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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 12:7-12

War and triumph. The heavenly things ("in heaven") are again represented by a battle—a war. There is ever contention on the earth between those forces that are evil and those that are Divine. The history of the human race is the history of an undying struggle—a struggle between the heavenly and the earthly elements; the good and the bad; the flesh and the spirit. Here the whole contending forces are leagued under two great captains , "Michael" and "the dragon." "Michael and his angels... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 12:11

And they overcame him (cf. the frequent references to those who overcome, and the promises made to them, Revelation 2:1-29 .; 3.; Revelation 21:7 , etc.). The reference "they" is to "our brethren," the accused ones of Revelation 12:10 . By the blood of the Lamb; because of the blood, etc. (Revised Version). That is, "the blood of the Lamb" is the ground or reason of their victory, not the instrument. So in Revelation 1:9 , "1 John … was in the island called Patmos, because of ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 12:11

The holy war. "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb," etc. Without attempting to identify "Michael and his angels," or "the dragon and his angels," or the "heaven" where no longer "place" was "found any more" for them; nor attempting to explain exactly what is meant by the dragon being "cast out into the earth," or how he "accused" the "brethren... before our God day and night" -- what all this means none know; but we may take the text as telling of that holy war which all Christians... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 12:11

Moral conquest won through Christ. "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb." It is trite, but ever solemnly true, to say that life is a combat. Moral antagonists of the soul meet us everywhere in all departments of life, circles of society, spheres of action. Nay, they rise up within us. These can be only overcome by the "blood of the Lamb," that is, by the self-sacrificing life of Christ. I. IT IS THROUGH HIS BLOOD ( OR LIFE ) THAT WE GET OUR ANTAGONISM TO... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 12:12

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them; O heavens (Revised Version). κατοικοῦντες , "that dwell," is read in א , 26, 29, 30, 31, 98, Andreas, Vulgate, Primasius, Memphitie, Armenian. The Revisers have followed the common reading of σκηνοῦντες , "tabernacled," which is found in the majority of manuscripts. Alford observes, "There is no sense of transitoriness in St. John's use of σκηνόω , rather one of repose and tranquillity (cf. Revelation 7:15 )."... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 12:12

Satan's rage so great because his time so short. "The devil is come down unto you, having great wrath," etc. The text— I. ASSUMES THE EXISTENCE OF SATAN . Many question the reality of any such being, but: 1 . We may ask—Why should it not be? 2 . The Bible affirms such existence. Take but one instance out of the many affirmations of this truth. Our Lord taught us to pray, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." He had just come away... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 12:12-17

The defeatability of the devil. "Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea!" etc. This portion of John's vision illustrates four facts of great importance and of vital interest to all men. I. THAT MIGHTY AS IS THE MASTER FIEND OF EVIL , HE IS NOT PROOF AGAINST DEFEATS . "Therefore rejoice, ye [O] heavens, and ye that dwell in them" (verse 12). 1 . Here is a defeat implied. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 12:11

And they overcame him - That is, he was foiled in his attempt thus to destroy the church. The reference here, undoubtedly, is primarily to the martyr age and to the martyr spirit; and the meaning is, that religion had not become extinct by these accusations, as Satan hoped it would be, but lived and triumphed. By their holy lives, by their faithful testimony, by their patient sufferings, they showed that all these accusations were false, and that the religion which they professed Was from God,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 12:12

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens - It is not unusual in the Scriptures to call on the heavens and the earth to sympathize with the events that occur. Compare the notes on Isaiah 1:2. Here the heavens are called on to rejoice because of the signal victory which it was seen would be achieved over the great enemy. Heaven itself was secure from any further rebellion or invasion, and the foundation was laid for a final victory over Satan everywhere.And ye that dwell in them - The angels and the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 12:7-12

Revelation 12:7-12. And there was war in heaven, &c. It might reasonably be presumed that all the powers of idolatry would be strenuously exerted against the establishment of Christianity, and especially against the establishment of a Christian on the imperial throne: and these struggles and contentions between the heathen and the Christian religions are here represented by war in heaven, between the angels of darkness and angels of light. Michael was (Daniel 10:21; Dan 12:1 ) the... read more

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