Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
12. Therefore ] Because of the coming of “the salvation and might and kingdom,” in which the victory of “our brethren” is included.
that dwell ] Lit. that tabernacle.
Woe to the inhabiters of ] We should read, Woe to the earth and the sea! the sense is clear, though the construction is peculiar, which led to the alteration. When and in what sense the Devil’s power was, or will be, at once lessened and brought into more terrible neighbourhood to earth, we can hardly venture to say. Perhaps it is to be illustrated by texts like St Joh 9:39; Joh 15:22: the Incarnation, as it broke the otherwise invincible power of sin, so made sin more deadly, if it remains in spite of Christ’s coming.
but a short time ] viz. the time, apparently, between Christ’s first coming, which broke his strength, and His second, which will destroy his kingdom for ever. It seems unlikely that the “little season” of Rev 20:3 is here referred to.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens – It is not unusual in the Scriptures to call on the heavens and the earth to sympathize with the events that occur. Compare the notes on Isa 1:2. Here the heavens are called on to rejoice because of the signal victory which it was seen would be achieved over the great enemy. Heaven itself was secure from any further rebellion or invasion, and the foundation was laid for a final victory over Satan everywhere.
And ye that dwell in them – The angels and the redeemed. This is an instance of the sympathy of the heavenly inhabitants – the unfallen and holy beings before the throne – with the church on earth, and with all that may affect its welfare. Compare the notes on 1Pe 1:12.
Woe to the inhabiters of the earth – This is not an imprecation, or a wish that woe might come upon them, but a prediction that it would. The meaning is this: Satan would ultimately be entirely overcome – a fact that was symbolized by his being cast out of heaven; but there would be still temporary war upon the earth, as if he were permitted to roam over the world for a time and to spread woe and sorrow there.
And of the sea – Those who inhabit the islands of the sea and those who are engaged in commerce. The meaning is, that the world as such would have occasion to mourn – the dwellers both on the land and on the sea.
For the devil is come down unto you – As if cast out of heaven.
Having great wrath – Wrath shown by the symbolical war with Michael and his angels Rev 12:7; wrath increased and inflamed because he has been discomfited; wrath the more concentrated because he knows that his time is limited.
Because he knoweth that he hath but a short time – That is, he knows that the time is limited in which he will be permitted to wage war with the saints on the earth. There is allusion elsewhere to the fact that the time of Satan is limited, and that he is apprised of that. Thus in Mat 8:29, Art thou come hither to torment us before the time? See the notes on that passage. Within that limited space, Satan knows that he must do all that he ever can do to destroy souls, and to spread woe through the earth, and hence, it is not unnatural that he should be represented as excited to deeper wrath, and as rousing all his energy to destroy the church.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Rev 12:12-17
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens.
The defeatibility of the devil
I. Mighty as is the master-fiend of evil, he is not proof against defeats. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens.
1. Here is a defeat implied. There is nothing permanent in error, there is no stability in wrong. As light extends, and virtue grows, all schemes of wrong, political, social, and religious, crack to pieces and tumble to ruin.
2. Here is a defeat righteously exultable. It is the joy of the prisoner quitting his cell, of the patient returning to health.
II. Great as his defeats may be, they do not quench his animosity. Having great wrath, etc. Like the ravenous beast of the desert, his failure to fasten his tusks in one victim whets his appetite for another. Evil is insatiable.
III. His animosity is especially directed against the true church. He persecuted the woman, etc.
1. Wherever the spirit of Christ is, the spirit of tenderness, humanity, self-sacrificing love, this he hates and seeks to destroy.
2. Who shall say what he pours forth from his mouth? False accusations, pernicious errors, social persecutions, etc.
IV. The true Church, even in trying circumstances, is under the special protection of heaven.
1. The Church is in the wilderness. The way of Christly men on this earth has always been–
(1) intricate;
(2) dangerous;
(3) gloomy.
2. Though in the wilderness, it has enormous privileges.
(1) It is endowed with heaven-soaring power.
(2) It has the whole earth to serve it. (D. Thomas, D. D.)
Victorious rejoicing
1. By this exhortation of others that are in heaven to rejoice likewise, we see, that the saints of God think it not enough for themselves to rejoice at the prosperity of Christ and His Church; but they exhort, and would have all others to join herein with them, that as God is all in all, so He may of all and by all be praised and glorified.
2. We see the contrary disposition of the godly and wicked; that which is matter of joy to the one is of sorrow to the other, and on the contrary; which was seen at Christs birth or first coming, and shall beat His record.
3. By the denouncing of a woe to the inhabiters of the earth, we see when it shall be well with the godly then it shall be woe to the wicked.
4. Whereas it is said that the devil was come down to them in great wrath, we see–
(1) Who is the author of all unjust wrath and malice.
(2) As they who serve God get His loving favour, but they who are Satans slaves get nothing but his wrath as their recompense in the end; being first their tempter, next their accuser, and at last their tormentor.
5. It is said that he comes in great wrath, because his time is short; which, as it is a comfort to the godly, so it should be a lesson of wisdom: as he is busy in doing ill, so should they be in doing good, because their time is short here, yea, and most uncertain. (William Guild, D. D.)
Woe to the inhabiters of the earth.
Woe on the earth
1. Note how dark is the outlook of the Church of Jesus with respect to this present world! We wonder betimes at the smallness of its success, and the hard struggle it ever has for its existence. But why should we wonder? Think of the might of the devil and his angels, of their malignity against it, and how deeply the whole world is in their possession. All that we can do is to work on, like Paul, if that by any means we may save some.
2. Note the true source of dislike and hatred to the Church. There be many who think more of anything on earth than of the Church. They may consider it well enough to have its services when they die, but whilst they live they only neglect and despise it, and are only offended and enraged when its claims are passed. They forget that this is the very spirit of the devil. And every one who dislikes, hates, or persecutes the Church and people of God, has in him the devils spirit, acts the devils will, and is one of the devils children.
3. Note what a lesson of rebuke and duty addresses itself to Christians from the devils example. He never rests from his murderous endeavours. He stops for no losses, succumbs to no adversities, desists for no hindrances, turns back from no encounters, and surrenders not even to the Almightys judgments, so long as he has liberty to act or time in which to operate. Look at the untiring energy of hell for destruction, and learn wisdom for eternal life.
4. Finally, note the pressing need there is to keep ourselves awake and in readiness for the coming of our Lord. (J. A. Seiss, D. D.)
The devil is come down unto you, having great wrath.–
Satan in a rage
The text tells us that the shortness of Satans opportunity excites his wrath, and we may gather a general rule from this one statement, namely, that in proportion as the devils time is shortened his energy is increased, and we may take it as an assured fact that when he rages to the uttermost his opportunities are nearly over. He hath great wrath, knowing that his time is short. I hope there will be something of instruction in this, and somewhat of comfort for all those who are on the right side. Now, what is true on a great scale is true in the smaller one. Missionaries in any country will generally find that the last onslaught of heathenism is the most ferocious. We will find, whenever the truth comes into contact with falsehood, that when error is driven to its last entrenchments it fights for life, tooth and nail, with all its might; its wrath is great because its time is short. The same truth, will apply to every individual man. When God begins His great work in a sinners heart, to lead him to Christ, it is no bad sign if the man feels more hatred to God than ever, more dislike to good things than before: nor need we despair if he is driven into greater sin. The ferocity of the temptation indicates the vigour with which Satan contends for any one of his black sheep. He will not lose his subjects if he can help it, and so he puts forth all his strength to keep them under his power. The general fact is further illustrated in the eases of many believers. There are times when in the believers heart the battle rages horribly, when he hardly knows whether he is a child of God at all, and is ready to give up all hope. He cannot pray or praise, for he is so distracted; he cannot read the Scriptures without horrible thoughts. It seems as if he must utterly perish, for no space is given him in which to refresh his heart, the attacks are so continual and violent. Such dreadful excitements are often followed by years of peace, quiet usefulness, holiness, and communion with God. Satan knows that God is about to set a limit to his vexations of the good man, and so he rages extremely because his opportunity is short.
I. How does Satan know when his time is short in a soul? He watches over all souls that are under his power with incessant maliciousness. He goeth about the camp like a sentinel, spying out every man who is likely to be a deserter from his army.
1. He perceives that his time is short, and I suppose he perceives it first by discovering that he is not quite so welcome as he used to be. The man loved sin, and found pleasure in it, but now sin is not so sweet as it was, its flavour is dull and insipid. The charms of vice are fading, and its pleasures are growing empty, vain, and void, and this is a token of a great change. The adversary perceives that he must soon stretch his dragon wings when he sees that the heart is growing weary of him and is breaking away from his fascinations.
2. He grows more sure of his speedy ejectment when he does not get the accommodation he used to have. The man was once eager for sin, he went in the pursuit of vice, hunted after it, and put himself in the way of temptation, and then Satan reigned securely; but now he begins to forsake the haunts where sin walks openly, and he abandons the cups of excitement which inflame the soul.
3. One thing more always makes Satan know that his time is short, and that is when the Holy Spirits power is evidently at work within the mind. Light has come in, and the sinner sees and knows what he was ignorant of before: Satan hates the light as much as he loves the darkness, and like an owl in the daylight he feels that he is out of place. Joyful tidings for a heart long molested by this fierce fiend! Away, thou enemy, thy destructions shall soon come to a perpetual end!
II. Inasmuch as the shortness of his tenure excites the rage of Satan, we must next observe how he displays his great wrath. His fury rages differently in different persons. On some he displays his great wrath by stirring up outward persecution. The man is not a Christian yet, he is not actually converted yet, but Satan is so afraid that he will be saved that he sets all his dogs upon him directly. The devil will lose nothing through being behind. He begins as soon as ever grace begins. Now, if the grace of God be not in the awakened man, and his reformation is only a spasm of remorse, it is very likely that he will be driven back from all attendance upon the means of grace by the ribald remarks of the ungodly, but if the Lord Jesus Christ has really been knocking at his door, and the Spirit of God has begun to work, this opposition will not answer its purpose. Much worse, however, is the devils other method of showing his wrath, namely, by vomiting floods out of his mouth to drown, if possible, our new-born hope. When the hopeful hearer as yet has not really found peace and rest, it will sometimes happen that Satan will try him with doubts and blasphemies, and temptations such as he never knew before. The tempted one has been amazed and has said to himself, How is this? Can my desire after Christ be the work of God? I get worse and worse. I never felt so wicked as this till I began to seek a Saviour. Yet this is no strange thing, fiery though the trial be. At such time, also, Satan will often arouse all the worst passions of our nature, and drive them into unwonted riot. The awakened sinner will be astonished as he finds himself beset with temptations more base and foul than he has ever felt before. He will resist and strive against the assault, but it may be so violent as to stagger him. He can scarcely believe that the flesh is so utterly corrupt. The man who is anxiously seeking to go to heaven seems at such a time as if he were dragged down by seven strong demons to the eternal deeps of perdition. He feels as if he had never known sin before, nor been so completely beneath its power. The Satanic troopers sleep as a quiet garrison while the man is under the spell of sin, but when once the heart is likely to be captured by Immanuels love the infernal soldiery put on their worst manner, and trample down all the thoughts and desires of the soul. Satan may also attack the seeker in another form, with fierce accusations and judgments. He does not accuse some men, for he is quite sure of them, and they are his very good friends; but when a man is likely to be lost to him, he alters his tone and threatens and condemns.
III. How are we to meet all this? How must Satan be dealt with while he is showing his great wrath because his power is short?
1. I should say, first, if he is putting himself in this rage, let us get him out all the more quickly. If he would remain quiet even then we ought to be anxious to be rid of his foul company, but if he shows this great rage let us out with him straight away.
2. And the next thing is, inasmuch as we cannot get him out by our own unaided efforts, let us cry to the strong for strength, who can drive out this prince of the power of the air. There is life in a look at Jesus Christ, and as soon as that life comes away goes this prince of darkness as to his domination and reigning power.
3. One more comfort for you, and it is this–the more he rages the more must your poor, troubled heart be encouraged to believe that he will soon be gone. I venture to say that nothing will make him go sooner than your full belief that he has to go. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
NOTES ON CHAP. XII., BY J. E. C.
Verse 12. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.] Let the Christians, who are now partakers of the present temporal prosperity, and advanced to places of trust in the empire, praise and magnify the Lord who has thus so signally interfered in their behalf. But it is added:-
Wo to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you] By the inhabiters of the earth are meant the people in subjection to the Roman empire; and by the sea, those parts of the Roman dominions appear to be intended that were reduced to a state of anarchy by the incursions of the barbarous nations. It is not without precedent to liken great hosts of nations combined together to the sea. See Eze 26:3. Here then is a wo denounced against the whole Roman world which will be excited by the devil, the father of lies, the heathen party being thus denominated from the method they pursued in their endeavours to destroy the religion of Jesus. See Clarke on Re 12:15.
Having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.] The Christian religion, the pagan party see with great regret, is rapidly gaining ground everywhere; and, if not timely checked, must soon brave all opposition.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them: he calls to the angels and saints again to rejoice; some think, to the church also: these tell us, that
the inhabitants of the earth, and of the sea, in St. Johns writings, always signify the enemies of the church, earthly, carnal men.
For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath; the devil now being divested of the power he exercised against the church, will fall upon you; for though he principally hateth the saints, as most opposite to him, yet he is the common hater of mankind.
Because he knoweth that he hath but a short time; and he hath but a little time to execute his malice, he shall shortly be confined to the bottomless pit. It is hard to say whether here be intended all in general, or the worser part of the world only; for great judgments after this came upon the whole Roman empire by the Goths and Vandals, and upon the church by the Arians, and by antichrist, of whose rise we shall read in the next chapter.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. Thereforebecause Satan iscast out of heaven (Re 12:9).
dwellliterally,”tabernacle.” Not only angels and the souls of the justwith God, but also the faithful militant on earth, who already inspirit tabernacle in heaven, having their home and citizenship there,rejoice that Satan is cast out of their home. “Tabernacle”for dwell is used to mark that, though still on the earth,they in spirit are hidden “in the secret of God’s tabernacle.“They belong not to the world, and, therefore, exult in judgmenthaving been passed on the prince of this world.
the inhabiters ofSoANDREAS reads. But A, B,and C omit. The words probably, were inserted from Re8:13.
is come downrather asGreek, “catebee,” “is gone down”;John regarding the heaven as his standing-point of view whence helooks down on the earth.
unto youearth andsea, with their inhabitants; those who lean upon, and essentiallybelong to, the earth (contrast Joh3:7, Margin, with Joh 3:31;Joh 8:23; Phi 3:19)and its sea-like troubled politics. Furious at his expulsionfrom heaven, and knowing that his time on earth is short until heshall be cast down lower, when Christ shall come to set up Hiskingdom (Rev 20:1; Rev 20:2),Satan concentrates all his power to destroy as many souls as he can.Though no longer able to accuse the elect in heaven, he can tempt andpersecute on earth. The more light becomes victorious, the greaterwill be the struggles of the powers of darkness; whence, at the lastcrisis, Antichrist will manifest himself with an intensity ofiniquity greater than ever before.
short timeGreek,“kairon,” “season”: opportunity forhis assaults.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them,…. So in the prophetic language, at times, and upon occasions of rejoicing, the heavens are called upon to join, and bear a part therein, Ps 96:10; and by these may be meant here the angels of heaven, who rejoice at every advance of Christ’s kingdom and interest; they rejoiced at his incarnation, and so they do at the conversion of every single sinner; and much more may they be thought to do so at such a time as this, when there were such multitudes of conversions, and the churches and interest of Christ in so flourishing a condition, and Satan’s kingdom so much weakened; and to these may be joined the souls of the saints departed, who might be made acquainted with this wonderful change of things in the empire; and it may also be understood of the saints, the members of the several churches, even all heavenly minded persons, who were born from above, and were partakers of the heavenly calling, and whose conversations were in heaven; these are called upon to take their part in this song of praise and thanksgiving:
woe to the inhabitants of the earth, and of the sea: such as are of the earth, earthy, sensual, and earthly minded persons; and who are like the troubled waters, and raging waves of the sea, cannot rest, but cast up mire and dirt, and foam out their own shame; the barbarous nations of the Goths and Vandals, carnal professors of religion, and the antichristian party, which quickly upon this sprung up, may be intended, on whom this woe is denounced; the reason of which follows:
for the devil is come down unto you; and a greater woe cannot be upon men on earth, than to have the devil among them, who always brings mischief with him, and breathes nothing but ruin and destruction to men; he having lost his power in the Roman empire, possessed the above persons, and took up his residence among them; he came down, but not willingly, he was forced to it, he was cast down:
having great wrath; because he was conquered, and cast out of heaven, and was deprived of the worship that had been long given him, as the god of the world, and of that authority and influence which he had over men: and this his great wrath was seen in stirring up the Arians to persecute the Christians; and in the times of Julian, when he endeavoured to regain his lost power; and in bringing in the Goths, Huns, and Vandals, into the empire, to waste and destroy it; and in moving the antichristian party, which soon prevailed, to make war against the saints:
because he knoweth he hath but a short time; ere he should be shut up in the bottomless pit, or be confined in the place of torment, and ere his full punishment should be inflicted on him; which time of his to tempt, deceive, disturb, and distress men, is to be no longer than during the forty two months of antichrist’s reign, and the 1260 days, or years, of the witnesses prophesying in sackcloth, and of the church’s being in the wilderness, and no longer than till the thousand years’ reign of Christ with his saints begins, which, in comparison of his long reign in the Gentile world, is but a short time; and though, after the thousand years are ended, he will be let loose, yet it will be but for a season, a very small time, when he will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, and be tormented night and day, for ever and ever.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
| The Woman and the Dragon. | A. D. 95. |
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. 13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
We have here an account of this war, so happily finished in heaven, or in the church, as it was again renewed and carried on in the wilderness, the place to which the church had fled, and where she had been for some time secured by the special care of her God and Saviour. Observe,
I. The warning given of the distress and calamity that should fall upon the inhabitants of the world in general, through the wrath and rage of the devil. For, though his malice is chiefly bent against the servants of God, yet he is an enemy and hater of mankind as such; and, being defeated in his designs against the church, he is resolved to give all the disturbance he can to the world in general: Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, and the sea, v. 12. The rage of Satan grows so much the greater as he is limited both in place and time; when he was confined to the wilderness, and had but a short time to reign there, he comes with the greater wrath.
II. His second attempt upon the church now in the wilderness: He persecuted the woman who brought forth the man-child, v. 13. Observe, 1. The care that God had taken of his church. He had conveyed her as on eagles’ wings, into a place of safety provided for her, where she was to continue for a certain space of time, couched in prophetic characters, taken from Dan. vii. 25. 2. The continual malice of the dragon against the church. Her obscurity could not altogether protect her; the old subtle serpent, which at first lurked in paradise, now follows the church into the wilderness, and casts out a flood of water after her, to carry her away. This is thought to be meant of a flood of error and heresy, which was breathed by Arius, Nestorius, Pelagius, and many more, by which the church of God was in danger of being overwhelmed and carried away. The church of God is in more danger from heretics than from persecutors; and heresies are as certainly from the devil as open force and violence. 3. The seasonable help provided for the church in this dangerous juncture: The earth helped the woman, and opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood, v. 16. Some think we are to understand the swarms of Goths and Vandals that invaded the Roman empire, and found work for the Arian rulers, who otherwise would have been as furious persecutors as the pagan had been, and had exercised great cruelties already; but God opened a breach of war, and the flood was in a manner swallowed up thereby, and the church enjoyed some respite. God often sends the sword to avenge the quarrel of his covenant; and, when men choose new gods, then there is danger of war in the gates; intestine broils and contentions often end in the invasions of a common enemy. 4. The devil, being thus defeated in his designs upon the universal church, now turns his rage against particular persons and places; his malice against the woman pushes him on to make war with the remnant of her seed. Some think hereby are meant the Albigenses, who were first by Dioclesian driven up into barren and mountainous places, and afterwards cruelly murdered by popish rage and power, for several generations; and for no other reason than because they kept the commandments of God and held the testimony of Jesus Christ. Their fidelity to God and Christ, in doctrine, worship, and practice, was that which exposed them to the rage of Satan and his instruments; and such fidelity will expose men still, less or more, to the end of the world, when the last enemy shall be destroyed.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Therefore ( ). “For this reason” as in Rev 7:15; Rev 18:8 (15 times in John’s Gospel, Charles notes). It points back to verse 10.
Rejoice (). Present middle imperative of as in Rev 11:10; Rev 18:20.
O heavens ( ). Plural here alone in the Apocalypse, though common elsewhere in the N.T. Satan is no longer in the heavens.
They that dwell therein ( ). Present active articular participle of (see Rev 7:15; Rev 13:6) to dwell (tabernacle) as of Christ in Joh 1:14 and of God in Re 21:3. The inhabitants of heaven (angels and saints) have cause to rejoice, and earth reason to mourn.
Woe for the earth and for the sea ( ). The accusative after as in 8:13, but nominative in Rev 18:10; Rev 18:16; Rev 18:19 in place of the usual dative (Matt 11:21; Matt 18:7, etc.).
Is gone down (). Second aorist (effective) active indicative of , “did go down.”
But a short time ( ). Accusative of extent of time, “a little time.” The devil’s departure from his warfare in the heavens reveals (, knowing, perfect active participle) to him that his time for doing harm to men is limited, and hence his great wrath (, boiling rage).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Dwell [] . See on Joh 1:14. Compare ch. Rev 7:15; Rev 13:6; Rev 21:3. To the inhabiters (toiv katoikousin). Omit. Read, as Rev., woe for the earth and for the sea.
Wrath [] . See on Joh 3:36.
Time [] . See on Mt 12:1; Mr 1:15; Act 1:7.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens,” (dia toute euphrainesthe ouranoi) “on account of this be ye glad, 0 heavens,” or inhabitants of the heavens where there is joy forevermore, Psa 16:11; Isa 61:7.
2) “And ye that dwell in them,” (kai hoi en autois skenountes) “even all those dwelling in them,” the redeemed of the ages and the hosts of Michael and Gabriel’s angels, as when the lost are saved, Luk 15:7; Luk 15:10; Luk 15:32.
3) “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea!” (ouai ten gen kai ten thalassan) “but woe to the land (earth) and to the sea.” For wherever Satan prowls there is death, sorrow, and devastation, Rev 8:13; Rev 11:10; Heb 2:14-15; 1Pe 5:8-9.
4) “For the devil is come down to you,” (hoti katebe ho diabolos pros humas) “because the Devil (came down) wast thrown down to you all,” at the conclusion of his defeat in the war he instigated in heaven, Rev 12:7-10; Luk 10:18.
5) “Having great wrath,” (echon thumon megan) “having, holding, or filled with, that is containing, great wrath,” possessing furious anger, Dan 7:2; Dan 7:7.
6) “Because he knoweth that he hath but a short time,” (eidos hoti olion kairon echei) “perceiving, recognizing or convinced that he has (remaining) a small or short season for his earthly operation,” Rev 10:6; Mat 18:28-29. Only about forty-two (42) more months, Rev 12:14, or a time, times, and an half time or 1260 days, until he is overcome in the final battle of Armageddon on earth, bound, and cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years, Rev 20:2-3.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(12) Therefore rejoice . . .Better, For this cause rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that tabernacle in them. The words for this cause must be taken to refer to the overthrow of the evil one. This is the cause of joy to the heavens, and to them that tabernacle (not dwell) in them. The word is (as in Rev. 7:15; Rev. 13:6; Rev. 21:3) tabernacle. This allusion to the tabernacle where the glory of God and the mercy-seat were to be found, is not without force. The sacred imagery of the tabernacle of witness calls to mind the safe dwelling which the sanctuary of God afforded to those whose testimony was given in the wilderness of sorrow. Those who tabernacled in the secret place of the Most High could rejoice with joy unspeakable.
Woe to the inhabiters . . .Translate, Woe to the earth and the sea! (the words to the inhabiters of are not found in the best MSS.) because the devil is gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing (or, because he knoweth: his knowledge that his season of power is short is the reason of his great wrath) that he hath (but) a short season. The painful consciousness of defeat has roused a deeper and more obstinate rage. Sin, which blunts the conscience, blinds the reason, and drives men madly to attempt the impossible, or to rouse
the unconquerable will
And study of revenge, immortal hate,
And courage never to submit or yield.
The woe to the sea and earth is simply a warning voice to all that, though the foe is overcome and death smitten, yet that he has power, quickened by defeat and fear, for a last struggle; and that therefore they need to be sober and vigilant against the adversary. His season is short. He may be active, sowing tares among the wheat and animating various hostile powers, such as the wild beasts of Revelation 13; but he has only a season: there is a limit to his power and the time of his power. A little while was the word our Lord used to denote His time of absence (Joh. 16:16-22): Behold, He comes quickly!
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
12. Rejoice, ye heavens As if these rejoicing martyr-spirits called for a joyful response from all their co-celestials, human or angelic. Woe to earth and sea (as the true reading is) since they are to be the scenes of the bestial war.
Devil is come down Paganism in its downfall is full of wrath, feeling that it has but a brief period for recovering the supremacy. That ended with the death of the Emperor Julian, A.D. 363.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Therefore rejoice, Oh heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe for the earth and for the sea, for the Devil has gone down to you having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.’
The heavens and the Heaven dwellers can rejoice at the Devil’s defeat. These Heaven dwellers include those who have no permanent interest in earth but who look for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Heb 11:10), prospective Heaven dwellers. These Heaven-dwellers are in contrast to the Earth-dwellers – ‘those who dwell on the earth’ – i.e. non-Christians, a constant refrain in Revelation. It is the earth who will suffer for his downfall, for the Devil will seek to take out his wrath on them. That is why Peter can describe him as going around ‘like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour’ (1Pe 5:8).
‘Knowing that he has but a short time’. Like everyone else Satan was expecting the end of the age soon. The time when Christ would come was known to no one. Not understanding the longsuffering of God he could not believe it would be long delayed. Thus he measured his behaviour by that belief. And indeed his time was and is limited. In God’s ‘short time’ all will be over.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Rev 12:12 . . We cannot regard the ground of joy for the heavens, and those dwelling therein ( are only those whose actual place of abode is the heavens, and who there, as the expression indicates, have glorious rest disturbed by no woe or conflict, [3154] but not also believers on earth, as Hengstenb., by a false comparison with Phi 3:20 , Eph 2:6 , explains), to be both the casting of the dragon out of heaven (Rev 12:9 ), and the victory of believers (Rev 12:11 ), [3155] but only the former; [3156] for although Rev 12:11 , in connection with Rev 12:10 , proleptically celebrates the victory of earthly believers over the dragon, based upon the heavenly victory over the same, the affair is displayed here as it is in reality; to the heavenly beings alone belongs the pure joy, while woe is proclaimed to the whole earth and all its inhabitants, even to believers on earth; for just these have now to struggle even unto blood with the enraged dragon.
, . . . The accus., which in Greek [3157] as well as in Latin occurs regularly in exclamations, is unusual here only so far as it stands with , which is otherwise usually combined with the dat.
. In opposition to the heavenly world, [3158] the entirety of the earthly world is designated, in connection with which there is no reference to the relation of the two particular parts as such; much less is any allegorical interpretation admissible. [3159]
, . . . Reason for the cry of woe: the earth and sea are to be the theatre for the activity of the devil, now allotted to this sphere, who will give vent to his great wrath the more as he knows that he has only a brief time. Instead of the , a naturally occurs here, because, as a dreadful activity of the enraged enemy is portrayed, it is more appropriate that it should not be expressly marked that the descent of the enemy is involuntary.
. The great wrath belonging to the dragon because of his antichristic nature, he has shown already (Rev 12:4 ). By the overthrow described in Rev 12:7 sqq., this wrath can only be inflamed anew. To this is added the fact, that the dragon knows that only a short time is allowed him. To identify this with the 3 days mentioned in Rev 17:11 “as the time of antichrist,” [3160] is as arbitrary as the reckoning of Bengel, who takes “the short time,” as somewhat longer than the 3 times (Rev 12:14 ), i.e., equal to four times, or four times 222 2/9 years, and regards the period from the year 947 to the year 1836. But in the meaning of the Apoc., the shortness of the time given Satan for his antichristian work on earth, depends simply upon the fact that “the time is at hand,” or that the Lord is soon coming to judge Satan together with his instruments. [3161]
[3154] Cf. Rev 13:6 , Rev 7:15 , Rev 21:3 . Beng., Ew., De Wette.
[3155] Beng.
[3156] De Wette.
[3157] Cf. Matth., Ausfhrl. Gramm. , sec. 427.
[3158] Cf. Rev 7:2 sq., Rev 5:13 .
[3159] Against Beng., who understands here by “earth and sea,” Asia and Europe. Cf. Hengstenb., who regards the sea as the sea of nations.
[3160] Ebrard.
[3161] Cf., in general, Rev 1:3 , Rev 22:20 ; especially Rev 17:11 , Rev 20:1 sqq.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Ver. 12. Rejoice, ye heavens ] Ye that have your conversation in heaven, and shall shortly remove your tents thither.
Woe to the inhabiters of the earth ] Earthworms that load themselves with thick clay, and strive, with the toads, who shall die with most earth in their mouths.
And of the sea ] Seamen are, for the most part, very profane and godless. See Jdg 1:13 ; Isa 57:20 . Mr Brightman by these inhabitants of the sea understandeth the clergymen, as they call them, who set abroach gross, troubled, brackish, and sourish doctrine, which doth rather bring barrenness of godliness to their hearers, and doth gnaw their entrails, than quench their thirst, or yield any other good fruit.
For the devil is come down ] Indeed he was cast down; but that the devil dissembles, and makes as if he came for his pleasure’s sake, and so makes the best of an ill matter.
Having great wrath ] Indignation, commotion of mind, perturbation of spirit, inflammation or heaving of the blood, by apprehension of an injury, . Satan’s malevolence was a motive to his diligence. Natural motion is more swift and violent toward the end of it.
Because he knoweth ] By the signs of the last judgment, which cannot be far off, and by conjectures, wherein he hath a singular sagacity.
That he hath but a short time ] He therefore makes all haste he can to outwork the children of light, in a quick despatch of deeds of darkness. Certain hawks in colder countries are most eager and earnest to take their prey when the daylight there is of least continuance.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Rev 12:12 . , cf. the Egyptian hymn in honour of R, the sun-god: “R hath quelled his impious foes, heaven rejoices, earth is delighted”. . . . This desperate and last effort of Satan is a common apocalyptic feature ( cf. e.g. , 4 Esd. 13:16 f.; Ap. Bar. xxviii. 3, xli. 1, lxxv. 5; Mar 13:21 ; Did. xvi.), which John identifies later with the Imperial cultus.
The dragon’s pursuit of the woman (Rev 12:13-17 ) resumes and expands the hint of Rev 12:6 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Therefore = For this cause.
heavens. In Rev. only here in plural, while fifty-one occurences in singular. See Rev 3:12 and Mat 6:10.
dwell. Literally tabernacle. See Rev 7:15 and Rev 13:6.
Woe. Third and most terrible of the three woes (Rev 8:13).
the . . . of. The texts omit.
come = gone.
wrath. Greek. thumas. First of ten occurrences in Rev.
because . . . that = knowing (App-132.) that.
time. Greek. kairos. App-195.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Rev 12:12. [128] , woe) This is the last denunciation of the third and most grievous woe, which has already been frequently denounced; and under it at length the beast assails. Wherefore the remarks which Wolf makes most recently. T. iv. Curar, p. 530, he also approves of, p. 535, when he prefers to the other interpreters, those who think that the government of the Roman Pontiff is marked out by the beast. Rev 13:1.- , the earth and the sea) The earth is placed before the sea, either because the earth, as opposed to the heaven, is superior (to the sea), and the sea is only a part of the earth, which is understood in the following verse under the earth: or because the third woe really began in Asia, before it began in Europe, through the instrumentality of the beast.- , a short time) , in this place, has a peculiar signification, a time of 2222/9 years; and is the period next above the 3 times, which are the subject of Rev 12:14; and therefore the , is four times, or 8888/9 years, are from a. 947 to A. 1836, as is collected from the proportions of the other periods, with which this is connected. See Erkl. Offenb. p. 619.
[128] Ver. 11. , not) By this negative a contradiction is given to the accusation, the subject of which is indicated by this very expression.-V. g.
– , their own soul) or life. In like manner Satan had also accused Job, Job 2:4. Against him, who renounces his love of life, the calumniator has now no power.-V. g.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
rejoice: Rev 18:20, Rev 19:1-7, Psa 96:11-13, Psa 148:1-4, Isa 49:13, Isa 55:12, Isa 55:13, Luk 2:14, Luk 15:10
Woe: Rev 8:13, Rev 9:12, Rev 11:10, Rev 11:14
because: Rev 10:6, Heb 10:37, 2Pe 3:8
Reciprocal: Neh 4:7 – then Est 3:6 – sought Job 1:7 – From going Isa 44:23 – Sing Eze 16:23 – woe Dan 11:30 – and have indignation Mat 8:31 – General Mar 5:7 – that Mar 9:26 – cried Luk 4:35 – thrown Luk 9:42 – the devil Joh 8:40 – now Act 19:28 – they 1Pe 5:8 – as Rev 12:17 – the dragon Rev 13:6 – and them
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Rev 12:12. These happy victors are bidding all the domain of intelligent creatures to rejoice over the situation. However, while the devil has lost this battle, he has not been put out of existence but will use every opportunity that appears for opposing the friends of truth. For this reason the inhabitants of earth and sea are given warning of what to expect. There are literally no creatures in the sea in which Satan is interested. The phrase is a figure of speech that means all creatures everywhere will be the victims of Satan’s hatred. Hath but a short time. Whatever Satan accomplishes against the spiritual interests of mankind must be done while the world stands. After that he and his angels will be cast into the lake of eternal fire from which they will never escape even temporarily.
Comments by Foy E. Wallace
Verse 12.
4. Therefore, rejoice ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them–Rev 12:12. The power of the persecutors broken, and the accuser of the brethren exposed, was here the cause for this rejoicing of the heavens–because it had been delivered from the evil spirit of the accuser. The heavens here meant that spiritual realm referred to in Eph 1:3 as the heavenly places. The phrase and ye that dwell in them meant that these heavens are the spiritual abode of every faithful soul. (Eph 2:6) It is that spiritual sphere of the church in which He dwells to lead and instruct his followers, and in which his power had kept them through their faith in Him and their fidelity to His cause. (Eph 3:17)
This benedictory is comparable to the prophet’s song of rejoicing for Israel in Isa 49:13 : “Sing 0 heavens; and be joyful 0 earth . . . ` for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.” The Isaiah passage referred to Israel of the Old Testament in exile, and this Revelation text refers to the church of the New Testament in their period of persecution.
5. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time–Rev 12:12. The persecutions which had been focused on one sphere of the dragon’s activity in the realm of governments against Jerusalem were not expanded to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea. The word earth here was used to denote the land of Palestine–as the reference to the beast of the land designated the Palestinian persecutor. The word sea indicated the regions of the empire beyond the land of Israel.
The dragon’s defeat in the first sphere of his war against the woman intensified the activities of his persecutions, and having great wrath he transferred his oppositions and expanded them to the earth and the sea–to all regions where the children of the woman, the objects of his wrath, could be found.
The statement because he knoweth that he hath but a short time was based on the fundamental principle pervading the apocalypse–“which things must shortly come to pass” (Rev 1:1); and “the time is at hand” (Rev 1:3). The binding of Satan, the dragon, and casting him into “the bottomless pit” were included in the things which in the first chapter of the Revelation the seer announced as at hand, and must shortly come to pass; which things in the last chapter he declared must shortly be done (Rev 22:6); and quickly to occur (Rev 22:7); and, once more, at hand (Rev 22:10). From the first chapter to the last the Revelation repeatedly emphasized the immediacy of the events, removing them from remote fulfillment. It forms a solid argument for the fulfillment of the symbols of Revelation in the experiences of the churches addressed.
The extension of the apocalypse to the medieval centuries, to the dark ages, to the present day, and to the end of time is the greatest anachronism in all history.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Satan is now defeated in the heavens, so there is rejoicing there. Twice beaten and knowing he has a limited time to work, Satan will turn his attentions to earth. He will vent his anger while he can and do as much damage as he can.
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
Here we have the third and final stanza in the martyrs’ praise. Heaven-dwellers can rejoice in view of Satan’s punishment (cf. Psa 96:11; Isa 49:13). He is no longer among them. However everyone living on the earth, especially believers, must beware because he now moves among them more antagonistically than ever. Furthermore he knows that his time is short.