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The
Woman, the Dragon, and the Child
(Revelation 12:1–6)
Introduction:
Revelation 12 begins the second major section of John’s
vision, portraying the unseen spiritual battle behind the
church’s persecution. This lesson reveals God’s power,
Satan’s rage, and the triumph of faith through Christ’s
birth and victory.
The
Setting and the Transition
We have reached the midpoint of Revelation. Chapters 1–11
revealed God’s control over earthly kingdoms and His
protection of the faithful under persecution. The churches
in Asia—Ephesus through Laodicea—were suffering under the
Roman Empire’s demand to worship the emperor. Through
symbolic visions, God assured them that persecution would
not last forever. Now in chapter 12, John begins a new
vision cycle that repeats the same message with different
symbols: Satan’s hatred of God’s people and the Lord’s
ultimate victory.
The
Great Sign in Heaven: The Woman
John writes, “Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman
clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on
her head a garland of twelve stars.” The woman is not
literal but symbolic of God’s faithful people through whom
the Messiah came. She represents the faithful remnant of
Israel—the lineage of believers who preserved God’s promises
until Christ’s birth. Micah 5:2–3 foretold that out of
Bethlehem would come the ruler of Israel, born through the
woman in labor. She embodies God’s people awaiting
redemption, clothed in glory, crowned with the twelve
tribes, and bearing the promise of the Savior.
The
Birth of the Messiah
Verse 2 describes the woman “crying out in labor and in pain
to give birth.” This image signifies the centuries of
longing, struggle, and expectation as faithful Israel
awaited the coming of Christ. The birth of the child
fulfills prophecy after prophecy, including the one in Micah
5. The Messiah’s birth was the culmination of God’s plan
through that faithful remnant, preserved generation after
generation.
The
Great Red Dragon
John then sees “another sign in heaven: a great fiery red
dragon having seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on
his heads.” Scripture identifies the dragon plainly as Satan
(Revelation 12:9). His color represents bloodshed and war.
The seven heads signify intelligence and craftiness, the ten
horns symbolize power, and the crowns represent authority
over the world of wickedness. Satan is powerful, cunning,
and determined to destroy all that belongs to God. His tail
sweeping a third of the stars from heaven depicts his
far-reaching influence and the angels who fell with him.
Satan’s Attack on the Child
The dragon stood before the woman, ready to devour her child
as soon as it was born. This recalls Herod’s slaughter of
the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16–18). Satan’s intent
was to destroy the Messiah before He could accomplish
redemption. But he failed. Verse 5 declares, “She bore a
male child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.”
This fulfills Psalm 2:7–9, where God declares His Son will
reign with divine authority. Satan could not stop Christ’s
mission. Even the crucifixion—what Satan thought was his
victory—became his defeat when Jesus rose from the dead and
ascended to the throne of God.
The
Woman’s Flight into the Wilderness
Verse 6 says, “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.” The
wilderness represents God’s protection. As Moses, Elijah,
and others were sustained in their wilderness trials, so the
church would be nourished and preserved through persecution.
The time period—1,260 days or three and a half
years—signifies a limited season of hardship. God’s people
are never abandoned; He provides for them during every
trial.
Faithful Through the Conflict
Revelation 12 teaches that while Satan’s power is real,
God’s control is greater. Satan’s rage against the woman and
her offspring reflects the persecution of the church in the
first century. Yet God promises victory to the faithful. He
has already defeated the dragon through the resurrection and
enthronement of His Son. The command remains the same as in
Revelation 2:10: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give
you the crown of life.”
The
Woman, the Dragon, and the Child Sermon Outline:
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Introduction
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1. The Great Sign in Heaven: The Woman
(vv. 1–2)
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Represents faithful Israel, the remnant awaiting the
Messiah.
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Clothed with the sun, crowned with twelve
stars—God’s glorified people.
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Prophecy fulfilled through Micah 5:2–3.
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2. The Birth of the Messiah (v. 2, 5)
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Symbolic of Christ’s coming through pain and
expectation.
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Fulfillment of God’s eternal promise (Galatians
4:4).
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The Messiah to rule all nations with a rod of iron
(Psalm 2:9).
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3. The Great Red Dragon (v. 3)
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Symbol of Satan’s anger, deception, and worldly
authority.
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Seven heads = cunning; ten horns = power; crowns =
false dominion.
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His tail sweeping stars = fallen angels under his
influence.
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4. Satan’s Attempt and Failure (vv. 4–5)
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Dragon seeks to destroy the child—Herod’s massacre,
Satan’s schemes.
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Christ’s death and resurrection defeat Satan’s plan.
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The child caught up to God = Christ’s ascension and
reign.
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5. The Woman’s Flight into the Wilderness
(v. 6)
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Represents the church protected by God.
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Wilderness = refuge, not abandonment (Exodus 16; 1
Kings 19:4–8).
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God sustains His people during persecution
(Revelation 11:2–3).
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6. The Message for the Church
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God’s faithful remnant is always preserved.
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Satan’s power is limited; God’s protection is
complete.
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The call to faithfulness remains unchanged
(Revelation 2:10).
Call to Action:
Revelation 12 reminds us that God’s people are never alone.
Satan still wages war, but his defeat was sealed at the
cross. We must be faithful even in times of trial, trusting
that God provides refuge for His people. Enter into Christ
through the new birth, remain steadfast, and look forward to
the crown of righteousness promised to all who overcome.
Key
Takeaways:
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God’s faithful people brought forth the Messiah (Micah
5:2–3).
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Satan’s power is real but limited (Revelation 12:3–4).
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Christ rules with divine authority (Psalm 2:9).
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The
church is sustained and protected by God (Revelation
12:6).
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Faithfulness brings eternal victory (Revelation 2:10).
Scripture Reference List:
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Revelation 12:1–6 – The woman, the dragon, and the
child.
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Micah 5:2–3 – Prophecy of the Messiah’s birth.
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Psalm 2:6–9 – Christ’s rule with a rod of iron.
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Matthew 2:16–18 – Herod’s attempt to destroy the child.
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Galatians 4:4 – God sent forth His Son in the fullness
of time.
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Revelation 2:10 – Be faithful unto death for the crown
of life.
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Exodus 16; 1 Kings 19:4–8 – God’s care in the
wilderness.
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of
Christ at Granby, MO
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