Revelation 12:13-17 ESV
And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.
The woman who gave birth to the male child must be Israel. The Savior was born through this nation.
The eagle's wings denote the protection and provision of The Lord. This imagery is used a number of times in Scripture. Safety and nourishment are found under the protective wing of The Lord.
Satan is called both the dragon and the serpent in this passage. Pharaoh of Egypt was referred to as the dragon of the Nile. Pharaoh was the man who claimed to be god and saw himself as supreme.
The image and role of the serpent was cast in Genesis as crafty and deceptive. The horses of the locusts have tails like serpents which can refer to those that lead others astray. The horses may remind us of the judgement pronounced in the first four seals of the four horseman. We can see here the consistency of how symbols are used in the Bible.
The serpent attempts to harm the woman with a flood. God confirms that He will not destroy mankind with a flood and testifies to this covenant with the rainbow. Just as The Lord parted the Red Sea to allow Israel passage and escape from Pharaoh, He will provide protection to Israel that will swallow the flood that issues from the mouth of the serpent. The Lord parted the Jordan River to allow Israel to enter the promised land.
The dragon is enraged and focuses on the woman's offspring, identified as the church through its description: "on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus." He persecutes the church to this day.
There is some difference of opinion as who is standing on the sand, and whether the verse should be at the end of Chapter 12 or at the beginning of Chapter 13. It would make sense the one spoken of is Satan. John gives witness to the vision he saw. It is the fallen dragon who finds himself on the earth. He stands beside the sea which represents humanity. He stands on a foundation of sand, on the shaky ground of rebellion. From the edge of that sea he will call forth a beast, and a second beast from the earth. The beast from the earth may point to a religious leader, or one that serves the dragon in that office. The second beast calls for the worship of the first beast. Many will.
Genesis 3:15
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise his heel.”
Isaiah 40:31
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Daniel 7:25-27
He shall speak words against the Most High,
and shall wear out the saints of the Most High,
and shall think to change the times and the law;
and they shall be given into his hand
for a time, times, and half a time.
But the court shall sit in judgment,
and his dominion shall be taken away,
to be consumed and destroyed to the end.
And the kingdom and the dominion
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;
his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey him. ’
Isaiah 8:7-8
therefore, behold, the Lord is bringing up against them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will rise over all its channels and go over all its banks, and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.”
John 8:44-47
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
1 Peter 5:8-11
Be sober- minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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