REVELATION 12:1-6
THE MAIN ACTORS
The Woman (vs. 1)
Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.
—Revelation 12:1
The woman in this text is best interpreted as representing the nation of
There are four women in Revelation and each represents a
- Jezebel (2:20)… paganism and false teaching
- Woman clothed with the sun (our text)… Israel & Judaism
- Great Harlot (17:1-2)… false religion, apostate church
- Bride of the Lamb (19:7-8)… The Church
Additional references:
Genesis 37:9-11
The Child (vs. 2)
Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.
—Revelation 12:2
- The labor pains indicate the
The Dragon (vs. 3)
And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.
—Revelation 12:3
The seven crowns (diadems) on the seven heads represent
The ten horns represent power and
Additional references:
Revelation 13:1-4, Daniel 7:7-8
THE SOURCE OF CONFLICT (vs. 4-6)
His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 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. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
—Revelation 12:4-6
Satan hates Israel and the Jewish people because they are the
Our comfort is in knowing that God sits on the throne while Satan crawls like a
Trust in God’s plan even if you don’t
Additional references:
Revelation 1:20, 1 Peter 5:8, Matthew 2:16-18, John 10:17-18, Psalm 2:7-9, Revelation 19:15-16, Luke 24:51, Acts 1:9-11, John 14:2-3