The Woman, the Dragon, and the Child in Revelation 12

Devotional

Day 1: The Woman Represents Israel and God's Faithfulness to His People

The vision of the woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars, is a powerful symbol of Israel, the people through whom God brought forth the Messiah. This imagery, rooted in Joseph's dream in Genesis, reminds us that God has not abandoned His promises to Israel, even when they have strayed or suffered. Throughout history, Israel has faced persecution and hardship, yet God’s plan for their restoration and revival remains steadfast. The birth of the Messiah through Israel was not without pain and travail, but it was the fulfillment of God’s redemptive purpose for all humanity. In the same way, God remains faithful to His promises in our lives, even through seasons of struggle and waiting. [05:45]

Genesis 37:9-11 (ESV)
Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust that God is still faithful to His promises, even when you cannot see how He is working behind the scenes?

Day 2: The Dragon—Satan’s Opposition and Deception

The dragon in Revelation 12 is a vivid picture of Satan, the ancient serpent, who has opposed God and His people from the beginning. He is described with many names—dragon, serpent, devil, Satan—and is depicted as a powerful but ultimately defeated enemy. Satan’s rebellion led to the fall of a third of the angels, and his ongoing mission is to deceive, destroy, and draw worship away from God. He mimics God’s authority and power, but his dominion is temporary and limited. The real battle is not against people, but against these unseen spiritual forces. Recognizing the true nature of our enemy helps us to stand firm in faith and not be deceived by his schemes. [10:59]

Revelation 12:3-4, 9 (ESV)
And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it... And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Reflection: Where in your life do you sense spiritual opposition or deception, and how can you bring that area before God in prayer today?

Day 3: Jesus, the Child with the Iron Scepter—Our Victorious King

The male child born to the woman is Jesus, the Messiah, who is destined to rule all nations with a rod of iron. Despite Satan’s attempts to destroy Him—from Herod’s massacre to the temptations in the wilderness—Jesus remained faithful, fulfilled prophecy, and triumphed over sin and death. His authority is absolute; He shatters every kingdom that opposes Him and will return as the victorious King. The rod of iron symbolizes both His shepherding care and His unbreakable authority. In a world where evil seems powerful, we are reminded that Jesus alone holds ultimate dominion, and His victory is certain. [18:10]

Revelation 12:5 (ESV)
She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne.

Reflection: What would it look like for you to surrender a specific area of your life to the authority of Jesus, trusting Him as the one who holds the iron scepter?

Day 4: Finding Refuge in Christ, Our True Rock

When the enemy comes against us, we are tempted to seek refuge in our own strength, resources, or relationships. Yet, just as Israel found shelter in Petra, the true and lasting refuge is found in Christ alone—the Rock upon which the church is built. All other sources of security are temporary and ultimately unreliable. Jesus invites us to run to Him for protection, hope, and victory over the enemy. He is the one who has already defeated Satan and offers us a place of safety and rest in Himself. [23:46]

Psalm 18:2 (ESV)
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Reflection: When you feel threatened or overwhelmed, what is your first instinct for refuge, and how can you intentionally turn to Jesus as your Rock today?

Day 5: The Enemy’s Time is Short—Living in the Assurance of Christ’s Victory

Satan’s fury is great because he knows his time is short and his defeat is inevitable. Though he rages against God’s people, his power is limited and his end is certain. Jesus has already won the decisive victory through His death and resurrection, and He will return to establish His everlasting kingdom. As believers, we do not need to live in fear of the enemy, but in the confident assurance that Christ is coming and will be victorious. Our hope is secure in Him, and we are called to stand firm, knowing that the last word belongs to Jesus. [24:42]

Romans 16:20 (ESV)
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Reflection: How does knowing that Satan’s defeat is certain and Christ’s victory is assured change the way you face spiritual battles or discouragement today?

Sermon Summary

Revelation 12 marks a pivotal moment in the unfolding story of God’s plan, shifting our focus from the visible struggles of people to the unseen spiritual forces at work behind the scenes. The passage introduces us to three symbolic figures: a woman, a dragon, and a child. The woman, adorned with the sun, moon, and twelve stars, represents Israel—the people through whom God brought forth the Messiah. This imagery echoes Joseph’s dream in Genesis, where the sun, moon, and stars symbolize Jacob, Rachel, and the twelve tribes, underscoring God’s enduring covenant with Israel.

The birth of the Messiah was not without pain and travail. Israel’s history is marked by suffering, persecution, and attempts at annihilation, from the days of Esther to the horrors of the twentieth century. Yet, God’s faithfulness remains steadfast. The child born to the woman is Jesus, the one destined to rule the nations with a rod of iron. Unlike the church, which is the bride of Christ, Israel is depicted here as the mother, bringing forth the Savior in fulfillment of God’s promises.

The dragon, unmistakably identified as Satan, stands in violent opposition to God and His purposes. Throughout Scripture, Satan is described with various names—dragon, serpent, Leviathan—each emphasizing his cunning, power, and relentless hostility. His rebellion in heaven led to the fall of a third of the angels, and his ongoing mission is to usurp God’s authority and destroy what God loves most: humanity and, specifically, the people of God.

Satan’s tactics are rooted in mimicry and deception. He seeks worship, blinds the minds of unbelievers, and orchestrates counterfeit versions of God’s truth. Yet, his power is limited and his defeat is certain. The child, Jesus, resists every temptation, fulfills every prophecy, and triumphs over sin and death. His authority is absolute; with a word, He will shatter every kingdom that opposes Him.

In times of spiritual attack, the question arises: where do we seek refuge? The world offers many false shelters—wealth, ability, relationships—but only Christ is the true rock, the unassailable fortress. As the story of Revelation accelerates toward its climax, the assurance remains: Jesus is coming, and His victory is inevitable. In Him, we find not only forgiveness and freedom from sin, but also victory over our greatest enemy.

Key Takeaways

1. The unseen spiritual realm is the true battleground of our lives. While we often focus on visible struggles and human adversaries, Scripture reveals that our real enemy is not flesh and blood, but the ancient serpent who seeks to destroy and deceive. Recognizing this shifts our perspective and calls us to spiritual vigilance and dependence on God’s truth. [16:04]
2. God’s faithfulness to Israel is unwavering, even in the face of centuries of suffering and opposition. The imagery of the woman in Revelation 12 reminds us that God’s promises are not forgotten, and that He orchestrates history—even through pain and travail—to bring about His redemptive purposes. This challenges us to trust God’s timing and sovereignty, especially when His plans unfold through hardship. [08:41]
3. Satan’s power is real but always limited and derivative. He mimics God, seeks worship, and offers counterfeit authority, but his dominion is temporary and subject to God’s ultimate control. The allure of worldly power and compromise is a trap, for the one who offers it is already defeated and destined for destruction. [12:45]
4. The victory of Christ is both accomplished and assured. Jesus, the child born to rule with a rod of iron, resisted every temptation, fulfilled every prophecy, and triumphed over sin and death. His authority is unchallengeable; when He returns, every opposing force will be shattered by His word alone. Our hope and security rest in His finished work and coming reign. [18:03]
5. True refuge is found only in Christ, the rock and fortress for all who trust in Him. When spiritual attack comes, the world’s solutions prove hollow. Like Israel fleeing to Petra, we are called to run to Jesus, who alone can protect, sustain, and ultimately deliver us from the enemy’s schemes. Aligning with Christ, rather than the fleeting powers of this world, is the only path to lasting victory and peace. [23:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:25] - The Shift in Revelation’s Focus
[01:28] - Signs and Symbols: Woman, Dragon, Child
[03:31] - The Meaning of “Great” Signs
[04:33] - Who is the Woman? Israel’s Role
[06:18] - The Birth of the Messiah
[07:17] - Israel’s Travail and Suffering
[08:41] - God’s Faithfulness to Israel
[09:05] - The Dragon: Satan’s Identity
[10:30] - Satan’s Fall and Rebellion
[12:01] - Satan’s Mimicry and Limited Authority
[13:14] - Satan’s Opposition to Christ
[16:36] - The Child: Jesus, Our Hope
[18:03] - The Rod of Iron: Christ’s Authority
[20:11] - Israel’s Refuge and the Wilderness
[22:06] - Petra: A Place of Hiding
[23:39] - Finding Refuge in Christ
[24:49] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Revelation 12:1-6 (ESV) — > And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.

Genesis 37:9-11 (ESV) — > Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) — > For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Observation Questions

In Revelation 12:1-6, what are the three main symbolic figures, and how are they described?
According to Genesis 37:9-11, what do the sun, moon, and stars represent in Joseph’s dream, and how does this connect to the woman in Revelation 12?
What does Ephesians 6:12 say about the nature of our real struggle or battle?
In the sermon, what examples were given of Israel’s suffering and attempts at annihilation throughout history? ([08:26])

Interpretation Questions

Why does the sermon emphasize that the real battleground of our lives is the unseen spiritual realm, rather than just the visible struggles we face? ([16:04])
The woman in Revelation 12 is described as being in pain and travail. What does this imagery teach about God’s faithfulness to Israel, even through suffering? ([08:41])
The dragon (Satan) is described as having real but limited power. What are some ways Satan tries to mimic God and deceive people, according to the sermon? ([12:45])
The child born to the woman is said to “rule all the nations with a rod of iron.” What does this say about Jesus’ authority and the certainty of His victory? ([18:03])

Application Questions

The sermon says our real enemy is not other people, but the ancient serpent, Satan. Are there situations in your life where you’ve been focused on fighting the wrong “enemy”? How might recognizing the true spiritual battle change your approach? ([16:04])
Israel’s story is marked by suffering, but God’s faithfulness never fails. Can you think of a time when God was faithful to you even when things were hard or didn’t make sense? How did that experience shape your trust in Him? ([08:41])
The world offers many “false shelters” like wealth, ability, or relationships. When you face spiritual attack or hardship, where do you most often turn for refuge? What would it look like to run to Christ as your true fortress instead? ([23:39])
The sermon warns that Satan’s power is real but temporary, and that he often offers counterfeit versions of God’s truth. Are there areas in your life where you’ve been tempted to compromise or settle for a “counterfeit” instead of God’s best? ([12:45])
Jesus’ victory is both accomplished and assured. How does knowing that Christ’s authority is unchallengeable affect your sense of hope and security, especially when you feel overwhelmed by the world or spiritual opposition? ([18:03])
The sermon describes Petra as a place of hiding for Israel, but says our true refuge is in Christ. What practical steps can you take this week to seek refuge in Jesus when you feel attacked or afraid? ([23:39])
The message challenges us to align with Christ rather than the fleeting powers of this world. Is there a specific area where you need to realign your priorities or loyalties to better reflect your trust in Jesus as King? ([23:39])

Sermon Clips

So this chapter begins with that statement about a sign. And a great sign appeared in heaven. It's repeated there in verse 3. It says, And another sign appeared in heaven. These signs mean spectacles, events, something grand on a grand scale. And in fact, we know that because this word grand is repeated several times. Here in verse 1, it is this great sign. And then in verse 3, it's a great red dragon. It's repeated in verse 9 with another great dragon. Verse 12 has great wrath. Verse 14 has great eagle. All this great means bigger, more than what appears. It's the grand scale of everything. [00:03:31]

There are other things, I think, that also lead us to that position. It is my belief that the church is raptured out early on in the book of Revelation. And what we have is the nation of Israel in a revival. God will not abandon his nation. He is not going to turn his back on Israel. They may have drifted, but he has a plan to bring them back in. [00:05:44]

The Messiah had to come out of the lineage of Judah. The Messiah had. It had to come at the fullness of time, as Paul puts it. This Messiah served a very specific purpose and everything coming together was aligned in a way where it did bring pain and suffering. [00:07:05]

But you need to know that God believes Israel is the apple of his eye and he has not forsaken them. Now, they may have drifted far from him. They may not be as faithful as they once were. But I do believe there's a plan that God says they will come back. [00:08:43]

Now, if the woman represents Israel, then in the Old Testament, the imagery of Satan was sometimes very much like a reptilian beast of some sort. Maybe it was a serpent or a dragon. Another name that is oftentimes used is Leviathan. Some people speculated that Leviathan was a type of crocodile or something, a reptile tied to water somehow. [00:09:36]

But notice that he is here and it says that with his tail, he swept a third of the stars from heaven. And cast them down. Satan was created as an angel and part of the great pantheon of all the angels. But Satan desired to be worshipped, to be worshipped above God. And he somehow convinced a third of the angels to follow him in that rebellion and that revolt. And when they were cast out, they were all cast out. So that tail sweeping through and taking a third of the stars is a picture of Satan's fall, how he was cast out of heaven. [00:10:31]

You need to know that what Satan did in heaven, he continued on earth. He still wanted to be worshipped as God. He wanted people to worship him and revere him. He wanted that position of being the object of worship. And so everything he does is a mimicry of God. [00:11:12]

He will mimic everything he can because what he wants is the worship and the power and the dominion that belongs to God to be his. But he will never have it. It will never occur. [00:12:45]

And so since Satan knows that he cannot defeat God and since he knows he'll never rise above God, he decides to do the next best thing. He'll attack the things that are dear to God. And so he sets himself against people. He sets himself against the church and believers, and that's what we want to do. That's what we've seen in the beginning of Revelation. But now with this shift, he also sets himself against Israel. [00:12:55]

Satan tempts him to try to get him to fall, to destroy the whole plan of God. He does everything he knows to get Jesus to fall, but he fails. And Jesus indeed is faithful. He goes to the cross. He dies. He's resurrected. And now there is hope for humanity. Now there's forgiveness for sin possible. Now there's restoration that can occur. Now the church begins to be born. There's a way that we don't have to serve our sin and our sin nature and be manipulated by enemy. Now we can be forgiven. Satan is angry about all of that. And what he wants to do is attack everything that God loves. [00:13:50]

You need to know that there are many, many people who will pledge allegiance to Satan publicly or subtly, outright or in small ways. But here's what it is. Satan comes and tempts them and says, here's what I'll give you. If you will worship me. And people make that deal. They want the popularity. They want the money. They want the success. They want whatever it is and they'll make that deal. And they think it'll be okay. And they think it'll be all right. But you need to know that the one you make the deal with, when you deal with the God of this world, the prince of the power of the air, this serpent, this dragon, this devil, this Satan, when you deal with him, he does not care about you. In fact, you're the object of his hatred. And one day, he will even turn on those who worship him. [00:14:28]

Whatever power the devil has, whatever authority he has, whatever that is, is limited and controlled and on a leash. And he knows it doesn't last forever. He knows he won't be the last kingdom standing. He knows he's already defeated. He already knows all that. So all he knows how to do is attack everything else and destroy it all. That's the enemy that is there. [00:15:36]

Paul says we don't wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and wickedness enthroned in high places. Our real enemy is not somebody. I know there's people who tick you off. They tick me off too. But they're not your enemy. They're flawed people. Just like we're flawed people struggling to make it work. Your enemy is an ancient serpent who from the beginning of time has been crafty and trying to get us to sin move away from God because he knows he cannot defeat him. So I will just destroy the pinnacle of your creation out of anger, out of spite, out of resentment. That's your enemy. [00:16:00]

But the woman gives birth to a child. And the child is the answer to facing our enemy. The child is the hope that we have in the face of such a beast as Satan. And the child, of course, is Jesus. That's who it is. She gives birth to a male child. Look at this. One who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. So this child that is born will be the ultimate ruler. This idea of a rod of iron is like a scepter that doubles as a weapon. It is a sign of authority in a ruling sort of way. But a rod in a shepherd's hand was a weapon. And so you have an iron type of rod. Most of the time the rod was wood. But this is an iron one. [00:16:37]

There was no way Satan could ever convince him to give up the worship as being God for things that were not going to last. He is the child with this rod. When Jesus dies on the cross, the Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled. Indeed, his heel is bruised but the serpent's head is crushed and he defeated Jesus on the cross. [00:18:13]

When Jesus looks at the Pharisees and he's on trial, he tells them, you will behold the Son of Man coming on the clouds. When he returns this second time, he comes on the clouds. When he returns this second time, he comes with a sword. When he returns this second time, he comes with an army. When he returns this second time, he will destroy all the nations and he will make everything level and he will be the warrior king who comes to defeat this enemy of Satan once and for all. [00:19:02]

But here's the fascinating thing. Not a weapon is ever drawn. No sword is unsheathed. No arrow takes flight. No javelin is thrown. All it takes is a word from Jesus and all of Satan's forces are leveled. This is the child with the rod of iron. Nobody stands against him. Nobody is above him. He will rule that way. And when he returns that's what will happen. [00:19:45]

Where do you go when your real enemy shows up? Not that person. Not that problem. Not that situation or circumstance. I'm talking about the one who hates you and wants to destroy you and forever separate you from God. When he shows up where do you go? Where do you go to get away to find refuge to find security? Do you have a rock city like Petra? I don't think we do. Where do you go to find help? [00:22:21]

Satan is angry because he knows his time is short which means his defeat is inevitable. He knows it. He himself knows it. So why would you go to Petra? Why would you ever align with one who already knows he's going to be defeated? Wouldn't you run to the one who holds the iron scepter? Who can crush everything? Who will return victorious? Who will obliterate everything and say my kingdom is the last kingdom standing? Why wouldn't you run to him? Why wouldn't you find refuge in him? [00:22:58]

I don't know what you trust in. I don't know where you put your faith or your hope. It could be in any number of things but here's what I know. You have a very real spiritual enemy. He wants to destroy you but God worked a miraculous plan for the Messiah to be born in the fullness of time to be perfect in every way to die on a cross for our sins not his sins. He never had any sins to die for. He died in our place and he can forgive us of our sins because of what he's accomplished on the cross and there we find victory not just being breaking free from the sin that so easily entangles us but there we find victory against our enemy because it is not because I'm smarter than him or better than him or stronger than him. It's because I know the one holding the iron scepter. That's what's made the difference. [00:23:49]

Because from here on in Revelation here's what we're going to see. Jesus is coming. Jesus is coming. The battle's going to be drawn but when it's all said and done Jesus will be victorious. [00:24:32]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does the woman in Revelation symbolize?

How is Satan depicted as a dragon and serpent?

Where should believers seek refuge during spiritual battles?