Revelation 12:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 12:1

And there appeared a great wonder; and a great sign was seen (Revised Version). This sign consists of the whole of the appearances, the account of which is contained in this verse and the following one. The vision is thus plainly declared to be figurative (cf. the use of the corresponding verb in Revelation 1:1 ). In heaven. Though the scene of the vision opens in heaven, it is immediately afterwards transferred to the earth. It is doubtful whether any particular signification is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 12:1-6

Signs. It has been wisely said, "The Revelation of St. John gives no regularly progressive disclosure of the future, advancing in unbroken series from beginning to end; but it falls into a number of groups, which, indeed, supplement each other, every successive vision giving some other aspect of the future, but which are still formally complete in themselves, each proceeding from a beginning to an end." We have but just heard the accents of the shout of final triumph. Now we are thrown... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 12:1-6

Social Christhood and social fiendhood. "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven," etc. What strange objects the human imagination can create, or in a passive state receive! What a remarkable dream or vision this is of the apostolic hermit on Patmos! "A woman arrayed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars around her head, brings forth a man child. A huge scarlet dragon with ten horns and seven diademed heads, whose tail sweeps after it the third part... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 12:1-17

The following analysis will help to make clear the relation of the several parts of the vision. I. THE ORIGIN OF THE ENMITY BETWEEN CHRIST AND THE WORLD . ( Revelation 12:7-13 .) II. THE PROGRESS OF THE WARFARE . 1. The assaults of the devil. 2. The overthrow and punishment of the devil. ( Revelation 20:1-10 .) 3. The victory of the faithful. ( Revelation 14:13 ; Revelation 19:1-10 ; Revelation 21:1-27 .; 22.) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 12:1-17

The foes of God and of his Church. "That old serpent." In previous chapters of this book there have been hints of sundry evil forces which would at divers times harass the Church of God. Who they would be, or what, or how they would work, has not yet been shown to us. This is done, however, in chapters which we have yet to consider. Of them there are several. Of each one we have a representation in the form of allegory or parable. In this chapter the first of them is shown us. We can... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 12:2

And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. The present, "crieth," κρὰζει , is found in א , A, P, Coptic, Andreas in a et bav., etc.; the imperfect, ἐκράζεν , is read in C, Vulgate, 7, 8, 31, etc., Andreas in c et p , Primasius; the aorist, ἐκράζεν , in B, twelve cursives (cf. the words of our Lord in John 16:21 , John 16:22 ). A similar image occurs in Isaiah 26:17 ; Isaiah 66:7 , Isaiah 66:8 ; Micah 4:10 . The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 12:3

And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and there was seen another sign in heaven (Revised Version). (See on Revelation 12:1 .) The appearance seen is not a representation of the devil as he actually is, but the sign—the dragon—is figurative and descriptive of the particular characteristics now about to be exhibited. In heaven— most likely merely in the space above, where he could be easily seen. Wordsworth, however, says, "Because the power here represented assails the Church,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 12:4

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth ; draweth (Revised Version). Not the stars with which the woman is crowned (see Revelation 12:1 ), but other stars. In describing the vast power of the devil, St. John seems to allude to the tremendous result of his rebellious conduct in heaven, in effecting the fall of other angels with himself (Jud John 1:6 ). The seer does not here interrupt his narrative to explain the point, but returns to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 12:1

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven - In that heavenly world thus disclosed, in the very presence of God, he saw the impressive and remarkable symbol which he proceeds to describe. The word “wonder” - σημεῖον sēmeion - properly means something extraordinary, or miraculous, and is commonly rendered “sign.” See Matthew 12:38-39; Matthew 16:1, Matthew 16:3-4; Matthew 24:3, Matthew 24:24, Matthew 24:30; Matthew 26:48; Mark 8:11-12; Mark 13:4, Mark 13:22; Mark 16:17, Mark 16:20; in all... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 12:2

And she being with child cried, travailing in birth ... - That is, there would be something which would be properly represented by a woman in such circumstances.The question now is, what is referred to by this woman? And here it need hardly be said that there has been, as in regard to almost every other part of the Book of Revelation, a great variety of interpretations. It would be endless to undertake to examine them, and would not be profitable if it could be done; and it is better,... read more

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