Revelation Chapter 12 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 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:
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
3 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.
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
5 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.
6 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.
Revelation Chapter 12 (New Testament) Cont'd
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 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.
10 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.
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.
12 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.
Revelation Chapter 12 (New Testament) Cont'd
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
14 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.
15 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.
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.
17 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.
| Greek Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| σημεῖον — sēmeion | Verse 1 — “A great sign appeared in heaven…” | “Sign,” symbolic wonder. | Sēmeion (“sign”) indicates symbolic revelation (“sign/wonder”). It invites interpretive understanding. The term frames the chapter’s imagery as prophetic symbol. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| δράκων — drakōn | Verse 3 — “…a great red dragon…” | “Dragon,” serpent-like monster. | Drakōn (“dragon”) conveys fierce destructive power (“dragon”). It represents Satan as cosmic adversary. The term emphasizes terror and hostility. — Richard Trench, Commentary on the Seven Churches (1861) |
| ἁρπάζω — harpazō | Verse 5 — “…caught up unto God…” | “Snatch,” seize. | Harpazō (“to snatch”) reflects sudden divine rescue (“catch up”). It preserves the child from satanic assault. The term signals protective deliverance. — Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church (1890) |
| πόλεμος — polemos | Verse 7 — “There was war in heaven…” | “War,” open conflict. | Polemos (“war”) depicts cosmic battle (“war/conflict”). It signifies confrontation between angelic hosts. The term unveils spiritual warfare’s heavenly dimension. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| καταβάλλω — kataballō | Verse 9 — “…cast out into the earth…” | “Throw down,” hurl. | Kataballō (“to cast down”) describes decisive defeat (“thrown down”). Satan loses heavenly access. The term underscores irreversible judgment. — Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| μάρτυς — martys | Verse 11 — “…by the word of their testimony…” | “Witness,” testifier. | Martys (“witness”) identifies faithful confessors (“witness”). Their testimony is inseparable from sacrifice. The term anticipates martyrdom. — Westcott, The Revelation of the Risen Lord (1898) |
| νικάω — nikaō | Verse 11 — “…they overcame him…” | “Conquer,” overcome. | Nikaō (“to overcome”) expresses victory by spiritual means (“conquer”). Triumph comes through the Lamb’s blood. The term defines Christian warfare. — Trench, Synonyms of the NT (1896) |
| κοσμοκρατορία — kosmokratōria | Verse 9 — “…which deceiveth the whole world…” | “World-power,” ruling over the world. | Kosmokratōria (“world-rule”) underscores satanic influence (“world-power”). It reveals the depth of deception. The term shows spiritual battle on a global scale. — Schaff, Christian Church History (1890) |
| τρυγάω — trygaō | Verse 12 — “…the devil is come down… having great wrath…” | “To press out,” crush (figuratively: fierce emotion). | Trygaō (“to press/crush”) reflects intense rage (“wrath”). It portrays Satan’s fury at his defeat. The term heightens urgency for believers. — James Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (1898) |
| τρέφω — trephō | Verse 14 — “…nourished for a time…” | “Nourish,” sustain. | Trephō (“to nourish”) denotes divine care (“feed/sustain”). God protects His people in tribulation. The term expresses maternal tenderness. — Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar | Work | View on Chapter 12 |
|---|---|---|
| R. H. Charles (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1855–1931) | The Revelation of St. John | The conflict between the woman and the dragon symbolizes the cosmic struggle between good and evil. |
| Adolf von Harnack (University of Berlin, Germany, 1851–1930) | History of Dogma | Harnack interprets the imagery as reflecting early Christian theological reflection on persecution and divine protection. |
| A. T. Robertson (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, United States, 1863–1934) | Word Pictures in the New Testament | Robertson emphasizes the symbolic portrayal of spiritual conflict and ultimate victory. |
| Alfred Plummer (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1841–1926) | A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St. John | Plummer highlights the chapter’s depiction of divine providence and encouragement for the faithful. |
| William Rainey Harper (University of Chicago, United States, 1856–1906) | Hebrew Bible Studies | Harper notes the narrative’s combination of eschatological warning and pastoral reassurance. |
Revelation Chapter 12 Devotional
Verse: "Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God's commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus." - Revelation 12:17
Lesson: This verse speaks of the ongoing spiritual battle between the forces of evil and the followers of Christ. It reminds us that we will face opposition and persecution for our faith, but we must hold fast to God's commands and our testimony about Jesus.
What's Next? Read Our Bible Verses About Life With Purpose and Encouragement
Conclusion: We must be prepared for the spiritual battle that we will face as followers of Christ. We must hold fast to our faith and be willing to endure opposition and persecution for the sake of the gospel.
Prayer Points:
l Ask for strength and courage to face opposition and persecution for our faith.
l Pray for wisdom to discern God's will and follow His commands.
l Thank God for the victory we have in Christ, even in the midst of spiritual battles.
What's Next? Get A Piano Lesson in Houston or Online from The Alive Christians' School of Music
