Book of Revelation of John
Compiled by WD Kemner January 2024
Chapter 12 – Dragon and Sun Clothed Woman
John now takes time to explain the next events with symbolism that is very simple. Chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation needs to be studied alongside of Chapter 12 of Daniel. They are both discussing the same events and characters. This was also talked about by Jesus in Matthew 24:15:20.
Daniel 12 is the continuation of the vision that Daniel is discussing from chapters 10 and 11 of his book. It is at the point of Daniel chapter 12 that we now find John in his vision giving more details to what God had outlined to Daniel.
FIRST IMAGE
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Revelation 12:1-2 |
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And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
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The Woman who was was pregnant with child was clothed with: “…Sun and Moon under feet…” and Crown of 12 stars on head.
This is a symbol in heaven, NOT a human individual upon the planet earth. Many cults have come and gone who made claim as to being this “woman”. It has also been used to represent the “Immaculate Conception” of Mary.
This is representative of the “Nation” of Israel. NOT the Jews individually, nor a particular group of people. The entire Nation as a “Whole” is being referred to here.
Genesis 37:9-10
“And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?”
Joseph’s dream was of stars in the sky, symbolizing his brothers the sons of Jacob. Their descendants the future nation of Israel. The sun and moon are light conveying objects for the earth. Israel was to bring in the “light of the world”.
Israel was supposed to spread His message to the world. Then came the church. Now in Revelations we see the 144,000 taking the message of salvation to the world.
SECOND IMAGE
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Revelation 12:3 |
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And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
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Great Red Dragon with Seven heads with crowns and Ten horns.
Seven Heads with crowns = a reference to the Seven kingdoms in history used in bringing discipline on Israel:
Ten Horns = Have been discussed several times in scripture, especially in Daniel. These are the ten kingdoms under the Antichrist.
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Revelation 12:4a |
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And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth:…
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Dragon is symbol for Satan as we shall see in the following verses of the chapter. “His tail” is similar to the modern phrase “in his wake”. Meaning the results of what he did, brought about these results. When Satan fell from Heaven it resulted in 1/3 of the stars of heaven being cast out with him. This is described in Isaiah 14:12-19 and Ezekiel 28:11-19.
See the word study on Lucifer for more study on his name.
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Revelation 12:4b-5 |
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…and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
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The “man child” is Jesus Christ the Messiah. The nation of Israel from its beginning was ordained to be the parent to give birth to the coming Messiah.
How many attempts did Satan make at stopping Jesus?
From the Fall of Adam, murder of Abel, Israel in slavery in Egypt, at His birth, at His death….
Jesus is now sitting on the throne with His Father.
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We have now had over Two Thousand Years of the Church Age that has now passed between these two verses 5-6.
Verses 6-9 are yet to take place.
This is similar to how Daniel shared his vision with the “Church Age”
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This chapter in the Book of Revelation is at this point now paralleling Daniel Chapters 11 and 12
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Revelation 12:6 |
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And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
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Israel will be provided for by God for 1260 days. Which are the last 1260 days of the Tribulation. Daniel chapters 11-12 contain details regarding this time period.
Antichrist will “change his mind” and stop the temple sacrifices. The Jews will be under more persecution than ever before and will flee to Edom, Moab (Isaiah 16) and Ammon which the Antichrist does not control. See Daniel 11:41.
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Revelation 12:7-10 |
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And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
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This is NOT the scene from Isaiah regarding the occasion of Satan being cast down to earth. Because we know Satan has still had access to Heaven. He is always going to the throne to accuse the followers of God. (vs 10).
This verse states that Satan will no longer have access after he loses this battle.
This battle between Michael and Satan was prophesied in Daniel 12:1.
This battle is Satan’s last effort to attempt to take creation away from God. It WILL lead to Satan’s FINAL dismissal from Heaven to NEVER be back until his judgment.
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Archangel Michael
Two of the four angels mentioned by name in scripture are Gabriel and Michael. Both are mentioned in Daniel. Gabriel appears often as a “spokesperson” announcing or proclaiming or giving directives; while Michael is often seen in “battle” as the warrior.
In Daniel 10:13,21; Gabriel himself refers to Michael as “one of the chief princes” and as Daniel’s prince (Israel’s Archangel). It took both angels to battle Satan’s angels. In Jude 9, he is mentioned as having contended with Satan over the body of Moses.
Whether Michael was not able to beat Satan or his hand was held back by God’s authority; there is now a different outcome in Revelation. Satan is Cast Out from Heaven and no longer will he have access to it. That generates celebration from the angelic hosts in Heaven.
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Revelation 12:11-12 |
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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. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.
Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
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Who is verse 11 talking about? The “they” in verse 11 is the “Them” in verse 10. Satan has been on a rampage because he is very well aware of the word of God and knows very well what his outcome will be. How many of God’s children can he take with him? His time is limited!
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Revelation 12:13 |
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And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
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The ultimate persecution has always been against the Jewish nation of Israel. Ever wonder why? This is your answer.
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Revelation 12:14 |
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And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
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Verse 6 repeated again. The author returns to where he was when he “side-stepped” to talk about Michael’s war.
The word “time” here is the same as the word “year”. Times then equals two (2) years. Thus we are talking about the 3 ½ years Israel will be protected by God in a foreign land.
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Revelation 12:15-17 |
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And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 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. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
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