Revelation – Chapter 12

New Testament18 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." — so begins Revelation 12. Michael stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 18 verses, two threads run through the text: God's protection and deliverance and God's kingdom and kingship. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

2And being with child, she cried travailing in birth: and was in pain to be delivered.

3And there was seen another sign in heaven. And behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns and on his heads seven diadems.

4And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to be delivered: that, when she should be delivered, he might devour her son.

5And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her son was taken up to God and to his throne.

6And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, that there they should feed her, a thousand two hundred sixty days.

7And there was a great battle in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought, and his angels.

8And they prevailed not: neither was their place found any more in heaven.

9And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduceth the whole world. And he was cast unto the earth: and his angels were thrown down with him.

10And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: Now is come salvation and strength and the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ: because the accuser of our brethren is cast forth, who accused them before our God day and night.

11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of the testimony: and they loved not their lives unto death.

12Therefore, rejoice, O heavens, and you that dwell therein. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time.

13And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman who brought forth the man child.

14And there were given to the woman two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the desert, unto her place, where she is nourished for a time and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

15And the serpent cast out of his mouth, after the woman, water, as it were a river: that he might cause her to be carried away by the river.

16And the earth helped the woman: and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

17And the dragon was angry against the woman: and went to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

18And he stood upon the sand of the sea.

Important Verses in Revelation 12

And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

Revelation 12:1

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her son was taken up to God and to his throne.

Revelation 12:5

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: Now is come salvation and strength and the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ: because the accuser of our brethren is cast forth, who accused them before our God day and night.

Revelation 12:10

And the dragon was angry against the woman: and went to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 12:17

Historical Context

Revelation belongs to the New Testament and was composed for persecuted churches, lifted to see Christ's final victory. Chapter 12 of 22 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a apocalyptic vision revealing God's ultimate victory over evil with 18 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Michael appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown…" The final verse reads: "And he stood upon the sand of the sea. " Read against its original backdrop, Written to seven churches of Asia suffering under Rome's demand for emperor worship, Revelation unveils history's hidden meaning through visions of heavenly liturgy: the Lamb who was slain stands victorious, and every… Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian.

Who Wrote It

John, exiled on the island of Patmos; tradition identifies him with the Apostle

When It Was Written

About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian

Catholic Commentary

Apocalyptic language here speaks of judgment, hope, and the fulfillment of God's promises. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." The passage repeatedly touches on God's protection and deliverance.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 26). Here, Revelation reveals the Church's ultimate destiny (CIC 1042-1050). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize God's protection and deliverance as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Behold, I am making all things new. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Revelation 12 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.

People in This Chapter

Michael1 mention

Reflection for Today

Revelation Chapter 12 presents the vision of the woman clothed with the sun, which Catholic tradition has long understood as referring to both Mary and the Church. The Catechism teaches that Mary is the "eschatological icon of the Church" (CIC 972)—what Mary is, the Church is called to become. The woman's labor pains represent both Christ's birth and the Church's ongoing struggle.

The dragon's pursuit of the woman and her offspring represents Satan's ongoing war against the Church. Catholic theology sees in this vision the spiritual combat that characterizes the present age. The Catechism teaches that "the whole of man's history has been the story of dour combat with the powers of evil" (CIC 409).

The victory proclaimed—"Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come"—anticipates the final triumph. Catholic eschatology holds that Christ has already won the decisive victory, though its full manifestation awaits His return. This chapter encourages perseverance in the face of persecution, confident that the dragon's time is short and Christ's victory is assured.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Revelation Chapter 12 about?

Revelation 12 contains 18 verses. It opens with "And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown…" and closes with "And he stood upon the sand of the sea. ". The book as a whole is apocalyptic prophecy and epistle.

What is a key verse in Revelation 12?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Revelation Chapter 12?

This chapter mentions Michael.

Who wrote Revelation and when?

John, exiled on the island of Patmos; tradition identifies him with the Apostle. About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian.

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