Revelation Chapter 12 in the Amplified Bible “The Woman, Israel” “The Red Dragon, Satan” “The Male Child, Christ” “The Angel, Michael”

Revelation Chapter 12 introduces a dramatic narrative filled with symbolic imagery, portraying a cosmic battle between good and evil. This chapter features a woman clothed with the sun, a great red dragon, and a male child destined to rule the nations, unfolding scenes of conflict, protection, and perseverance. Below is a detailed exposition of Revelation Chapter 12 from the Amplified Bible, its relevance to today's believers, and a brief introduction and summary.

Introduction

Chapter 12 marks a significant shift in the book of Revelation, presenting a symbolic retelling of the cosmic struggle between God's kingdom and the forces of evil. Through vivid imagery, it recounts the persecution of the faithful, the protection offered by God, and the ongoing battle against Satan. This narrative provides both a historical perspective on the spiritual warfare that has been raging since the world's beginning and a prophetic insight into the spiritual realities that believers face.

Now Let’s Eat Some Meat!

Verses 1-2: The Woman, Israel - “And a great sign [warning of an ominous and frightening future event] appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child (the Messiah) and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.”

A great sign appears in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She is in labor, about to give birth.

Relevance To Today’s Believers: This woman symbolizes God's people, Israel, and by extension, the Church, bearing the Messiah. It reminds believers of their heritage and the pain and struggle often involved in bringing God's purposes to fruition. Remember that we believers are grafted into God's chosen by faith, see Romans 11:11-31. I will write on that scripture soon!

Verses 3-4: The Red Dragon, Satan - “Then another sign [of warning] was seen in heaven: behold, a great fiery red dragon (Satan) with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven royal crowns (diadems). And his tail swept [across the sky] and dragged away a third of the stars of heaven and flung them to the earth. And the dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.”

Another sign appears: a great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, ready to devour the child the woman is about to bear.

Relevance To Today’s Believers:The dragon represents Satan, depicting his power and his intent to destroy Christ and His followers. This serves as a stark reminder of the spiritual warfare believers are engaged in and the enemy's intent to thwart God's plans.

Verses 5-6: The Male Child, Christ “And she gave birth to a Son, a male Child, who is destined to rule (shepherd) all the nations with a rod of iron; and her Child was caught up to God and to His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that she would be nourished there for a thousand two hundred and sixty days (forty-two months; three and one-half years).”

The woman gives birth to a male child, who is caught up to God and His throne, while the woman flees into the wilderness, where she is nourished for a time.

Relevance To Today’s Believers: This passage symbolizes Christ's birth, death, resurrection, and ascension, and the subsequent persecution of the Church. It encourages believers with the assurance of Christ's victory and God's provision and protection in times of trial.

Verses 7-9: The Angel, Michael - “And war broke out in heaven, Michael [the archangel] and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought, but they were not strong enough and did not prevail, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the age-old serpent who is called the devil and Satan, he who continually deceives and seduces the entire inhabited world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”

A war breaks out in heaven, leading to the dragon and his angels being thrown down to the earth.

Relevance To Today’s Believers:This depicts the spiritual battle between Michael and his angels against the dragon, symbolizing Satan's defeat and expulsion from heaven. It reassures believers of the ultimate triumph of good over evil and the limited power of the enemy.

Verses 10-12: “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom (dominion, reign) of our God, and the authority of His Christ have come; for the accuser of our [believing] brothers and sisters has been thrown down [at last], he who accuses them and keeps bringing charges [of sinful behavior] against them before our God day and night. And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them [in the presence of God]. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you in great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time [remaining]!””

A loud voice in heaven proclaims the salvation and power of God's kingdom, warning of the devil's wrath because he knows his time is short.

Relevance To Today’s Believers:This proclamation celebrates the victory of Christ and the security of believers in Him, while also warning of the intensified activity of the devil in the world. It motivates believers to remain vigilant and steadfast in faith, knowing that victory is assured.

Verses 13-17: “And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who had given birth to the male Child. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time (three and one-half years), away from the presence of the serpent (Satan). And the serpent hurled water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon had hurled out of his mouth. So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went off to wage war on the rest of her children (seed), those who keep and obey the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus [holding firmly to it and bearing witness to Him].”

The dragon persecutes the woman, who is given two wings to escape. Enraged, the dragon makes war against the rest of her offspring.

Relevance To Today’s Believers:This section illustrates the ongoing persecution of the Church and the protection afforded by God to His people. The dragon's war against the woman's offspring, representing believers who keep God's commands and hold to the testimony of Jesus, underscores the reality of spiritual opposition but also God's faithful preservation of His people.

Summary

Revelation Chapter 12 offers a vivid depiction of the cosmic struggle between God and Satan, highlighting themes of persecution, protection, and victory. For today's believers, this chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual warfare that characterizes the Christian life. It reassures believers of God's sovereign protection, the certainty of Satan's defeat, and the importance of perseverance in faith. This narrative encourages the faithful to remain vigilant, to endure in the face of opposition, and to find hope in the promised victory of God's kingdom. The chapter challenges believers to stand firm in their faith, to keep God's commands, and to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel, despite the ongoing battle against spiritual forces.

If You Have Ears To Hear, Then Hear It!