How the great battle in heaven unleashes Satan’s fury, Israel’s flight, and the world-shaking events of the Great Tribulation.
Bible Study Guide
Revelation 12 places us in the midst of the war in heaven and right at the midpoint of the Tribulation. The war in heaven becomes the boiling point of Satan’s rage, and this heavenly conflict spills over onto the earth. It sets off the horrific events of the Great Tribulation. We’ll see this unfold here and in the chapters that follow, revealing both the spiritual and earthly consequences of the great battle in heaven.
Revelation 12:5 — The Birth of Christ Before the War in Heaven
(Verse 5) Christ was a Jew born out of the nation of Israel—born from the tribe of Judah—exactly according to Old Testament prophecy. Now, John sees the symbol (woman clothed with the sun) of the nation of Israel give birth to the child, Jesus Christ.
We know this because the Psalmist foretold that He would rule with an iron scepter:
“You will break them with a rod of iron;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
(Psalm 2:9)
This is a reference to Christ’s Second Coming. It points to His judgment upon the nations at the end of the Tribulation and His ruling the nations during the 1000-year Millennium after His return.
The second part of verse 5 points to Christ being taken up after His resurrection. He is taken up by God and given His rightful place on His throne at the right hand of God. All of this background sets the stage for the war in heaven that is about to erupt.
Revelation 12:6 — The Near-Far Principle and the Great Battle in Heaven
(Verse 6) Notice carefully the events of verses 5 and 6. They jump from one time period to another. In verse 5, John records the birth of Christ and then leaps to His rule during the Millennium.
Now, in verse 6, John takes another leap—this time from the Millennium back to the midpoint of the Tribulation. This is what I like to call the near-far principle, which occurs frequently throughout Scripture: when one verse or short passage jumps from an early time period into a distant future moment. This is also more commonly known as the prophetic tense.
As we approach the central war in heaven, something is happening on earth. John sees the woman—symbolizing the nation of Israel—fleeing into the wilderness. John records that those running for their lives will be hidden and protected in the wilderness for 1,260 days.
This familiar number represents three and a half years, or forty-two months—the last half of the Tribulation, known as the Great Tribulation. This earthly crisis unfolds at the same time as the great battle in heaven, connecting the spiritual and earthly realms.
But what are the Jews running from? Who tells them to flee? Where are they being instructed to go?
Instructions to Flee — Jesus Speaks About Events Surrounding the War in Heaven
Jesus Himself gives the Jews the command to run for their lives. The man Scripture calls the antichrist will turn on the Jews at the midpoint of the Tribulation—shifting from ally to hunter. This event will be far worse than the original Holocaust.
“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—
then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains…”
(Matthew 24:15–22)
The Lord’s instructions in the Olivet Discourse are crystal clear: Run! Don’t even stop to grab belongings. Jesus spoke directly to the Jews, and John is referencing this same event in Revelation. These earthly instructions occur while the great battle in heaven is underway.
Those Days of Distress Cut Short — The War in Heaven and the Elect
This is why the Tribulation Period is set to be only seven years, and the Great Tribulation only three and a half. Otherwise, no one would survive God’s wrath. But for the sake of the elect, the days are shortened.
Who Are the Elect?
The “elect” is who John refers to here. Six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust. But Zechariah tells us two-thirds of the Jews will be killed during the Great Tribulation:
“In the whole land,” declares the Lord,
“two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it.”
(Zechariah 13:8)
There are approximately 16 million Jews today. Based on those numbers, 10.5 million Jews would be killed if the Great Tribulation began now.
Although these events refer specifically to Israel, the antichrist’s rise against the Jews will be global. And he will have another group in his crosshairs. We’ll talk more about that later.
Two important truths emerge here:
- Satan’s attack on the Jews is only beginning (we see glimpses even today, such as October 7, 2023).
- God has not abandoned Israel. He will pour out His Spirit on the protected elect in the wilderness—and they will finally turn to Jesus as Messiah.
“And I will pour out on the house of David… a spirit of grace…”
(Zechariah 12:10)
All of this builds tension as the great battle in heaven continues.
What Wilderness Will the Jews Hide In During the War in Heaven?
Many believe the ancient Jordanian city of Petra is the place God has reserved for the elect. It rests within slot canyons of the Jordanian wilderness, carved by the Nabataeans. While Scripture doesn’t explicitly confirm Petra, Daniel 11:41 hints that parts of ancient Jordan will escape the antichrist’s control.
Where exactly God will lead His people, we don’t fully know. But this earthly sanctuary unfolds in parallel with the spiritual war in heaven, emphasizing how heaven and earth collide during this prophetic moment.
Revelation 12:7 – War in Heaven Breaks Out – The Great Battle in Heaven Begins
(Verse 7) The ancient serpent (Dragon/Satan) will have nations raging in wars during the Tribulation. Jesus warned of this in the Olivet Discourse, and John saw it in the second seal and the fiery red horse.
When Satan believes he finally has the earth where he wants it, he makes his move—not on earth, but in the spiritual realm. The ancient dragon who has opposed God from the beginning makes his final stand in a war in heaven—the great battle in heaven between good and evil.
This is not the first time we see the mighty angel Michael battle evil spiritual forces. Michael is a warrior angel who leads battles, assists other angels, and protects God’s people.
“But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael… came to help me…”
(Daniel 10:13)
In Revelation 12, we witness Michael again confronting Satan—this time in a decisive war in heaven. The great battle in heaven erupts, and though Satan may believe he wins temporary battles, he always loses the war.
He knows his time is short. Things are about to intensify as the third woe is unleashed.
In the next Bible study guide, we’re going to reveal the mystery behind Satan and the next sign.
Closing Reflection: Seeing Beyond the Physical Into the Spiritual Realm
As we step back from Revelation 12:5–7 and the dramatic war in heaven, we’re reminded that what we see on earth is only the surface of a much deeper conflict. Scripture consistently reveals that a real, active spiritual realm operates behind world events. The great battle in heaven echoes the ongoing clash of unseen powers that has existed since Satan’s fall.
Paul reminds us of this truth:
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, authorities, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Our struggle isn’t primarily political or cultural—it’s spiritual. And the same evil forces that will energize the antichrist and fuel the Tribulation are already influencing the world today. The deception, hostility, and darkness we see rising across the globe bear the fingerprints of the enemy whose time is running short.
Yet this passage also gives us hope.
Michael’s victory in the war in heaven assures us that Satan’s defeat is certain. God remains sovereign over both realms—seen and unseen—and He equips His people to stand firm.
As the spiritual conflict intensifies and the world edges closer to the final moments of history, may we stay alert, rooted in Scripture, and clothed in the full armor of God. Though the battle is fierce, the victory is already won through Jesus Christ. Our hope is secure, and our redemption draws near.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for opening our eyes to the truths revealed in Your Word. As we study the war in heaven and the spiritual battles unfolding around us, remind us that our strength is found in You alone. Help us to stand firm against the forces of darkness that seek to deceive and destroy in these last days.
Clothe us with Your armor, fill us with Your Spirit, and give us discernment to recognize the enemy’s schemes. Protect Your people, awaken Your Church, and draw our hearts closer to Jesus as we await His return. Strengthen our faith, steady our minds, and anchor our hope in the victory that is already won through Christ.
In the mighty name of Jesus we pray,
Amen.
<< Revelation 12:3-4 “The Mystery of the Red Dragon of Revelation” | “The War in Heaven and the Outcome” Revelation 12:8-17 >>