REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 12:1 Two signs appear in heaven—a WOMAN who gives BIRTH, and a DRAGON intent on destroying her offspring. Twice John sees the dragon defeated. Both descriptions of what happens afterward describe the woman being protected in the wilderness (vv. Revelation 12:6, Revelati... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 12:3 The GREAT RED DRAGON is “that ancient serpent, the devil and Satan” (v. Revelation 12:9; compare Revelation 20:2; Genesis 3:1). Its SEVEN HEADS with SEVEN DIADEMS and TEN HORNS symbolize great power (compare Daniel 7:6;... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 12:4 HIS TAIL SWEPT DOWN A THIRD OF THE STARS OF HEAVEN. Evil spirits (demons) who are Satan’s allies share his defeat by God’s forces (vv. Revelation 12:7). Some interpreters think this refers to the original fall of Satan. They think one-third of the angels rebelled w... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 12:5 The ROD OF IRON (also Revelation 2:27; Revelation 19:15) is a shepherd’s club, used to shatter the nations like pottery (compare Psalms 2:9). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = documen [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 12:6 The child’s mother FLED INTO THE WILDERNESS. This symbolizes the church’s complete dependence on God. He protects them from the dragon’s rage (vv. Revelation 12:13; compare Exodus 16:13; 1 Kings 19:5). Some scholars think the time period symbolized as 1,260 DAYS (o... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 12:7 MICHAEL is the archangel and guardian of God’s people (Daniel 10:13; Daniel 12:1; Jude 1:9). Some interpreters think Michael’s battle with the DRAGON marks the beginning of the “time of trouble” (Daniel 12:1), the great tribulation. ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 12:8 The victory of Michael and the holy angels over the DRAGON and his allies may symbolize Jesus’ triumph on the cross (compare Colossians 2:15). It may also reflect the defeat of demonic forces because of Christ’s victory at the cross. Or it may describe the original... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 12:12 HIS TIME IS SHORT. Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension began “the kingdom of our God” (v. Revelation 12:10). These events guaranteed the end of Satan’s power. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 12:14 TWO WINGS OF THE GREAT EAGLE. A metaphor of the exodus (see Exodus 19:4) becomes an image of God’s care for his church. A TIME, AND TIMES, AND HALF A TIME. See note on Rev. 11:1–2. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.... [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 12:15 WATER LIKE A RIVER OUT OF HIS MOUTH. The serpent tries to destroy the people of God (SWEEP HER AWAY) by lies and false teaching (compare Genesis 3:13). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 12:17 The dragon fails to destroy the Messiah (see vv. Revelation 12:4) and his mother (that is, Israel; see note on vv. 1–2). So he makes war on THE REST OF HER OFFSPRING. Some thinks this refers to the church throughout the ages. Others think it refers to believing Is... [ Continue Reading ]