Rev 12:1-17
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:
Genesis 37 reveals who this woman is clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and with 12 stars upon her head.
Gen.37:9 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."
10 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?"
(KJV)
Joseph dreamed a dream and told it to his eleven brothers, and to his mother Rachel and his father Jacob. It was understood the sun and moon were about Jacob and Rachel, and the eleven stars about his eleven brothers. Jacob's new name was Israel, and that's who this "woman" here in Rev.12 represents, i.e., Israel.
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
This is symbolic about the Seed of the Woman we're told of in Genesis 3. Our Lord Jesus was to be born through a specific family descended from Adam. This is why Christ's blood lineage through Mary is listed in Luke 3, all the way back to the man Adam. This is representing the start of that seed of the Woman. The next couple of verses will confirm this timing.
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.
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.
This is the first mention of the word "dragon" in our Lord's Book of Revelation, and in the NT for that matter. A bit farther down in this chapter, it is revealed this dragon is another title for Satan himself.
Daniel 7:24 reveals ten horns represent ten kings. These horns are symbolic of powers on the earth. The seven crowns also reveals that kingly structure. The seven heads represent seven areas of their control. In the next Rev.13 chapter, we're shown a beast that comes up out of the sea, having ten horns, ten crowns, and seven heads. The number of crowns with this one in Rev.12 is different, with seven. Also, this one of seven crowns is being associated with this red dragon.
Verse 4 shows us the dragon's rebellion, and drawing one third of the "stars" into rebellion with him, their being cast down to the earth. That casting to earth is about the angels which rebelled with Satan when he was first cast down to the earth. Satan is a cherub which coveted God's Throne (see Ezekiel 28). We know that event of Satan's original rebellion was very ancient. Ezekiel 28 shows that God originally created Satan as a covering cherub (to guard His Throne), and that he was at first perfect in his ways before he rebelled. The seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns mentioned here is given along with that timing of old when Satan first rebelled.
Then we are told that dragon stood befor the Woman who was ready to be delivered, in order to devour her child as soon as it was born. That represents the start of the Seed of the Woman (the lineage of Christ) in Genesis 3 with Eve. A later verse here will also reveal "that old serpent" as yet another title for Satan. He was in God's Garden already as the adversary, showing the battle lines for this world had been drawn. This is very important to recognize when studying the Book of Genesis about the lineage of Christ. The devil tried many times to destroy the Seed of the Woman that Christ would be born through, even down to the time with Herod looking to murder Baby Jesus.
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.
Most of these first five verses of Rev.12 are a quick summary of the past. Christ Jesus was caught up to God's Throne after His crucifixion and resurrection. His reign over all nations with a rod of iron is still future, as we learned back at the end of Rev.2 the saints who overcome in Him will one day also rule with Him using that rod of iron. That reign is associated with Christ's future rewards to His saints, giving of the "morning star" to them. We know that has not happened yet.
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.
Now we've got a change of subject of events to happen upon the symbolic Woman (Israel). Some see this verse pointing to the whole of Church history. Some have a habit of representing a time given in days to mean years even when we're not told here to use that kind of gauge. The 70 weeks period of Dan.9 is clearly meant to be understood as seven day week periods representing periods of seven years. But here we're not told to use that day=year gauge. This 1260 days represents literal days here, and is the same time as the 42 months the Gentiles are given to tread the outer courts of the temple per Rev.11, and the 42 months the beast of Rev.13 will work on earth.
This first 1260 days may represent the first part of the final "one week" within the 70 weeks prophesy given to Daniel (Dan.9). Further down, another 1260 day period is mentioned which will point this out more.
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Right after that 1260 day period, we're shown there's a war in Heaven between the Archangel Michael and his angels against the dragon and his angels. There's much given here to show this particular casting out of the heavenly has not happenned yet.
When this war in heaven happens, "their place" will not be found any more in heaven. What does that mean? There's two dimensions of existence per God's Word, this earthly we are in, and the heavenly where God and the angels dwell. The devil and his angels also dwell in the heavenly dimension, though not where God's Abode is. This is about the devil and his angels being cast out of that heavenly dimension.
In Daniel 12:1, we're told of a time when Michael will stand up (make a stand), and then a time of trouble that has never been the likes before on earth will occur. That's about the great tribulation timing, for our Lord Jesus marked that event within the seven signs of the end He gave in Matt.24 and Mark 13. Where does that place this event of Satan and his angels being cast out of the heavenly? It puts it for the end of days.
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.
Here we are emphatically given the identity of the "dragon", and also who "that old serpent" was in God's Garden that deceived Eve. It's the devil, Satan. He and his angels are to be cast out of the heavenly when this war in heaven happens, as "their place" will no more be found in heaven. That leaves only one place they can be cast to, and that's to our earthly dimension.
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.
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.
Until that war in heaven happens, Satan stands constantly as our accuser in the heavenly before God. This casting out is not about Satan's original rebellion and fall to the earth of old. Christ had not yet come to die on the cross at Satan's original rebellion against God. This time of his casting out has not happenned yet, for the devil and his place is still in the heavenly dimension even right now.
Verse 11 is about the persecution upon the saints past and yet future, and their giving a testimony for Christ, even to the death.
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.
There will be rejoicing in the heavenly when Satan and his angels are cast out of the heavenly dimension to our dimension of the earthly. When that war in heaven happens, Satan knows he will have only a very short time to try and finish his work of deception upon souls for this present world. And because of that, he will be full of wrath against the saints on earth. What our Lord Jesus is giving us here is a close-up detail of the 'cause' of events on earth within the 6th trumpet - 2nd woe period; it's great tribulation timing.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
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.
When Satan and his angels are cast to this earth, they will specifically go after God's people, the family of the Woman (God's Israel). Don't be deceived in thinking this means the Jews in Jerusalem only, as we'll learn in a later verse. He will seek to deceive all of God's people, especially those who stand in Christ Jesus, i.e., us Christians of both believing Israelites and believing Gentiles.
This "time, and times, and half a time" is that same 1260 days period mentioned before, and in the Book of Daniel. That's how long the saints will be given to be under this time of trouble, but still under Christ's protection away from deception. Our Lord Jesus said that a pseudo Christ was to come doing great signs and wonders so powerful in deception that it would almost deceive His own elect servants (Matt.24:21-28). If you understand that's about this event here with Satan coming de facto to this earthly, then it shouldn't be that difficult to fathom why our Lord called this time a "great tribulation", a time of trouble on earth that has never been the likes before, and never will be again. That "face of the serpent" idea is given to show us the devil is going to de facto be here on earth, in person.
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.
God first used this flood metaphor for how the Assyrian came upon Israel per history (Isa.8; Isa.28; Isa.59:19). Notice where this flood comes out of. It comes out the serpent's MOUTH. Our Lord just showed us this "serpent" here is not a literal snake, but simply another title for the devil. And just like what comes out of the locust army's mouths, this flood comes out of Satan's mouth. What comes out of one's mouth? Words. This is about that false one mentioned in the Book of Daniel that will blaspheme, and "speak marvellous things against the God of gods." (Dan.11:36). Apostle Paul showed in 2 Thess.2 he will sit in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God. That flood out of the serpent's mouth is symbolic of lies to work deception. That's how he will seek to destroy, even using peace (Dan.11).
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.
But the saints who stand in Christ Jesus during that time will not be deceived by Satan's working of great deception upon the earth. The earth swallowing up the flood out of the dragon's mouth is symbolic of Christ's covering over His saints, His sealing in the forehead we learned about in Rev.7. (Did you notice how our Lord used the titles of serpent and dragon interchangeably here?)
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.
(KJV)
With the last Rev.12 verse we finally learn who all the symbolic woman of this chapter applies to. It is for God's Church, those who keep His commandments and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ. This means we cannot just go hap-hazardly applying these Rev.12 events only to orthodox unbelieving Jews. It includes all Christians too, and especially the believing remnant of Israel.
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:
Genesis 37 reveals who this woman is clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and with 12 stars upon her head.
Gen.37:9 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."
10 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?"
(KJV)
Joseph dreamed a dream and told it to his eleven brothers, and to his mother Rachel and his father Jacob. It was understood the sun and moon were about Jacob and Rachel, and the eleven stars about his eleven brothers. Jacob's new name was Israel, and that's who this "woman" here in Rev.12 represents, i.e., Israel.
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
This is symbolic about the Seed of the Woman we're told of in Genesis 3. Our Lord Jesus was to be born through a specific family descended from Adam. This is why Christ's blood lineage through Mary is listed in Luke 3, all the way back to the man Adam. This is representing the start of that seed of the Woman. The next couple of verses will confirm this timing.
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.
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.
This is the first mention of the word "dragon" in our Lord's Book of Revelation, and in the NT for that matter. A bit farther down in this chapter, it is revealed this dragon is another title for Satan himself.
Daniel 7:24 reveals ten horns represent ten kings. These horns are symbolic of powers on the earth. The seven crowns also reveals that kingly structure. The seven heads represent seven areas of their control. In the next Rev.13 chapter, we're shown a beast that comes up out of the sea, having ten horns, ten crowns, and seven heads. The number of crowns with this one in Rev.12 is different, with seven. Also, this one of seven crowns is being associated with this red dragon.
Verse 4 shows us the dragon's rebellion, and drawing one third of the "stars" into rebellion with him, their being cast down to the earth. That casting to earth is about the angels which rebelled with Satan when he was first cast down to the earth. Satan is a cherub which coveted God's Throne (see Ezekiel 28). We know that event of Satan's original rebellion was very ancient. Ezekiel 28 shows that God originally created Satan as a covering cherub (to guard His Throne), and that he was at first perfect in his ways before he rebelled. The seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns mentioned here is given along with that timing of old when Satan first rebelled.
Then we are told that dragon stood befor the Woman who was ready to be delivered, in order to devour her child as soon as it was born. That represents the start of the Seed of the Woman (the lineage of Christ) in Genesis 3 with Eve. A later verse here will also reveal "that old serpent" as yet another title for Satan. He was in God's Garden already as the adversary, showing the battle lines for this world had been drawn. This is very important to recognize when studying the Book of Genesis about the lineage of Christ. The devil tried many times to destroy the Seed of the Woman that Christ would be born through, even down to the time with Herod looking to murder Baby Jesus.
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.
Most of these first five verses of Rev.12 are a quick summary of the past. Christ Jesus was caught up to God's Throne after His crucifixion and resurrection. His reign over all nations with a rod of iron is still future, as we learned back at the end of Rev.2 the saints who overcome in Him will one day also rule with Him using that rod of iron. That reign is associated with Christ's future rewards to His saints, giving of the "morning star" to them. We know that has not happened yet.
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.
Now we've got a change of subject of events to happen upon the symbolic Woman (Israel). Some see this verse pointing to the whole of Church history. Some have a habit of representing a time given in days to mean years even when we're not told here to use that kind of gauge. The 70 weeks period of Dan.9 is clearly meant to be understood as seven day week periods representing periods of seven years. But here we're not told to use that day=year gauge. This 1260 days represents literal days here, and is the same time as the 42 months the Gentiles are given to tread the outer courts of the temple per Rev.11, and the 42 months the beast of Rev.13 will work on earth.
This first 1260 days may represent the first part of the final "one week" within the 70 weeks prophesy given to Daniel (Dan.9). Further down, another 1260 day period is mentioned which will point this out more.
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Right after that 1260 day period, we're shown there's a war in Heaven between the Archangel Michael and his angels against the dragon and his angels. There's much given here to show this particular casting out of the heavenly has not happenned yet.
When this war in heaven happens, "their place" will not be found any more in heaven. What does that mean? There's two dimensions of existence per God's Word, this earthly we are in, and the heavenly where God and the angels dwell. The devil and his angels also dwell in the heavenly dimension, though not where God's Abode is. This is about the devil and his angels being cast out of that heavenly dimension.
In Daniel 12:1, we're told of a time when Michael will stand up (make a stand), and then a time of trouble that has never been the likes before on earth will occur. That's about the great tribulation timing, for our Lord Jesus marked that event within the seven signs of the end He gave in Matt.24 and Mark 13. Where does that place this event of Satan and his angels being cast out of the heavenly? It puts it for the end of days.
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.
Here we are emphatically given the identity of the "dragon", and also who "that old serpent" was in God's Garden that deceived Eve. It's the devil, Satan. He and his angels are to be cast out of the heavenly when this war in heaven happens, as "their place" will no more be found in heaven. That leaves only one place they can be cast to, and that's to our earthly dimension.
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.
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.
Until that war in heaven happens, Satan stands constantly as our accuser in the heavenly before God. This casting out is not about Satan's original rebellion and fall to the earth of old. Christ had not yet come to die on the cross at Satan's original rebellion against God. This time of his casting out has not happenned yet, for the devil and his place is still in the heavenly dimension even right now.
Verse 11 is about the persecution upon the saints past and yet future, and their giving a testimony for Christ, even to the death.
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.
There will be rejoicing in the heavenly when Satan and his angels are cast out of the heavenly dimension to our dimension of the earthly. When that war in heaven happens, Satan knows he will have only a very short time to try and finish his work of deception upon souls for this present world. And because of that, he will be full of wrath against the saints on earth. What our Lord Jesus is giving us here is a close-up detail of the 'cause' of events on earth within the 6th trumpet - 2nd woe period; it's great tribulation timing.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
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.
When Satan and his angels are cast to this earth, they will specifically go after God's people, the family of the Woman (God's Israel). Don't be deceived in thinking this means the Jews in Jerusalem only, as we'll learn in a later verse. He will seek to deceive all of God's people, especially those who stand in Christ Jesus, i.e., us Christians of both believing Israelites and believing Gentiles.
This "time, and times, and half a time" is that same 1260 days period mentioned before, and in the Book of Daniel. That's how long the saints will be given to be under this time of trouble, but still under Christ's protection away from deception. Our Lord Jesus said that a pseudo Christ was to come doing great signs and wonders so powerful in deception that it would almost deceive His own elect servants (Matt.24:21-28). If you understand that's about this event here with Satan coming de facto to this earthly, then it shouldn't be that difficult to fathom why our Lord called this time a "great tribulation", a time of trouble on earth that has never been the likes before, and never will be again. That "face of the serpent" idea is given to show us the devil is going to de facto be here on earth, in person.
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.
God first used this flood metaphor for how the Assyrian came upon Israel per history (Isa.8; Isa.28; Isa.59:19). Notice where this flood comes out of. It comes out the serpent's MOUTH. Our Lord just showed us this "serpent" here is not a literal snake, but simply another title for the devil. And just like what comes out of the locust army's mouths, this flood comes out of Satan's mouth. What comes out of one's mouth? Words. This is about that false one mentioned in the Book of Daniel that will blaspheme, and "speak marvellous things against the God of gods." (Dan.11:36). Apostle Paul showed in 2 Thess.2 he will sit in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God. That flood out of the serpent's mouth is symbolic of lies to work deception. That's how he will seek to destroy, even using peace (Dan.11).
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.
But the saints who stand in Christ Jesus during that time will not be deceived by Satan's working of great deception upon the earth. The earth swallowing up the flood out of the dragon's mouth is symbolic of Christ's covering over His saints, His sealing in the forehead we learned about in Rev.7. (Did you notice how our Lord used the titles of serpent and dragon interchangeably here?)
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.
(KJV)
With the last Rev.12 verse we finally learn who all the symbolic woman of this chapter applies to. It is for God's Church, those who keep His commandments and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ. This means we cannot just go hap-hazardly applying these Rev.12 events only to orthodox unbelieving Jews. It includes all Christians too, and especially the believing remnant of Israel.