ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Revelation 12

Rev. 12:1–17 Two signs appear in heaven—a woman who gives birth, and a dragon intent on destroying her offspring. Twice John sees the dragon defeated. Both descriptions of what happens afterward describe the woman being protected in the wilderness (vv. 6, 13–17). The first vision (vv. 1–6) portrays a decisive battle at the turning point of history. Christ’s incarnation, obedience, sacrifice, and exaltation forever disqualify Satan from accusing believers (see v. 10). Some interpreters think the second vision (vv. 7–17) represents the same series of events, while others think it portrays events at the beginning of the great tribulation.

Rev. 12:1–2 The woman is a great sign in heaven. Her clothing is the sun, moon, and twelve stars. She symbolizes Israel (compare Joseph’s dream, Gen. 37:9).

Rev. 12:3 The great red dragon is “that ancient serpent, the devil and Satan” (v. 9; compare 20:2; Gen. 3:1–15). Its seven heads with seven diadems and ten horns symbolize great power (compare Dan. 7:6–7; Rev. 13:1).

Rev. 12:4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven. Evil spirits (demons) who are Satan’s allies share his defeat by God’s forces (vv. 7–9). Some interpreters think this refers to the original fall of Satan. They think one-third of the angels rebelled with him (see 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6). The dragon’s desire to devour the woman’s child at birth recalls Gen. 3:15.

Rev. 12:5 The rod of iron (also 2:27; 19:15) is a shepherd’s club, used to shatter the nations like pottery (compare Ps. 2:9).

Rev. 12:6 The child’s mother fled into the wilderness. This symbolizes the church’s complete dependence on God. He protects them from the dragon’s rage (vv. 13–14; compare Ex. 16:13–18; 1 Kings 19:5–8). Some scholars think the time period symbolized as 1,260 days (or “a time, and times, and half a time”; see note on Rev. 11:1–2) began with Christ’s ascension. It will end when God allows the dragon to deceive the nations and gather them against the church (20:7–10). Others understand the “1,260 days” (three and a half years) to represent the second half of the great tribulation. They consider this the same period as the second half of Daniel’s seventieth week (Dan. 9:27). On this view, the woman’s fleeing indicates that during the great tribulation Jewish believers will be persecuted by the Antichrist and will flee into the wilderness (see note on Rev. 11:1–2).

Rev. 12:7 Michael is the archangel and guardian of God’s people (Dan. 10:13; 12:1; Jude 9). Some interpreters think Michael’s battle with the dragon marks the beginning of the “time of trouble” (Dan. 12:1), the great tribulation.

Rev. 12:8–9 The victory of Michael and the holy angels over the dragon and his allies may symbolize Jesus’ triumph on the cross (compare Col. 2:15). It may also reflect the defeat of demonic forces because of Christ’s victory at the cross. Or it may describe the original casting out of Satan and his demons from heaven (see note on Rev. 12:4). The devil (Greek) and Satan (Hebrew) describe a legal opponent, an accuser at law (see vv. 10–11). Some think he was thrown down to the earth indicates increased demonic activity on earth during the great tribulation.

Rev. 12:12 his time is short. Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension began “the kingdom of our God” (v. 10). These events guaranteed the end of Satan’s power.

Rev. 12:14 two wings of the great eagle. A metaphor of the exodus (see Ex. 19:4) becomes an image of God’s care for his church. a time, and times, and half a time. See note on Rev. 11:1–2.

Rev. 12:15 water like a river out of his mouth. The serpent tries to destroy the people of God (sweep her away) by lies and false teaching (compare Gen. 3:13).

Rev. 12:17 The dragon fails to destroy the Messiah (see vv. 4–5) and his mother (that is, Israel; see note on vv. 1–2). So he makes war on the rest of her offspring. Some thinks this refers to the church throughout the ages. Others think it refers to believing Israel (or the remnant in ch. 7). These include all who hold to the testimony of Jesus, all who endure in faithfulness and obedience to the gospel. The dragon’s weapon is the “beast” that emerges from the sea to wage war on the saints (13:2, 7).