Revelation 12:5 kjv
And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Revelation 12:5 nkjv
She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.
Revelation 12:5 niv
She gave birth to a son, a male child, who "will rule all the nations with an iron scepter." And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.
Revelation 12:5 esv
She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne,
Revelation 12:5 nlt
She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne.
Revelation 12 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Male Child/Messiah Identity | ||
| Isa 7:14 | "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin..." | Prophecy of Immanuel's birth. |
| Isa 9:6 | "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government..." | Prophecy of Messiah's divine identity & rule. |
| Gen 3:15 | "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed..." | Proto-Gospel; seed of the woman (Christ). |
| Gal 4:4 | "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son..." | Christ born of a woman, under the law. |
| Mic 5:3 | "Therefore He shall give them up until the time that she who is in labor..." | Messiah's birth and bringing forth remnant. |
| Rule Nations/Rod of Iron (Messianic Reign) | ||
| Ps 2:7-9 | "I will declare the decree... ‘You are My Son... I will give You the nations..." | Direct source of "rod of iron" prophecy. |
| Rev 19:15 | "Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike..." | Christ's future rule with a rod of iron. |
| Isa 11:4 | "But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity..." | Righteous rule of the shoot from Jesse. |
| Dan 7:13-14 | "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven..." | Son of Man's eternal dominion. |
| Rev 11:15 | "Then the seventh angel sounded... The kingdoms of this world have become..." | Universal reign of Christ established. |
| Zech 14:9 | "And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be..." | Yahweh's global sovereignty through Messiah. |
| Caught Up to God/His Throne (Ascension & Exaltation) | ||
| Acts 1:9-11 | "Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up..." | Historical account of Christ's ascension. |
| Mk 16:19 | "So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven..." | Christ seated at the right hand of God. |
| Lk 24:50-51 | "And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands..." | Christ's ascension from earth. |
| Eph 4:8-10 | "Therefore He says: 'When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive..." | Christ's ascent triumphing over powers. |
| Heb 1:3 | "who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person..." | Christ ascended and seated on high. |
| Heb 8:1 | "Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High..." | Christ as High Priest in heaven. |
| Heb 10:12 | "But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down..." | Christ's finished work and exaltation. |
| Ps 110:1 | "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies..." | Prophecy of Messiah's divine seating. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name..." | Christ's supreme exaltation. |
| 1 Pet 3:22 | "who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels..." | Christ's supreme authority in heaven. |
| Col 3:1 | "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above..." | Believers' identity with Christ's heavenly position. |
Revelation 12 verses
Revelation 12 5 Meaning
Revelation 12:5 concisely describes the birth of the Messiah and His immediate exaltation to heavenly power. The verse is pivotal in revealing the true identity of the "male child" as Christ, highlighting His destined cosmic reign and divine ascension, thereby bypassing the Dragon's immediate malevolent schemes against Him on earth. It establishes Christ's ultimate victory and sovereign authority.
Revelation 12 5 Context
Revelation 12 opens a new symbolic vision within John's apocalypse, introducing key figures in the cosmic conflict. The chapter primarily depicts a heavenly drama concerning "the woman" (clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars), "the male child," and "the great red dragon." Verse 5 focuses on the birth and immediate exaltation of this male child, establishing Him as the fulfillment of ancient prophecies. Historically, this vision speaks to the original audience facing Roman imperial claims of divinity and persecution. It offers a transcendent perspective, showing that the ultimate authority lies not with Caesar, but with the divinely enthroned Christ, whose ascension safeguards Him from earthly destruction and signifies His ultimate victory over Satan. The swiftness of the narrative from birth to ascension bypasses Jesus' earthly ministry and crucifixion, underscoring the spiritual significance of His triumph and divine appointment over worldly threats and powers, specifically the Dragon's attempt to "devour" Him.
Revelation 12 5 Word analysis
- And she brought forth: This signifies the culmination of prophetic expectation and divine promise. The "she" is symbolic of Israel, the nation from which the Messiah sprang, reflecting God's faithfulness to His covenant. It represents the historical reality of Jesus' birth.
- a male child (Greek: huion arsen - "a son, a male"): Emphasizes the specific identity and nature of the child as the prophesied Messiah, heir to the Davidic throne. The masculinity is significant in fulfilling prophecies of a King, distinguishing Him as the unique Son of God.
- who was to rule (Greek: ho mellōn poimainein - "the one intending to shepherd/rule"): Poimainein implies both strong authoritative rule and tender, protective care, like a shepherd. The use of the present active participle points to an immediate and continuing purpose or destiny for the Child. It foreshadows His role as the Great Shepherd King.
- all nations: Highlights the universal scope of Christ's sovereignty, not limited to Israel, but extending to all peoples and kingdoms on Earth.
- with a rod of iron (Greek: en rhabdō sidēra): A direct quotation from Psalm 2:9, symbolizing Christ's unchallengeable and unbreakable authority. This rule is absolute, righteous, and executed with justice, overcoming all opposition. It signifies a shepherd's staff for guidance and protection, but made of iron, representing unwavering, unyielding power, especially against rebellion.
- and her child was caught up (Greek: hērpasthe - "was snatched up," "taken away by force"): This powerful aorist passive verb indicates a sudden, swift, divinely orchestrated removal or rescue. It points directly to Christ's resurrection and ascension, bypassing the cross and ministry as narrated in Revelation 12 (though not denying their historical reality). It emphasizes that despite Satan's efforts, God instantly delivered the child into safety and power. This implies God's protection and successful completion of His mission.
- to God: Indicates a divine destination, signifying the Child's divine nature and His return to the Father's presence.
- and to His throne: Signifies Christ's exaltation to the highest position of authority in the universe, co-reigning with the Father. It is a symbol of His triumph over sin, death, and all evil forces. This is the ultimate fulfillment of His destiny.
Revelation 12 5 Bonus section
The seemingly abrupt transition from birth to ascension, omitting the earthly life, ministry, and crucifixion of Jesus, is deliberate in Revelation 12. It emphasizes the divine decree and ultimate outcome of Christ's work, rather than a chronological biography. This highlights two crucial theological points: Firstly, God's immediate protection of His Son from Satan's intended "devouring" plan from the very outset (as seen in the attempts to kill Jesus in infancy by Herod). Secondly, the passage fast-forwards to Christ's secured victory and authority at the right hand of God, from which He directs all subsequent events. This assures believers that Christ is already victorious, reigning from heaven, and therefore the spiritual war they witness or participate in on earth is against an already defeated foe whose doom is certain. The battle for the "child" has already been decisively won in the heavenly realm.
Revelation 12 5 Commentary
Revelation 12:5 is a dense, symbolic summary of the essential triumph of Jesus Christ, setting the stage for the cosmic battle to follow. It declares that the Messiah, destined to rule with unyielding authority over all nations as prophesied, was supernaturally delivered from the forces of evil immediately after His birth. The direct ascent to God's throne symbolizes Christ's resurrection, ascension, and exaltation, confirming His complete victory over Satan's machinations even before the fuller recounting of the spiritual war. This swift sequence underscores that no earthly power, nor the full force of the Dragon, could ultimately prevent God's plan for His Son. The focus is not on His earthly life or crucifixion, but on His ultimate status and unchallengeable reign in glory, assuring believers that their King is sovereignly enthroned and secure. This verse is a powerful declaration of Christ's messianic identity and divine kingship, providing a bedrock of hope amid tribulation.