The Woman and the Dragon
Welcome to the second half of our survey of Revelation. In Chapter 12, we’ll meet the Woman and the Dragon and unravel the mystery of their identity.
Let’s read the first six verses:
“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth.”
“And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.”
Revelation 12:1-6 NKJV
Who is this woman?
- We can be confident she represents the nation of Israel (see Genesis 37:9-11 where Joseph relates his dream of the sun, moon, and stars bowing down to him).
- Additionally, the crown of twelve stars represents the twelve tribes of Israel.
- We also know she is pregnant with Messiah because we read that her male Child will one day rule all nations with a rod of iron (see Psalm 2:7-9).
- Lastly, her flight into the wilderness to a place prepared by God represents Israel’s flight to Petra during the last three-and-a-half years (1,260 days) of the Tribulation. This will happen when the Anti-Christ sets himself up as God in the Jewish temple–referred to as the Abomination of Desolation (read Matthew 24:15-22 HERE).
Who is the dragon?
- Clearly, Satan.
- The reference to the third of the stars swept to earth refers to the third of the angels who left heaven to follow Satan.
- Although the devil has always wanted to destroy Jesus from the time He was born, the risen Christ has ascended to heaven and now sits on His throne next to God’s. (see Acts 1:9-11).
Good versus Evil: War in the Heavenlies
And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 12:7-9 NKJV
After Michael and his warring angels cast Satan and his demons down to earth, a voice of victory cries out from heaven.
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.
Revelation 12:10-12 NKJV
Enraged, Satan seeks to attack Israel more than ever because he knows his end is drawing near. As noted above, Israel flees to Petra where God protects the Jewish nation for the rest of the Tribulation. Although Satan’s attempts to destroy her people fail, he will continue to wage war with her offspring (read HERE).
In conclusion
Isn’t it comforting to know that God has a powerful army of warring angels led by His Arch-Angel Michael? We cannot see the battles being waged in the heavens, but we know from Scripture they do exist. God is directing them, and He always wins. Praise God that He always gives us victory over Satan–both now and in the Tribulation.
Dear Father God, we thank You and give You praise for victory over the enemy. During the Tribulation, we rest in the knowledge that Israel will be protected from Satan. May Your people be strengthened and blessed during this pivotal time in the future. We pray in the Name of our Savior and Messiah, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Woman and the Dragon by Karen Jurgens Copyright © 2024 All Rights Reserved.
Thank you for further unpacking the book of Revelation for your readers Ms. Karen. So few today want to go beyond what they hear on Sunday morning. Your writing gives them an opportunity to dive deeper into God’s Word. Always appreciate your insights and encouragement to do so ma’am.
Thank you, sir, for your words of encouragement. So good to have you back! Now we’ll be doing a deep dive into the most horrific time on earth—here come the Anti-Christ and False Prophet beginning in Chapter 13!
What an interesting message. One thing for sure is that we will not be present during that wicked time.
I’m really enjoying being able to understand Revelations more and easier.
Thank you.
Thanks for your encouragement, dear friend. This last 3.5 years of the Tribulation will be complex, but as we take it slowly, we’ll see lots of details that will clarify God’s future plans. I, too, am very thankful to escape that terrible time. Blessings!