Revelation 12:7

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 12:7

THE WAR IN HEAVEN.(7) And there was war . . .—Translate, And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels. This is one of those passages which has ever been regarded as more or less perplexing. It has afforded material for many poetic fancies, and has been the occasion of much speculative interpretation. We shall fail to catch the spirit of its meaning if we insist upon detaching the passage from its context; and the more so that... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Revelation 12:1-17

St. Michael and All Angels Revelation 12:7 Tradition says that the Feast of St. Michael and all Angels was first celebrated in the fourth century; but history states that its general observance did not occur until the eighth century, when it became an annual festival. Since then the Eastern Church has observed it on 8th November; the Anglican Church on 29th September. The belief in angelic creatures has been a favourite article in the universal creed, but the most unequivocal and direct... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Revelation 12:1-17

CHAPTER IX.THE FIRST GREAT ENEMY OF THE CHURCH.Revelation 12:1-17.THE twelfth chapter of the Revelation of St John has been felt by every commentator to be one more than usually difficult to interpret, and that whether we look at it in relation to its special purpose, or to its position in the structure of the book. If we can satisfy ourselves as to the first of these two points, we shall be better able to form correct notions as to the second. Turning then for a moment to chap. 13, we find it... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 12:7

12:7 And there was war in heaven: {14} Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,(14) Christ is the Prince of angels and head of the Church, who bears that iron rod Revelation 12:5 . Also see Geneva "Daniel 12:1". In this verse a description of the battle and of the victory in the two verses following Revelation 12:8-9 . The psalmist noted this battle as did Paul; Psalms 68:9 Ephesians 4:8 Colossians 2:15 . read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 12:1-17

A Woman Clothed with the Sun: Israel A great sign now appears in heaven. We thus are looking at things from heaven's viewpoint, and the vision goes back in time to connect the past with the future so that we may have a clearer view of connected events. The woman (v. 1) is manifestly Israel of whom the Man-child (Christ) is born. "Clothed with the sun" intimates God's counsels as to her when in the Millennium she is clothed with the glory of "The Sun of Righteousness," the blessed Christ of... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Revelation 12:1-17

THE SEVEN PERSONAGES INTRODUCTION: THE WOMAN AND THE DRAGON (Revelation 12:0 ) The seven personages of this division as identified by Erdman, include the woman, the child, the dragon, the archangel, the remnant (of Israel), the ten-horned beast, and the two-horned beast or false prophet, the first four being found in this chapter. The woman represents Israel it is believed, and the man-child to whom she gave birth, the Messiah. The dragon is Satan, whose ten horns represent the 10 kingdoms... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Revelation 12:7-12

(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 anymore 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... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 12:7-11

7-11 The attempts of the dragon proved unsuccessful against the church, and fatal to his own interests. The seat of this war was in heaven; in the church of Christ, the kingdom of heaven on earth. The parties were Christ, the great Angel of the covenant, and his faithful followers; and Satan and his instruments. The strength of the church is in having the Lord Jesus for the Captain of their salvation. Pagan idolatry, which was the worship of devils, was cast out of the empire by the spreading... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Revelation 12:1-99

Revelation 12 IN VERSES Rev_12:1 and 3 of chapter 12 we should substitute “sign” for “wonder.” Two signs appeared in heaven, but that which they signified transpired on earth. The woman we judge to be Israel. She is invested with sun, moon and twelve stars, symbols of authority, for it is through Israel that the Divine authority will at last be made effective on earth. Clearly then we view Israel ideally, according to that which is in the purpose of God, and therefore in a light which up to... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Revelation 12:7-12

The dragon cast out of heaven: v. 7. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, v. 8. and prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. v. 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. v. 10. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come... read more

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