John, who wrote the bibles book of revelation, was the longest living apostle. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. The book of revelation is addressed to believers, his servants, of the churches in seven citiesof the roman province of asia. And she was crying out in her pains and in her agony to give birth. Is the war in heaven in revelation 12 describing satans. And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. The following historical events were significant to john the apostle and his audience.
The virgin of guadalupe displays the sun, moon, and stars symbolism of the woman of revelation 12. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. In revelation, johns visions reveal that jesus has overcome evil by. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. In this 12week study, stephen witmer helps readers understand and appreciate revelations core message. In most of chapters 1214 of revelation, john makes a restatement of the second half of the 70th week just as he did in chapter 11. Revelation 12 is one of these overviews, providing a history stretching from the time before humans existed until the time just before christs return as king of kings and lord of lords. Many things happen in this chapter that most christians are simply not aware of and it is vital for all of us to gain quality understanding on this. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online.
As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. On three separate occasions, revelation makes reference to beasts that have a common description. A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. The horns are a symbol of power and the crowns are a representation of authority. This can lead the reader to expect this pattern to continue. The last great angelic battle and satans ultimate expulsion from heaven are described in revelation 12. And i saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Revelation 12 kjv and there appeared a great wonder in bible. David guzik commentary on revelation 12 explains the woman, the child, and the dragon, and the conflict in heaven between michael and the dragon. This name indicates the meaning of revelation it uncovers matters that had been hidden and discloses events that would happen long after it was written. Dec 14, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. The emblem of the church militant and the woman, there is the frailty of her nature.
The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Many of the events described in revelation 611 seem to be chronological in order. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Revelation 12 king james version kjv 12 and there appeared a great wonder in heaven. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. The book of revelation is a vision from jesus christ, given to him by god the father, which reveals what. For example, the seven heads of the beast are said to be both seven mountains rev.
Geneva study bible 8 and i turned to k see the voice that spake with me. Revelation 12 kjv and there appeared a great wonder in. Initially, however, two signs are seena woman and an enormous red dragonindicating that they are not literal but, rather, are symbolic of other things, which were present in the world long ago. Revelation 12 niv the woman and the dragon a great sign. John is told to write down everything god shows him, and boy is god going to show him some strange things. The 70th week of daniel daniel 9 the 70th week of daniel.
She is being pursued by a great red dragon, whose tail has swept a third of the stars from heaven and cast them to earth. The dragon spoken of in revelation 12 is clearly satan, who desires to destroy israel and her child, jesus christ. Those churches were in ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadephia, and laodicea. God hits him with a doozy of a revelation hey, thats not a bad idea for a title. The vision of the woman clothed with the sun and of the great dragon her persecutor. Revelation 12 niv bible a great sign appeared in heaven. The third symbol of revelation 12a great, fiery red dragon verse 3is described as having drawn a third of the stars of heaven and standing before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her child as soon as it was born verse 4. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. Revelation chapter 12 contains a description of a woman, who is clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars atop her head. It also reveals that god will protect israel in the wilderness. From as early as justin martyr in the second century a. The book of revelation often called the revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words, the apocalypse, the revelation, or simply revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible.
A commentary on the book of revelation chapter 12 the. During this period gods hand was over the church preserving it from extinction. This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. Enduring word bible commentary revelation chapter 12. Revelation 12 and the woman clothed with the sun duration. The book is also written to all believers everywhere. They change the persona of jesus to god, defiling the first commandments. In this passage, john sees a great war between michael and the angels of god and the dragon satan and his fallen angels or demons that will take place in the end times.
It is clear that revelation, chapter 12 is written from the perspective of the end of the age shortly before the return of christ to establish his heavenly fathers government on earth. Revelation 1 new international version niv prologue. A few verses later, this dragon is clearly identified as satan. He is the dragon that deceived the world since 200 ad. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. Jesus christ has already defeated satan, sin, and death on our behalf a truth that gives us great hope for the future. A commentary on the book of revelation chapter 12 the woman. Biblical scholars agree that the third of the stars he swept from the sky represents the angels that he tempted to follow him in his rebellion against god revelation 12. The woman in revelation 12 is part of the fusion imagerypolyvalent symbolism that is found in the book. Chapters 12 to 14 are explanatory prophecies that describe some of the major personages and movements of the latter half of the tribulation period. Who are the woman, child and dragon in revelation 12. Polyvalent symbolism, in which symbols have more than one meaning, also is part of revelations imagery.
Revelation 12, new international version niv the bible app. The book is traditionally attributed to john the apostle, but the precise identity of the author remains a point of academic debate. This peculiar description clearly must have some meaning, and fortunately this is one of the few cases where revelation provides some explanation for its own imagery. Douayrheims bible, apocalypse revelation chapter 12. Attridge, sterling professor of divinity and david l. Revelation 12 is the twelfth chapter of the book of revelation or the apocalypse of john in the new testament of the christian bible.
And being with child, she cried travailing in birth, and was in pain to be delivered. The tapestry of this 12th chapter of the revelation first introduces the woman that produces the messiah 12. The woman represents israel, and her child is christ, the messiah compare 12. First, the dragon pursues the woman about to give birth, but her son is saved and caught up to god and his throne rev 12. Hes just a mildmannered christian guy living in exile whenpow. Revelation 12 new international version niv biblica. The seven heads and ten horns picture a terrifying image of great power, authority, knowledge, and strength. The book of revelation has been a source of both great encouragement and great confusion to christians throughout the centuries. The book of revelation contains a passage in which st. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. Revelation 12, new king james version nkjv the bible app.