Chuck Smith: The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ - Chapter 12

Pastor Chuck Smith explores Revelation 12, highlighting key figures such as Israel symbolized as a woman and Satan as the great red dragon. He explains Satan’s opposition to Jesus—from attempts to destroy Him at birth to His victory on the cross—and foreshadows the coming war between Michael and Satan during the Great Tribulation. Pastor Chuck emphasizes Jesus as our advocate against Satan’s accusations, the persecution of Israel, God’s refuge for His people in the wilderness, and the ultimate victory believers have through Christ.

The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ - Chapter 12

The Enemy of God

Let’s turn now to the 12th chapter of the Book of Revelation as we continue our journey through the Bible.

In this chapter, we are introduced to several key personages.

John writes: “There appeared a great wonder in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.”

The woman represents the nation of Israel. Some suggest the woman is the Church, but that is not correct. In Genesis, we’re told of Joseph’s dream: first, of the sheaves of grain where his brothers’ sheaves bowed down to his; and then the second dream where the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to him. Jacob interpreted this as Joseph’s mother, father, and brothers. That imagery—the sun, moon, and stars—points to Israel. Thus, the woman here in Revelation 12 represents Israel, the nation through whom the Messiah came.

God chose Abraham and promised that through his seed all nations would be blessed. Later, God confirmed this promise to David, identifying the tribe and family through which the Messiah would come. Paul affirms this in Romans, saying that to Israel were given the covenants, the law, the worship, and from them, according to the flesh, came Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever.

The Great Red Dragon

John continues: “There appeared another wonder in heaven: behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. His tail drew a third part of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman, ready to devour her child as soon as it was born.”

We’re told later in verse 9 who this dragon is: “The great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil and Satan, which deceives the whole world.”

Satan is not the grotesque caricature with horns and a pitchfork—that image came from the Greek god Pan. In truth, Satan was created as one of the most beautiful beings, described in Ezekiel as “perfect in beauty” until pride led to rebellion. Isaiah records Satan’s five “I wills” where he sought to exalt himself above God. In his rebellion, he influenced one-third of the angels, who fell with him (the “stars of heaven” here).

The name “Satan” means “adversary.” He is not God’s equal opposite—God is eternal, omnipotent, and self-existent, while Satan is a created being with limited power.

Satan’s Attempts to Stop the Messiah

Satan opposed the coming of the Messiah and especially sought to keep Him from the cross. Throughout history, Satan tried to wipe out the Jewish people (as in the book of Esther with Haman’s decree). At Jesus’ birth, Herod, driven by paranoia, ordered the slaughter of infants in Bethlehem. Yet God preserved His Son.

The woman brought forth a male child—Christ—“who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.” Jesus ascended to heaven and now sits at the right hand of God, interceding for us as our advocate.

The woman (Israel) flees into the wilderness to a place prepared by God, where she will be nourished for 1,260 days (three and a half years—the latter half of the Tribulation).

War in Heaven

John describes a war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. Satan and his forces were defeated and cast out of heaven to the earth.

Until this time, Satan has access to heaven, as seen in Job where he stood before God, accusing Job. But here, he is permanently cast down, knowing his time is short.

A loud voice in heaven declares: “Now is come salvation, strength, the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ. For the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accused them before God day and night.”

Satan accuses, but Jesus intercedes as our advocate. Romans 8 reminds us: “If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is Christ who died, who also rose again, who is even at the right hand of God, making intercession for us.”

Overcoming the Enemy

Believers overcome Satan in three ways:

1. By the blood of the Lamb – Christ’s victory on the cross defeated Satan.
2. By the word of their testimony – confessing Christ as Lord.
3. By not loving their lives unto death – a willingness to lay down their lives for Christ.

This was the testimony of millions of martyrs during the Roman persecutions. The Greek word for “witness” (martus) is where we get our word “martyr.”

Persecution of Israel

Heaven rejoices, but woe to the earth, for Satan, full of wrath, persecutes the woman (Israel). Throughout history, Satan has inspired antisemitism, from Haman to Hitler. Yet this prophecy points to a future, more intense persecution during the Great Tribulation—the “time of Jacob’s trouble.”

Israel will flee to the wilderness, possibly to Petra in Jordan, where God will protect and provide for them for three and a half years. The dragon will attempt to destroy them, but God will intervene. Failing that, Satan will turn his fury upon the remnant who keep God’s commandments and hold the testimony of Jesus.

Closing Prayer

Father, we thank You for the victory we have through our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Strengthen us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow You—even unto death if necessary.

We pray for a great outpouring of Your Spirit, especially in the coming Harvest Crusade. May many come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

The Lord bless thee and keep thee.
The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Amen.