Revelation 12:1–17

Revelation 12:1–17

Satan Defeated (1–9)

Have you ever wondered if Satan will be victorious over God’s people? Sometimes circumstances seem so bleak that we are tempted to think — if even for a second — that in the end Satan will have the upper hand. Rest assured that he won’t. A child born to a woman will take care of him.

In this passage John depicts a woman in labor, about to give birth. Yet she is threatened by a powerful dragon. Judging by appearances, it seems the dragon has the upper hand. He will devour the child. After all, he is more powerful than a baby, right? What hope does a baby have over a dragon? However, this is not your average baby. This is Jesus Christ. The dragon, Satan himself, has no power over Jesus.

The picture of Jesus’ birth in Revelation 12:1–5 echoes Micah 5:2: “Therefore He shall give them up until the time when she who was in labor has given birth; then the rest of His brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And He shall stand and shepherd the flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they shall dwell securely, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth” (see also Ps. 72:8; Zech. 9:10). The woman in this picture is Mary, “the maiden of Israel, the daughter of Zion, who gave birth to Jesus” (from James Hamilton’s “Revelation: The Spirit Speaks to the Churches”). The birth of Jesus is the fulfillment of the central Old Testament hope: a child who would redeem God’s people and rule over the entire world (Ps. 2). Satan has no power over this child — none whatsoever (Rev. 12:3–4).

In fact, this child is the promised seed of the woman who will deal a crushing blow to Satan (Gen. 3:15). Satan looks like he has all the advantages. But appearances are deceiving. This small child is the King of the cosmos. There is no way He is going to be eaten by a stinking dragon.

John then says the child will be “caught up” to heaven (Rev. 12: 5). This brings to mind the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. When Jesus died, it appeared Satan had won. But again, appearances are deceiving. The tomb could not hold Jesus. He rose, declaring victory over death.

Do you believe in Jesus’ victorious blow to Satan? The one who believes this message — this gospel — also has victory over Satan. The unbeliever, however, will be swallowed up by death.

The Lamb Praised (10–12)

On the basis of Christ’s victory, Satan is driven from heaven and cast down to earth (vv. 8–10). The saints on the earth will not be defeated by Satan, for they have overcome him with “the blood of the Lamb” (v. 11). As the lamb’s blood in the exodus story protected Israel from the plague of death (Ex. 12), Christians are shielded from Satan’s wrath by the blood of Jesus. But woe to those who have not trusted in Christ, for they will experience Satan’s hot wrath (Rev. 12:12).

Death Sought (13–17)

Though Satan has been defeated, he does not give up. He now pursues the woman, a pursuit that symbolizes his persecution of the Church, Hamilton writes. But Satan will not have victory over God’s people. He will make war with them, but he will lose. In fact, he has already lost. Jesus has defeated him on the cross.

Christians therefore have nothing to fear. Satan — that ugly dragon — cannot defeat us. He will stand “on the sand of the sea,” desiring to devour us (v. 17). But as he could not swallow Christ, so will he not be able to swallow us. We will savor the sweet victory of eternal life with Christ.