“And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it is born.”
This verse is part of the larger passage in Revelation 12 that describes a symbolic vision given to the apostle John. In this vision, John sees a great sign in heaven-a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She is about to give birth, and a great red dragon stands before her, waiting to devour her child as soon as it is born.
Let’s break down the verse and explore its meaning:
“And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth”: This part of the verse describes the action of the dragon’s tail, which drew and cast down a third of the stars from heaven to the earth. The dragon is often associated with Satan or the devil in biblical symbolism. The casting down of the stars could represent the fall of the rebellious angels who followed Satan’s rebellion against God. This event is believed to have taken place before the creation of the Earth, and it signifies the spiritual warfare between good and evil.
“And the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born”: The dragon, representing Satan, stands before the woman who is about to give birth. This woman is often understood to symbolize Israel, the people of God, or the Church. The child she is about to deliver represents Jesus Christ, who was born into the world to fulfill God’s plan of redemption. The dragon’s desire to devour the child as soon as it is born represents Satan’s continuous attempts throughout history to prevent God’s plan of salvation through various means, such as Herod’s attempt to kill baby Jesus.
Overall, this verse from Revelation 12 portrays a cosmic battle between good and evil. It highlights Satan’s opposition to God’s redemptive plan and his relentless efforts to thwart it. However, the passage also shows God’s sovereignty and protection over His people, as the child, Jesus, is ultimately delivered and fulfills His mission of salvation. The imagery used in this passage is highly symbolic, and understanding its deeper meaning requires careful interpretation in light of the overall message of the book of Revelation and other biblical passages.
