Revelation 12:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 12:12-17

We have here an account of this war, so happily finished in heaven, or in the church, as it was again renewed and carried on in the wilderness, the place to which the church had fled, and where she had been for some time secured by the special care of her God and Saviour. Observe, I. The warning given of the distress and calamity that should fall upon the inhabitants of the world in general, through the wrath and rage of the devil. For, though his malice is chiefly bent against the servants of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 12:1-17

It is necessary to read this chapter as a whole before we examine it in detail. 12:1-17 A great sign appeared in the sky--a woman clothed with the sun, and with the moon beneath her feet, and with a crown of twelve stars on her head; and she was with child, and she cried aloud in her labour and in her agony to bear the child. And another sign appeared in heaven--lo! a great flame-coloured dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and with seven royal diadems upon its heads. Its tail... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 12:12

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them ,.... So in the prophetic language, at times, and upon occasions of rejoicing, the heavens are called upon to join, and bear a part therein, Psalm 96:10 ; and by these may be meant here the angels of heaven, who rejoice at every advance of Christ's kingdom and interest; they rejoiced at his incarnation, and so they do at the conversion of every single sinner; and much more may they be thought to do so at such a time as this, when... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 12:12

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them - Let the Christians, who are now partakers of the present temporal prosperity, and advanced to places of trust in the empire, praise and magnify the Lord who has thus so signally interfered in their behalf. But it is added: - Wo to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you - By the inhabiters of the earth are meant the people in subjection to the Roman empire; and by the sea, those parts of... 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 12:7-12

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 12:12

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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