The Pulpit Commentary on Revelation 12:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

This chapter commences another series of revelations. Again St. John returns to the beginning, and traces the spiritual history of the Church and the Christian in their warfare with Satan. But the visions which now follow are somewhat different in character from those already related, inasmuch as the conflict is now described rather as between the powers of heaven and hell than between the individual Christian and his oppressors. As with the other visions, so here, the recital seems calculated to support the suffering Christian in his trials, since the overthrow of the powers of darkness is foretold; and the whole series culminates in an account of the final abasement of the devil, and the exaltation of the Church and the bliss of heaven.

The following analysis will help to make clear the relation of the several parts of the vision.

I. THE ORIGIN OF THE ENMITY BETWEEN CHRIST AND THE WORLD. (Revelation 12:7-13.)

II. THE PROGRESS OF THE WARFARE.

1. The assaults of the devil.

2. The overthrow and punishment of the devil. (Revelation 20:1-10.)

3. The victory of the faithful. (Revelation 14:13; Revelation 19:1-10; Revelation 21:1-27.; 22.)

More for Revelation 12:1-17

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Revelation 12:1-6Revelation 12:1-6 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe church, under the emblem of a woman, the mother of believers, was seen by the apostle in vision, in heaven. She was clothed with the sun, justified, sanctified, and shining by union with Christ, the Sun of Righteous…The Woman and the Dragon. (a. d. 95.)Revelation 12:1-11 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE WOMAN AND THE DRAGON. (A. D. 95.) Here we see that early prophecy eminently fulfilled in which God said he would put enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, Genesis 3:15. You will observe,…The Pulpit Commentary on Revelation 12:1Revelation 12:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryAnd there appeared a great wonder; and a great sign was seen (Revised Version). This sign consists of the whole of the appearances, the account of which is contained in this verse and the following one. The vision is th…The Pulpit Commentary on Revelation 12:1-17Revelation 12:1-17 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe foes of God and of his Church. "That old serpent." In previous chapters of this book there have been hints of sundry evil forces which would at divers times harass the Church of God. Who they would be, or what, or h…The Pulpit Commentary on Revelation 12:1-6Revelation 12:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentarySigns. It has been wisely said, "The Revelation of St. John gives no regularly progressive disclosure of the future, advancing in unbroken series from beginning to end; but it falls into a number of groups, which, indee…The Pulpit Commentary on Revelation 12:1-6Revelation 12:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentarySocial Christhood and social fiendhood. "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven," etc. What strange objects the human imagination can create, or in a passive state receive! What a remarkable dream or vision this is…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Revelation 12:1-6The church, under the emblem of a woman, the mother of believers, was seen by the apostle in vision, in heaven. She was clothed with the sun, justified, sanctified, and shining by union with Christ, the Sun of Righteous…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Woman and the Dragon. (a. d. 95.)THE WOMAN AND THE DRAGON. (A. D. 95.) Here we see that early prophecy eminently fulfilled in which God said he would put enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, Genesis 3:15. You will observe,…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Revelation 12:1-6Social Christhood and social fiendhood. "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven," etc. What strange objects the human imagination can create, or in a passive state receive! What a remarkable dream or vision this is…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Revelation 12:1-6Signs. It has been wisely said, "The Revelation of St. John gives no regularly progressive disclosure of the future, advancing in unbroken series from beginning to end; but it falls into a number of groups, which, indee…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Revelation 12:1-17The foes of God and of his Church. "That old serpent." In previous chapters of this book there have been hints of sundry evil forces which would at divers times harass the Church of God. Who they would be, or what, or h…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Revelation 12:1And there appeared a great wonder; and a great sign was seen (Revised Version). This sign consists of the whole of the appearances, the account of which is contained in this verse and the following one. The vision is th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Revelation 12:2And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. The present, "crieth," κρὰζει, is found in א, A, P, Coptic, Andreas in a et bav., etc.; the imperfect, ἐκράζεν, is read in C, Vulgate,…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Revelation 12:3And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and there was seen another sign in heaven (Revised Version). (See on Revelation 12:1.) The appearance seen is not a representation of the devil as he actually is, but the sig…Joseph S. Exell and contributors