Revelation 12:7

Translations

Modern

Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.

Traditional

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

Literal

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels warred against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels warred back.

Latin

Et factum est prælium magnum in cælo: Michaël et angeli ejus præliabantur cum dracone, et draco pugnabat, et angeli ejus:

Original

Greek

English

Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.

Notes

Revelation 12:7–9

This scene reveals the dragon’s identity and power.
God sends Michael, the warrior archangel (see Daniel 12:1; Jude 1:9), to face the dragon and his angels. God does not need to fight the battle himself (see Matthew 26:53), and Satan is defeated.

Revelation 12:1–17

Satan is shown as a dragon. He plots to oppose God's plans but fails. After losing a direct battle with God and Christ, he tries to harm God's followers. Three short scenes summarize the story (Revelation 12:1–6), followed by details of the war in heaven (12:7–9) and the war on earth (12:13–17).

Revelation 12:1–14:20

The people of God are pictured as a woman who gives birth to the Messiah. Even though the devil has already been defeated, he continues to attack her and her children (Revelation 12:1–17). With his two followers, the beast and the false prophet, Satan tries to keep controlling the world (Revelation 13:1–18) before the final battle with the Lord (14:1–20).

Theme notes and profiles

Adam and Eve Overcoming the Devil Visions

Related verses

Jude 1:9
But even the archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not presume to bring a slanderous charge against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
Daniel 12:1
“At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
2 Peter 2:4
For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
Daniel 10:13
However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.
Daniel 10:21
But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince.
Revelation 20:2
He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Revelation 12:3–4
Then another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads.
2 Corinthians 12:7
…or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
2 Thessalonians 1:7
…and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels
Matthew 13:41
The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness.

People

Michael: An archangel who fights for God's people

Glossary

Angel Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of Revelation Dragon Evil Lucifer Michael

Topics

Angel (A Spirit): A Celestial Spirit of Different Orders Angels are of Different Orders Archangel Michael Demons: Punishment of Fallen Angels Heaven: God's Dwelling Place Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena: Symbolical used in the Revelation of John Michael: The Archangel: Fights with the Dragon The Serpent Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Red Dragon Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The War in Heaven War in Heaven: Symbolical

Revelation 12:7

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