07.10. Woman and dragon (12:1-17)
Woman and dragon (Rev 12:1-17) This is a bit of a side note in the sense that it does not follow the chronology, but rather explains some things.
A woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet with a crown of 12 stars. This woman represents Israel, from whom Jesus was born.
She was with child (Jesus). This dates to the time when Jesus was born.
The great red dragon (Satan) swept away 1/3rd of stars in heaven and threw them to the earth. This is sometimes taken to mean that 1/3 of the angels followed Satan in his rebellion against God. He stood before the woman about to give birth in order to devour the child.
The male child (Jesus) was to rule all nations with a rod of iron and was caught up to God and His throne.
The woman (Israel) fled to the wilderness where she would be nourished for 1260 days.
Paige Patterson notes: This temporal period described in Scripture as 42 months (Rev 11:2; Rev 13:5), or as “a time, times and half a time” (Rev 12:14), and sometimes as three and one-half years (Dan 9:27), is a consistent reference to the final three and one-half years of the 70–week prophecy in Daniel 9.xv The angel Michael and his angels fight Satan and his angels (demons). Satan and his host are defeated and are thrown down to earth. He knows he only has a short time and he persecutes the woman (Israel). This is in the middle of the Tribulation.xvi
Since Satan could not come against the woman, he makes war against the rest of her children (the church). Paige Patterson comments on this:
Unnoticed by many is the distinction in the final verse. The “offspring” of the woman and their identification as those who “hold to the testimony of Jesus,” make it virtually certain that two separate groups are intended. The radiant woman, representing ethnic Israel is one object of Satan’s fury. But the saints of the church—every follower of Jesus who bears his testimony—become the final object of satanic hatred. Since God remains beyond the reach of Satan, the devil’s wrath against God is transferred to the two objects still partially within his sphere; Israel and the church of Jesus the Christ.xvii The beast comes up from the sea and was given power, the throne and authority. One of his heads had a fatal wound that was healed. The world was amazed and followed him. Authority to act was given for 42 months. It was given him to make war against the saints and to overcome them. This calls for the perseverance of the saints. People have tried to identify the kingdoms, but ultimately it is best to wait to try and identify the nations and the one head (nation or person) that looked like it had a fatal wound. The book of Revelation gives no insight into the identity of these kingdoms, and such hypothesizing will not prove helpful.xviii A second beast comes and exercises the authority of the first beast and performs great signs. He is also able to make the image of the beast to speak. A mark is put on people’s forehead or hand so no one can buy or sell without it (666). The lamb stands with the 144,000 Jews on mount Zion. An angel flies in midair and proclaims the gospel to every nation, tribe, and people.
Another angel proclaims that Babylon is fallen. A third angel proclaims that anyone receiving the mark will incur the wrath of God. This calls for perseverance of the saints and those who die in Lord from now on are blessed. The earth is harvested – the evil people were trampled in God’s wine press. This reference to harvesting may be an overview of what is about to happen.