Revelation #20: Revelation Chapter 12 – The Woman, the Dragon, and the Child

Revelation #20: Revelation Chapter 12 – The Woman, the Dragon, and the Child

Introduction

Revelation chapters 12 to 14 form a significant parenthesis within the book, providing essential information that helps us understand the events surrounding the judgments of the trumpets. Chronologically, these chapters do not advance the story but introduce key characters central to the apocalyptic narrative: a woman symbolizing Israel (Revelation 12:1-2), a great red dragon representing Satan (Revelation 12:3-4), a male child, Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:5-6), the archangel Michael (Revelation 12:7-12), the remnant of the woman’s offspring (Revelation 12:13-17), the beast from the sea (Revelation 13:1-10), and the beast from the earth, the false prophet (Revelation 13:11-18).

In this sermon, we focus on chapter 12, which symbolically portrays the satanic campaign to destroy the Jewish people. This chapter reflects a battle not only on Earth but also in heaven, illustrating the ongoing spiritual warfare. Although many modern societies emphasize peace at all costs, this passage reminds us that there are conflicts where war is inevitable, especially in the context of the cosmic battle between God and Satan.

Let us dive into the specific symbols and their meaning, beginning with the vision of the woman and the dragon.

A Great Sign in Heaven: The Woman (Revelation 12:1-2)

The first sign John sees is a woman “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.” She is pregnant and in labor, crying out in the pains of childbirth.

This woman represents Israel. The imagery of the sun, moon, and twelve stars recalls Joseph’s dream in Genesis 37:9-11, where the sun and moon symbolize Joseph’s parents, and the twelve stars his brothers—the twelve tribes of Israel. Thus, the woman is a picture of the nation of Israel in her divine glory, reflecting the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The pains of childbirth symbolize Israel’s historical suffering, culminating in the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The prophecy of Isaiah 60:1-3 also aligns with this imagery, promising that God’s light and glory will rise upon Israel, despite the darkness surrounding the world.

Another Sign in Heaven: The Great Red Dragon (Revelation 12:3-4)

The second sign is a “great red dragon,” identified in verse 9 as Satan. This dragon has seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns on his heads. His tail sweeps a third of the stars from the sky and hurls them to the earth.

The dragon’s heads and horns symbolize his dominion over the nations, and the crowns indicate his authority during the tribulation period. This connection is echoed in Daniel 7:7-8, where the prophet describes a terrifying beast with ten horns—symbolizing a future global empire under the control of the Antichrist, who derives his power from Satan.

The sweeping of a third of the stars represents Satan’s rebellion, where a third of the angels followed him in revolt against God (cf. Jude 1:6; 2 Peter 2:4).

The Dragon’s Attack on the Woman and Her Child (Revelation 12:4-6)

The dragon waits to devour the woman’s child as soon as he is born. This is a clear reference to Satan’s attempts to destroy Jesus from birth, exemplified by King Herod’s order to kill all male infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:13).

The woman gives birth to a male child, who is destined to “rule all nations with an iron scepter” (cf. Psalm 2:9), pointing unmistakably to Jesus Christ. After His ascension to heaven, Satan’s defeat is made clear as Christ is “caught up to God and His throne”—a sign that Satan could not stop God’s redemptive plan.

In response, the woman flees to the wilderness, where she is protected by God for 1,260 days. This refers to the future protection of Israel during the great tribulation, a time of intense persecution and danger for the Jewish people (cf. Matthew 24:16).

War in Heaven: Michael Defeats the Dragon (Revelation 12:7-9)

A remarkable scene unfolds as war breaks out in heaven. Michael, the archangel, leads God’s angels in battle against the dragon and his angels. Although Satan is powerful, he and his forces are ultimately defeated and cast out of heaven to the earth.

Michael, whose name means “Who is like God?”, is Israel’s protector (cf. Daniel 12:1), and here he triumphs over Satan, stripping him of any remaining access to the heavenly realms. Satan, also called “the serpent” and “the devil,” is identified as the deceiver of the whole world, which hints at his ongoing efforts to lead people away from God.

The Victory of the Saints (Revelation 12:10-12)

Following Satan’s expulsion, a loud voice in heaven proclaims the arrival of salvation, power, and the kingdom of God. The “accuser of our brothers and sisters” has been thrown down. His accusations are rendered ineffective by the “blood of the Lamb” and the word of the saints’ testimony.

The saints overcome Satan not through their own strength but by their faith in Christ’s sacrifice and their willingness to lay down their lives for the gospel (cf. Revelation 2:10). Heaven rejoices at Satan’s defeat, but the inhabitants of the earth are warned of great peril as the devil, filled with rage, seeks to destroy as much as he can, knowing that his time is short.

The Dragon’s Final Assault on the Woman (Revelation 12:13-17)

Once cast down to earth, Satan continues his vendetta against the woman, Israel. However, God provides her with “the two wings of a great eagle” to escape into the wilderness, where she will be nourished for “a time, times, and half a time” (another reference to the three-and-a-half-year tribulation period). This divine protection echoes God’s care for Israel during their exodus from Egypt (cf. Exodus 19:4).

Satan attempts to destroy the woman by releasing a torrent of water, but the earth swallows the flood, once again thwarting his plans. In his fury, Satan turns his attention to “the rest of her offspring”—those who keep God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus. This likely refers to Jewish believers during the tribulation who come to faith in Christ.

Conclusion

Revelation 12 offers a sweeping portrayal of the cosmic battle between Satan and God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. The chapter highlights Satan’s age-old hatred for Israel and his futile attempts to stop the Messiah from fulfilling His mission. It also emphasizes the protection and victory God guarantees for His people, despite Satan’s persistent attacks.

This passage serves as a reminder to believers today that although spiritual warfare is real, Christ has already won the ultimate victory. Our triumph, like that of the saints in Revelation, is secured by the blood of Christ and our faithful testimony, even in the face of persecution.

-sermon series by Pastor Michel Bohrer