TRV
“Now have come God’s victory, power and kingship,
and the authority of his Messiah;
because the Accuser of our brothers,
who accuses them day and night before God,
has been thrown out!
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Commentary on Revelation 12 verses 1–11
Here we see that early prophecy eminently fulfilled in which God said he would put enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, Gen 3:15. You will observe,
I. The attempts of Satan and his agents to prevent the increase of the church, by devouring her offspring as soon as it was born; of this we have a very lively description in the most proper images.
1.We see how the church is represented in this vision. (1.) As a woman, the weaker part of the world, but the spouse of Christ, and the mother of the saints. (2.) As clothed with the sun, the imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Having put on Christ, who is the Sun of righteousness, she, by her relation to Christ, is invested with honourable rights and privileges, and shines in his rays. (3.) As having the moon under her feet (that is, the world); she stands upon it, but lives above it; her heart and hope are not set upon sublunary things, but on the things that are in heaven, where her head is. (4.) As having on her head a crown of twelve stars, that is, the doctrine of the gospel preached by the twelve apostles, which is a crown of glory to all true believers. (5.) As in travail, crying out, and pained to be delivered. She was pregnant, and now in pain to bring forth a holy progeny to Christ, desirous that what was begun in the conviction of sinners might end in their conversion, that when the children were brought to the birth there might be strength to bring forth, and that she might see of the travail of her soul.
2.How the grand enemy of the church is represented. (1.) As a great red dragon - a dragon for strength and terror - a red dragon for fierceness and cruelty. (2.) As having seven heads, that is, placed on seven hills, as Rome was; and therefore it is probable that pagan Rome is here meant. (3.) As having ten horns, divided into ten provinces, as the Roman empire was by Augustus Caesar. (4.) As having seven crowns upon his head, which is afterwards expounded to be seven kings, Rev 17:10. (5.) As drawing with his tail a third part of the stars in heaven, and casting them down to the earth, turning the ministers and professors of the Christian religion out of their places and privileges and making them as weak and useless as he could. (6.) As standing before the woman, to devour her child as soon as it should be born, very vigilant to crush the Christian religion in its birth and entirely to prevent the growth and continuance of it in the world.
II. The unsuccessfulness of these attempts against the church; for, 1. She was safely delivered of a man-child (Rev 12:5), by which some understand Christ, others Constantine, but others, with greater propriety, a race of true believers, strong and united, resembling Christ, and designed, under him, to rule the nations with a rod of iron; that is, to judge the world by their doctrine and lives now, and as assessors with Christ at the great day. 2. Care was taken of this child: it was caught up to God, and to his throne; that is, taken into his special, powerful, and immediate protection. The Christian religion has been from its infancy the special care of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. 3. Care was taken of the mother as well as of the child, Rev 12:6. She fled into the wilderness, a place prepared both for her safety and her sustenance. The church was in an obscure state, dispersed; and this proved her security, through the care of divine Providence. This her obscure and private state was for a limited time, not to continue always.
III. The attempts of the dragon not only proved unsuccessful against the church, but fatal to his own interests; for, upon his endeavour to devour the man-child, he engaged all the powers of heaven against him (Rev 12:7): There was war in heaven. Heaven will espouse the quarrel of the church. Here observe,
1.The seat of this war - in heaven, in the church, which is the kingdom of heaven on earth, under the care of heaven and in the same interest.
2.The parties - Michael and his angels on one side, and the dragon and his angels on the other: Christ, the great Angel of the covenant, and his faithful followers; and Satan and all his instruments. This latter party would be much superior in number and outward strength to the other; but the strength of the church lies in having the Lord Jesus for the captain of their salvation.
3.The success of the battle: The dragon and his angels fought and prevailed not; there was a great struggle on both sides, but the victory fell to Christ and his church, and the dragon and his angels were not only conquered, but cast out; the pagan idolatry, which was a worshipping of devils, was extirpated out of the empire in the time of Constantine.
4.The triumphant song that was composed and used on this occasion, Rev 12:10, Rev 12:11. Here observe, (1.) How the conqueror is adored: Now have come salvation, strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ. Now God has shown himself to be a mighty God; now Christ has shown himself to be a strong and mighty Saviour; his own arm has brought salvation, and now his kingdom will be greatly enlarged and established. The salvation and strength of the church are all to be ascribed to the king and head of the church. (2.) How the conquered enemy is described. [1.] By his malice; he was the accuser of the brethren, and accused them before their God night and day; he appeared before God as an adversary to the church, continually bringing in indictments and accusations against them, whether true or false; thus he accused Job, and thus he accused Joshua the high priest, Zac 3:1. Though he hates the presence of God, yet he is willing to appear there to accuse the people of God. Let us therefore take heed that we give him no cause of accusation against us; and that, when we have sinned, we presently go in before the Lord, and accuse and condemn ourselves, and commit our cause to Christ as our Advocate. [2.] By his disappointment and defeat: he and all his accusations are cast out, the indictments quashed, and the accuser turned out of the court with just indignation. (3.) How the victory was gained. The servants of God overcame Satan, [1.] By the blood of the Lamb, as the meritorious cause. Christ by dying destroyed him that hath the power of death, that is, the devil. [2.] By the word of their testimony, as the great instrument of war, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, - by a resolute powerful preaching of the everlasting gospel, which is mighty, through God, to pull down strongholds, - and by their courage and patience in sufferings; they loved not their lives unto the death, when the love of life stood in competition with their loyalty to Christ; they loved not their lives so well but they could give them up to death, could lay them down in Christ's cause; their love to their own lives was overcome by stronger affections of another nature; and this their courage and zeal helped to confound their enemies, to convince many of the spectators, to confirm the souls of the faithful, and so contributed greatly to this victory.
Now the friendly understanding you will have to carry out must arise from your observance of the compact: you must never think of getting back any of the things which you have abjured, and have restored to him, lest he should summon you as a fraudulent man, and a transgressor of your agreement, before God the Judge (for in this light do we read of him, in another passage, as "the accuser of the brethren," or saints, where reference is made to the actual practice of legal prosecution); and lest this Judge deliver you over to the angel who is to execute the sentence, and he commit you to the prison of hell, out of which there will be no dismissal until the smallest even of your delinquencies be paid off in the period before the resurrection.
[Daniel 7:10] "There were millions ministering unto Him, and a billion stood by His side." This was not intended to be a specific number for the servants of God, but only indicates a multitude too great for human computation. These are the thousands and tens of thousands of which we read in the Psalms: "The chariot of God is attended by ten thousands; thousands of them that rejoice. The Lord is among them" (Psalm 68:17). And in another place: "He who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flaming fire" (Psalm 104:4). Now the duty of angels is twofold: the duty of one group is to bestow rewards upon just men; the duty of the other is to have charge over individual calamities.
"...The court was in session, and the books were opened." The consciences of men, and the deeds of individuals which partake of either character, whether good or bad, are disclosed to all. One of the books is the good book of which we often read, namely the book of the living. The other is the evil book which is held in the hand of the accuser, who is the fiend and avenger of whom we read in Revelation: "The accuser of our brethren" (Revelation 12:10). This is the earthly book of which the prophet says: "Let them be written on earth" (Jeremiah 17:13).
Quite clearly he is showing in which heaven we are to understand that these things occur. For in the church we know that salvation is accomplished by the victory of Christ. Through this she has also received that authority to bind what is loose and to loose what is bound, since by way of a universal sign all in the one Peter heard, “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed [in heaven].” And about this the Lord says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He is not speaking of that authority that he always possessed but of that authority in the church that [Jesus] began to have from the time he wished to be the Head among the members.… Using a manner of speech he speaks from the person of the angels and says “the accuser of our brothers.” That is, he speaks of those who in the future will be fellow citizens [of the angels] but who now are sojourners [on the earth]. For, to be sure, the faithful now are wending their way to that city, the celestial Jerusalem, in which the angels now dwell in happiness. However, since [the devil] has been thrown out of heaven and sent to the earth, they are depicted as joyful and as rejoicing together for the redemption of those whom the Lord had deigned to prepare to inhabit as a temple for himself. For the souls of the righteous are the seat of wisdom. And the angels also give praise concerning the earthly into whom [the devil] is said to have descended, for the angels peer into the depths of the divine justice and the blessed always sing to him of his mercy and judgment, for in the redeemed they recognize his goodness and in the lost they behold his equity. Since they conquered through the blood of the Lamb, they are said to have been able to overcome the devil. And there follows,”For they loved not their lives even unto death.” We must believe that they received that love that “is poured out into our hearts,” to be sure, not from ourselves but “through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.”
Because of his accusations and calumny against people, he has been called “accuser,” which he is. The angels rejoice at his downfall, for faith has nothing to do with faithlessness. And although the saints have been accused and slandered by him, as was also Job, yet by their sufferings for the sake of Christ they have conquered him as well as all those who trusted in him.
Who accused them before our God day and night. He criticized them for using prosperity badly and for lacking patience in adversity.
For the accuser of our brethren is cast down. The angels rejoice over the salvation of their brethren, that is, future fellow citizens, who are now pilgrims.
Now is come salvation and strength, and the kingdom of our God, etc. It is clearly shown in which heaven these things happen. We know that the victory of Christ's salvation has been accomplished in the Church. For which he says: All power is given to me in heaven and on earth (Matthew XXVIII). Not the power he always had, but the power he began to have in the Church from the time he willed, as the head in the members.
And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: Now is there made 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. Since the dragon falls from heaven to the earth every day, it is certain that this voice, which is a desire of the mind for praising, starts from the Lord's coming, and does not stop clamoring in heaven, that is in the Church, until the end of the world. Therefore it is all time that is included in the adverb now. They say that salvation is made because we have been saved by the free goodness of God; strength because we have been strengthened by it; and power because we have been raised to a high glory. Indeed all these things have been made among men, although not by man, but by Jesus Christ. The Devil accuses people day and night when he takes care that some be lifted up in success, and others broken in adversity. The Devil accuses the saints not by speaking on the outside, but by listening on the inside; for his evilness is his accusation of the saints.
Therefore, the holy angels, revealing their own joy which they had at the overthrow of Satan, sing a victory hymn to God, saying just now: "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ, for He is Almighty; for by His cooperation we have overcome the enemy.
And the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has departed from us. O the self-restraint of the holy angels; how they are imitators of their own Master. They call men their brothers.
And why is this wonderful? Even the common master did not contempt to call them this; "I will proclaim your name to my brothers; in the midst of the church, I will praise you." (Heb. 2:12; Ps. 21:23) But what do they say about Satan? He has departed. He was stripped of his rank. No longer is there room for him to stand before God and accuse men.
Continue studying Revelation 12:10 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Revelation 12:10 resounds with a triumphant declaration from heaven, marking a pivotal moment in the cosmic conflict between God's kingdom and the forces of evil. This loud voice proclaims the decisive arrival of God's salvation, strength, and sovereign reign, along with the manifest power of His Christ, all made possible by the definitive expulsion of Satan, the persistent accuser of believers, from his position in the heavenly courts. It is a declaration of victory, establishing the irreversible progress of God's redemptive plan.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Revelation 12:10 is rich with Symbolism, particularly in the "loud voice" emanating from heaven, representing divine authority and the cosmic significance of the event. The "accuser" is a symbolic representation of Satan's malevolent legalistic activity against God's people. Personification is evident in the portrayal of Satan as an active, speaking entity who "accused them before our God." The phrase "day and night" employs Hyperbole to underscore the relentless and unceasing nature of Satan's accusations, emphasizing the profound relief and victory brought by his expulsion. The entire verse functions as a Proclamation or Doxology, a declaration of praise and triumph, typical of apocalyptic literature where heavenly pronouncements reveal divine truths and celebrate God's ultimate sovereignty.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 12:10 offers profound theological insights into the nature of God's sovereignty, the work of Christ, and the security of believers. It underscores that the victory over Satan, though initiated by Christ's redemptive work on the cross, has cosmic implications that culminate in his expulsion from the heavenly courts. This event signifies that the legal grounds for Satan's accusations against believers have been utterly nullified by Christ's perfect sacrifice and resurrection. The "now" of salvation, strength, and kingdom is a declaration that God's ultimate reign is breaking through with decisive power, ensuring the final triumph of His purposes and the vindication of His people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 12:10 serves as a powerful anchor of hope and assurance for believers navigating the complexities of spiritual warfare and the challenges of faith. It reminds us that our standing before God is not precarious, subject to the whims of an accuser, but is eternally secured by the decisive victory of Christ. This truth liberates us from the burden of self-condemnation and the whispers of the enemy, empowering us to live in the freedom of God's grace. Knowing that the accuser has been cast down should embolden us to approach God's throne with confidence, knowing that our High Priest intercedes for us, and no charge can stand against those whom God has justified. This heavenly declaration calls us to live out the reality of God's present kingdom and Christ's active power in our daily lives, standing firm in the victory already won.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean that "the accuser of our brethren is cast down"?
Answer: This phrase signifies a definitive and permanent defeat of Satan's role as the prosecutor of believers in the heavenly courts. Drawing on Old Testament imagery (e.g., Job 1 and Zechariah 3), Satan's primary function in this context was to bring charges and accusations against God's people before God Himself, seeking to discredit their faith and worthiness. His being "cast down" means he no longer has access to God's presence to perform this function. This is a direct consequence of Christ's finished work on the cross, which fully atoned for sin and perfectly justified believers, leaving no legitimate grounds for accusation.
How does this verse relate to spiritual warfare today?
Answer: While Satan is "cast down" from his position as heavenly accuser, Revelation 12:12 indicates that he has "great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time" and is now confined to the earth. This means spiritual warfare continues on earth, as Satan and his demons still seek to deceive, tempt, and oppress believers. However, Revelation 12:10 assures us that his ultimate power is broken, and his legal standing against us before God is nullified. Believers fight from a position of victory, not for victory, knowing that the decisive blow has already been struck by Christ. We are called to stand firm against his schemes, empowered by the truth of Christ's triumph.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 12:10 finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ" that "is come" are all direct results of Christ's victorious life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection. His sacrifice on the cross disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them (as seen in Colossians 2:15). It was through His shed blood that the legal claims of the accuser were nullified, for He became our advocate, our perfect righteousness. The casting down of the accuser is the cosmic declaration that Christ's work has utterly defeated the one who held the power of death (as described in Hebrews 2:14-15). Therefore, the loud voice in heaven is not merely a historical report but a celebration of Christ's enduring triumph, ensuring that for those who are in Him, there is now no condemnation, and they are forever secure in the power of His finished work and the advancing reality of God's eternal kingdom.