12:7 was (a-3) It took place then, as ch. 11.15. war (b-14) Lit. 'to go to war,' i.e. infinitive. fought, (c-21) Same word (not mood) as 'went to war,' but this is the attack. Hence I have said 'fought.' They tried to hold their ground, did not flee. read more
12:9 Satan, (d-17) Lit. 'the Satan' ('adversary'). see Job 1:6 . read more
The Woman and the Man-Child. The DragonThe persecution which the Church had already suffered, and which was about to burst forth again, is the great fact which underlies the whole ’Revelation.’ The sufferings of the Church and its members have been referred to again and again, particularly in Revelation 11:1-13. In the ’seals’ and the ’trumpets’ the Church has been assured, in a broad and general manner, that God’s judgments will fall upon the world of wickedness, and that the ungodly will bow... read more
THE WAR IN HEAVEN.(7) And there was war . . .—Translate, And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels. This is one of those passages which has ever been regarded as more or less perplexing. It has afforded material for many poetic fancies, and has been the occasion of much speculative interpretation. We shall fail to catch the spirit of its meaning if we insist upon detaching the passage from its context; and the more so that... read more
(8) And prevailed not . . .—Better, And their power failed them, and not even was place for them found any more in the heaven. The result of the war was the dragon’s defeat. The whole power of the evil hosts failed them. There is an inherent weakness in evil: a spot which may be touched whereupon all its vaunted strength withers. So complete was the overthrow, that even their place knew them no more. “I went by, and, lo! he was gone; I sought him, but he could nowhere be found.” read more
(9) And the great dragon . . .—Better, And he was thrown down, the great dragon, the ancient serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan: he who deceives the whole world was thrown to the earth, and his angels were thrown with him. Thus the victory of Christ is marked by the overthrow of the great adversary. The stronger than the strong one has come, and taken away his armour (Luke 11:21-22). The death-blow is given. The prince of this world (who found nothing in Christ) is judged (John... read more
St. Michael and All Angels Revelation 12:7 Tradition says that the Feast of St. Michael and all Angels was first celebrated in the fourth century; but history states that its general observance did not occur until the eighth century, when it became an annual festival. Since then the Eastern Church has observed it on 8th November; the Anglican Church on 29th September. The belief in angelic creatures has been a favourite article in the universal creed, but the most unequivocal and direct... read more
CHAPTER IX.THE FIRST GREAT ENEMY OF THE CHURCH.Revelation 12:1-17.THE twelfth chapter of the Revelation of St John has been felt by every commentator to be one more than usually difficult to interpret, and that whether we look at it in relation to its special purpose, or to its position in the structure of the book. If we can satisfy ourselves as to the first of these two points, we shall be better able to form correct notions as to the second. Turning then for a moment to chap. 13, we find it... read more
12:7 And there was war in heaven: {14} Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,(14) Christ is the Prince of angels and head of the Church, who bears that iron rod Revelation 12:5 . Also see Geneva "Daniel 12:1". In this verse a description of the battle and of the victory in the two verses following Revelation 12:8-9 . The psalmist noted this battle as did Paul; Psalms 68:9 Ephesians 4:8 Colossians 2:15 . read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 12:9
Here God identified the dragon as Satan. He called him the "great dragon" because he is fierce and cruel in nature. The title "serpent of old" stresses his crafty and subtle character (cf. Revelation 20:2; Genesis 3:1-5; 2 Corinthians 11:3). The name "Devil" means accuser or slanderer."This name for the evil one would have made a specially strong impact in the first century, for there was a well-known and well-hated figure called the delator, the paid informer. He made his living by accusing... read more