The Woman and the Dragon
Chapter 12 - The Center of Revelation's Chiasm

 
The basic outline of the chapter

  • The woman  (v. 1, 2)
    • The dragon's main encounters outlined  (v. 3-6)
      • General overview of the war  (v. 7-9)
        • The voice from heaven  (v. 10-12)

      • General overview of the war, Part 2  (v. 13)

    • The dragon's main encounters outlined, Part 2  (v. 14-17a)

  • The remnant of the woman's seed  (v. 17b)
 
A closer analysis - the fine chiastic detail

  • The woman described  (v. 1, 2)
    • The dragon sweeps a third of the stars from heaven  (v. 3, 4a)
      • The dragon's unsuccessful plot against the woman's child  (v. 4b, 5)
        • The woman flees to the wilderness for 1260 days  (v. 6)
          • War in heaven: Michael against the dragon  (v. 7, 8)
            • The dragon cast to earth  (v. 9)
              • The voice from heaven  (v. 10-12)

            • The dragon cast to earth  (v. 13a)
          • War on earth: the dragon against the woman  (v. 13b)

        • The woman flees to the wilderness for 3½ "times"  (v. 14)
      • The dragon's unsuccessful plot against the woman  (v. 15, 16)
    • The dragon makes war with the remnant of the woman's seed  (v. 17a)

  • The remnant described  (v. 17b)

Comparing the first and last sections of the chapter

1. The Woman Described (v. 1, 2)
  1. Clothed in Christ's righteousness
  2. Standing on the lesser light
  3. Wearing a crown of twelve stars
  4. Is with child
7. The Remnant Described (v. 17b)
  1. Keep God's commandments
  2. Have the testimony of Jesus
  3. (No apparent match)
  4. Are the remnant of her seed

 
 
At the apex of Revelation's chiasm, verses 10-12 encapsulate its message

  1. The outcome of the great controversy is announced:
    • The kingdom of God is forever secured
    • The authority of Christ is permanently established
  2. The verdict of the judgment is in:
    • The loyalties of God's people have been tested unto the death
    • Satan's charges against them have proven false
  3. The salvation of the church is assured:
    • By the blood of the Lamb
    • By the word of their testimony