Revelation 12
Read Revelation 12 (WEB)+
1A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2She was with child. She cried out in pain, laboring to give birth. 3Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns. 4His tail drew one third of the stars of the sky, and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child. 5She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. Her child was caught up to God, and to his throne. 6The woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that there they may nourish her one thousand two hundred sixty days. 7There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war. 8They didn’t prevail, neither was a place found for them any more in heaven. 9The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ has come; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. 11They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life, even to death. 12Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.” 13When the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. 14Two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, so that she might be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 15The serpent spewed water out of his mouth after the woman like a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream. 16The earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon spewed out of his mouth. 17The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep God’s commandments and hold Jesus’ testimony.
World English Bible (public domain)
“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”
Revelation 12:11
Summary
Revelation chapter 12 presents a dramatic cosmic vision involving a woman, a dragon, and a male child. The chapter opens with the appearance of a great sign in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, standing on the moon, and wearing a crown of twelve stars. She is pregnant and cries out in the pains of childbirth. This vision is followed by another sign: a great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns. The dragon seeks to devour the woman's child as soon as it is born. However, the child, who is destined to rule all nations, is snatched away to God and His throne, while the woman flees into the wilderness to a place prepared by God for her safety. The narrative then shifts to a heavenly battle where Michael and his angels fight against the dragon and his angels. The dragon, identified as Satan, is defeated and cast down to earth. This defeat marks a moment of celebration in heaven, declaring the salvation and power of God. The chapter articulates the ongoing struggle between good and evil, depicting Satan's relentless pursuit of the woman and her offspring. Despite the dragon's efforts, the woman is given protection, symbolizing God's provision and care amid persecution. Theologically, this chapter emphasizes the victory of Christ and the protection of God's people throughout spiritual warfare. The child represents Jesus Christ, whose ascension signifies His triumph over evil. The dragon's defeat highlights the ultimate downfall of Satan, offering hope to persecuted believers. The imagery of the woman may symbolize Israel or the Church, experiencing tribulation yet preserved by divine intervention. The chapter reassures readers of God's sovereign plan and the certainty of His kingdom's triumph over evil.
Key Themes
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