A GREAT SIGN (σημειον μεγα). The first of the visions to be so described (Revelation 13:3; Revelation 15:1), and it is introduced by ωφθη as in Revelation 11:19; Revelation 12:3, not by μετα ταυτο or by ειδον or by ειδον κα ιδου as heretofore. This "sign" is really a τερας (wonder), as it is so by... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SHE WAS WITH CHILD (κα εν γαστρ εχουσα). Perhaps εστιν to be supplied or the participle used as a finite verb as in Revelation 10:2. This is the technical idiom for pregnancy as in Matthew 1:18; Matthew 1:23, etc.TRAVAILING IN BIRTH (ωδινουσα). Present active participle of ωδινω, old verb ... [ Continue Reading ]
ANOTHER SIGN (αλλο σημειον). "A second tableau following close upon the first and inseparable from it" (Swete).AND BEHOLD (κα ιδου). As often (Revelation 4:1; Revelation 6:2; Revelation 6:5; Revelation 6:8, etc.).A GREAT RED DRAGON (δρακων μεγας πυρρος). Homer uses this old word (probably from... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS TAIL (η ουρα αυτου). See Revelation 9:10; Revelation 9:19.DRAWETH (συρε). Present active indicative of συρω, old verb, to drag, here alone in the Apocalypse, but see John 21:8.THE THIRD PART OF THE STARS (το τριτον των αστερων). Like a great comet is this monster. See Daniel 8:10. Perhaps... [ Continue Reading ]
SHE WAS DELIVERED OF A SON (ετεκεν υιον). Literally, "she bore a son" (second aorist active indicative of τικτω).A MAN CHILD (αρσεν). So A C with the neuter τεκνον or παιδιον in mind, as often in O.T. (ετεκεν αρσεν, Exodus 1:16; Exodus 2:2; Leviticus 12:2; Leviticus 12:7; Isaiah 66:7; Jeremiah 2... [ Continue Reading ]
FLED INTO THE WILDERNESS (εφυγεν εις την ερημον). Second aorist active indicative of φευγω. Here, of course, not Mary, but "the ideal woman" (God's people) of the preceding verses, who fled under persecution of the dragon. God's people do not at once share the rapture of Christ, but the dragon is... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WAS WAR IN HEAVEN (εγενετο πολεμος εν τω ουρανω). "There came to be war in heaven" (εγενετο, not ην). "Another ταβλεαυ, not a σημειον (vv. Revelation 12:1; Revelation 12:3), but consequent upon the two σημεια which precede it. The birth and rapture of the Woman's Son issue in a war which inv... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY PREVAILED NOT (κα ουκ ισχυσαν). Here κα equals "and yet" or "but." A few MSS. read the singular ισχυσεν like επολεμησεν, but wrongly so.NEITHER WAS THEIR PLACE FOUND ANY MORE (ουδε τοπος ευρεθη αυτων ετ). First aorist passive indicative of ευρισκω, to find. Probably αυτων is the objecti... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS CAST DOWN (εβληθη). Effective first aorist passive indicative of βαλλω, cast down for good and all, a glorious consummation. This vision of final victory over Satan is given by Jesus in Luke 10:18; John 12:31. It has not come yet, but it is coming, and the hope of it should be a spur to missio... [ Continue Reading ]
A GREAT VOICE SAYING (φωνην μεγαλην λεγουσαν). Accusative after ηκουσα in this phrase as in Revelation 5:11; Revelation 10:4; Revelation 14:2; Revelation 18:4, but the genitive φωνης λεγουσης in Revelation 11:12; Revelation 14:13. We are not told whence this voice or song comes, possibly from one... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY OVERCAME HIM (αυτο ενικησαν). First aorist active indicative of νικαω, the verb used by Jesus of his own victory (John 16:33) and about him (Revelation 3:21; Revelation 5:5). "The victory of the martyrs marks the failure of Satan's endeavours" (Swete).BECAUSE OF THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB (δια τ... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE (δια τουτο). "For this reason" as in Revelation 7:15; Revelation 18:8 (15 times in John's Gospel, Charles notes). It points back to verse Revelation 12:10.REJOICE (ευφραινεσθε). Present middle imperative of ευφραινω as in Revelation 11:10; Revelation 18:20.O HEAVENS (ο ουρανο). Plur... [ Continue Reading ]
HE PERSECUTED (εδιωξεν). First aorist active participle of διωκω, to pursue, to chase, hostile pursuit here as in Matthew 5:10; Matthew 10:23, etc. John now, after the "voice" in Revelation 12:10-13, returns to the narrative in verse Revelation 12:9. The child was caught away in verse Revelation... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WERE GIVEN (εδοθησαν). As in Revelation 8:2; Revelation 9:1; Revelation 9:3.THE TWO WINGS OF THE GREAT EAGLE (α δυο πτερυγες του αετου του μεγαλου). Not the eagle of Revelation 8:13, but the generic use of the article. Every eagle had two wings. Probably here, as in Matthew 24:28, the grif... [ Continue Reading ]
WATER AS A FLOOD (υδωρ ως ποταμον). "Water as a river," accusative case after εβαλεν (cast). The serpent could not follow the woman or stop her flight and so sought to drown her.THAT HE MIGHT CAUSE HER TO BE CARRIED AWAY BY THE STREAM (ινα αυτην ποταμοφορητον ποιηση). Purpose clause with ινα an... [ Continue Reading ]
HELPED THE WOMAN (εβοηθησεν τη γυναικ). First aorist active indicative of βοηθεω, old verb with the dative as in Hebrews 2:18, which see. Herodotus tells of the Lycus disappearing underground near Colossae. But this vivid symbol is not dependent on historical examples.SWALLOWED UP (κατεπιεν). S... [ Continue Reading ]
WAXED WROTH (ωργισθη). First aorist (ingressive) passive indicative of οργιζομα, "became angry."WITH THE WOMAN (επ τη γυναικ). "At the woman," "because of the woman."WENT AWAY (απηλθεν). "Went off" in his rage to make war with the scattered followers of the Lamb not in the wilderness, perhaps... [ Continue Reading ]