The End? The dragon, the woman and the boy

This 17th study through Revelation focuses on the age-old war between the dragon, the Woman, and her offspring. We will stop at chapter 12 today. A recording will be uploaded to Shofar’s YouTube channel.

If Jesus is victorious, and Satan is defeated, why are things in such a wrong way? This question rang in the minds of the oppressed believers in John’s day – the question that gets answered clearly in chapter 12. The first half of the Revelation focused on the reality of the church (ch 1-3), God’s throne room and Christ’s unfolding reign played out on earth (ch 6-11). Chapter 12 reveals the cosmic battle in heaven, which results in chaos on earth and persecution of the saints.

Revelation 12 depicts an epic war between a woman with a male child and a great red dragon. This scene from the middle of the book is the first of seven “signs” or symbols that explore the depth of the scroll’s message. These seven “signs” depict greater mysteries that govern our world’s realities and are rich in theological substance, helping the church make sense of its struggles on earth. (See 12:1-7; 13:1-10; 13:11-18; 14:1-5; 14:6-13; 14:14-20; and 15:2-4).

You will note again in this chapter that Revelation is not a chronological roll-out of God’s redemptive plan but, in various ways, depicts the church’s struggle with evil throughout history. Although chapter 11 concludes with a picture of the 7th trumpet as God’s Final judgment and victory in the end, chapter 12 revisits the origin of this battle, starting in Eden, in Bethlehem and Jesus’ ministry. But this time, the struggle is shown from heaven’s perspective.

This sign introduces three characters: the Woman, the great red dragon, and the male child. Who are they

The Woman is said to be clothed in the sun, the moon at her feet, having twelve stars around her head – an allusion to Israel in Joseph’s dream (12:1; Genesis 37:9). But there is more: this woman “gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron” (12:5; compare Psalm 2:9) – representing Mary, the mother of Jesus. Furthermore the dragon wages war with the Woman and her offspring – an allusion to the curse on the serpent in the garden of Eden and Eve (12:17; compare Genesis 3:15). And lastly, we read that this Woman’s offspring are “those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (12:17)– meaning that the Woman also represents the church.

The Woman in Revelation 12’s first sign simultaneously represents Israel, Mary, Eve, and the church—God’s redeemed Kingdom people throughout the ages. This is another depiction of the Lamb’s army, or 144’000 from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation depicted in Revelation 7.

The Red Dragon is “great”, with seven heads, seven horns, seven diadems and a large sweeping tail – a picture of full strength and reign. This dragon is “the ancient serpent” of Eden, named “the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world” (12:9). In the chapters to follow, we will see that the Dragon is the source of power behind the beasts (all that is oppressive and intimidating), Babylon the great prostitute (all that is sensual and seductive), and the False Prophet (all that is deceptive). The Red Dragon symbolises all that is oppressing, seducing and deceiving God’s people.

The Male Child is the man Jesus, the Son of God, “one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron… [and] was caught up to God and to his throne” (12:5, compare with Psalm 2:9 and Acts 1:9). This is not meant to be read that Jesus was taken away as a child. Still, these things are said so we may know his and the Woman’s identities. This drama focuses on the battle between the Dragon and the Woman.

The Drama. [Read the full commentary of Revelation in Faithful to the End]