In John’s vision the woman was about to give birth and cried out in labor pains. Evidently this represents Israel’s pain before Jesus Christ’s appearing at His first coming. [Note: Kiddle, p. 220; Walvoord, The Revelation . . ., p. 188; Thomas, Revelation 8-22, p. 121.] read more
The second "sign" John saw was the "dragon" whom God identified in Revelation 12:9; Revelation 20:2 as Satan. "Dragon" (Gr. drakon) occurs 12 times in the New Testament and only in the Book of Revelation. In every instance it refers to Satan (Revelation 12:3-4; Revelation 12:7; Revelation 12:9; Revelation 12:13; Revelation 12:16-17; Revelation 13:2; Revelation 13:4; Revelation 13:11; Revelation 16:13; Revelation 20:2). A dragon symbolizes a powerful, aggressive, deadly foe. His red color... read more
The "stars" probably represent the angels Satan led in rebellion against God (cf. Revelation 12:8-9; Revelation 9:1; Daniel 8:10; Judges 1:6; 2 Peter 2:4). [Note: Lenski, p. 356; Thomas, Revelation 8-22, p. 124.] Satan has extensive authority, which this description reflects. God cast Satan and these angels out of heaven to earth. [Note: Govett, 2:21-23; William H. Simcox, The Revelation of St. John the Divine, p. 126; Charles, 1:320.] That is, they no longer had access to God’s presence,... read more
The Woman and the Man-Child. The DragonThe persecution which the Church had already suffered, and which was about to burst forth again, is the great fact which underlies the whole ’Revelation.’ The sufferings of the Church and its members have been referred to again and again, particularly in Revelation 11:1-13. In the ’seals’ and the ’trumpets’ the Church has been assured, in a broad and general manner, that God’s judgments will fall upon the world of wickedness, and that the ungodly will bow... read more
(2) And she . . .—Better, And being with child, she crieth, travailing, and tormented to bring forth. All life dawns in anguish, according to the ancient fiat (Genesis 3:16); but this is not all. There is an anguish of the Church which Christ laid upon her; it is the law of her life that she must bring forth Christ to the world; it is not simply that she must encounter pain, but that she cannot work deliverance without knowing suffering. Thus the Apostles felt: the love of Christ constrained... read more
(3) And there appeared . . .—Better, And another sign was seen in the heaven; and behold a great red dragon. This, too, is a sign, and has a meaning. The dragon stands for some dread and hostile power. “The dragon is that fabulous monster of whom ancient poets told, as large in size, coiled like a snake, blood red in colour . . . insatiable in voracity, and ever athirst for human blood”—a fit emblem of him whom our Lord declared to be a murderer from the beginning; for the dragon is intended... read more
(4) And his tail . . .—Translate, And his tail drags (or, sweeps) away the third part of the stars of the heaven, and casts them to the earth. The stars are the light- bearers, the illustrious of earth, who were given by God high place that they might be burning and shining lights for Him. A large proportion of these are drawn away in the train of evil; they are cast down from their high position of noble opportunities of good work and great work; they are dragged down from the height of the... read more
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
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
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 12:1-6
The dragon’s hostility toward the male child 12:1-6This pericope furnishes the plot for the drama that unfolds in the rest of the chapter. read more