EXPOSITION
This chapter commences another series of revelations. Again St. John returns to the beginning, and traces the spiritual history of the Church and the Christian in their warfare with Satan. But the visions which now follow are somewhat different in character from those already related, inasmuch as the conflict is now described rather as between the powers of heaven and hell than between the individual Christian and his oppressors. As with the other visions, so here, the recital seems calculated to support the suffering Christian in his trials, since the overthrow of the powers of darkness is foretold; and the whole series culminates in an account of the final abasement of the devil, and the exaltation of the Church and the bliss of heaven.
The following analysis will help to make clear the relation of the several parts of the vision.
I. THE ORIGIN OF THE ENMITY BETWEEN CHRIST AND THE WORLD. (Revelation 12:7-13.)
II. THE PROGRESS OF THE WARFARE.
1. The assaults of the devil.
2. The overthrow and punishment of the devil. (Revelation 20:1-10.)
3. The victory of the faithful. (Revelation 14:13; Revelation 19:1-10; Revelation 21:1-27.; 22.)