Section 48
C. WAR BETWEEN SATAN AND THE WOMAN AND HER SON (12:13-17)
Satan’s persistent hostility towards the people of God is developed. Since the Man Child is safe from his hostility, Satan turns his attention to the woman and the rest of her children.
13. The ‘war in heaven’ (v.7) appears to be an attempt to destroy the Man Child. Baulked in that attempt the dragon turns his attention to the mother. The persecution of the church is not primarily of human origin; it is Satan’s reaction to his defeat in heaven. Since his activities must now be confined to earth he hits out against those associated with his conqueror.
14. To the woman were given (it is not said by whom) the two wings of a great eagle, which probably indicates ease and speed of flight. The woman was able to flee into the wilderness (desert; cf. v.6), to the place prepared for her. The wilderness is the opposite of ‘the great city’ which is ’Sodom and Egypt’ (11:8) and which always opposes God and God’s people. In the days of old, God’s people escaped from Egypt into the wilderness, and symbolism from Egypt is in mind throughout this chapter. Physically the members of the church live in the world, the great city. But they do not belong to it; their true home and their sure refuge is far from the great city, i.e. in the wilderness.
The eagle’s wings call to mind the word of God to his people, ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself’ (Ex. 19:4; cf Dt. 32:11; Is. 40:31). The woman is to be taken care of, though it is not said by whom. That God provides for her is important, the agent he employs is not. For a time, times and half a time see note on 11:2; here the forty-two months may contain an allusion to the forty-two stages in the wilderness wanderings (Nu. 33:5ff.). During this period the woman is secure in her hiding place and inaccessible to Satan. He is now called the serpent but there appears no real difference from ’the dragon’ (v.13).