Devine Scripture

Revelation 12:7

What does Revelation 12:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 12:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 12:7 means

War erupts in heaven. Michael and his angels wage battle with the dragon and his angels. This is not a contest between equals, but a lawful eviction by God’s appointed champion. Michael, known as a protector of God’s people, leads the heavenly host. The scene reveals that the conflict over the child and the people of God has a decisive heavenly dimension. The dragon’s power, though vast, is creaturely and resistible under God’s command. The battle signifies the end of the dragon’s standing in the heavenly court. Spiritual warfare is real, and God’s angels are actively engaged in enforcing His righteous rule against the rebel and his followers.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angelsgoing forthto war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angelsgoing forthto war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going out to the fight with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels made war,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And there came war in the heaven; Michael and his messengers did war against the dragon, and the dragon did war, and his messengers,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And there was a great battle in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought, and his angels.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And there was war in the heaven: Michael and his angels went to war with the dragon. And the dragon fought, and his angels;

Context

Having described the woman’s preservation, John shifts to an explanatory vision. Verse 7 begins the account of how Satan’s downfall occurs in the heavenly realm, setting up the outcome in verses 8–9. This heavenly viewpoint explains the intensified persecution on earth that follows. Understanding this verse as the start of the dragon’s defeat helps the reader see the close link between Christ’s enthronement, angelic warfare, and the devil’s limited, redirected rage.

v.6And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

v.7This passage

v.8and they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jude 1:9

    But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

  • Revelation 13:7

    And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

  • Ephesians 6:12

    For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

  • Isaiah 34:5

    For my sword hath drunk its fill in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Edom, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:7

    and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire,

  • Hebrews 2:10

    For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

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