Revelation 12:1; Conflict of the Ages

Revelation 12:1 And 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: 

Revelation 12 is one of the most important chapters in the entire Bible as well as in the Book of Revelation. Once one comes to know its significance, the confusing issues of history and prophecy becomes plain. In literary construction, this chapter is an inset. The lines of truth in it reach backward through the centuries to the time of Abraham and forward to the end of the tribulation period. Chronologically this chapter should appear at this point in the unfolding of events during the tribulation period. Chapter 11 clearly indicates the fact that the story has reaching the middle of the tribulation period. The two witnesses of three and one-half years (Revelation 11:3, 7) and then suffer death at the hands of the Antichrist. This is accompanied by Antichrist’s breaking of his covenant with the Jews (Daniel 9:27), the ushering in of the three and one-half years of great tribulation upon the Jews (Revelation 11:2), and the war against the saints during the last half of the tribulation period (Revelation 13:7).

The nation of Israel now comes into prominence. All of chapter 11 makes this clear. Since the great prophetic proportion of the Old Testament concerning Israel are yet unfulfilled in the 20th century and now 21st century there is great mystery surrounding Israel as a nation, it seems only logical that somewhere in the Word of God there should be information concerning fulfilment of promise to Israel and unraveling of the mystery concerning this ancient people. This premonition is realised in chapter 12.

Let every student of this great chapter realise right here that the understanding of this chapter is key to the understanding of many things. It is the key to the correct interpertation of the Book of Revelation, of the Bible, and of history. In this chapter will be found the story of conflict of the ages. This conflict is not one of mere abstract, such as right and wrong or good and evil. This is a conflict of great personalities.

The conflict gathers around the sun-clothed woman and the dragon. But unto the picture comes God, a man-child, Michael and the angels. The scope of time involved in this conflict is also narrated. The great present age of grace, the Church age, is not in view. Three thoughts for our consideration:

(1) Conflict of the woman with the dragon in the past (v1-5)

(2) Conflict of the woman with the dragon in the heavens (v7-12)

(3) Conflict of the woman with the dragon in the future (v13-17)

Hermon A. Hoyt, Studies in Revelation, BMH Books, 1977, 80