after the temple has been built and worship reestablished. That will happen. It may be just a very short time after worship is established. It could take them three years to rebuild it. The antichrist will come to Jerusalem and he will go into the Holy of Holies of this rebuilt temple and there he will proclaim that he is god and he will demand that they worship him as god. This is the abomination of desolation that Daniel speaks about.
Now Jesus said, "When you see this abomination of Desolation spoken about by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place, let him who reads understand." That is what it is all about. The antichrist coming to the temple, stopping the worship, standing in the Holy of Holies proclaiming himself to be god, at that point Jesus said to flee and don't stop for anything. Get out of there.
So, the woman flees to the wilderness that she should be taken care of, the place prepared of God, that they should feed her for a thousand, two hundred and sixty days or through the last three and a half years of the seven-year cycle.
Now this wilderness place is probably the Rock City of Petra, south and east of Dead Sea. For Isaiah in the sixteenth chapter, God says to Moab, which is present day Jordan, "Open up your borders and receive My people. Shelter them in Petra until the tribulation is complete." So, until the indignation be over passed; "indignation" is the Old Testament word for the Great Tribulation. So they will flee to the Rock City of Petra where God will take care of them for three and a half years.
Now, how could God take care of them there? Well, He took care of them for forty years in the wilderness before. He fed them manna. He could feed them manna again. God has no problem feeding people. He fed Elijah with ravens. Ravens brought his food. So, God will take care of them for three and a half years.[15]
Van Impe: During this final forty-two-month period, described as the Great Tribulation (see Revelation 7:14), because of its intensity and immensity, the Children of Israel are protected by their God. He took care of them for forty years as they wandered through the wilderness, and now He again proves His love to His ancient people by delivering them. Yes, they shall be saved out of it (Jeremiah 30:7). And at that time thy people shall be delivered (Daniel 12:1). Matthew 24:22 adds, For the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. In the next few verses, a shocking space war takes place, which we will cover in our next newsletter.[16]
McGee: The “man child” is Christ. He is easily identified here. I hope that you will not fall into the error of equating the Child with the church, although many have done that.
“Who is to shepherd (rule) all the nations with a rod of iron” is a clear-cut reference to Christ. “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel” (Ps. 2:9). In Acts 4 the persecuted Christians quoted Psalm 2, identifying the One to rule with a rod of iron as the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ will come to put down all enmity, all opposition, all rebellion on the earth. How will He do it? He will break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. If this peace crowd would only come up with a plan that would work, it would not be necessary to put down rebellion with a bit of violence. But there is no other way to put it down. How do you think Jesus Christ is going to come to power in a rebellious world? Suppose He was suddenly to appear at the capital of any nation in the world. Do you think they are prepared to surrender to Him and turn their authority over to Him? This includes my own country. Is the United States prepared to yield to Jesus Christ? If you say, “Yes,” I will have to ask, “Why don’t they?” They could yield to Him today. My friend, the world is in rebellion against Him. Maybe you are one of the peace crowd. You don’t like the shedding of blood, you just hate violence and war—don’t we all?—but this is the only way that rebellion can be put down. The Lord Jesus Christ is going to rule.
“And her child was caught up unto God and His throne.” This is a reference to the ascension of Christ. In the Gospels the emphasis is on the death of Christ. In the Epistles the emphasis is upon the resurrection of Christ. In the Book of Revelation the emphasis is upon the ascension of Christ. Protestantism, and even fundamentalism, has ignored the ascension of Christ, and this is one reason we have not had a great enough emphasis upon the present ministry of Christ. “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:9–11).
The Book of Revelation is the unveiling of the ascended Christ, the glorified Christ, the Christ who is coming in glory. The Book of the Revelation rests upon the fact of the Ascension. He is the One who has been opening the seals which have brought to pass everything that has happened since then. We are told in Hebrews 12:2: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” A great many have the impression that this means He is twiddling His thumbs, but that is because they do not know Revelation. He is not sitting up there doing nothing. He is going to do a great deal because of His ascension into heaven, and He has a present ministry today with the church.
“And she was delivered of a son, a man child.” I believe this settles the identity of the woman. Israel is clearly the one from whom Christ came. While the church came from Jesus Christ, He, according to the flesh, came from Israel. Again let me quote Paul: “Who are Israelites…. of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came …” (Rom. 9:4–5). We are told in Galatians 4:4–5: “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” “Made under the law”—what law? It is the Mosaic Law which was given to Israel. He came “made [or, born] under the law” because He was an Israelite. Again in Galatians we read: “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ” (Gal. 3:16). Before the nation came into existence, God said to Abraham, “I am going to make you a great nation, and through that nation I am sending a seed”—not many, but one, and that One is Christ. We have already looked at Isaiah 9:6 which says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given….” “Us” does not mean the United States, although some seem to think so! “Unto us” means Israel. Isaiah was an Israelite and was speaking to that nation. He was not speaking either to the church or to the Gentiles, but to Israel.
“And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of (from) God.” During the intense part of the Great Tribulation Period, this remnant of Israel will be protected by God. There are those who dogmatically say that Israel will go to the rock-hewn city of Petra and will be preserved there because no enemy can get in. But in our day an enemy now comes from above and drops down bombs. The last place I would want to be when bombs start falling is within that rock-hewn city of Petra. To make that dogmatic statement alongside clear-cut prophecies is certainly to deceive people. This is not a clear-cut prophecy, and I do not know where the place will be. It does not hurt us preachers to say we don’t know something when we don’t know. To my judgment it is tragic to be so dogmatic about that which is not revealed. If you want to make such a statement about a speculative Scripture, I will not object if you will say, “This is my judgment,” or, “I think this is the way it will be.”[17]
Revelation 12:7
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
[Michael] One of chief princes (Dan 10:13); Daniel’s prince (Dan 10:21); warrior for Israel (Dan 12:1); fights for the body of Moses? (Jude 9); fought in wars of the Lord (Zech 14:3; Num 21:14). In Jewish thought, Michael is an archangel who is the protector of Israel (Military Leader) and who in the last days will deliver Israel from destruction (see Dan 12:1).
[war in heaven] This war in heaven will be the last actual struggle between Satan and God over the possession of the heavenlies where Satan reigns (Ephes. 2:2; Ephes. 6:12). Satan still has access to God's heaven to accuse the brethren, but from the time of this casting out he will never again enter heaven (Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Rev. 12:7-12; Zech. 3:1).
Five facts about the war in heaven:
1. The fact: there will be a war (Rev. 12:7).
2. The time: in the middle of Daniel's 70th week (Rev. 12:6-14; Rev. 13:1-5)
3. The place: in the heavenlies (Rev. 12:7; Ephes. 2:2; Ephes. 6:12)
4. The combatants (Rev. 12:7)
5. The result (Rev. 12:8-12)
The war predicted here could not be the same as the one in heaven (Isaiah 14:12-14; Luke 10:18). That was in the dateless past before the six days' work of Genesis 1:3-2:25. This war is yet future, for all events of Rev. 4:1-22:5 must be after the churches (♣ Rev. 4:1, note). The only truth we find here in connection with the original war in heaven is that revealing how many angels originally fell with Lucifer (Rev. 12:4).
The first two chapters of Job make it clear that Satan now has access to heaven, and Zech. 3 reveals that Satan accuses the saints before the throne of God. In the middle of the Tribulation, Satan will be cast out of heaven to the earth. Michael is the archangel assigned to protect Israel (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9). His name means “who is like God?” Satan said, “I will be like the Most High!” but God defeated him; and now Satan is cast from heaven. Verse 9 describes him as the serpent, which takes us back to Gen. 3; the word “devil” means “accuser,” which ties in with v. 10 and with Zech. 3; and “Satan” means “adversary.” What an enemy Satan is! In heaven, Satan had been accusing the saints; but the saints had overcome him with three weapons: (1) the blood, which cleanses us of all sin, 1 John 1:9-2:2; (2) the Word, which assures us of forgiveness and is the sword of the Spirit; and (3) their surrender, for they would rather die than obey Satan.
There is joy in heaven because Satan is defeated; but there will be woe on earth! Satan’s time is short (three and one-half years); then he will be cast into the bottomless pit (20:1-3).
[Michael and his angels fought against the dragon] Daniel 10:13,21; Daniel 12:1; Jude 1:9. Until this point in the Tribulation, Michael never lays a hand on Satan. In Jude, regarding the dispute over the body of Moses, we are told that Michael said, “the Lord rebuke you.” He respected Satan’s might and dignity as a beautiful creation of God and he was acting in accordance with God’s purposes with Satan.
[fought and his angels] Angels fight by physical contact in the same way that people do. They are capable of operation in the material and earthly realm. After all, heaven and other planets are of material substance like the earth. Angels have done and can do all things that men can do, plus some things people cannot do before becoming resurrected, immortalized, and being given glorified bodies like Christ who can appear and disappear, going through material substance (note, John 21:14). Angels are capable of being captured and confined by chains and prisons like people (Daniel 10:13-21; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6-7; Rev. 9:11,14; Rev. 20:1-10). Here one army of angels is going to defeat and cast down another army of angels to the earth and confine them there (Rev. 12:7-12). All fallen ones will be confined to hell forever (Matthew 24:41; Rev. 20:10).
The dragon also has angels. The third part, so he has a great force of angels.
(JNTC) Mikha’el, one of the ruling angels (see 1 Th 4:16N, Yd 9&N). In Jewish popular thought, angels are a Christian invention reflecting a departure from pure monotheism. Actually, angels are frequently mentioned in the Tanakh, although Mikha’el (Michael) and Gavri’el (Gabriel; see Lk 1:19N) are the only ones it identifies by name. Post-Tanakh Judaism developed an elaborate angelology.
At Daniel 10:13, after Daniel had fasted three weeks, Gavri’el explains his delay in coming: “The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me for twenty-one days, until Mikha’el, one of the first-ranked angels, came to my aid, and I was no longer needed there with the kings of Persia.” At Daniel 10:21, Gavri’el tells Daniel about “Mikha’el, your prince”; and “your” is plural—Mikha’el is the Jewish people’s prince or guardian angel, who fights alongside Gavri’el against the angels of Persia and Greece. Daniel 12:1, speaking of the End of Days, adds, “At that time Mikha’el, the great prince who stands [guard] for the children of your people, will arise; and there will be a period of trouble greater than any which has been from the time nations began until then; but at that time your people—that is, everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.” (This verse is alluded to at 20:15, Mt 24:21.) Here Mikha’el is seen with his heavenly armies, defeating the dragon.
The aggadah names many other angels, for example, Rafa’el and ‛Aza’zel, referred to in the quotation from 1 Enoch in 2 Ke 2:4N. (See also 1:4 on “the sevenfold Spirit” and 8:2.) Moreover, the tradition expands the roles of Mikha’el and Gavri’el. According to Pesikta Rabbati 46:3, they are two of the four angels surrounding God’s throne; but the Talmud states that Mikha’el is greater than Gavri’el (B’rakhot 4b). Mikha’el was the angel who called on Avraham not to sacrifice Yitzchak (Midrash Va-Yosha in A. Jellinek, Beit-HaMidrash 1:38, referring to Genesis 22:11). According to Exodus Rabbah 18:5, it was Mikha’el who smote Sennacherib and the Assyrian army (2 Kings 19:35); the passage adds that
“Mikha’el and Samma’el [identified with Satan; see Yd 9N] both stand before the Sh˒khinah; Satan accuses, while Mikha’el points out Israel’s virtues, and when Satan wishes to speak again, Mikha’el silences him.”
Esther Rabbah 7:12 says it was Mikha’el who defended the Jews against each of Haman’s accusations. When the Messiah comes, Mikha’el and Gavri’el will accompany him and will fight the wicked (Alphabet Midrash of Rabbi Akiva).
One of the most moving passages in the Midrash Rabbah occurs at its close. When the time came for Moses to die, Samma’el, the angel of death, came to take his soul. But Moses objected, reciting a long list of his accomplishments to prove that he need not surrender his soul to Samma’el. Finally it was God himself who
“came down from the highest heavens to take away the soul of Moses; and with him were three ministering angels, Mikha’el, Gavri’el and Zagzag’el. Mikha’el prepared his bier, Gavri’el spread out a fine linen cloth by the pillow under his head, and Zagzag’el put one at his feet. Then Mikha’el stood at one side and Gavri’el at the other. The Holy One, blessed be he, summoned Moses’ soul; but it replied, ‘Master of the Universe, I beg you, let me stay in Moses’ body.’ Whereupon God kissed Moses, taking his soul away with a kiss of his mouth; and God, if one may say so, wept. And the Ruach HaKodesh said, ‘Since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses’ (Deuteronomy 34:10). Blessed be the Lord forever. Amen and Amen.” (Condensed from Deuteronomy Rabbah 11:10)
Though compiled in the fourth century c.e., the writers of the Midrash Rabbah did not recognize that Yeshua was the “prophet like Moses” and had already “arisen in Israel”; see Ac 3:22–23N. Y’hudah 9 alludes to this tradition concerning Mikha’el’s role in Moses’ death; see notes there and at 11:3–6 above.
In the kabbalistic (Jewish occult) literature the status of Mikha’el is further exalted. He is associated or even identified with the angel Metatron, himself sometimes equated with the Messiah. Mikha’el is given a role in redemption and becomes a personification of grace. He is sometimes portrayed as bringing before God the souls of the righteous (see 6:9&N). [18]
Revelation 12:8
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Lk 10:18; Jn 16:11; 12:31. (yet future)
Chuck Smith: Now at the present time, Satan does have access to heaven. And he goes up there just to harass us before God. "Look at that fellow down there. He is supposed to be your servant. Did you see what he did last week?" No good. Accusing you before God. What a rascal.
We have a picture of it in the book of Job. The sons of God were presenting themselves to God and Satan also came with them and God said to Satan, "Where have you been?"
"I have been going up and down throughout the earth, to and fro through it."
"Hey, have you seen my servant Job? Have you considered my servant Job? He is a good man. He loves Me and hates evil."
"I seen that character. And I have also seen how you have blessed him. You have given that guy everything anybody could want. Who wouldn't serve you when you are blessed like that, you'd be a fool not to serve You. Let me take away those things that you have given him and he will curse You to Your face."
He accused Job of being a mercenary, serving God for the profit.
God said, "All right, go ahead, but don't touch him. Strip him if you want."
So, Satan began to strip Job until he wiped him out completely. Financially he was totally wiped out. And Job fell on his face and worshiped God and said, "I came into the world naked, looks like I am going out that way. The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." In all these things Job did not curse God or charge God foolishly.
So, the sons of God again were presenting themselves to God, and Satan came with them and God said, "Where have you been?" And he said, "Going around the earth, up and down, to and fro through it".
"Hey, have you considered My servant Job? He is a good man. In spite of all that you did, he maintained his integrity."
"Oh yeah, but You wouldn't let me touch him. Let me touch him? Skin for skin, all a man has will he give for his life."
God said, "All right you can afflict him, but don't kill him."
The limitation that God placed upon him. Job was afflicted with boils. He was covered and had to lie in the ashes. His wife saw his miserable condition and said, "Honey, why don't you just curse God and die?" Horrible. His friends came and they couldn't understand his plight. They began to accuse him falsely of all kinds of secret sins.
But Satan was accusing the brethren. That is what he is doing up there. He does have access into heaven, but here shortly he is going to get kicked out. Michael and his angels are going to fight against him and going to prevail against him and he is going to be cast out.[19]
Revelation 12:9
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.
[which deceiveth the whole world] This is Satan's chief business (Matthew 13:19; 2 Cor. 4:4; 2 Cor. 11:14-15; 2 Thes. 2:8-12).
The dragon is identified with the serpent of Genesis 3, who would be crushed by “the woman’s seed” (Genesis 3:15). This is biological term – seed comes from the man and this indicates the virgin birth.
[that old serpent] alluding to Genesis 3:1, 4.
[Devil] the Greek, for "accuser," or "slanderer."
[Satan] the Hebrew for "adversary," especially in a court of justice. The twofold designation, Greek and Hebrew, marks the twofold objects of his accusations and temptations, the elect Gentiles and the elect Jews.
“Prince of this world” John 14:30; “prince of the power of the air” Eph 2:1-3; “the whole world lieth in wickedness” 1 John 5:19; Dan 10 Satan over world jurisdictions; “god of this world,2 Cor 4:4
Revelation highlights three evil powers who will oppose God’s people during the end times: Satan Rev 12:9; the Beast, or Antichrist 13:1-10; and the false prophet 13:11 and 16:3.
Several judgments have and will be passed on Satan: (1) his removal from guarding the throne of God (Ezek. 28:14, 16); (2) the prophecy in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3:15); (3) his defeat at the Cross (John 12:31); (4) his being barred from heaven (here in v. 9); (5) his confinement in the abyss (20:3); and (6) his torment in the lake of fire forever (20:10).
Chuck Smith: And what a deceiver he is.
Now because man does not want the truth, God allows man to be deceived. God allows deception. You don't want to believe the truth, then don't. God will allow you to believe some crazy hair brain tale if you want too. If you don't want to believe that God created the earth. You don't want to believe that God created you. You don't want to believe that God designed your eyes in such a glorious way, the optic nerves and the whole system of sight. You don't want to believe that that is creation. Then all right, believe in wild yarn. That a worm coming out of the ooze got burned on the forehead with the sun—wasn't really the forehead then, just the upper part of the anatomy—and it formed a freckle, mutations, and over the process of millions of years this freckle formed into an eye with all the intricate aspects of an eye. The nerves transmitting the message of the vibrations into the brain able to interpret it, the movement and so forth. Marvelous. Yarn story that deluded men, called scientists believe. You tell that to your kids they won't believe it. So, if a person doesn't believe the truth, God let's them believe a lie as preposterous as the lie may be.
"Because they served the creature rather than the creator who is blessed forever more, God gave them over to reprobate minds" (Romans 1:25,28). They believe the lie rather than the truth. You don't want to retain God in your mind; God will give you over to a reprobate mind. You don't want to believe the truth; God will let you believe a lie. We read that the antichrist is going to bring a strong delusion on the people that those who did not want to believe the truth, and they will believe the great lie of the antichrist.
Jesus said, "I came in My Father's name and you didn't receive Me. Another is going to come in his own name, him you will receive"(John 5:43). You don't want to receive the truth, then you will receive the lie of the deceiver who has deceived the world. Make sure you haven't been deceived by Satan. Make sure that Satan hasn't deceived you in turning you away from God and the truth and the love of God that He has for you in Christ.[20]
Van Impe: Some Bible authorities believe that this war in heaven began at the time of the Rapture in chapter 4, verse 1. Since a war involves a number of skirmishes or battles, this is a distinct possibility. The assumption is based on Daniel 12:1 and 2.
These scholars reason that since those who are caught up in the rapture of the Church must pass through the areas where Satan reigns-the aerial and stellar heavens-Satan becomes aroused and attempts to hinder this evacuation of the saints from the earth. However, as he attempts to interfere in this glorious event, angels-ministers of the saints (see Hebrews 1:14)-rush to the rescue, and the space confrontation and conflagration begins. This happened in the past-why could it not occur again? Where did it happen in the past? Consider Daniel 10:13 as we are introduced to Michael, the commander in chief of heaven's armies. Daniel says, But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes [an angelic name and title], came to help me. God tells Daniel that He had every intention of answering His prayers, but that for twenty-one days the devil tried to hinder the response. Finally God had to send Michael to battle the devil in the area of his domain (the first and second heavens) in order to make the answer a reality. Thus, it is possible that Michael will again battle God's adversary at the time of the Rapture in order to allow Christians their entrance into glory in the twinkling of an eye, as promised in 1 Corinthians 15:51-54.
Michael is mentioned five times in God's Word, beginning with Daniel 10:13. We find him again in Daniel 10:21 where he is described to the Children of Israel as Michael, your prince. His third mention is in Daniel 12:1: And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people. In Jude 9, we find Michael, the archangel, contending with the devil over the body of Moses. Notice that every time Michael appears, he is connected with the Children of Israel-making it very plausible that he is at war with Satan in our present and fifth text, defending the Jewish people.
The war is on, and it is the greatest aerial combat in history: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon [Satan]; and the dragon fought and his angels. Are you shocked to discover Satan in heaven? Most people (including most Christians) imagine him as a little creature dressed in a red uniform, running around in a place called hell, jabbing his victims with a pitchfork. This is all a lot of mythological nonsense.
Satan is a magnificent creature to behold. In fact, his beauty brought his ruin. Ezekiel 28:17 states: Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Not only is it a lie to picture Satan as a grotesque monstrosity, but it is equally false to place him in hell. He has never been there. He is the god of this world system, the prince of the power of the air, and the prince of this world, as we have already observed. He has been in heavens one and two (the aerial and stellar heavens) since his fall-and he will remain there until he is cast to the earth in verse 9. It is also important to note that he is not cast into eternal hell (the lake of fire) to join those he has duped until after the Millennium (chapter 20, verse 10). Now, as this battle is fought, Satan is defeated. Praise God! Satan is mighty, but God is Almighty! Satan can destroy, but God can destroy the destroyer! That is why the Christian should never fear the events of daily life. He has victory in Jesus. Yes, greater is he that is in you, than -he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Satan's demise began when he was cast out of the third heaven (see Isaiah 14:12-14), continues until Revelation 12:9 when he is cast out of the first and second heavens, and is completed when he is cast into the lake of fire (chapter 20, verse 10). John foresaw that hour and said, The prince of this world [shall] be cast out (John 12:31) and the prince of this world is judged (John 16:11). To the eternal Christ, Satan's doom was as good as accomplished, but for you and me, time had to pass. Now, in our text, the moment has arrived: (Satan and his angels) prevailed not (verse 8.) Michael's gunners zero in, and Satan's place-an abiding location for centuries-is found no longer. Instead, the dragon (Satan) which deceiveth the whole world: [is] cast out into the earth, and his angels [are] cast out with him. This signals the end of Satan's rule in the aerial and stellar heavens, and the victory celebration begins. All heaven rejoices over that which Michael's defeat of Satan has accomplished.[21]
McGee: We have here a startling revelation: “And there arose war in heaven.” The United Nations could not do anything about this war any more than they could about any other war that has taken place since they came into existence. It is difficult to imagine that there is war in heaven, but Satan still has access to heaven and, as long as he does, there will be this problem.
We are told in the Book of Job that Satan came with the sons of God to appear before God (see Job 1–2). He apparently had as much right there as they did. He had been created the highest creation. We also read in Zechariah 3:1–2: “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, the Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” Satan has access to God, and he is able to carry on a communication with God. Luke 22:31 tells us: “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.” I do not think that Satan sent a Western Union telegram to God or that he telephoned Him. He was able to come into the presence of God, and he requested that he might test this man Simon Peter—and he was granted that permission.
“Michael” is the archangel. We are told this in the Book of Jude: “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee” (Jude 9). Evidently there are other archangels, but Michael has a peculiar ministry with the nation Israel. Daniel 10:13 tells us: “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.” Michael is “one of the chief princes.” Although there are probably other archangels, Michael and Gabriel are the only ones whose names are given in Scripture. Again in Daniel we read: “But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince” (Dan. 10:21).
“Michael your prince”—since the Lord is talking to Daniel, this refers to Daniel’s people, the nation Israel. This is made clear in Daniel 12:1: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” At that time, we are told, there will be a time of trouble, the Great Tribulation. Michael will again step out and drive Satan out of heaven, because he happens to be the prince who watches over the nation Israel. This is a tremendous thing, and it beggars description.
There will be a fierce struggle, a war. Satan is not going to retire easily, but Michael and his angels will prevail, and Satan and his angels will be thrown out of heaven. The Lord Jesus referred to this in Luke 10:18, “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”
There is no mistaking this creature who is called the great dragon, for he is marked out with great detail. His fingerprints are put down here in the Revelation. Because God knew that a great percentage of the preachers of this century would teach that Satan does not exist, He makes it so you cannot miss him. If your enemy can get you to think he does not exist, he will have a tremendous advantage over you, and he will be able to get a crack at you that will sweep you off your feet. Satan moved in afresh and anew during my generation simply because my generation did not believe in him. Now we are getting an overdose of him, and he has been made a weird and wild thing. But, actually, he is not an ugly creature, by any means; he is an angel of light,
Notice how he is identified here:
1. He is called “the old serpent.” This takes us back to the Garden of Eden. Our Lord said, “… He was a murderer from the beginning …” (John 8:44). The words old and beginning are akin, according to Vincent. Satan is that old serpent, the one who was at the beginning in the Garden of Eden.
2. He is called “Devil,” a name which comes from the Greek diabolos, meaning “slanderer or accuser.” He is so labeled in verse 10: “the accuser of our brethren.” This is the reason believers need an Advocate with the Father. You and I have an enemy today who is not only causing us problems down here, but you would be surprised what he says about you and me in heaven! There is nothing that you do or say or think which he does not turn in against you up yonder. But God already knows about it, and I like to beat Satan to the draw and confess it before he gets up there to bring the accusation against me. The Lord Jesus is our Advocate. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).
It would be wonderful if I did not sin, but I do. Thank God that we have an Advocate with the Father. Jesus Christ the righteous is up there to defend us. He has been kept busy ever since I have been in this world, and I have a notion He’s been pretty busy defending you, too. Don’t think He is up there sitting idly by. He is our Defender, our Advocate. The Devil is a slanderer; he is a liar from the beginning. He is the origin of all lies today. Where does the gossip that goes on in some of our churches originate? It originates in the pit of hell, my friend. That is the last place from which anything ought to be shipped into the church!
3. He is also called “Satan,” which means “adversary.” He is the awful adversary of God and of every one of God’s children. We are told: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). I have received a great many letters from people who have been delivered out of cults and “isms” through the study of the Word of God. One man wrote: “I was in a cult. I wrote you the letter I did [and it was a mean one!] to try to trap you, to try to trick you. I thought I was right and you were wrong. When I began to study the Word of God, I came to realize how Satan had me trapped.” Satan has a lot of folk trapped today, even church members. We need to recognize that he is our enemy. That does not mean we ought to go overboard and just dwell on Satan and demons. It certainly is true that there is a new and fresh manifestation of him today that was not here a generation ago. But keep your eye on Jesus Christ, for He is your place of deliverance, and He is up yonder to help you.
4. Finally, he is called “he that deceiveth the whole (inhabited) world.” During the Great Tribulation, Satan will be able to totally deceive men—today he deceives only partially. Satan deceives men relative to God and the Word of God. He caused Eve to distrust God: “Has God said you should not eat of that tree? You just can’t trust Him, can you?”(see Gen. 3:1–4). Satan deceives man relative to man. Satan makes out mankind better than he is, yet he despises us. He builds us up and tells us we could become gods—how wonderful that would be (see Gen. 3:5). Satan deceives man relative to the world, the flesh, and the Devil. You and I think we are big enough to overcome the world, the flesh, and the Devil, but we are not big enough to overcome any one of them. The world is too big for us, and it will certainly draw us away from the Lord. Satan deceives man relative to the gospel. He does not mind a man going to church or even joining a dozen churches, but he does not want that man to be saved. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Cor. 4:4).
Someone has said, “Satan is to be dreaded as a lion; more to be dreaded as a serpent; and most to be dreaded as an angel.” That is where he traps multitudes today. [22]
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 them before our God day and night.
The loud voice is not identified and probably cannot be with certainty. Some have ascribed this voice to God Himself, some to angels, some to the twenty-four elders, some to the martyred saints in heaven mentioned in 6:10, because they also cry with a loud voice. Support for the latter view is given in that in the same verse the loud voice mentions “the accuser of our brethren.” This would seem to eliminate angels and indicate saints in heaven. The loud voice may very well be the shout of triumph of the tribulation saints longing for and anticipating their ultimate victory and triumph.[23]
Fourfold Announcement
1. To all concerned—now is come:
• Salvation
• Strength
• The kingdom of God
• The power of Christ
That is, God and Christ have demonstrated their power over Satan and all rebels, as they predicted they would in the plan of God. The great mystery of why God has allowed the devil to continue operating against Him so long without definite action to stop Him is finally answered. Delay in fulfilling this mystery is no longer (notes, Rev. 10:6-7).
2. To saints: the accuser is cast down and all courts of heaven are closed to Satan. The prosecutor of saints is cast out of heaven once and forever and saints will no longer be accused by him (Rev. 12:10).
3. To the inhabitants of heaven: rejoice, for Satan has access to heaven no longer (Rev. 12:12).
4. To the inhabitants of earth: woe, for the devil is come down among you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but 1,260 days or 3 1/2 more years to be loose before being confined to the abyss (Rev. 20:1-3).
This is the 3rd of the 3 woes announced by the angel of Rev. 8:13 (cp. Rev. 9:12; Rev. 11:14). This 3rd woe is so much more terrible than the torment of people for 5 months (Rev. 9:1-12), and the slaying of one third of man (Rev. 9:13-21), that a special announcement is made of it here (Rev. 12:12).
Note that even as Satan accuses the brethren before God day and night prior to is being case out of heaven, so the four living creatures of Rev. 4:8 cease not day or night to ascribe holiness to the Lord.
Van Impe: The spontaneous praise session within this verse occurs because (1) salvation from Satan's atmospheric control has taken place; (2) God's strength has crushed Satan's might; (3) the kingdom is about to arrive; and (4) the power of Christ will be seen as He comes to set up His kingdom. Think of it! The united power of Father and Son casts the accuser of the brethren out of the heavens.
Did you know that accusing the brethren is Satan's present ministry? He also uses some ministers and holier-than-thou church members to accomplish this goal. Listen carefully. Every bit of slander against another brother or sister in Christ is simply the devil using an individual's mind and vocal cords. In fact, devil means "slanderer. The term false accuser in the English Bible is translated from the word diabolos or devil. Thus, Titus 2:3 states: The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers. Literally rendered, this verse states: "That the aged women be not she devils." A woman who gossips is a "she devil," and a male gossip is a "macho devil." Both are controlled by the power of the vile one. No wonder lying is one of the seven sins God hates (see Proverbs 6:16-19).
When Satan is cast out into the earth (verse 9), the hot spot will be our terra firma where men walk and breathe. At that time there will be only one place of safety and victoryin the arms of the Lord Jesus through His shed blood.[24]
(JNTC) Is the New Testament merely warmed-over Greek mythology? If not, why does it have a chapter about a great dragon? Yochanan answers here and at 20:2 by identifying the dragon (Greek drakô) in Jewish terminology as:
(1) That ancient serpent, Greek ophis, used in the Septuagint at Genesis 3 to translate Hebrew nachash, the serpent in the Garden of Eden.
(2) The Devil, Greek diabolos, “slanderer, accuser,” the Septuagint’s word for “Satan”; this is precisely his role at Job 1–2.
(3) Satan (the Adversary). I render Greek Satanas twice, first by a transliteration, then by a translation; see Mt 4:1N.
(4) The deceiver of the whole world. Compare 20:2–3 below.
(5) The accuser of our brothers. Satan’s accusing God’s people is familiar in non-Messianic Judaism; one may say that antisemitism is one of its manifestations.
Moreover, the Tanakh uses “monster language” of its own when speaking of Satan:
(1) Rahav (“Rahab”—no connection with the woman who sheltered the spies in Jericho), meaning Egypt, but with Satan’s power lurking beneath (Isaiah 51:9, Psalm 39:10, Job 26:13).
(2) Livyatan (“Leviathan, sea monster”; Isaiah 27:1; Psalms 74:14, 104:26; Job 40:25–41:26(41:1–34)); the description in the last passage makes it clear that Leviathan is no natural sea monster.
(3) Behemot (“Behemoth, hippopotamus”; but in Job 40:15–24 a supernatural being).
(4) Tanin (“dragon, crocodile”; Isaiah 51:9, Psalm 74:13, Job 7:12).
(5) Nachash (“serpent”; Genesis 3:1–19, Isaiah 27:1, Amos 9:3, Job 26:13).
In the Septuagint “drakôn” (which underlies the English word “dragon”) is used frequently to translate “tanin,” “nachash” and “livyatan”; the KJV Old Testament uses “dragon” twenty times.
In v. 3 above this dragon is also identified with the “fourth beast” of Daniel 7:7, 24.
The great dragon was thrown out. Compare Lk 10:18, where Yeshua says, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
He was hurled down to earth. What does he do here? Answer: “Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Ke 5:8). This is confirmed in vv. 12–17, 13:7. What should we do about it? “Stand against him … ” (1 Ke 5:9–10, Ya 4:7; compare Ep 6:10–17, also 13:10 and 14:12 below).
The coming of God’s victory (or “salvation”; see 7:10) is the subject of the next six chapters; the cry is repeated at 19:1. [25]
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 did they overcome? His Blood (Heb 9:12); Word of testimony (Mt 4:4,7,10; Eph 6:10-18; Isa 59:17); Loved not their lives (cf. 2 witnesses of Ch 11); Rom 6:11-13; 2 Tim 1:12; Acts 20:24; [Book of Life: Ex 32:32; Dan 12:1.]
(1 John 2:14) I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
The believers’ legal “testimony” counts more before the throne than Satan’s accusations, and the object of their testimony is the finished work of Christ on their behalf (Rev. 1:2, 5, 9; Rev. 2:13).
Chuck Smith: So, we have victory over Satan through the blood of Jesus Christ. The fact that we have been redeemed, purchased. "I am a debtor," Paul said, "not to live any longer after the flesh, not to the flesh to live after it, but to the Spirit." "Know ye not that you are a temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you. You have been bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body and Spirit which are His. You are not your own. You have been bought with a price" (1 Corinthians 6:19). The old nature, the old life was worthless. It is dead. We count it dead. We reckon it to be dead that we might live this new life after Christ in the Spirit. Our testimony is that of redemption through the blood of Jesus, the new life, the new nature that we have in Him. So, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, the testimony of that redemption, we overcome Satan.
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. [Satan has been cast out.] Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea. for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows he has but a short time (Rev 12:12).
In just about three and a half years he is going to get chained and placed in the abusso, so he is angry and upset. He has been defeated and he is going to take it out upon those that live upon the earth at that time.
Now, when the dragon saw that he was cast onto the earth, he persecuted the woman or Israel. So, Israel again is going to be facing a time of persecution. These people who have gone through historically such tremendous persecution, the inquisition in Spain, the slaughter by Hitler and now the persecution in Russia, these people have had such a tremendous share of persecution. There are people who hate them that don't even know why they hate them. Anti-Semitism is an evil, wicked thing, but it is so prevalent. The tragedy is that they have yet more persecution to go through. Satan is going to seek to persecute the woman which brought forth the man child.[26]
Van Impe: These wise saints resisted Satan by the blood of Jesus and by the Word of God. There is no other way to win a spiritual battle (see Hebrews 4:12). They also overcame Satan by their testimony and loved not their own lives unto death. What a crown awaits them-and you, if you're true blue! Thus, John states in Revelation 2:10: Be thou faithful unto death, and l will give thee a crown of life.
Though there is rejoicing in the heavenlies, the picture is quite different for earth dwellers.[27]
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.
The Third woe? 11:14.
[wrath] Ten things constituting the 3rd woe:
1. Great tribulation such as never was or will be again (Matthew 24:15-22; Daniel 12:1; Rev. 7:9-17; Rev. 11:15-19:21)
2. War on Israel (Rev. 12:13-15; Daniel 8:24; Daniel 11:40-45; Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:15-22)
3. War on the remnant (Rev. 12:17)
4. Forced worship of Satan and Antichrist (Rev. 13:4-18; Rev. 14:9-11; Rev. 15:2-4; Rev. 20:4-6)
5. War on Christians (Rev. 12:11; Rev. 7:9-17; Rev. 13:7-10; Rev. 14:13; Rev. 15:2-4; Rev. 20:4-6)
6. Deception by miracles (Rev. 13:13-17; Rev. 16:13-16; Rev. 19:20; 2 Thes. 2:8-12; Matthew 24:24)
7. Physical brands on people enforced by law and the death penalty (Rev. 13:16-18; Rev. 14:9-11)
8. Forced denial of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit (Rev. 13:1-5; Rev. 14:9-11)
9. World wars (Daniel 11:40-45)
10. Mobilization of all nations to Armageddon where they will be killed by the millions (Rev. 14:17-20; Rev. 16:13-16; Rev. 19:19-21; Ezekiel 39:2; Joel 3; Zech. 14)
In many Jewish views of the end time, Satan/Belial would be unleashed against God’s people in the final years (Dead Sea Scrolls). His authority was always delegated by God, permitted for only a particular length of time, to give him and his followers’ full opportunity to prove themselves wrong.
[is come down] rather as Greek, "catebee," "is gone down"; John regarding the heaven as his standing-point of view whence he looks down on the earth.
At this point Satan unleashes all his fury for he knows that within forty-two months (three and one-half years), his reign will be ended. Thus, the great anti-Semitic purge now begins.
McGee: “And I heard.” This reminds us that John is still the spectator and auditor of these events. He does not want us to forget that, because it is very important.
When Satan has been cast out of heaven, it will cause great rejoicing among the redeemed who are in heaven. “A great voice in heaven” seems to refer to the Old Testament saints or to the tribulation saints who have been martyred up to this point (see Rev. 6:9–10), for they mention their brethren on the earth: “for the accuser of our brethren is cast down.”
The first great demonstration of power to be exerted against evil after the death and resurrection of Christ is the casting out of Satan from heaven. That is the beginning of the movement that will lead to the Lord Jesus taking over the reins of government down here. When Christ died on the cross, He paved the way for Satan’s being cast out of heaven. Listen to the language in Colossians: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Col. 2:14). The Lord Jesus made it possible for man to be saved by His death. God canceled our debt of sin by nailing it to the cross of Christ. Christ made full payment. Paul goes on to say: “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:15). I personally believe that this began when He ascended into heaven and took that great company of saints with Him. He led captivity captive and took them into the presence of God. Those were the Old Testament saints, and I think they are in this group who are now saying that salvation is come.
This opens the way for the coming of four great, blood-bought, heavenly freedoms. We talk about four freedoms down here which have not yet come to pass, but here are four freedoms that are going to come to pass when Christ comes.
1. “The salvation”—its consummation is in the person of Christ. Our salvation will not be consummated until we are in His presence: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). This will be true when He comes to the earth. I believe this verse speaks of His visible return to the earth.
2. “The power.” The way nations have handled power has been tragic. This has been true of every great nation. Some nations have been able to make war and, like a great prairie fire, they have spread across another nation, destroying cities and killing people. The nations have abused power, but it will be wonderful when Christ takes the power and controls this earth.
3. “And the kingdom of our God” is going to be established on the earth. Not until then will there be peace and righteousness and freedom on this earth. In this land of the free and home of the brave, there are not many brave left, and I don’t know that there are many free who are left either. It will be wonderful when His kingdom comes on this earth. This very statement reveals that the kingdom was not established at the first coming of Christ.
4. “And the authority (Gr.: exousia) of His Christ” shows that Christ has not yet taken over the governmental authority of this world. He is not building a kingdom; He is not establishing His kingdom today. Wait until He starts moving. All of these judgments are in preparation for His return to this earth, giving men a warning and an opportunity to turn to Him—and multitudes will do so. There is always a note of grace in the judgment of God.
“The one accusing them before our God day and night” reveals that this is part of the present strategy of Satan which attempts to thwart Christ’s purpose with His church today and with the tribulation saints tomorrow. This necessitates Christ’s present ministry as Advocate for us.
Victory for the accused saints comes through three avenues which are mentioned to us in this section:
1. “The blood of the Lamb.” There is wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb. Don’t you forget that. Let us not minimize that. The many references to the blood of the Lamb necessitate its being on display in heaven. This is not a crude conception; rather, the crudity is in our sins which made it necessary for Him to shed His blood. If you and I get any victory, it will be because He shed His blood for us. We will never, never be able to lead “the victorious life.” The most defeated people I have ever met have been people who are supposedly living “the victorious life.” All of them look anemic to me. They look to me like they are fugitives from a blood bank. They are shallow and sallow looking, and they need a blood transfusion. They don’t live a victorious life—Christ does! If any of us overcome, it will be through the blood of the Lamb.
2. “The word of their testimony” reveals that they were true martyrs. Those who are Christ’s cannot deny Him. “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 10:33). There is something that is strengthening in giving a testimony. Don’t misunderstand me—some of the testimonies given today are pretty shallow. Some of them are given by those who ought not to be giving a testimony, because the people close to them know their shoddy living, and it makes them rather cynical and skeptical. The place to give a testimony is not at a nice, well-fed church banquet where all the saints say amen to everything you say. If you have a life to back it up, the place to give your testimony is out yonder in the world, when you are up against that godless, blaspheming crowd. Let them know that you belong to Christ and that you are in Christ. There is something strengthening in that. There is something that makes a man stand tall when he can give a testimony like that. I know of a man in business who is a big, double-fisted fellow. He is an executive in a very hard-hitting concern, and there are a lot of blaspheming folk around him. When he hears someone blaspheming, in a very quiet manner, he will say to that person, “I’d like to tell you what Jesus Christ means to me.” The Lord Jesus says, “If you deny Me before men, I’ll deny you before My Father in heaven” (see Matt. 10:33). These are the true martyrs. The Greek word martus means “witness.” These are the ones who witness for Him.
3. “They loved not their life even unto death.” This is an exalted plane to come to, where you and I make the Lord Jesus the first love in our life and put love of self down in second, third, fourth, or some other place. Surely we ought to have respect for ourselves, and there ought to be a dignity about us, but let’s put Him first. When we put Him first, we will not have any problem living for Him down here. The great problem today is not the set of rules you may be living by; it is what is behind the rules. Here is what you need behind them: the blood of the Lamb, the word of your testimony, and love for Him above everything else. Love is the very basis of service. The Lord said to Simon Peter, “Do you love me?” When Simon Peter finally could say that he did, although on a weak plane, the Lord Jesus said, “I am going to use you. You are going to feed My sheep” (see John 21:15–17). Peter preached the first sermon in the church and probably saw more people saved per capita of those then living than any other time in the history of the world.
There are two radical reactions to the casting out of Satan from heaven. There is rejoicing in heaven, for this awesome, treacherous, dangerous, and deadly serpent is out forever. Then there is woe on the earth. This is the third woe that extends through the pouring out of the seven bowls of wrath. The only consolation for the earth is that Satan’s sojourn on earth is brief—forty-two months. There is an intensification of tribulation during this period.[28]
His time is short. After unknown ages in heaven (Isaiah 14:11–15), the Adversary spends a relatively short interlude on earth before being banished to “the lake of fire and sulfur” (20:10), “the fire prepared for the Adversary and his angels” (Mt 25:41). During this time he is very angry—see 1 Ke 5:8 and vv. 9–10 above. [29]
Revelation 12:13
And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
[he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.] Focus is on Israel (Jer 30:7; Mt 24:15-22).
The great dragon comes down in great wrath. Since he can no longer accuse the saints before God in heaven, he will persecute them on earth. The liar becomes the lion. He focuses his attacks on Israel primarily. Anti-Semitism (persecution of the Jews) is satanic in origin. Egypt persecuted the Jews; so did Babylon. In modern days, Germany slaughtered millions of Jews in the Second World War. God judged all of these nations. Satan could not kill the woman’s Son, so now he tries to exterminate her seed, the believing remnant of Israel.
Revelation 12:14
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.
[And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle...] Eagle (Ex 19:4; Deut 32:9-11). Eagles’ wings: From Egypt (Ex 19:4); wilderness (Deut 32:11-12); return from Babylon (Isa 40:31).
When God led his people forth from Egypt and into the wilderness, he “bore them upon eagles’ wings” (Exodus 19:4; Deut. 32:11), and other Old Testament texts speak of God sheltering his people beneath his wings (Psalm 17:8; Psalm 36:7; Psalm 57:1; Psalm 61:4; Psalm 63:7; Psalm 91:4; cf. Jeremiah 49:22); later Jewish texts speak of God’s protecting his people, including converts to Judaism, under “the wings of his presence.”
[wilderness] Mt 24:16 [Dan 11:41: Edom, Moab, Ammon escape Antichrist]. Their Role (Isa 11:16; Ezek 20:35-38). Door of hope (Hos 2:14, 15; Ex 15; Zeph 2:3?). Earth swallows enemies of God (Num 16:31,33; Micah 7:15). This hiding place was not clearly identified. Some suggest that it might be Petra, fortress capital of the Nabateans in Edom, south of the Dead Sea. This city has a narrow access which could easily be blocked but which opens up into a large canyon capable of caring for many thousands of people.
(Dan 11:41) He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
[a time, and times, and half a time] A parallel reference is found in Dan 7:25 and 12:7 referring to the same period of great tribulation.
Van Impe: This verse describes God in His sovereignty and love, protecting His chosen people for three and one-half years. The eagle's wings probably indicate an airlift or some other miraculous speedy escape. God is probably reminding the Children of Israel of His act of preservation in Pharaoh's day, and uses the picture of wings to show them His goodness. He declares, Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself (Exodus 19:4). Safety is promised to His people.[30]
McGee: 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. He hates Israel because Christ came from this nation according to the flesh. This is the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, and this is the reason I cannot rejoice in the present return of Israel to that land. Some people seem to think they are going back for the Millennium. They are not—they are going back for the Great Tribulation Period if they are going back for any purpose at all, according to the Word of God.
“Two wings of a great eagle” are given to her that she might fly into the wilderness. There are those who see in this the airplane that will take Israel to their hiding place, and they always pick the rock-hewn city of Petra as being that place. I do not know how an airplane would land in that place, but that is the problem of those who give that explanation.
“Two wings of a great eagle” is not something that is unusual or peculiar to the people of Israel, but it is reminiscent of the grace of God in His past deliverance of Israel from Egypt. He said to them: “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself” (Exod. 19:4). They had not come out of Egypt by their own effort or their own ability. They came out because God brought them out, and eagles’ wings became a symbol to them. Here again in the Great Tribulation, the Israelites cannot deliver themselves, and no one is interested in delivering them. But God will get them out on eagles wings by His grace.
“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 variously identified—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 mountains” (Matt. 24:16), we believe it to be a literal wilderness, possibly that same one in which Israel spent forty years under Moses. This time it will be forty-two months, for 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.
“Where she is nourished” reminds us that in the past God sustained them with manna from heaven and water from the rock. He will nourish them again in possibly the same way.[31]
Revelation 12:15
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.
Satan then uses “water as a flood” to try to exterminate the Jews (v. 15), which probably symbolizes Gentile persecution. Psalm 124 will certainly be sung by the Jews of the Tribulation when God delivers them from Satan’s attacks. Read also Isa. 26:20-27:13 for another parallel passage. Daniel 11:41 indicates that, when the Beast (inspired by Satan) begins his persecution of the Jews in the middle of the Tribulation, the Jews will flee to places of refuge in Edom, Moab, and Ammon. This area has been excavated by archeologists; they have found cities carved out of the rocks, perfect places of refuge for Israel. The fleeing Jews of Matt. 24:16-21 will find safety and peace there during the last three and one-half years, the period called “the Great Tribulation.”
There are times in the scripture when the enemies of Israel would come against Israel, the enemies would be referred to as a flood.
(Jer 46:7-8) 7Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers? 8Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof.
(Jer 47:2-3) 2Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl. 3At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;
Revelation 12:16
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.
[Psalm 124: bird, v.7; flood...]
Flood in Jeremiah 46:8 and other passages represents an army. It is logical for the Antichrist to send a great army after Israel just as the Pharaoh did when the Israelites fled Egypt and were swallowed up by the flood of the Red Sea.
[swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth] The earth will open its mouth and swallow the armies of the Antichrist, like it did Korah and his company (Numbers 16:29-35).
Chuck Smith: So the army that pursues after Israel will be destroyed as the earth opens up.
During the time of Moses when Korah came and said that you have taken too much on yourself making your brother the one who offers sacrifices, we are Levites and have just as much right as does Aaron, and Moses took the rods and set them before the Lord. And then the next day after Aaron's rod had budded said; "Okay, Korah, you and your buddies stand out there. If God is in this thing let the earth open up and swallow you guys whole right down into the pit." And the earth opened up and Korah and his buddies went on down. So, here again the earth will open up.
Actually this great rift of which they call the Jordan Valley, of which the Dead Sea is a part, and of course the city of Petra on the other side, this great rift they believe was caused by a tremendous earthquake, seismic movement and all, and of course it is the greatest rift in the world. The Dead Sea is thirteen hundred feet below sea level and it is called the Great African Rift. It goes from Syria down into Africa. So, it is a place of historic, cataclysmic earthquakes and fire and brimstone that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. So again, even as Mount St. Helen's laid dormant for one hundred and thirty-seven years and then suddenly popped, this area is just going to open up and close up again, and the army that is pursuing Israel will be swallowed.[32]
Van Impe: This verse, too, is reminiscent of the miraculous deliverance God provided the Children of Israel during their exodus from Egypt, when the Red Sea closed in over Pharaoh and his army. The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them (Exodus 15:9-12). At this point Satan reaches the height of his anger.[33]
McGee: In view of the fact that the wilderness is literal, the water also could be literal. God had delivered Israel out of the water, both at the beginning of the wilderness march at the Red Sea and then again at the end of the wilderness march at the Jordan River. However, the floods of water could be armies flowing like a river upon them. This figure of speech has been used by Isaiah (see Isa. 8:7–8).
In Ezekiel’s picture of the last days, the king of the north is seen marching on Israel. Satan will use every means to destroy the people. How will he be stopped? No nation is there to stop him. But God is there, and He will destroy him with natural forces when he invades Palestine: “And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone” (Ezek. 38:22). This gives us an indication of what John is talking about here in Revelation.[34]
He went in pursuit of the woman, that is, went to persecute the Jewish people (v. 1), and perhaps the Messianic Jews in particular. The precise meaning of the details is not clear; the general sense is that God foils Satan’s most demonic attempts to destroy Israel.[35]
Revelation 12:17
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.
[remnant of her seed] The remnant of Israel who do not flee from Judea into the main body of the nation does. The word remnant is never used of the church or Gentiles (Isaiah 1:9, refs.). The woman’s “seed” alludes to Genesis 3:15; the woman’s seed would ultimately crush the serpent’s head, but only after the serpent had bruised the seed’s heel.
[which keep the commandments of God] These will have turned to God and believed on Jesus Christ after seeing the 144,000 Jewish Christians instantly missing from the earth.
[testimony of Jesus Christ] This means the spirit of prophecy, proving that the remnant who turn to God and believe on Jesus Christ receive the Holy Spirit (Rev. 19:10). The Holy Spirit will not be taken from the world at any time (John 14:16; Acts 2:16-21; Zech. 12:10-13:1; etc.).
[the rest of her children] combined with the next phrase may refer to all believers, even those who are not Jews at this time.
There are several practical lessons to be learned from this chapter. (1) Satan is at war with the saints, and we can overcome him only through faith in the Word of God. (2) Satan is the accuser of the brethren. The sins of the saints give Satan all the evidence he needs before God’s throne. Thank God we have our Advocate in Christ! (1 John 1:9-2:2) When we confess our sins, Christ cleanses us, and Satan is silenced! (3) Let us not be found accusing the saints, for if we are, then we are on Satan’s side and not the Lord’s. “Love covers a multitude of sins.” (4) We must never be guilty of anti-Semitism. The Jews are God’s elect people, and were it not for Israel, we would have no Savior or Bible. We must love Israel, pray for its peace, and seek to win our Jewish friends to Christ. The nation of Israel may not always be right politically, but they are God’s people and have an important task to fulfill in this world. We must pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
From the standpoint of cause and effect, the way is now prepared for the events of chapter 13, the rise of the beast and his unholy system.
In this twelfth chapter we are given a kind of panoramic view of the angelic conflict and of the supernatural forces of darkness that are ever at work in the world and have been since the fall of Satan when he drew with him a host of angels who chose to follow Satan rather than God. Here is a sure fact of human history. Though generally unseen with the physical eye, it is quite clear through the revelation of God and occasionally obvious in certain demonic activity seen in the world in the demon possessed. Even then, many reject the cause as demonic and attribute it to some other paranormal source. But the apostle Paul makes clear reference to this conflict in Ephesians 2:2 and again in 6:11-12. In Ephesians 6:11-12 we are told: “Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
But in Revelation 12 we also see the anticipation of Satan’s doom and that of his kingdom, though the rest of the story or the prophecy of his final doom is withheld until chapter 20. The great promise of the Bible is twofold: First, believers are victors through the victory of the Lord Jesus. Our need is to put on the full armor of God and to resist the devil in the victory of the Savior by always drawing near to the Lord. The second great promise is that Satan is a defeated foe whose days of freedom to create misery and pain and deception are numbered. Truly, may we rejoice with the heavens and those who dwell therein as they are told to do in 12:12. Why? For “The God of peace (the One who alone can give peace with God [reconciliation], the peace of God [the peace that comforts hearts], and world peace [an end to the turmoil we know today in our strife torn world]) will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you” (Rom. 16:20)
The rest of her children are Gentile Christians. They obey God’s commands, not the 613 mitzvot but the Torah with the necessary changes (MJ 7:11, 8:6; Ac 15:22–23; Yn 13:34; Ro 13:8–10) that give us “the Torah’s true meaning, which the Messiah upholds” (Ga 6:2). See notes to these passages. And, like Messianic Jews, they bear witness to Yeshua (see v. 11). R. H. Charles uses convoluted reasoning to equate the woman with the Church and “the rest of her seed” with all believers; nevertheless, even he says that the phrase “originally” meant “Gentile Christians.” Revelation, Volume 1, p. 315. See also Isaiah 66:8. [36]
Chuck Smith: So, chapter twelve deals with these interesting little vignettes into aspects of the past and future.
As we get into chapter thirteen next week, we get into the antichrist and we will get some historic background on him, as we take a look at this man, who I believe to be alive in the world today. And I believe that he is about ready to take over, but the only thing that is keeping him from taking over is the presence of the church. But I believe the earth is ready for him and ready to receive him and that he is ready to establish his kingdom, his reign over the earth. And that he probably is already involved in world politics. I don't know who he is. I am not even going to guess who he is. But I do believe that we are at that time, that he does exist and probably is actively involved in world politics and will be taking over as soon as the church is gone.
We'll be dealing with that next week as we get into chapter thirteen.
May the Lord be with you and give you a beautiful week. May you enjoy His presence and His fellowship as you walk with Him. May the Spirit of God give you strength and power in your inner man. May He help you to begin to comprehend how much God does love you, how much God cares for each one of you. May you come to a new rich love relationship with Jesus Christ where your heart burns with passion for Him and for the things of the spirit. May you be enriched in His fullness. May the Lord watch over and keep you in Jesus' name.[37]
McGee: “The rest of her seed” may refer to the remnant who is God’s witness in this period—the 144,000 who have been sealed. They are evidently witnessing throughout the world. These “keep the commandments of God,” which places them back under the Law. This precludes the possibility of the witnesses being the church.
All anti-Semitism is Satan inspired and will finally culminate in Satan’s 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.[38]
Old Testament References
12:1 Gen 37:9-11
12:2 Isa 26:17; 66:7; Micah 4:9-10
12:3 Isa 27:1; Dan 7:7, 20, 24
12:4 Dan 8:10
12:5 Ps 2:8-9; Isa 66:7
12:7 Dan 10:13, 21; 12:1
12:9 Gen 3:1; Job 1:6; 2:1; Zech 3:1
12:10 Job 1:9-11; 2:4-5; Zech 3:1
12:14 Ex 19:4; Deut 32:11; Isa 40:31; Dan 7:25; 12:7; Hos 2:14-15
12:15 Hos 15:10
12:17 Gen 3:15
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[1]McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 2000, c1981.
[2] A Message of Hope from Dr. Jack Van Impe, Commentary on The Book of Revelation, Van Impe
[3] A Message of Hope from Dr. Jack Van Impe, Commentary on The Book of Revelation, Van Impe
[4]Stern, D. H. (1996, c1992). Jewish New Testament Commentary : A companion volume to the Jewish New Testament (electronic ed.) (Re 12:1). Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications.
[5] Chuck Smith Sermon Notes, Commentary on Revelation, Calvary Fellowship, Costa Mesa, CA
[6] A Message of Hope from Dr. Jack Van Impe, Commentary on The Book of Revelation, Van Impe
[7]McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (5:986). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[8]McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 2000, c1981.
[9] John F. Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Pg. 189
[10] Chuck Smith Sermon Notes, Commentary on Revelation, Calvary Fellowship, Costa Mesa, CA
[11] A Message of Hope from Dr. Jack Van Impe, Commentary on The Book of Revelation, Van Impe
[12]Stern, D. H. (1996, c1992). Jewish New Testament Commentary : A companion volume to the Jewish New Testament (electronic ed.) (Re 12:3-5). Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications.
[13] Chuck Smith Sermon Notes, Commentary on Revelation, Calvary Fellowship, Costa Mesa, CA
[14]Stern, D. H. (1996, c1992). Jewish New Testament Commentary : A companion volume to the Jewish New Testament (electronic ed.) (Re 12:5). Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications.
[15] Chuck Smith Sermon Notes, Commentary on Revelation, Calvary Fellowship, Costa Mesa, CA
[16] A Message of Hope from Dr. Jack Van Impe, Commentary on The Book of Revelation, Van Impe
[17]McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the¢r[18]s[19]t[20]½t[21]¾t[22]¿t[23]Àt[24]Ñt[25]u[26]Ÿu[27] u[28]Ûu[29]v[30]_v[31]`v[32]w[33]x[34]
x[35]
x[36]
x[37]x[38]æx[39]y[40]z[41]
z[42]z[43]z[44]z[45]Rz[46] Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (5:989). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[47]Stern, D. H. (1996, c1992). Jewish New Testament Commentary : A companion volume to the Jewish New Testament (electronic ed.) (Re 12:7). Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications.
[48] Chuck Smith Sermon Notes, Commentary on Revelation, Calvary Fellowship, Costa Mesa, CA
[49] Chuck Smith Sermon Notes, Commentary on Revelation, Calvary Fellowship, Costa Mesa, CA
[50] A Message of Hope from Dr. Jack Van Impe, Commentary on The Book of Revelation, Van Impe
[51]McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (5:990). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[52] John F. Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Pg. 193
[53] A Message of Hope from Dr. Jack Van Impe, Commentary on The Book of Revelation, Van Impe
[54]Stern, D. H. (1996, c1992). Jewish New Testament Commentary : A companion volume to the Jewish New Testament (electronic ed.) (Re 12:9). Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications.
[55] Chuck Smith Sermon Notes, Commentary on Revelation, Calvary Fellowship, Costa Mesa, CA
[56] A Message of Hope from Dr. Jack Van Impe, Commentary on The Book of Revelation, Van Impe
[57]McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (5:992). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[58]Stern, D. H. (1996, c1992). Jewish New Testament Commentary : A companion volume to the Jewish New Testament (electronic ed.) (Re 12:12). Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications.
[59] A Message of Hope from Dr. Jack Van Impe, Commentary on The Book of Revelation, Van Impe
[60]McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (5:994). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[61] Chuck Smith Sermon Notes, Commentary on Revelation, Calvary Fellowship, Costa Mesa, CA
[62] A Message of Hope from Dr. Jack Van Impe, Commentary on The Book of Revelation, Van Impe
[63]McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (5:995). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[64]Stern, D. H. (1996, c1992). Jewish New Testament Commentary : A companion volume to the Jewish New Testament (electronic ed.) (Re 12:13). Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications.
[65]Stern, D. H. (1996, c1992). Jewish New Testament Commentary : A companion volume to the Jewish New Testament (electronic ed.) (Re 12:17). Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications.
[66] Chuck Smith Sermon Notes, Commentary on Revelation, Calvary Fellowship, Costa Mesa, CA
[67]McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (5:995). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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