Revelation: The Woman. The Dragon. The Christ.

Revelation 12:1-6

Okay—we are going to have to hang together over the next few chapters. This part of Revelation is hard to know how to interpret. Thinking in a chronological sequence, the seventh trumpet begins in 11:15–19. We considered the dramatic introduction last time. We will return to the chronological sequence in Revelation 16. In the meantime (Rev. 12–15), we will look at several events and situations that take place during the judgment of the seven trumpets.

John is not so concerned about sequence as he is about describing the events and situations that he sees. Bible scholar Robert Utley notes that John may be following the pattern of Old Testament literature, where a general description of something is given, followed by a detailed description of the same event. We see that in Genesis 1–2, with a general description of creation followed by the details of man and woman beginning in Genesis 3.[1]

During these chapters, we will see a battle taking place, a struggle between the present kingdoms of the world and the future kingdom. There is an emphasis on the birth of Jesus and on His coming kingdom. One commentator says it this way: “This is a dualism of an individual (Messiah) and a group (the people of God) versus an individual (Satan) and a group (demonically inspired unbelievers).”[2]

In Revelation 12–13, there are seven notable people and situations presented. We will work our way through these two chapters, focusing on these seven personages. Today, we will focus on the woman, the dragon, and the Christ.

The Woman (Rev. 12:1-2) 
John says that he saw two signs appearing in heaven that certainly caught his attention. The first one, he notes, was a “great sign.” John saw “a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth” (Rev. 12:1–3).

So, who is this woman? While most agree that she is pregnant with the Messiah, there are differing views on who she is. Some see this woman as representing the Church. Bible scholar Robert Mounce writes, “It is out of faithful Israel that the Messiah will come. It should cause no trouble that within the same chapter the woman comes to signify the church.”[3]

However, it seems best to me to understand the woman as signifying Israel. Genesis 37:9–11 refers to Israel as the sun and the moon (see also Isa. 60:1–3, 20). The twelve stars on the crown the woman is wearing seem to represent the twelve tribes of Israel.

In this interpretation, the pregnancy does not specifically refer to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Instead, it points to Israel as the nation through which Jesus will come.

The Dragon (Rev. 12:3-4)
The second sign John saw was a great red dragon “with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems” (Rev. 12:3). According to Revelation 12:9 and 13:1, the dragon is Satan. His heads, horns, and crowns represent his control over the world empires during the Great Tribulation. The color red might designate the bloodshed he will bring. Daniel 7:24 says that the ten horns represent ten kings who will form an alliance and reign together with the coming world ruler.

John says that the dragon’s tail “swept down a third of the stars of heaven” (Rev. 12:4). This seems to show the great power that Satan will exhibit during this awful time.

We do know this: Satan is intent on destroying the mother’s child.

Revelation 12:4b
And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.

Satan’s opposition to Jesus, Israel, and believers today is clear throughout the Old and New Testaments.[4] Satan is the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2), and we must be prepared for the spiritual battle and his schemes to take us down (Eph. 6:11–12).

The One Who is to Rule (Rev. 12:5-6)
The woman gave birth to a son, “one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron” (Rev. 12:5). This son is clearly Jesus (Ps. 2:9; Rev. 19:15). John says that the child was “caught up to God and to his throne” (Rev. 12:5). Bible scholar John Walvoord understands this to be the Ascension, as Jesus waits to return.[5]

After the child was snatched up, the woman “fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days” (Rev. 12:6).

In Matthew 24:15–16, Jesus described Israel fleeing to hiding places during the Great Tribulation. Some believe that the believing remnant of Israel will be nourished during that time, much as Israel in the Old Testament was nourished in their wilderness journey.

Okay, so what do we take away from today’s passage? I believe we see the amazing hand of God, who promised a Savior in Genesis 3:15, sent His Son, the Savior, through the nation of Israel to die on the cross for our sins. Satan did his best to destroy the Savior… but on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death forever. As the Apostles’ Creed says, “He ascended into heaven and from there will return to judge those alive and dead.” And then… we will spend eternity with Jesus. We can only say: Hallelujah! What a Savior!

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Revelation 12:1-6. Focus on the Savior who conquered death.

Talking to God: Where do I sense spiritual opposition in my life right now, and how am I preparing myself to stand firm against the dragon’s schemes?

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