Revelation 12
BSB1 And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed in the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant and crying out in the pain and agony of giving birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads. 4 His tail swept a third of the stars from the sky, tossing them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, ready to devour her child as soon as she gave birth. 5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was caught up to God and to His throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place for her to be nourished for 1,260 days. 7 Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels. 9 And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down— he who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea; with great fury the devil has come down to you, knowing he has only a short time." 13 And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle to fly from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. 15 Then from the mouth of the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent. 16 But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth to swallow up the river that had poured from the dragon’s mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged at the woman, and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea.
Study Notes — Revelation 12
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Revelation 12
- Themes from Revelation 12
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Revelation 12
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Revelation 12 begins with the description of a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head, who gives birth to a male child who is to rule all nations (Revelation 12:1-5). The dragon, a symbol of Satan, attempts to devour the child but is thwarted by God, who rescues the child and allows the woman to flee into the wilderness (Revelation 12:6-16). The dragon then wages war against the rest of the woman's offspring, who are those who keep God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus (Revelation 12:17). The chapter concludes with the description of a beast rising out of the sea, which is a symbol of the Antichrist (Revelation 12:18). Throughout the chapter, the struggle between good and evil is evident, and the ultimate victory of God is assured.
Context for the Chapter
Revelation 12 is part of the second half of the book of Revelation, which describes the events leading up to the second coming of Jesus Christ. The chapter is a pivotal part of the narrative, as it describes the spiritual battle between good and evil and the ultimate victory of God. The chapter is also connected to the rest of the Bible, as it references the fall of man in Genesis 3 and the final victory of God in Revelation 20.
Heart Application
The chapter has significant implications for the reader, as it reminds us of the cosmic struggle between good and evil and the ultimate victory of God. The chapter encourages us to hold to the testimony of Jesus and to trust in the blood of the Lamb, which is the basis for our victory over Satan. The chapter also reminds us of the importance of perseverance and faithfulness, as the people of God are called to overcome Satan by the word of their testimony.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Revelation 12 describes a spiritual battle between good and evil, with the woman and the dragon representing the two opposing forces. The chapter reminds us of the ultimate victory of God over Satan and encourages us to hold to the testimony of Jesus and trust in the blood of the Lamb. As seen in Revelation 12:11, the people of God overcome Satan by the word of their testimony and the blood of the Lamb.
Voices from the Church
“The blood of the Lamb is the most potent force in the universe, for it is the blood of God, and it has the power to cleanse from all sin.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The dragon is a symbol of Satan, who is the enemy of God and the people of God. But the ultimate victory belongs to God, who has conquered Satan through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Woman and the Dragon (Revelation 12:1-6) — The chapter begins with the description of a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head, who gives birth to a male child who is to rule all nations.
- The War in Heaven (Revelation 12:7-12) — The dragon, a symbol of Satan, attempts to devour the child but is thwarted by God, who rescues the child and allows the woman to flee into the wilderness.
- The Beast from the Sea (Revelation 12:13-17) — The dragon then wages war against the rest of the woman's offspring, who are those who keep God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
- The Victory of the People of God (Revelation 12:10-12) — The people of God overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they do not love their lives to the point of death.
- The Conclusion (Revelation 12:17-18) — The chapter concludes with the description of a beast rising out of the sea, which is a symbol of the Antichrist.
Core Doctrines
- The Doctrine of Satan
- The chapter teaches that Satan is a real and powerful enemy of God and the people of God, but that he is ultimately defeated by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
- The Doctrine of the Blood of the Lamb
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of the blood of the Lamb, which is the basis for the victory of the people of God over Satan.
- The Doctrine of Perseverance
- The chapter encourages the people of God to persevere and be faithful, even in the face of persecution and opposition from Satan.
- The Doctrine of the Ultimate Victory of God
- The chapter assures the reader of the ultimate victory of God over Satan and his minions.
Lessons from Revelation 12
- The Importance of Faithfulness — The chapter teaches that faithfulness is essential for the people of God, even in the face of persecution and opposition from Satan.
- The Power of the Blood of the Lamb — The chapter emphasizes the importance of the blood of the Lamb, which is the basis for the victory of the people of God over Satan.
- The Ultimate Victory of God — The chapter assures the reader of the ultimate victory of God over Satan and his minions.
- The Role of Testimony — The chapter highlights the importance of holding to the testimony of Jesus, which is a reference to the proclamation of the gospel.
- The Cosmic Struggle — The chapter describes the cosmic struggle between good and evil, with the woman and the dragon representing the two opposing forces.
Themes from Revelation 12
- The Struggle between Good and Evil — The chapter highlights the cosmic struggle between good and evil, with the woman and the dragon representing the two opposing forces.
- The Ultimate Victory of God — The chapter assures the reader of the ultimate victory of God over Satan and his minions.
- The Importance of Faithfulness — The chapter teaches that faithfulness is essential for the people of God, even in the face of persecution and opposition from Satan.
- The Power of the Blood of the Lamb — The chapter emphasizes the importance of the blood of the Lamb, which is the basis for the victory of the people of God over Satan.
- The Role of Testimony — The chapter highlights the importance of holding to the testimony of Jesus, which is a reference to the proclamation of the gospel.
Questions for Meditation
- What is the significance of the woman and the dragon in Revelation 12?
- How does the chapter describe the war in heaven between God and Satan?
- What is the role of the beast from the sea in the chapter?
- How do the people of God overcome Satan according to Revelation 12:11?
- What is the ultimate victory of God described in the chapter?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Woman and the Dragon (Revelation 12:1-6)
| Revelation 12:1 | The chapter begins with the description of a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head, who gives birth to a male child who is to rule all nations. |
| Revelation 12:2 | The woman is in labor, and she cries out in her pain, as she is about to give birth to the male child. |
| Revelation 12:3 | The dragon, a symbol of Satan, appears in the sky, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns on his heads. |
| Revelation 12:4 | The dragon's tail sweeps a third of the stars out of the sky, and he stands before the woman, waiting to devour her child as soon as it is born. |
| Revelation 12:5 | The woman gives birth to a male child, who is to rule all nations with an iron rod, and the child is caught up to God and to his throne. |
| Revelation 12:6 | The woman flees into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared for her by God, where she will be nourished for 1,260 days. |
2. The War in Heaven (Revelation 12:7-12)
| Revelation 12:7 | The dragon, a symbol of Satan, wages war against the archangel Michael and his angels in heaven. |
| Revelation 12:8 | The dragon and his angels fight back, but they are defeated and thrown down to the earth. |
| Revelation 12:9 | The great dragon, the serpent of old, is thrown down to the earth, and his angels are thrown down with him. |
| Revelation 12:10 | The accuser of the brethren has been cast down, who accuses them before God day and night. |
| Revelation 12:11 | The people of God overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they do not love their lives to the point of death. |
| Revelation 12:12 | The heavens rejoice, and those who dwell in them, because the accuser of the brethren has been cast down. |
3. The Beast from the Sea (Revelation 12:13-17)
| Revelation 12:13 | The dragon, a symbol of Satan, persecutes the woman who gave birth to the male child. |
| Revelation 12:14 | The woman is given the two wings of the great eagle, so that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she will be nourished for a time, times, and half a time, away from the face of the serpent. |
| Revelation 12:15 | The serpent spews out of his mouth water like a river, to sweep the woman away with the river. |
| Revelation 12:16 | The earth helps the woman, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows up the river, which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. |
| Revelation 12:17 | The dragon is enraged with the woman, and he goes off to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the woman in Revelation 12?
The woman is a symbol of the people of God, who are the recipients of God's covenant promises and the objects of Satan's wrath. As seen in Revelation 12:1-6, the woman gives birth to a male child who is to rule all nations.
Who is the dragon in Revelation 12?
The dragon is a symbol of Satan, who is the enemy of God and the people of God. As seen in Revelation 12:3-4, the dragon appears in the sky, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns on his heads.
What is the war in heaven in Revelation 12?
The war in heaven is a spiritual battle between God and Satan, where the archangel Michael and his angels fight against the dragon and his angels. As seen in Revelation 12:7-9, the dragon and his angels are defeated and thrown down to the earth.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Revelation 12:1 → Genesis 37:9-10 | The description of the woman in Revelation 12:1 is reminiscent of the dream of Joseph in Genesis 37:9-10, where the sun, moon, and stars bow down to him. |
| 2 | Revelation 12:3 → Job 41:1-34 | The description of the dragon in Revelation 12:3 is similar to the description of Leviathan in Job 41:1-34, which is a symbol of Satan. |
| 3 | Revelation 12:5 → Psalm 2:7-9 | The description of the male child in Revelation 12:5 is reminiscent of the messianic prophecy in Psalm 2:7-9, where the Messiah is described as the ruler of all nations. |
| 4 | Revelation 12:9 → Isaiah 27:1 | The description of the dragon in Revelation 12:9 is similar to the description of the serpent in Isaiah 27:1, which is a symbol of Satan. |
| 5 | Revelation 12:11 → Romans 8:31-39 | The description of the people of God overcoming Satan in Revelation 12:11 is reminiscent of the description of the Christian's victory over Satan in Romans 8:31-39. |
| 6 | Revelation 12:14 → Exodus 19:4 | The description of the woman being given the two wings of the great eagle in Revelation 12:14 is reminiscent of the description of the Israelites being carried on eagles' wings in Exodus 19:4. |
| 7 | Revelation 12:17 → Psalm 119:1-8 | The description of the people of God keeping the commandments of God in Revelation 12:17 is reminiscent of the description of the blessed man in Psalm 119:1-8, who walks in the law of the Lord. |
| 8 | Revelation 12:1-6 → Galatians 4:4-5 | The description of the woman and the male child in Revelation 12:1-6 is reminiscent of the description of the birth of Jesus in Galatians 4:4-5, where Jesus is described as the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. |
| 9 | Revelation 12:7-9 → Daniel 10:13-21 | The description of the war in heaven in Revelation 12:7-9 is reminiscent of the description of the spiritual battle in Daniel 10:13-21, where the archangel Michael fights against the prince of Persia. |
| 10 | Revelation 12:11 → Hebrews 9:14 | The description of the people of God overcoming Satan by the blood of the Lamb in Revelation 12:11 is reminiscent of the description of the blood of Christ in Hebrews 9:14, which is said to cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God. |
Sermons on Revelation 12
| Sermon | Description | |
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Overcoming Satan by the Blood of Jesus by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the concern of how to maintain righteousness and be a shining light in a world that is becoming increasingly dark. The preacher emphasizes th |
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Dvd - 23: Timeless Interview (High Quality) by Art Katz | This sermon by Art Katz discusses his journey from being a professional atheist to accepting Jesus Christ as his Messiah. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity in the church |
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The Gift of Righteousness by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the simplicity of the message he is delivering. He believes that God wants to set people free from their sins and bondage. The preacher ackn |
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War in Heaven by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being ready for the return of Jesus Christ. He uses the analogy of a house on fire to illustrate the urgency of the situat |
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Overcoming the Spirit of Fear by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the causes of fear that are prevalent in society. They mention a flood that has occurred in Albania, leading to violence and death among the p |
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(Blood Covenant) the Mark of God or the Mark of the Beast - 2 by Milton Green | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of possessing the land and entering into God's rest. He emphasizes the need to fear falling short of this promise and encourag |
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The Overcoming Saint by B.H. Clendennen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for the church to rise up and be a representation of Christ in the world. He criticizes the idea of trying to produce something spi |
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Timeless Interview by Art Katz | This sermon by Art Katz delves into the importance of authenticity, truth, and anointing in the church. He highlights the need for a genuine relationship with God, the dangers of r |
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(Genesis) Genesis 37:7-12 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the dreams of Joseph from the book of Genesis. Joseph had two dreams where his family members, including his parents and brothers, bowed dow |
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How to Apply the Blood by Derek Prince | This sermon delves into the profound significance of the blood of Jesus shed on the cross, emphasizing the various provisions and effects of His sacrifice. It covers themes of rede |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Revelation 12
In Revelation 12, we see the woman, who represents the church of God, giving birth to a male child, who is to rule all nations. The dragon, a symbol of Satan, attempts to devour the child, but is thwarted by God, who rescues the child and allows the woman to flee into the wilderness. The dragon then wages war against the rest of the woman's offspring, who are those who keep God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus. The people of God overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they do not love their lives to the point of death. This chapter teaches us that God is sovereign over all things, and that He will ultimately triumph over Satan and his minions. As Matthew Henry notes, 'The dragon is a great and powerful enemy, but he is not invincible; he may be resisted and overcome by the people of God, who are armed with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Cosmic Struggle
The chapter highlights the cosmic struggle between good and evil, with the woman and the dragon representing the two opposing forces. This struggle is evident throughout the Bible, from the fall of man in Genesis 3 to the final victory of God in Revelation 20.
The Importance of Testimony
The chapter emphasizes the importance of holding to the testimony of Jesus, which is a reference to the proclamation of the gospel. This is evident in Revelation 12:11, where the people of God overcome Satan by the word of their testimony.
The Ultimate Victory of God
The chapter assures the reader of the ultimate victory of God over Satan and his minions. This is evident in Revelation 12:10, where it is written that the accuser of the brethren has been cast down.