Chapter
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Revelation 12:12

ESV Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"
NIV Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."
NASB For this reason, rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you with great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.'
CSB Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you with great fury, because he knows his time is short.
NLT Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.'
KJV 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.
NKJV Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

What does Revelation 12:12 mean?

The voice from heaven that John heard called on all of creation to rejoice. The Devil's defeat and banishment from heaven was an occasion of great joy. However, the voice also pronounced woe to the earth and sea because the Devil was confined to the earth. Further, the Devil knew his time was short. Soon he would be confined to the bottomless pit and then to the lake of fire. So he will try to do as much damage as he can in the brief time that he has left.

Specifically, at this point in time, Satan knows he only has 1,260 days, the second half of the tribulation, to vent his fury. Although Satan is not omniscient—all knowing—he knows the Scriptures. He used them in a futile attempt to trip Jesus and cause Him to sin. He knows the Scripture foretells his appointment with eternal judgment. But how will he vent his fury in the second half of the tribulation? Revelation 12:13–17 and Revelation 13:1–18 give the answer.
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