Bible Study Guide

The Devil has a Short Time

“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.” (Rev 12:12 KJV)

The middle of the tribulation period marks the turning point where Satan realizes that he doesn’t have much time left. He has been cast down to Earth and releases the most savage attack possible on mankind. Jesus spoke of this as the greatest time of tribulation.

Into the Wilderness

“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.” (Rev 12:6 KJV)

Satan will unleash such a devastating torment upon Israel that they will have to flee into the wilderness. God has prepared a place to refuge for Israel where they will stay 1260 days- which is 3.5 years (Israel’s year is 360 days).

A Third of the Stars of Heaven

“And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth:” (Rev 12:4a KJV)

Many see this as the original fall of Satan when he persuaded a third of the angels to follow him. This could be true even is this passage is not a parenthetical account of past events. It could just be identifying what he had done. It could also refer to his destructive power against those that oppose him. If this is the case, John could be using the angels as examples of Satan’s destructive power.