Chapter 12 marks the beginning of the last half of the Tribulation Period. The last three and one-half years of the Tribulation Period is called “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7). In verses 1-2, we are introduced to a Woman who symbolized Israel, who was clothed with the sun, and having the moon under her feet, and had a crown of twelve stars. The same Woman was given the blessed privilege to bring forth into the world the Man Child – the Messiah (v. 2). Having introduced Israel, symbolical as the woman, in verses 3-4, a personality called the Dragon is described. The Dragon is none other than Satan, the devil. He is depicted as having seven heads, and ten horns, and seven crowns on his head (v. 3).
In verse 4, Satan in his past rebellion against God, led a host of ungodly angels with him; thus, Satan and his cohorts were cast out of heaven. Verse 4 also revealed that the Dragon (Satan) attempted to destroy the Man Child – Jesus. The Man Child, who is Christ, will one day rule all nations with a rod of Iron (v. 5). Christ will come to put down all enmity, all opposition, all rebellion on earth! Christ will indeed rule with a rod of Iron, and will put to rest the rebellion of this world, for Psalm 2:9 says: “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” The “catching up of the child” relates to Christ’s ascension, where He is now seated on His Heavenly Father’s Throne (Hebrews 1:3).
Having mentioned the Woman (Israel) in verses 1-2, the Dragon (Satan) in verses 3-4, the Man Child (Christ) in verses 5-6, we come now to Satan being cast to the earth from heaven (vv. 7-12). From verses 7-9, we learn of the coming battle in heaven, led by the Archangel Michael, against Satan and his angels. Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven. There will be a fierce struggle between Michael and his angels and Satan and his angels; however, Michael and his angels will prevail. The Lord referred to this incident of Satan’s fall from heaven in Luke 10:18: “And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”
In verse 10, there is great jubilation among the redeemed in heaven when Satan is cast out of heaven. There will be believers on earth who will overcome Satan and his demons by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony (v. 11).
Although the Woman, symbolical of Israel, who became a special object of Satan’s persecution (v. 13), will be greatly protected by the Lord during the last half of the Tribulation Period. God will protect and nourish Israel in view of the Dragon’s fierce persecution (vv. 14-17).
May God Bless!
