One of the most important chapters in the Bible: an overview of the enigma of Israel, without which the Bible cannot be fully understood.
Revelation 12 really begins in Rev 11:19: The Temple is in heaven, not on earth; the real ark is in heaven, not on earth; Moses’ was but a replica (Heb 8:5). Represents throne of God (1Sa 4:4; Isa 6; Eze 1; Eze 10; Rev 4; Rev 5.
One must come to God on His terms: Lev 16:14; Lev 10:1; Deu 10:8 vs. 2Sa 6:11-12; (Cf. Jhn 14:6; Mat 7:13).
[1] “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman...”:
One of four women described in this book: Jezebel (Rev 2:20); the Harlot (Rev 17; Rev 18); this one; and the Bride (Rev 19:7; Rev 21:2,9).
The Bride is the espoused Virgin (2Cr 11:2): if this woman is the bride, she is in a lot of trouble—she’s pregnant!
Her identity is interpreted for us by Jacob in Gen 37:9-10. Israel is described as a woman in travail in OT (Isa 54:5; Isa 66:7; Jer 3:6-10; Micah 4:10; Micah 5:2-3). The Messianic Line begins, however, at Gen 3:15.
[2] “And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered”: She gives birth to the man-child who is to rule with a rod of iron. Man-child (Psa 2:9; Rev 2:27; Rev 19:15) = Christ.
This is Israel, not the Church (Micah 4:9; Micah 5:2). Isa 9:6: “Unto us a child is born...” (Unto who? Israel).
Seed of woman: Gal 3:16; Jer 31:31. The 12 stars, etc., are interpreted for us by Jacob himself: Gen 37:5-9.
[3] “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon....”
He is identified in Rev 12:9. “Red” only used 2X: Here, and Red horse (Rev 6:5)! Associated with death (Rev 6:4).
Satan: Eze 28:2-15; Rebellion in heaven (Isa 14:12-17). [Gap? Gen 1:2 vs. Isa 45:18.]
Ancient = beginning (Gen 3); stars = angels (Jde 1:13).
Background on spiritual warfare: 2Cr 2:11; Dan 10:1-19; Rev 9, Cf. Amos 7:1 (LXX); Eph 6:10-13; Isa 59:17; Elisha’s servant vs. Syrian threat (2Ki 6:16); Satan’s Methods: deceit (Gen 3; 2Cr 4:3-4; Jhn 8:44); Ultimate lie (2Th 2:11).
The ultimate victory (1Jo 4:4; 2Ki 6:16; Rom 8:25-38). Satan already defeated (1Jo 3:8; Heb 2:14; Jam 4:7; Eph 1:20-21; Heb 10:12-13; Phil 2:9-11; Psa 110:1; Rev 12:10).
[4] “...and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born”: One-third of the stars = angels (Dan 8:10).
Satan attempts to thwart the Plan of God by destroying the nation and the Messianic line: Cain and Abel (Gen 4); Angelic corruption (Gen 6); Pharaoh, Moses; Saul pursuing David; Abraham, Isaac, Jacob; tribe of Judah; the royal line... Jehoram’s plot against his brothers (2Ch 21:16); Athaliah (2Ki 11:1-3 “one little boy!”); Haman, Esther (acrostic!); Jeconiah’s blood curse; Babes in Bethlehem; Temptations of Christ (Luk 4); Rev 13 final effort. [Cf. Road to Holocaust, Hal Lindsey.]
[5] “...and her child was caught up unto God, and [to] his throne.”
Snatched up to God = ascension? or rapture (of “His Body”)?
[There is a gap between Rev 12:5 & Rev 12:6. [24 such “gaps” in Scripture; an understanding of Daniel 9 is essential.]
[6] “And the woman fled into the wilderness...”: The Great Tribulation. “...a thousand two hundred and threescore days.”
[7] “And there was war in heaven”: A war in heaven?
One of chief princes (Dan 10:13); Daniel’s prince (Dan 10:21); warrior for Israel (Dan 12:1); fights for the body of Moses? (Jde 9); fought in wars of the Lord (Zech 14:3; Num 21:14).
[8] “And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven”: Luk 10:18; Jhn 16:11; Jhn 12:31.
[11] “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death”: How did they overcome? His Blood (Heb 9:12); Word of testimony (Mat 4:4, 7, 10; Eph 6:10-18; Isa 59:17); Loved not their lives (Cf. 2 witnesses of Rev 11); Rom 6:11-13; 2Ti 1:12; Acts 20:24; [Book of Life: Exd 32:32; Dan 12:1.]
[12] “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea!”: The Third woe? Rev 11:14ff.
[13] “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man [child].” Focus is on Israel (Jer 30:7; Mat 24:15-22).
[14] “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle...”: Eagle (Exd 19:4; Deu 2:9-11). Eagles’ wings: From Egypt (Exd 19:4); wilderness (Deu 32:11-12); return from Babylon (Isa 40:31).
Wilderness: Mat 24:16 [Dan 11:41: Edom, Moab, Ammon escape Antichrist]. Their Role (Isa 11:16; Eze 20:35-38). Door of hope (Hos 2:14-15; Exd 15; Zeph 2:3?). Earth swallows enemies of God (Num 16:31, 33; Micah 7:15).
[16] And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. [Psalm 124: bird, Rev 12:7; flood...]