Revelation 12


Baruch Hashem Adonai בושאהמשהוהי

Chiasm: Revelation 12 - The Centre

  • The Woman Described (v. 1, 2)
    • Attack 1 (v. 3, 4a)
      • Attack 2 (v. 4b, 5)
        • Attack 3 (v. 6)
          • War in Heaven (v. 7, 8)
            • Satan Cast to Earth (v. 9)
              • Victory of Christ (v. 10)
              • Victory of His People (v. 11)

            • Satan Cast to Earth (v. 12, 13a)
          • War on Earth (v. 13b)

        • Attack 3 (v. 14)
      • Attack 4 (v. 15, 16)
    • Attack 5 (v. 17a)

  • The Remnant Described (v. 17b)

Chapter 12 has a seven segment thematic chiasm, though it does not flow in strict chronological order:

 
  • 1. The Woman Described (v. 1, 2)
    • 2. The Dragon's Attacks (v. 3-6)
      • 3. War in Heaven (v. 7-9)
        • 4. Victory of Christ and His People (v. 10, 11)
      • 5. War on Earth (v. 12, 13)
    • 6. The Dragon's Attacks (v. 14-17a)
  • 7. The Remnant Described (v. 17b)

Perspective of the first half (Heavenly) and last half (Earthly) of the chapter:

The Woman Described (v. 1, 2)
  1. Clothed in Christ's righteousness
  2. Founded upon the lesser light
  3. Wears the crown of God's election
The Remnant Described (v. 17b)
  1. Keep God's commandments
  2. Have the testimony of Jesus
  3. Are the remnant of her seed

The dragon's five attacks and the outcome of each:

Satan's Object The Outcome Verses
1. To deceive the angels in heaven Satan cast to earth, drawing one third of the angels with him 3, 4a
2. To devour Christ when He came to earth Christ ascends to heaven 4b, 5
3. To destroy the church The church flees to the protection of the wilderness for 1260 days 6, 14
4. To dilute the effect of the Reformation The earth helps the woman 15, 16
5. To defeat the Remnant 17a

Revelation: Central Theme

Verse 10
The outcome of the great conflict
revealing its primary issue

Verse 11
The outcome of the plan of salvation
and the everlasting covenant

The Victory of Christ

  • Kingdom of God secured
  • Authority of Christ established

The Victory of His People

  • By the blood of the Lamb
  • By the word of their testimony

Chiasms