Revelation 12:1-12

This chapter speaks of believing Israel and her protection by God.  It occurs at this point in the Revelation because Israel’s very presence when Christ returns is essential to God’s purpose in exalting His Son to the throne of David (Psalm 2).  What happens here is part of the days of the sounding of the seventh angel (cf. v14).  Today we meet four significant figures in this war.   Tomorrow we will see the war and havoc perpetrated by Satan on Israel and on the whole world.

·        12:1-2: The Woman.  Some consider this woman who gives birth to Christ (the Male Child) as Mary.  But the woman is said to be a great sign.  In other words, she is symbolic.  Her description actually reveals that she is Israel.  The sun, moon and twelve stars come from Joseph’s dream (Gen. 37:9) when God was promising to protect the “descendants of Jacob.”  In other words it is a symbolism that perfectly fits our context here when God is protecting Israel.

·        12:3-4: The Dragon.  This also is a sign, a symbolic description.  Clearly the Dragon in Satan said to be in 12:9-10 the serpent of old (Gen. 3:1ff), the Devil (mng: slanderer) and Satan (mng: adversary), who deceives the whole world and the accuser of our brethren (cf. Job 1-2, Zech. 3:1-2 and Luke 22:31 for illustrations of Satan’s attack on the saints).  His description is as a creature with seven heads (governing leaders, such as a king), ten horns (the power to harm, such as by an army) and seven diadems (crowns, symbolic of a kingdom).  This is explained in Rev. 17:9-14.  For now note that this connects the dragon with the beast of Rev. 13:1 and 17:7 which have similar appearances.  This dragon is a significant figure in the latter days, even as he is today, in opposing the purpose of God!

·        12:5: The Male Child.  This is Christ (the Child of Isa. 7:14; 9:6-7) who comes through Israel (v2) and will rule all nations with a rod of iron (Psa. 2:6-9).  He was caught up to God and His throne in His ascension where He awaits the subjection of His enemies (Psa. 110:1).

·        12:7: Michael.  Michael is an “archangel” (an angel who rules other angels).  He is said to be Daniel’s prince (Dan. 10:31) who stands watch over the sons of your (Daniel’s) people (i.e. the people of Israel).

There are references in this chapter to major themes in Scripture: the fact and roll of Satan, the Incarnation, God’s choice of one nation to be His treasured people, and the unseen world of angels.  Much is not said about these topics and we may have many questions about what God has not said.  The question is: do we hear what God has said?  Do we take seriously the roaring lion (1 Peter 5:7) who seeks to devour us?  Do we trust God’s faithfulness illustrated by His love for Israel?  Do we acknowledge His grace in sending His Only Son to earth to be the sacrifice for our sins?