The Cosmic Conflict between Christ and Satan (Rev. 12:1–14:20)

Note: The following is taken from The Gospel Coalition's Study. For fuller resources, please visit TGC's homepage. Any study of the book of the Bible should be done with patience and perseverance. I hope this additional section helps to broaden and challenge our reading of the Bible.

The Cosmic Conflict between Christ and Satan (Rev. 12:1–14:20)

The Place of the Passage

Revelation 12 is the pivot point of the book of Revelation. Revelation 1–11 have shown us the conflict the churches face within (e.g., false teachers) and without (e.g., the Roman empire). Now we get a clear view of the spiritual reality behind and beneath that conflict. Revelation 12–14 identifies the main enemies of Christians: the devil, the beast from the sea, the beast from the earth, and Babylon. Then, in Revelation 15–22, we see those enemies destroyed, in reverse order: Babylon, the beasts, and finally Satan himself. The dominoes are set up and then toppled.

The Big Picture

This pivotal section of Revelation shows the satanic opposition Christians face but also reminds readers that, through the work of Jesus, Satan has already been defeated.

Reflection and Discussion

Read through the complete passage for this study, Revelation 12:1–14:20. Then record your responses to the following questions. (For further background, see the ESV Study Bible, pages 2479–2484, available online at www.esvbible.org.)

There are three main characters in the opening vision of Revelation 12:1–6: a woman in labor, a male child, and a great red dragon. Compare Revelation 12:1 with Joseph’s dream in Genesis 37:9. Whom do you think the woman symbolizes? Compare the description of the male child with the description of God’s Messiah in Psalm 2:9. Who is the male child? Compare Revelation 12:3 and Revelation 12:9. Who is the great red dragon?

In Revelation 12:1–6, we see there is a conflict deeper than the one between God’s people (the woman) and Satan (the dragon), namely, the conflict between Satan and Christ. Satan seeks to destroy Jesus (compare Matt. 2:16–18). According to Revelation 12:5, what is the outcome of this conflict? Who wins?

Revelation 12:5 gives a broad-brush overview of Jesus’ victory over Satan, moving immediately from his birth to his resurrection and ascension to God’s heavenly throne. In Revelation 12:7–12, we’re granted another perspective on the conflict between Jesus and Satan, with more details filled in. The loud voice in Revelation 12:10 announces God’s victory and Satan’s defeat. Noting that Satan is described as “the accuser of our brothers . . . , who accuses them day and night before our God,” how do Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension defeat Satan’s accusations of believers before God?

Revelation 12:11 describes Christians who “conquer” the devil even though he kills them (compare the same word “conquer” in Rev. 13:7)! In what sense do believers conquer Satan? Do they look to the world like conquerors?

How might Revelation 12:12 encourage Christians suffering the fierce attacks of Satan? Does the dragon’s anger show that he is winning . . . or losing? How does Revelation 12:13–17 emphasize God’s protection and care for his people?

In Revelation 13, we meet two agents of Satan’s plans: the beast from the sea (Rev. 13:1–10) and the beast from the land (Rev. 13:11–18), also known as the false prophet (compare Rev. 16:13; 19:20; 20:10). The beast from the sea may point ultimately toward an end-time individual (the Antichrist in 1 John 2:18, or the “man of lawlessness” in 2 Thess. 2:3–4). But there are also surely partial fulfillments represented by anti-Christian governments throughout this age (note the multiple kingdoms represented by the four beasts from the sea in Daniel 7—beasts that are remarkably similar to the beast in Rev. 13:1–2). Even more immediately, in John’s day the beast symbolizes the Roman empire, and its recovery from a “mortal wound” symbolizes the wildly fluctuating fortunes of Rome in the period after Nero’s death. The second beast, the “false prophet,” refers to the cult of the worship of the Roman emperor, since the false prophet is said to make “the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast” (Rev. 13:12). But again, this beast also finds partial fulfillment in the false religions, philosophies, and ideologies that arise throughout this present age.

In Revelation 14:1–5, we meet the 144,000 for the second time (compare Rev. 7:1–8). As with their first appearance, the 144,000 most likely represent all God’s people, not just Jewish believers who have trusted in Jesus during the great tribulation. They are depicted as God’s holy army (Rev. 7:3–8; 14:1–5)—an army that conquers, ironically, by being faithful unto death. How does Revelation 14:6–20 emphasize God’s sovereign provision for his people? To what does it call God’s people? (See Rev. 14:12; compare Rev. 13:10.)

Read through the following three sections on Gospel Glimpses, Whole-Bible Connections, and Theological Soundings. Then take time to consider the Personal Implications these sections may have for you.

Gospel Glimpses

NO ACCUSATION WILL STAND.

Before the cross and resurrection of Jesus, Satan could accuse God’s people by arguing that their sin hadn’t been atoned for, since the blood of bulls and goats wasn’t sufficient for the task and God had simply “passed over” the sins of his people, that is, taken no action of any kind with regard to them (see Rom. 3:25). But through Jesus’ death, God made full atonement for the sins of his people. After the cross, Satan’s grounds for accusation are demonstrably invalid. He accuses in vain. This is why the voice from heaven says, “the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down” (Rev. 12:10). Satan’s power has been decisively broken.

AN ETERNAL GOSPEL.

The “gospel,” which in Greek means “good news,” is the declaration that God through Christ extends a gracious offer of righteousness to those who will receive it. But Revelation 14:6–13 helps us understand another aspect of the gospel. John sees an angel flying overhead, “with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth” (Rev. 14:6). The following verses call people to fear God in light of his judgment (Rev. 14:7), which is graphically described in Revelation 14:8–11. We learn in this passage that while the gospel is truly the good news of God’s wonderful mercy, it also has a “judicial” side—the message of God’s perfect, totally righteous justice, displayed in full retribution for our sins, visited upon Jesus in our place on the cross.

Whole-Bible Connections

THE 1,260 DAYS.

Revelation 12:6 says the woman (God’s people) was nourished in the wilderness for 1,260 days, or (in v. 14) “for a time, and times, and half a time” (if “a time” equals one year, that’s 3-1/2 years, equivalent to 1,260 days). We’ve already seen in Revelation 11:2 that the temple is trampled for 42 months (again, equivalent to 1,260 days), and that the two witnesses in Revelation 11:3 prophesy for 1,260 days. Why all these references to 3-1/2 years = 42 months = 1,260 days? As with most symbols in Revelation, the answer is found in the Old Testament background. The phrase “a time, times, and half a time” comes from Daniel 7:25 and 12:7, where it refers to a period of tribulation for God’s people. In Revelation, this tribulation is understood to have begun already with the first coming of Jesus, lasting until his return. The wilderness of this world (Rev. 12:6) therefore has a dual character. It is a time of tribulation and testing, but also of divine provision. The woman in Revelation 12 “flees” to the wilderness because she is in danger. But she goes to a place “prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished.”

GOD’S SON, THE MESSIAH.

Psalm 2 is one of the great messianic psalms in the Psalter. It speaks of God choosing David and his descendants as the royal house of Israel, and it calls the nations to receive the blessing God originally promised them through Israel (see Gen. 12:1–3) by submitting to David and his heirs. All nations who reject the rule of God and his anointed King (Ps. 2:1–3) will incur the wrath of God (vv. 4–6) instead of the blessing that God would pour out on them through their submission (vv. 10–12). Psalm 2 is interpreted as a reference to Jesus in the New Testament (see Heb. 1:5), and it also stands behind Revelation 11:18 and 12:5. The message of the allusions is that Jesus is the true King who brings God’s judgment and blessing to the world.

Theological Soundings

SATANIC IMITATION.

In Revelation 12:9, Satan is called “the deceiver of the whole world.” He attempts to destroy God’s people by pouring water “like a river out of his mouth” (Rev. 12:15), probably a reference to his deceptive words. So, it is not surprising that Satan attempts to deceive the world by imitating God. Note the following striking parallels between God and Satan (see the ESV Study Bible, page 2481): (1) God exists as a Trinity: Father, Son, and Spirit; there is also a false satanic trinity comprised of the dragon, the beast from the sea, and the beast from the land. (2) The Lamb was killed and then raised to life; in parallel, the beast from the sea recovers from a mortal wound. (3) God seals his saints, writing his name on their foreheads (Rev. 14:1); the beast from the land requires his servants to receive his mark on their right hand or forehead (Rev. 13:16). (4) The church is represented as a bride clothed in white; and the world kingdoms (in particular, the city of Rome) are represented as a prostitute clothed in purple and scarlet. Satan operates through imitative deception; he disguises himself as an angel of light, and Jesus’ followers should expect similar tactics from Satan’s servants (2 Cor. 11:14–15).

HELL.

Revelation 14:11 provides a sobering picture of God’s eternal judgment of his enemies: “And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” This description indicates two things. First, hell lasts forever for the human enemies of God, just as it does for the devil (compare Rev. 20:10). Second, those who exist in hell are not annihilated, but rather experience eternal, conscious suffering (the word for “torment” is always used in Revelation to indicate conscious suffering, never annihilation).

Personal Implications

Take time to reflect on the implications of Revelation 12:1–14:20 for your own life today. Consider what you have learned that might lead you to praise God, repent of sin, and trust more deeply in his gracious promises. Note the personal implications for your walk with the Lord in light of the (1) Gospel Glimpses, (2) Whole-Bible Connections, (3) Theological Soundings, and (4) this passage as a whole.

(1) Gospel Glimpses

(2) Whole-Bible Connections

(3) Theological Soundings

(4) Revelation 12:1–14:20

As You Finish This Unit . . .

Take a moment now to ask for the Lord’s blessing and help as you continue in this study of Revelation. And take a moment also to look back through this unit of study, to reflect on some key things that the Lord may be teaching you, and to note things to review again in the future.

Revelation: A 12-Week Study © 2015 by Stephen Witmer. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.