Revelation 12:14

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.

And {G2532} to the woman {G1135} were given {G1325} two {G1417} wings {G4420} of a great {G3173} eagle {G105}, that {G2443} she might fly {G4072} into {G1519} the wilderness {G2048}, into {G1519} her {G846} place {G5117}, where {G3699} she is nourished {G5142} for a time {G1563}{G2540}, and {G2532} times {G2540}, and {G2532} half {G2255} a time {G2540}, from {G575} the face {G4383} of the serpent {G3789}.

But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle, so that she could fly to her place in the desert, where she is taken care of for a season and two seasons and half a season, away from the serpent’s presence.

But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle to fly from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.

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

Revelation 12:14 describes the divine protection afforded to "the woman" during a period of intense persecution by "the serpent," identified as Satan. This verse continues the powerful apocalyptic vision of cosmic conflict between good and evil, focusing on God's faithful remnant.

Context

This verse is part of a pivotal section in Revelation chapter 12, which introduces key symbolic figures: a woman clothed with the sun (often interpreted as representing God's people, Israel, or the Church), a great red dragon (Satan), and a male child (Jesus Christ). After the child is caught up to God, the dragon persecutes the woman. Verse 14 details God's provision for her safety, mirroring the events described in Revelation 12:6, where she fled into the wilderness for 1,260 days. This imagery underscores God's faithfulness to protect His people during tribulation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection and Deliverance: The "two wings of a great eagle" symbolize God's powerful and swift rescue. This imagery echoes Old Testament accounts of God carrying Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 19:4) and protecting them in the wilderness. It assures believers that even in the face of overwhelming evil, God provides a way of escape.
  • A Place of Refuge: The "wilderness" signifies a divinely appointed place of safety and provision, away from the direct assault of the dragon. It's not necessarily a physical location but a state of being under God's watchful care, where the woman "is nourished."
  • Limited Time of Persecution: The phrase "a time, and times, and half a time" is a prophetic period, widely understood as 3.5 years, 42 months, or 1260 days. This precise duration, also found in Daniel's prophecies (Daniel 7:25, Daniel 12:7) and elsewhere in Revelation (Revelation 11:2, Revelation 13:5), signifies that the period of intense tribulation and Satan's power is finite and under God's sovereign control.
  • Satan's Continued Hostility: Despite being cast down from heaven (Revelation 12:9), the "serpent" (Satan) persists in his efforts to destroy God's people, highlighting the ongoing spiritual warfare.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "a time, and times, and half a time" comes from the Greek kairos, kairoi, kai hemisu kairou. The term kairos here denotes a specific, appointed period, rather than general chronological time (chronos). This emphasizes that the duration of protection and persecution is precisely determined by God, not arbitrary.

Practical Application

For believers today, Revelation 12:14 offers profound comfort and assurance. It reminds us that:

  • God is Sovereign: Even in the darkest times of persecution or personal struggle, God remains in control, and evil's power is limited by His divine decree.
  • Divine Provision is Real: Just as the woman was "nourished" in the wilderness, God promises to sustain His people through challenging circumstances. This can be spiritual, emotional, or even physical provision.
  • Hope Amidst Adversity: The vision of refuge and a finite period of tribulation provides hope. Believers are not abandoned to the enemy but are under God's watchful eye, awaiting ultimate deliverance and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. This encourages perseverance and trust in God's plan, even when facing opposition from the spiritual forces of evil.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Exodus 19:4

    Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and [how] I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

  • Isaiah 40:31

    But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.

  • Revelation 12:6

    And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days.

  • Daniel 12:7

    And I heard the man clothed in linen, which [was] upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that [it shall be] for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these [things] shall be finished.

  • Daniel 7:25

    And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

  • Deuteronomy 32:11

    As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:

  • Deuteronomy 32:12

    [So] the LORD alone did lead him, and [there was] no strange god with him.
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