The Failure of the Dragon

1. Read: Revelation 12:3

2. About the Text:

1) This chapter introduces us to the great dragon.

2) Verse 9 identifies this dragon as the serpent, the Devil, or Satan.

3) This is the same being that tempted Adam and Eve in the garden.

4) In this chapter he attempts to accomplish three things:

a. Defeat the Messiah

b. Defeat Michael and the angels

c. Defeat God’s People

5) The central theme of this chapter is that the dragon fails.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. We are introduced to a woman in this chapter.

1) John calls her a “great sign.”

2) She is clothed with the Sun.

3) She has the moon under her feet.

4) She has a garland of twelve stars on her head.

5) This is symbolism from Joseph’s dream in Genesis 37:9.

6) This is a reference to God’s people.

7) This woman was pregnant with a child and was about to give birth.

8) Consider Galatians 4:4-5 – “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

2. There is a second “great sign” that John sees: a great fiery red dragon.

1) He has seven heads – indicates appearance of divinity.

2) He has ten horns – has perfect control of human authority.

3) He has seven diadems on his heads – indicates appearance of royalty.

4) His tail drew 1/3 of the stars of heaven and threw them to earth.

a. Jews?

b. Angels?

5) He stood before the woman.

6) He sought to devour the child when it was born.

3. The child was born – this is the Messiah.

1) This was a male child.

2) He was to rule all nations with a rod of iron (Psalm 2:9).

3) He was caught up to God and His throne (Revelation 11:15, Acts 2:32-33).

4. The woman flees into the wilderness.

1) She has a place prepared by God – John 14:2.

2) There she is fed for 1260 days – number of the Messiah.

5. For all of the efforts the dragon made, he failed.

1. A war breaks out in heaven.

1) Michael and the angels fought with the dragon and his angels.

2) The dragon and his angels did not prevail.

3) They no longer had a place in heaven.

2. The dragon and his angels were cast out of heaven.

1) The dragon is the serpent of old, the Devil, Satan.

2) He deceives the whole world.

3) He was cast to the earth with his angels.

3. A loud voice sounds from heaven and says:

1) “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come.”

2) The accuser is cast down.

3) He accused our brethren before God day and night (see Job 1:6-11).

4) They overcame him …

a. By the blood of the Lamb (Rev.4:6).

b. By the word of their testimony (Acts 10:42).

5) They did not love their lives to the death (Rev.2:10).

6) Rejoice heavens and you who dwell in them (Eph.2:6).

7) Woe to the inhabitants of the earth.

8) The Devil has come down with great anger.

9) He knows his time is short.

4. For all of the efforts the dragon made, he failed.

1. The dragon persecuted the woman who gave birth to the child.

1) She was given two wings of a great eagle (Exodus 19:4).

2) She flew into the wilderness to her place (John 14:2).

3) She is nourished there away from the serpent for a limited time.

2. The dragon spewed water to carry away the woman.

1) The earth helped the woman.

2) The earth swallowed the flood.

3) This might refer to what happened in Acts 8:1ff.

3. The dragon was enraged.

1) He went to make war with her offspring (Galatians 4:26).

2) They keep the commandments of God (Matthew 28:18-20).

3) They have the testimony of Jesus Christ – Christians.

4) 1 Peter 4:16 – “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”

4. For all of the efforts the dragon makes, he will fail, but we must be faithful to the Lord.

1. The Dragon Fails!

1) Against the Messiah

2) Against Heaven

3) Against God’s People

2. Invitation