TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
KJV (with Strong's)
Therefore G1223 G5124 rejoice G2165, ye heavens G3772, and G2532 ye that dwell G4637 in G1722 them G846. Woe G3759 to the inhabiters G2730 of the earth G1093 and G2532 of the sea G2281! for G3754 the devil G1228 is come down G2597 unto G4314 you G5209, having G2192 great G3173 wrath G2372, because he knoweth G1492 that G3754 he hath G2192 but a short G3641 time G2540.
Complete Jewish Bible
“Therefore, rejoice, heaven and you who live there!
But woe to you, land and sea,
for the Adversary has come down to you,
and he is very angry, because he knows that his time is short!”
But woe to you, land and sea,
for the Adversary has come down to you,
and he is very angry, because he knows that his time is short!”
Berean Standard Bible
Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea; with great fury the devil has come down to you, knowing he has only a short time.”
American Standard Version
Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe for the earth and for the sea: because the devil is gone down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time.
World English Bible Messianic
Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
Therefore reioyce, ye heauens, and ye that dwell in them. Wo to the inhabitants of the earth, and of the sea: for the deuill is come downe vnto you, which hath great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time.
Young's Literal Translation
because of this be glad, ye heavens, and those in them who do tabernacle; woe to those inhabiting the land and the sea, because the Devil did go down unto you, having great wrath, having known that he hath little time.'
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In the KJVVerse 30,904 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Revelation 12 verses 12–17
12 ¶ Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
We have here an account of this war, so happily finished in heaven, or in the church, as it was again renewed and carried on in the wilderness, the place to which the church had fled, and where she had been for some time secured by the special care of her God and Saviour. Observe,
I. The warning given of the distress and calamity that should fall upon the inhabitants of the world in general, through the wrath and rage of the devil. For, though his malice is chiefly bent against the servants of God, yet he is an enemy and hater of mankind as such; and, being defeated in his designs against the church, he is resolved to give all the disturbance he can to the world in general: Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, and the sea, Rev 12:12. The rage of Satan grows so much the greater as he is limited both in place and time; when he was confined to the wilderness, and had but a short time to reign there, he comes with the greater wrath.
II. His second attempt upon the church now in the wilderness: He persecuted the woman who brought forth the man-child, Rev 12:13. Observe, 1. The care that God had taken of his church. He had conveyed her as on eagles' wings, into a place of safety provided for her, where she was to continue for a certain space of time, couched in prophetic characters, taken from Dan 7:25. 2. The continual malice of the dragon against the church. Her obscurity could not altogether protect her; the old subtle serpent, which at first lurked in paradise, now follows the church into the wilderness, and casts out a flood of water after her, to carry her away. This is thought to be meant of a flood of error and heresy, which was breathed by Arius, Nestorius, Pelagius, and many more, by which the church of God was in danger of being overwhelmed and carried away. The church of God is in more danger from heretics than from persecutors; and heresies are as certainly from the devil as open force and violence. 3. The seasonable help provided for the church in this dangerous juncture: The earth helped the woman, and opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood, Rev 12:16. Some think we are to understand the swarms of Goths and Vandals that invaded the Roman empire, and found work for the Arian rulers, who otherwise would have been as furious persecutors as the pagan had been, and had exercised great cruelties already; but God opened a breach of war, and the flood was in a manner swallowed up thereby, and the church enjoyed some respite. God often sends the sword to avenge the quarrel of his covenant; and, when men choose new gods, then there is danger of war in the gates; intestine broils and contentions often end in the invasions of a common enemy. 4. The devil, being thus defeated in his designs upon the universal church, now turns his rage against particular persons and places; his malice against the woman pushes him on to make war with the remnant of her seed. Some think hereby are meant the Albigenses, who were first by Dioclesian driven up into barren and mountainous places, and afterwards cruelly murdered by popish rage and power, for several generations; and for no other reason than because they kept the commandments of God and held the testimony of Jesus Christ. Their fidelity to God and Christ, in doctrine, worship, and practice, was that which exposed them to the rage of Satan and his instruments; and such fidelity will expose men still, less or more, to the end of the world, when the last enemy shall be destroyed.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–17. Public domain.
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Caesarius of ArlesAD 542
EXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 12:12, HOMILY 9
It says “come down” to preserve the allegory. As all are in “heaven,” that is, in the church, which is rightly called heaven, when the devil is thrown out of the saints, he “comes down” to his followers who are the “earth” because of their earthly affection. He is said to be thrown out of heaven, not so that he might come to those who have already been made heaven but because of those who have not become what they might be. For the saints cannot become heaven, unless the devil has been expelled.
Primasius of HadrumetumAD 560
COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 12:12
As above, in angels the church is recognized to be “heaven,” and it is proper to both to rejoice harmoniously in the Lord, for people are said to be the associates of angels and in Christ the angels serve the human nature. But there follows, “Woe to you, O earth and sea.” Just as there was exultation for those who are redeemed, there is lamentation for those who are perishing. Therefore, Ezekiel said that he saw a book having written within a lament, a song and a woe. In the lament he refers to the wailing of the penitent; in the song he refers to the joyfulness of the saints; in the woe he properly manifests the condemnation of the wicked. It is to these last that here [John] alludes when he says, “Woe to you, earth and sea and the rest, for he knows that there is little time left to him.” And so, moved by an unconquered power he confesses to the Lord and says, “Have you come to destroy us before the time.”
Andreas of CaesareaAD 614
COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 12:11-12
In imitation of God, it follows that the powers above rejoice at his downfall but grieve over those who by his plot cling to earthly things. But woe to those who dwell upon the earth, that is, clearly to those who have no citizenship in heaven but only on earth. For many upon the earth do defeat the enemy and will continue to do so, although because of the nearness of his punishment he now is especially enraged against those who fight him. And so it is necessary to think that those are unhappy who have an earthly mind and are buffeted about by the sea of life.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Revelation
Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down, etc. Just as he taught joy to the redeemed, so he taught those perishing to expect lamentation. And a great woe awaits those whom the most wicked enemy possesses in his wrath.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Revelation
Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them. Here, the inhabitants of heaven must be understood as both angels and holy men, and it is fitting for both to rejoice together in the Lord, as men are united with angels, and angels minister to the human nature in Christ.
Alcuin of YorkAD 804
COMMENTARY ON REVELATION
Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you that dwell therein. He invites the heavens in the plural to rejoice, because he is here indicating the numerousness of the churches, which all make up one. By those who dwell in heaven he means angels or holy men, for whom it is right to rejoice together in harmony in the Lord when, the enemy vanquished, men come back to the fellowship of angels. There is nothing more here that needs explaining, except that, with this joy remaining, this book should come to its due end. The exposition of the remaining chapters is missing from the manuscript, whether Alcuin wrote it or not — though in verse 3 of this last chapter he does promise that he will write more.
OecumeniusAD 990
Commentary on Revelation
Woe, he says, to the earth and the sea, because the Devil has come down to you with great wrath, knowing that he has little time. And if the descent of Satan were harmful to the earth and the sea, who would say why he came down? For to those who are sober and have hope in God, it has not only resulted in no harm but also in benefit, training them like a trainer [παιδοτρίβης] and making them more tested through trials, tempering them as iron is tempered. But he harms the sluggish and lazy, who perhaps even without the frustration of the one stirring them up, were by nature evil toward themselves, changing their passions.
And they say woe to the earth and the sea; they do not mean this, but woe to those who inhabit the earth and sail the sea among men, but to those who are of the earth and dust according to what is written (see Gen. 18:27), and who have earthly minds (see Rom. 8:7). Moreover, to those who are fickle, wavering, and unstable in their understanding. For against these, the common enemy wages war and enslaves the weak, those who are willing, bowing to his tyranny.
He says that he knows that he has little time. For the time from the fall of the Devil until his judgment and repayment to the eternal ages is indeed short.
For this reason, even Jacob the patriarch, although he lived one hundred and thirty years, said when asking Pharaoh, "The days of the years of my life have been few and evil." (Gen. 47:9)
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Revelation 12:12 presents a stark cosmic dichotomy, announcing jubilant celebration in the heavens alongside a severe pronouncement of "woe" upon the earth and sea. This dramatic contrast immediately follows the decisive expulsion of Satan, the great red dragon, from the celestial realm. The verse reveals that the devil, now confined to the earthly sphere, unleashes intensified wrath upon its inhabitants, driven by the desperate and infuriating knowledge that his time for malevolent activity and persecution is divinely limited and rapidly drawing to a close.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Revelation 12:12 is rich in Symbolism and Contrast. The "heavens" symbolize the realm of divine order, purity, and ultimate victory, while "earth and sea" represent the fallen, chaotic human realm, now the primary battleground for spiritual conflict. The "devil" is a symbolic representation of ultimate evil, rebellion against God, and the source of all accusation. The most striking device is Antithesis or Juxtaposition, as the verse sharply contrasts the "rejoice" in heaven with the "woe" on earth. This stark opposition amplifies the cosmic stakes of the spiritual war and the immediate, divergent consequences for different realms of existence. The phrase "great wrath" is an example of Hyperbole, emphasizing the extreme, unrestrained intensity of Satan's fury, while "short time" employs Litotes (an ironic understatement) or simply a statement of divinely imposed limitation, which paradoxically fuels the devil's urgency and destructive power. The entire verse functions as a Prophetic Announcement, delivering a divine decree about future events and their profound spiritual implications for humanity.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 12:12 profoundly articulates the ongoing cosmic struggle between good and evil, revealing that the spiritual realm has direct and tangible consequences for the physical world. The expulsion of Satan from heaven marks a pivotal shift, intensifying the spiritual warfare on earth. This verse assures believers that while evil may seem overwhelming, its power is not absolute; it is constrained by divine decree. The devil's "great wrath" is a sign of his desperation and impending doom, not his ultimate strength, as he knows his time is limited. This truth offers both a sober warning about the reality of spiritual opposition and a powerful encouragement that God's sovereign plan is unfolding towards the ultimate triumph of Christ and the complete vanquishing of evil.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 12:12 calls us to a profound awareness of the spiritual realities that underpin our world. It reminds us that the struggles and tribulations we face are often not merely human conflicts but manifestations of an unseen spiritual war. Knowing that the devil has been cast down and operates with "great wrath" because his time is short should not induce fear, but rather a sober vigilance and a renewed commitment to spiritual disciplines. This verse encourages us to recognize the enemy's desperation and to stand firm in the victory already secured by Christ. It challenges us to live with an eternal perspective, understanding that earthly hardships are temporary and serve a divine purpose in refining our faith and testifying to God's ultimate sovereignty. Our response to the devil's fury should be rooted in faith, perseverance, and reliance on God's power, knowing that his final defeat is certain and glorious, and that our ultimate destiny is with the rejoicing heavens, not the groaning earth.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea" mean in this context?
Answer: This phrase is a prophetic lament and warning, signifying severe distress, tribulation, and judgment that will come upon those who dwell on the earth and the sea. In Revelation, "earth and sea" often represent the ungodly world system and humanity apart from God, particularly those who align with the beast and reject God's authority. The "woe" is a direct consequence of the devil's expulsion from heaven, as he redirects his furious malice and destructive efforts toward the earthly realm, intensifying persecution and deception against humanity. It signals a period of unprecedented hardship for those who are not under God's protection, as the spiritual battle intensifies on their ground.
Why does the devil have "great wrath" because he knows he has "but a short time"?
Answer: The devil's "great wrath" (Greek: thymós, a fierce, boiling rage) is fueled by his desperate awareness that his time for active opposition to God and persecution of His people is divinely limited and rapidly diminishing. His expulsion from heaven, as described in Revelation 12:9, signifies a decisive defeat and the curtailment of his access to God's presence. Knowing that his ultimate doom is sealed and his window of opportunity to deceive and destroy is closing, he unleashes a concentrated, furious assault. This desperation makes him more dangerous, as he seeks to inflict maximum damage before his final judgment, which is ultimately described in Revelation 20:10. His wrath is the rage of a defeated foe, not a triumphant one.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 12:12, while focusing on the devil's expulsion and wrath, implicitly points to the ultimate victory of Christ, without whom this heavenly triumph would be impossible. The "war in heaven" and Satan's defeat are a direct consequence of the redemptive work accomplished by the "Lamb of God" on the cross, as foreshadowed in Genesis 3:15 and definitively achieved through Jesus' death and resurrection. It is by the "blood of the Lamb" and the "word of their testimony" that the saints overcome the accuser (Revelation 12:11). The devil's "short time" is a testament to Christ's sovereign authority, who has "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18). His descent with "great wrath" signifies the final, desperate struggle against a kingdom that has already been decisively conquered by the King of Kings. Believers are called to rejoice not only because Satan is cast down, but because Christ's victory ensures his ultimate and eternal defeat, culminating in the establishment of God's eternal kingdom where "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (Revelation 21:4) and His people will reign with Him forever (Revelation 22:5).