Revelation 12:10-12

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 12:7-11

The great campaign. "And there was war in heaven," etc. There is undoubtedly "war in heaven"—in the heaven of our being. War in the soul individually, war in the soul collectively, war within and war without. We "wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers of this world; against wickedness in high places." The vision brings to our notice the contending armies and the contending issues. I. THE ARMIES IN THE CONTEST . Who are the armies?... read more

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 12:10

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven. The "great voice" is characteristic of all the heavenly utterances (cf. Revelation 5:2 ; Revelation 6:1 , Revelation 6:10 ; Revelation 16:17 , etc.). The personality of the speaker is not indicated. From the following chorus the voice would seem to proceed from many inhabitants of heaven. Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; the salvation and the power, and the kingdom of our God,... 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

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