Revelation 12

Revelation 12:1

I. The Key Figures in the Tribulation (Chaps. 12-15) 12:1 A great sign appeared in heaven, namely, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. The woman is Israel. The sun, moon and stars depict the glory and dominion which has been promised to her in the coming kingdom, just as they pictured Joseph’s ultimate rule over his father, mother, and brothers (Gen_37:9-11). 12:2 The woman is in labor, awaiting the birth of a baby. Much of the history of Israel is telescoped in these verses, with no indication that time gaps exist between events, or that the events are necessarily in chronological order. 12:3 A second sign in heaven is a fiery red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and a diadem on each head. The dragon is Satan, but since the description parallels that of the revived Roman Empire in Rev_13:1, it may be Satan energizing that world power. 12:4, 5 With a swish of his tail, the dragon sweeps a third of the stars of heaven … to the earth, a possible reference to war in heaven which takes place in the middle of the Tribulation and which results in fallen angels being cast from heaven to earth (see vv. 8, 9). The dragon is ready to devour the Child as soon as He is bornfulfilled in the attempt of Herod the Great, vassal of Rome, to destroy the newborn King of the Jews. The male Child is clearly Jesus, destined to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. The record here jumps from His birth to His Ascension. 12:6 The present Church Age is passed over between verses 5 and 6. In the middle of the Tribulation, a portion of the nation of Israel flees to a secret place of refuge in the wilderness (some think it is Petra). These people remain in hiding for three and one half years. 12:7 War breaks out in heaven with Michael and his angels on one side and the dragon and his angels on the other. This is in the middle of the Tribulation. Michael, the archangel, is associated with the affairs of the nation of Israel (Dan_12:1). 12:8, 9 The dragon is so thoroughly defeated that he loses any right of access to heaven. He and his minions are cast down to the earth. This is not his final fate, however (see 20:1-3, 10). Notice John’s description of him: the great dragon, that serpent of old, the Devil, Satan, the one who deceives the whole world. 12:10 The eviction of the dragon is followed by a loud cry in heaven that God’s triumph and the day of His people’s conquest have come. This anticipates the Millennial Kingdom. In the meantime, it is a glorious event that the accuser of our brethren … has been cast down. 12:11 The announcement continues. Persecuted Jewish believers overcame the evil one by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. Their victory was based on the death of Christ and their testimony to the value of that death. In faithfulness to Him, they sealed their testimony with their blood. 12:12, 13 The heavens can rejoice over the dragon’s departure, but it is bad news for the earth and the sea! The devil … knows his time is short and he is determined to pour out his wrath as widely as possible. The dragon’s spleen is vented especially against Israel, the nation from which the Messiah came. 12:14 The faithful Jewish remnant is given two wings of a great eagle, enabling it to escape quickly to its wilderness hideout. (Some have conjectured that these wings speak of a great Air Force.) There the remnant is cared for and protected from the serpent’s attacks for three and one half years (a time, times, and half a time). 12:15, 16 In an effort to foil Israel’s escape, the serpent causes a great flood to follow the people, but an earthquake swallows the water and the devil is outwitted. 12:17 Furious over this humiliation, he seeks to wreak vengeance on Jews who had remained in the landJews who show the reality of their faith by keeping the commandments of God and by bearing testimony to Jesus.