Rev 12:10-13 | RWP | e4.org | A great voice saying ( φωνην μεγαλην λεγουσαν ). Accusative after ηκουσα in this phrase as in ; ; ; , but the genitive φωνης λεγουσης in ; . We are not told whence this voice or song comes, possibly from one of the twenty-four elders (Swete) or some other heavenly beings ( ) who can sympathize with human beings ( ), the martyrs in heaven (Charles). Now is come ( αρτ εγενετο ). Αρτ ( ) shows how recent the downfall of Satan here proleptically pictured as behind us in time (aorist tense εγενετο ). The salvation ( η σωτηρια ). Here "the victory" as in ; . The power ( η δυναμις ). Gods power over the dragon (cf. ; ; ). The kingdom ( η βασιλεια ). "The empire of God" as in . The authority of his Christ ( η εξουσια του Χριστου αυτου ). Which Christ received from the Father ( ; ). See ( ) for "his Anointed." The accuser ( ο κατηγωρ ). The regular form, κατηγορος , occurs in ; , ; , and in many MSS. here in , but A reads κατηγωρ , which Westcott and Hort accept. It was once considered a Greek transliteration of a Hebrew word, but Deissmann ( Light , etc., p. 93f.) quotes it from a vernacular magical papyrus of the fourth century A.D. with no sign of Jewish or Christian influence, just as διακων appears as a vernacular form of διακονος . Only here is the word applied to Satan in the N.T. In late Judaism Satan is the accuser, and Michael the defender, of the faithful. Of our brethren ( των αδελφων ημων ). The saints still on earth battling with Satan and his devices. Which accuseth them ( ο κατηγορων αυτους ). Articular present active participle of κατηγορεω , old verb, to accuse, usually with the genitive of the person ( ), but here with the accusative. This is the devil's constant occupation ( .). Day and night ( ημερας κα νυκτος ). Genitive of time. "By day and by night."

‏ Revelation of John 12:10-13

A great voice saying ( φωνην μεγαλην λεγουσαν ). Accusative after ηκουσα in this phrase as in 5:11; 10:4; 14:2; 18:4, but the genitive φωνης λεγουσης in 11:12; 14:13. We are not told whence this voice or song comes, possibly from one of the twenty-four elders (Swete) or some other heavenly beings (11:15) who can sympathize with human beings (19:10), the martyrs in heaven (Charles).

Now is come ( αρτ εγενετο ). Αρτ (Joh 13:33) shows how recent the downfall of Satan here proleptically pictured as behind us in time (aorist tense εγενετο ).

The salvation ( η σωτηρια ). Here "the victory" as in 7:10; 19:1.

The power ( η δυναμις ). Gods power over the dragon (cf. 7:12; 11:17; 19:1).

The kingdom ( η βασιλεια ). "The empire of God" as in 11:15.

The authority of his Christ ( η εξουσια του Χριστου αυτου ). Which Christ received from the Father (Mt 28:18; Joh 17:2). See 11:15 (Ps 2:2) for "his Anointed."

The accuser ( ο κατηγωρ ). The regular form, κατηγορος, occurs in Joh 8:10; Ac 23:30, 35; 25:16, 18 and in many MSS. here in Re 12:10, but A reads κατηγωρ, which Westcott and Hort accept. It was once considered a Greek transliteration of a Hebrew word, but Deissmann (Light, etc., p. 93f.) quotes it from a vernacular magical papyrus of the fourth century A.D. with no sign of Jewish or Christian influence, just as διακων appears as a vernacular form of διακονος. Only here is the word applied to Satan in the N.T. In late Judaism Satan is the accuser, and Michael the defender, of the faithful.

Of our brethren ( των αδελφων ημων ). The saints still on earth battling with Satan and his devices.

Which accuseth them ( ο κατηγορων αυτους ). Articular present active participle of κατηγορεω, old verb, to accuse, usually with the genitive of the person (Joh 5:45), but here with the accusative. This is the devil's constant occupation (Job 1:6f.).

Day and night ( ημερας κα νυκτος ). Genitive of time. "By day and by night."

They overcame him ( αυτο ενικησαν ). First aorist active indicative of νικαω, the verb used by Jesus of his own victory (Joh 16:33) and about him (Re 3:21; 5:5). "The victory of the martyrs marks the failure of Satan's endeavours" (Swete).

Because of the blood of the Lamb ( δια το αιμα του αρνιου ). As in 1:5; 5:6, 9; 7:14. The blood of Christ is here presented by δια as the ground for the victory and not the means, as by εν in 1:5; 5:9. Both ideas are true, but δια with the accusative gives only the reason. The blood of Christ does cleanse us from sin (Joh 1:29; 1Jo 1:7). Christ conquered Satan, and so makes our victory possible (Lu 11:21f.; Heb 2:18). "Thus the Lamb is the true συνηγορος (like Michael) of the New Israel, its παρακλητος προς τον πατερα (1Jo 2:1)" (Swete).

Because of the Word of their testimony ( δια τον λογον της μαρτυριας αυτων ). The same use of δια, "because of their testimony to Jesus" as in John's own case in 1:9. These martyrs have been true to their part.

They loved not their life even unto death ( ουκ ηγαπησαν τεν ψυχην αυτων αχρ θανατου ). First aorist active indicative of αγαπαω. They did resist "unto blood" ( μεχρις αιματος Heb 12:4) and did not put their own lives before loyalty to Christ. There is a direct reference to the words of Jesus in Joh 12:25 as illustrated also in Mr 8:35; Mt 10:39; 16:25; Lu 9:24; 17:33. Paul's own example is pertinent (Ac 21:13; Php 1:20ff.). Jesus himself had been "obedient unto death" (Php 2:8). These martyrs seem to be still alive on earth, but their heroism is proleptically pictured.

Therefore ( δια τουτο ). "For this reason" as in 7:15; 18:8 (15 times in John's Gospel, Charles notes). It points back to verse 10.

Rejoice ( ευφραινεσθε ). Present middle imperative of ευφραινω as in 11:10; 18:20.

O heavens ( ο ουρανο ). Plural here alone in the Apocalypse, though common elsewhere in the N.T. Satan is no longer in the heavens.

They that dwell therein ( ο εν αυτοις σκηνουντες ). Present active articular participle of σκηνοω (see 7:15; 13:6) to dwell (tabernacle) as of Christ in Joh 1:14 and of God in Re 21:3. The inhabitants of heaven (angels and saints) have cause to rejoice, and earth reason to mourn.

Woe for the earth and for the sea ( ουα την γην κα την θαλασσαν ). The accusative after ουα as in 8:13, but nominative in 18:10, 16, 19 in place of the usual dative (Mt 11:21; 18:7, etc.).

Is gone down ( κατεβη ). Second aorist (effective) active indicative of καταβαινω, "did go down."

But a short time ( ολιγον καιρον ). Accusative of extent of time, "a little time." The devil's departure from his warfare in the heavens reveals ( ειδως, knowing, perfect active participle) to him that his time for doing harm to men is limited, and hence his great wrath ( θυμον, boiling rage).

He persecuted ( εδιωξεν ). First aorist active participle of διωκω, to pursue, to chase, hostile pursuit here as in Mt 5:10f.; 10:23, etc. John now, after the "voice" in 10-13, returns to the narrative in verse 9. The child was caught away in verse 5, and now the woman (the true Israel on earth) is given deadly persecution. Perhaps events since A.D. 64 (burning of Rome by Nero) amply illustrated this vision, and they still do so.

Which ( ητις ). "Which very one."