Revelation 12:12

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.

Therefore - because Satan is cast out of heaven (Revelation 12:9).

Dwell - `tabernacle.' Not only angels and souls of the just with God, but also the faithful militant on earth, who already in spirit 'tabernacle in heaven,' having their home and citizenship there, rejoice that Satan is cast out of their home. 'Tabernacle' marks that, though still on earth, they in spirit are hidden "in the secret of God's tabernacle" (Psalms 27:5). They belong not to the world, and therefore exult in judgment having been passed on the prince of this world.

The inhabiters of. So Andreas; but 'Aleph (') A B C omit. The words, probably, came from Revelation 8:13.

Is come down - rather [ katebee (G2597)], 'is gone down:' John regarding heaven as his standing-point, whence he looks down on the earth.

Unto you - earth and sea, with your inhabiters: those who lean upon, and essentially belong to, earth (contrast John 3:7, margin, with John 3:31; John 8:23; Philippians 3:19, end; 1 John 4:5) and its sea-like politics (Isaiah 57:20). Furious at his expulsion from heaven, knowing his time on earth is short until he be cast down lower, when Christ shall set up His kingdom (Revelation 20:1), Satan concentrates all his power to destroy as many souls as he can. Though no longer able to accuse the elect in heaven, he can tempt and persecute on earth. The more light becomes victorious, the more violent become the powers of darkness; at the last crisis, Antichrist will manifest himself with an intensity of iniquity greater than ever.

Short time - `season' [ kairon (G2540)]: opportunity for assaults.