Revelation 12-13: The Conflict and Its Characters
1. The Characters (12:1-6)
a. The Woman (1-2)
i. A great sign appeared in heaven
ii. A woman: clothed with sun, moon under feet, crown of 12 stars
iii. Pregnant and crying out with pain in labor
b. The Dragon (3-4)
i. Another sign appeared in heaven
ii. A red dragon: seven heads, ten horns, seven diadems on his heads
iii. Threw 1/3 of the stars to earth; poised to devour the woman’s child
c. The Child (5-6)
i. Gave birth to a male child who would rule all nations with an iron rod
ii. The child was caught up to the throne of God.
iii. The woman fled into the wilderness for 1,260 days.
2. The Conflict (12:7-17)
a. In Heaven (7-12)
i. Michael and his angels fought the dragon and his angels.
ii. The dragon, Satan, and his angels were cast out and thrown to earth.
iii. A loud voice in heaven proclaimed:
1. Salvation has come; the accuser has been cast out.
2. Saints overcame by the Lamb’s blood - faithful even to death
3. Rejoice in heavens – Woe to the earth – Devil’s time is short
b. On Earth (13-17)
i. After he was cast down, the dragon persecuted the woman.
1. The woman was given wings to fly into the wilderness.
2. She remained in her place for times, times, and half a time.
3. The serpent sent a flood of water, but the earth swallowed it.
ii. The enraged dragon went to make war with her other children.
1. Those who keep the commandments of God
2. Those who hold to the testimony of Jesus
3. The Collaborators (13:1-18)
a. The Beast from the Sea (1-10)
i. The dragon stood on the shore, and a beast came up out of the sea.
1. Ten horns, seven heads, ten diadems on his horns
2. On his head were blasphemous names
3. Beast was like a leopard, bear’s feet, lion’s mouth
ii. The dragon gave the beast his power, throne, and great authority.
1. One head appeared slain, but its fatal wound was healed.
2. The world marveled and worshipped the beast and the dragon.
iii. His mouth spoke arrogant words and blasphemies.
1. He was given authority to continue 42 months.
2. He blasphemed God, His name, His tabernacle (those in heaven)
iv. Given power to make war with the saints and overcome them.
1. Given authority over every tribe, people, tongue, and nation.
2. Everyone not written in Book of Life will worship him.
v. If anyone has an ear to hear, let him hear.
1. The captor shall go into captivity; the killer shall be killed.
2. Here is the perseverance and faith of the saints.
b. The Beast from the Earth (11-18)
i. Beast coming out of the earth: two lamb’s horns, spoke as a dragon
1. Exercises all the authority of first beast in his presence
2. Causes those who dwell on earth to worship the first beast
ii. He performs great signs, making fire come down before men.
1. Deceives men by his signs
2. Commands men to make an image to the first beast
3. The beast gives breath to image of the first beast
a. The image of the beast speaks
b. The image causes those who will not worship to be killed
iii. He causes all to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead.
1. No one may buy or sell without the mark or number of beast.
2. Here is wisdom: Number of beast is number of a man – 666