Revelation 12

1 a woman. This is commonly thought to be an emblem of the Church of God upon earth, out of which proceeds the Messiah, the world’s destined King: cp. Isa. liv. 1, 5, 6; Mic. iv. 10; Gal. iv. 26.

3 a great red dragon. Satan (see ver. 9). “Red” is the emblem of cruelty and bloodshed.

having seven heads, etc. The “heads,” “horns,” and royal “diadems” represent power; which the number “seven” shows to be complete or universal.

5 who was to rule all nations, etc. Cp. xix. 15; Psa. ii. 9. This clause plainly indicates that the child is the Messiah; who is delivered from Satan’s assaults, and exalted to the throne of God.

6 fled into the wilderness. This may intimate that the true Church would be hidden, as well as suffering, but yet preserved by God.

a thousand two hundred and threescore days. 1,260 days make three years and a half; which many suppose to be the same as “a time, times, and half a time,” in ver. 14, and Dan. vii. 25; see also xi. 2. But three and a half (being the half of seven, the number of completeness) may denote, generally, “a short time” (ver. 12).

7 there was war in heaven. The reflection in heaven of the contest of good and evil upon earth. This contest is the strife of spiritual forces: see Job i. 6-11; Zech. iii. 1-5; Rom. viii. 33.

Michael. The Guardian of God’s people: see note on Dan. x. 13.

9 that old serpent, etc. That ancient Tempter, through whom the earthly Paradise was lost. See on ver. 3. The accumulated titles forcibly describe the character and influence of the evil one. The casting out of Satan the calumniator, the tempter, the adversary, represents the complete overthrow of his schemes (Luke x. 18; John xii. 31), and the deliverance of the believers through Christ Jesus from condemnation and from the power of sin.

10. Now is come salvation, etc. Rather, “Now the salvation, and the strength, and the kingdom is become our God’s; and the authority, His Christ’s.” The meaning is as in xi. 15.

the accuser. “Accuser” is the meaning of the names “Satan” (cp. Job i. 9-11) and “devil” (1 Pet. v. 8).

11. And they overcame him, etc. “The brethren,” whom he accused, overcame him “by virtue of the blood of the Lamb (cp. vii. 14), and of the word of their testimony” (Alford).

12 but a short time. Only a “short season” before his final defeat: very short compared with the future beyond.

14 two wings of a great eagle. Rather, as R.V., “the two wings of the great eagle” (cp. Exod. xix. 4; Deut. xxxii. 11, 12).

15 the flood. A “river” is a common symbol of an invading army: see Isa. viii. 7. Here widely extended persecution may be meant; from which the Church is from time to time delivered by God’s overruling providence (16).

17 to make war with the remnant of her seed. The followers of Christ. The chief object of his hatred was beyond his reach (5).