The Book of Revelation: Chapter 12

Scripture References:

• Revelation 12 - The central passage describing the woman (Israel), the dragon (Satan), the male child (Christ), and the cosmic war in heaven.
• Genesis 3:15 - God's promise that the woman's seed would bruise the serpent's head, establishing eternal enmity between Satan and humanity's Redeemer.
• Genesis 37 - Joseph's dream of the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing down to him, symbolizing Jacob's family and foreshadowing Israel's destiny.
• Numbers 16 - The rebellion of Korah and his followers, whom God judged by causing the earth to open and swallow them alive.
• Job 1:6; 2:1 - Satan appearing before God's throne among the angels, showing his continued access to heaven to accuse God's servants.
• Psalm 108:10-13 - A prayer asking who will bring the psalmist into the fortified city and lead to Edom, expressing dependence on God's help in battle.
• Isaiah 14 - The fall of Lucifer, describing his rebellion against God and expulsion from heaven.
• Ezekiel 28 - The lament over the king of Tyre, often understood as a dual reference to Satan's original rebellion and fall.
• Jeremiah 46:8; 47:2 - Prophetic imagery depicting armies as overwhelming floods of water.
• Zechariah 12:9-14; 13:8 - Prophecies concerning Israel's future mourning and the tragic reality that two-thirds of the Jewish population will perish during the tribulation period.
• Matthew 24:15-22 - Jesus' Olivet Discourse warning about the "abomination of desolation" and the great tribulation that will come upon Israel.
• Revelation 1:7 - The promise that Christ will return and every eye will see Him, including those who pierced Him.
• Revelation 11:15-19 - The seventh trumpet judgment and the opening of God's temple in heaven with lightning, thunder, earthquake, and hail.
• Revelation 13:2 - The dragon giving power and authority to the beast (Antichrist).
• Revelation 20:1-3 - The binding of Satan for a thousand years, explicitly identifying him as "that ancient serpent, the devil."

Introduction: Entering the Symbolic Heart of Revelation

As we move from Revelation chapter 11 into chapter 12, we transition into one of the most symbolically rich passages in all of Scripture. Chapter 11 concluded with the seventh trumpet judgment (lightning, thunder, earthquakes, and great hail) signaling that even greater judgment was about to fall upon the earth. Now, at the midpoint of the seven-year tribulation period (three and a half years in), the intensity escalates dramatically.

John makes this shift explicit in the opening words of chapter 12: "Now a great sign appeared in heaven." He's telling us upfront that what follows is highly symbolic (signs and symbols that represent something else). This chapter is filled with imagery that can seem overwhelming at first: a woman clothed with the sun, a great red dragon, wings of eagles, and water spewing from a serpent's mouth. But with careful interpretation and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, comparing Scripture with Scripture, we can understand what God wants to reveal to us.

Many people reach Revelation 12 and feel tempted to give up, thinking it's just "too weird." But this chapter contains crucial truths about the spiritual battle raging throughout history, the protection God provides for His people, and the ultimate defeat of Satan. Let's not shy away from it. Instead, let's break it down systematically.

Section 1: The Woman, the Dragon, and the Child (Verses 1-6)

The Woman: Israel, God's Chosen People

The first character we encounter is a woman "clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars" (v. 1). Verse 2 tells us she is pregnant, crying out in labor, in pain, about to give birth. Who is this woman?

The imagery points unmistakably to the nation of Israel. Throughout the Old Testament, the prophets frequently used the metaphor of childbirth to describe Israel's suffering and longing for the Messiah. The sun, moon, and twelve stars recall Joseph's dream in Genesis 37, where these celestial bodies represented Jacob's family: the twelve tribes of Israel.

Verse 6 provides another clue: God will protect this woman for 1,260 days, exactly three and a half years. These are tribulation numbers. We've seen them before in Revelation, and we'll see them again. This period represents the second half of the seven-year tribulation when God will supernaturally shelter a remnant of His chosen people.

The woman is Israel. Throughout centuries of agonizing waiting, Israel longed for the Messiah to come. Now, in the tribulation, Israel faces her greatest trial yet, but also her ultimate redemption.

The Dragon: Satan Himself

Next comes "a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads" (v. 3). While the dragon's identity might seem mysterious at first, Scripture removes all doubt.

The word "dragon" appears thirteen times in Revelation, eight of them in this very chapter. Revelation 13:2 shows this dragon giving power and authority to the Antichrist, which narrows our options considerably. But if we need absolute certainty, Revelation 20:1-3 provides it: "He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan."
Mystery solved. The dragon is Satan, the devil himself, the ancient adversary of God and His people.

The Child: Jesus Christ, the Messiah

The third character is "a male child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron" (v. 5). This child was "caught up to God and His throne." There can be no doubt; this is Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Satan has wanted to destroy this child long before He was ever born. Back in Genesis 3:15, immediately after the fall, God declared to Satan: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel."

Ever since that promise, Satan has tried desperately to prevent the Messiah from coming:

• He moved Cain to murder Abel
• He moved Pharaoh to kill the Hebrew baby boys
• He moved Saul to attempt to kill David (through whose lineage Christ would come)
• He moved Haman to plot the extermination of all Jews
• He moved Herod to slaughter the infants of Bethlehem

But in all of this, Satan failed.

Satan's Ultimate Defeat Through Christ

David Platt wrote about this: "The birth of Christ on that day in Bethlehem inaugurated the death of this ancient serpent, just as it had been promised back in Genesis 3. The birth of Christ declared the death of the ancient serpent; the death of Christ defanged the adversary."

Can you imagine the scene? For 33 years, Satan watched Jesus minister, knowing he had failed to prevent His birth. Then, at Calvary, as Jesus cried out "It is finished" and breathed His last, hell erupted in celebration. Satan thought he had finally won. The King was dead.

Day one passed, and the party continued. Day two came, and still they celebrated. But on day three, God the Father looked down upon God the Son and said, "Arise, my love." The party was over. Jesus rose from the dead, defanging and defeating the adversary forever.

Satan may still roar like a lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8), but notice the wording: he is like a lion. He is not the Lion. There is only one Lion: the Lion of the tribe of Judah. And when the enemy roars, we have a King whose roar is infinitely more powerful.

A Note on Verse 4

Before moving on, we should address verse 4: "His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth." This verse has puzzled many theologians. Some believe it refers back to Satan's original rebellion when Lucifer fell from heaven (Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28).

However, given the context and the future-oriented nature of this passage, this may describe a different event, one that takes place during the tribulation itself. According to Job 1:6 and 2:1, Satan still has access to God's throne in heaven (a sobering thought). This passage in Revelation 12 may describe when that access is permanently revoked. When we get to glory, Jesus will clarify these details for us. For now, what's clear is that Satan's rebellion involved angelic beings who followed him into condemnation.

Section 2: War in Heaven (Verses 7-13)

Michael the Archangel vs. The Dragon

Verses 7-9 describe an angelic war breaking out in heaven: "Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail."
Michael the archangel leads the heavenly forces. Apparently, Michael is exceptionally powerful. There are ranks among angelic beings, and Michael commands the warrior angels of heaven. The battle rages, but ultimately, Michael prevails. And notice something remarkable: God Himself doesn't even need to get involved. His appointed archangel handles the situation.

Satan Cast Out Permanently

The result? "The great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him" (v. 9).

This is permanent expulsion. The text emphasizes it: "nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer" (v. 8). Satan and his demons are barred from God's presence forever. They are thrown out of heaven and cast down to earth.

Celebration in Heaven, Terror on Earth

Verse 10 describes celebration breaking out in heaven: "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come." Can you imagine witnessing this angelic war and then seeing Michael and the heavenly host cast Satan out once and for all? The worship must be overwhelming.

But verse 12 issues a sobering warning: "Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."

Think about the current state of our world. Think about all the evil, suffering, chaos, and destruction we see. Now remember that Satan still has access to heaven. Now imagine what happens when he's permanently kicked out, confined to earth, and knows his time is short. His fury will have no limits.

Satan the Accuser

Verse 10 reveals something about Satan's current activity: he is "the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night." Right now, at this very moment, Satan stands before God's throne accusing believers. Day and night, without ceasing, he points out every sin, every failure, every mistake.

And here's the truth: he's right. His accusations are accurate. We have sinned. We have failed. We do deserve judgment.

But then Jesus intercedes on our behalf. He points to His blood shed on Calvary and says, "This one is Mine. I plead My blood. They called on My name. They belong to Me." That's the God we serve. That's why we can rest our heads on our pillows at night knowing everything is okay, even when the world falls apart around us.

The Matthew 24 Connection

Satan being cast out of heaven connects directly to Jesus' warning in Matthew 24:15-22. Jesus described the "abomination of desolation" and warned those in Judea to flee to the mountains. He said there would be "great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be."

As Satan is expelled from heaven, the second half of the tribulation begins, and things go from bad to catastrophically worse. Satan, in his fury, turns his attention to the total annihilation of the Jewish people.

Section 3: The Dragon Pursues the Woman (Verses 14-17)

God's Supernatural Protection

Despite Satan's murderous rage, verses 14-16 reveal that God will provide supernatural protection for a Jewish remnant: "But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time" (three and a half years).

This isn't literal (an eagle won't swoop down to carry people away, nor does it symbolize airplanes). It's simply a beautiful picture of God's providential protection. He will prepare a place where His chosen people can be sheltered during the worst period of human history.

Could This Be Petra?

While Scripture doesn't explicitly name the location, many theologians believe it could be the ancient city of Petra in modern-day Jordan, near the Dead Sea. Petra is a remarkable fortress city carved into red rock mountains, virtually impenetrable, with natural defenses that make it ideal for protection. Psalm 108:10-13 and other passages hint at this possibility when they refer to "the strong city" and Edom (the region where Petra is located).

If you've seen Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, you've seen Petra; that's where the final scenes were filmed. It's an extraordinary place, and it's fascinating to consider that God may have prepared this location millennia ago for this very purpose.

The Flood and the Earthquake

Verse 15 contains more symbolism: "So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood."

Based on Old Testament imagery (Jeremiah 46:8; 47:2), this "flood" likely represents a massive army that Satan and the Antichrist assemble to hunt down and destroy every remaining Jew.

But verse 16 tells us that "the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood." God may send a great earthquake to destroy this army, or He may simply open the earth and swallow them (just as He did with the sons of Korah in Numbers 16). Either way, Satan's attempt fails.

Satan's Fury Extends to All Believers

Verse 17 describes Satan's response: "And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

Having failed to prevent the Messiah from coming, failed to keep Him from dying and rising again, and failed to annihilate the Jewish people, Satan now turns his rage on all followers of Christ, both Jew and Gentile. Anyone who refuses the mark of the beast and maintains their testimony of Jesus becomes a target.

The scale of destruction will be unimaginable. Zechariah 13:8 tragically prophesies that two-thirds of the Jewish population will perish during this period. This genocide will make Hitler's Holocaust look like nothing in comparison. It's a horrifying reality that underscores the absolute evil of Satan and the depths of human depravity when fully given over to darkness.

Lessons for Today

1. Satan Is a Defeated Foe

While Satan still operates and still accuses, his defeat is certain. The cross sealed his fate. Revelation 12:11 tells us how believers overcome him: "by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."

We overcome not by our strength but by Christ's finished work and our faithful testimony, even unto death if necessary.

2. God Protects His People

Throughout history, Satan has tried to destroy God's plan and God's people. He has always failed. He will always fail. God is sovereign, and He will protect His remnant. If God can shelter His people supernaturally in the worst period of human history, He can certainly sustain you through whatever trial you're facing today.

3. Time Is Short

Revelation is not written to scare us but to motivate us. If your family member, coworker, or friend dies without knowing Jesus Christ, they face an eternity separated from God. If they're alive when Jesus returns for His church and they don't know Him, they'll be left behind to face everything described in this chapter.

We wouldn't wish this on our worst enemy. While we have breath in our lungs, may we live our lives in such a way that we boldly proclaim what Christ has done for us. May we have joy in our hearts, praise on our lips, and a song to sing for the One who alone is worthy of our praise.

4. Jesus Is Our Intercessor

When Satan accuses you (and he does, constantly, day and night) Jesus intercedes. When the enemy points out your failures, Jesus points to His blood. You are His, purchased by His sacrifice, secured by His love, and nothing can separate you from Him.

That peace, that assurance, that security is ours in Christ. As bad as things may get in this world, it will only get better for God's people. Our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life, and when that book is opened, we'll raise our hands and say, "Here I am, by grace and by grace alone."

Conclusion

Revelation 12 may be filled with symbolism, but its message is clear: there is a cosmic battle between good and evil, between God and Satan, between light and darkness. The battle has already been won at the cross, but the final outworking of that victory is yet to come.

As we see the world growing darker, as we watch evil seemingly gain ground, we must remember: our God reigns. Satan is a defeated foe. Jesus is coming back. And we have work to do until He returns: to share the gospel, to live faithfully, and to keep our testimony even when it costs us everything.

May God forgive us for being complacent. May He forgive us for not warning those around us. May we grow deeper in our faith, lift Jesus high, and trust that if we do, He will draw all people to Himself.

The Lamb has conquered. Let us follow Him.

All for Him,

Pastor Dustin