Revelation 12:7-8

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 12:7

And there was war in heaven - There was a state of things existing in regard to the woman and the child - the church in the condition in which it would then be - which would be well represented by a war in heaven; that is, by a conflict between the powers of good and evil, of light and darkness. Of course it is not necessary to understand this literally, anymore than the other symbolical representations in the book. All that is meant is, that a vision passed before the mind of John as if there... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 12:8

And prevailed not - Satan and his angels failed in their purpose.Neither was their place found any more in heaven - They were cast out, and were seen there no more. The idea is, that they were defeated and driven away, though for a time they were suffered to carry on the warfare elsewhere. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 12:7-12

Revelation 12:7-12. And there was war in heaven, &c. It might reasonably be presumed that all the powers of idolatry would be strenuously exerted against the establishment of Christianity, and especially against the establishment of a Christian on the imperial throne: and these struggles and contentions between the heathen and the Christian religions are here represented by war in heaven, between the angels of darkness and angels of light. Michael was (Daniel 10:21; Dan 12:1 ) the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 12:1-17

12:1-14:20 PICTURES OF CONFLICT AND TRIUMPHThe woman, the child and the dragon (12:1-17)In this vision the woman who gives birth to a son seems to symbolize Israel who produced the Messiah, Jesus. But it is the true Israel, the true people of God, who are pictured here. The faithful of old Israel were those who began the Christian church, and in the church there is no distinction on the basis of nationality. All Christians are now God’s people (12:1-2).Then appears a dragon (identified in verse... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 12:7

was = came to be. heaven = the heaven. See Revelation 3:12 . A particular sphere above earth which is dwelt in by, or accessible to, the dragon and his evil powers. Compare Job 1 and Job 2:0 .Zechariah 3:6 . See Luke 10:18 . Michael. See Daniel 10:13 , Daniel 10:21 ; Daniel 12:1 .Jude 1:9 , and App-179 . fought against. The texts read "(going forth) to war with". against. Greek. meta. App-104 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 12:8

prevailed. Greek. ischuo, as Acts 19:16 , Acts 19:20 . Only here in Rev. Compare App-172 . neither. Greek. oude. more. First occurance: Matthew 5:13 (thenceforth). read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Revelation 12:7

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going forth to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels; and they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.It is important to note why this episode was included:The war and its issue are introduced as an... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Revelation 12:7-12

Revelation 12:7-12. And there was war in heaven, &c.— It might reasonably be presumed, that all the powers of idolatry would be strenuously exerted against the establishment of Christianity, and especially against the establishment of a Christian on the imperial throne; and the struggles and contentions between the Heathen and Christian religions are represented by war in heaven, between the angels of darkness and the angels of light, Michael the archangel being at the head of the latter.... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 12:7

7. In Job 1:6-11; Job 2:1-6, Satan appears among the sons of God, presenting himself before God in heaven, as the accuser of the saints: again in Zechariah 3:1; Zechariah 3:2. But at Christ's coming as our Redeemer, he fell from heaven, especially when Christ suffered, rose again, and ascended to heaven. When Christ appeared before God as our Advocate, Satan, the accusing adversary, could no longer appear before God against us, but was cast out judicially (Romans 8:33; Romans 8:34). He and his... read more

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