1. Revelation 12:12 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why is the “sea” added as a target of the woe?

Revelation 12:12 (ESV)

12 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!”

Loud voices in heaven had proclaimed that “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ” (Revelation 11:15). The “world” includes not just land/earth but also the sea—as was illustrated by the mighty angel planting his two feet on sea and land respectively (Revelation 10:2). So it is to be expected that the dragon would direct his diabolic frustration not just to the “land” part of earth but also to the “sea” part.