Who is the woman mentioned in Revelation Chapter 12? Let’s dive into the scriptures to answer this one.
And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: (2) And she being with child cried travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. Revelation 12:1-2 KJV
In this chapter the Apostle John’s writing is connecting different times. There is a section that is the past, the present and the future. When we begin reading we automatically have an idea in our heart who he is referring to in the scripture. We need to be aware that the Holy Spirit reveals the truth to us as we read. The sun from previous chapters, we know, represents the Lord. We also know the moon represents the church. We can see these two symbols are connected to her and her child. The twelve stars represent the twelve tribes of Israel. This woman is pregnant and she is about to deliver a child. This woman is Mary and her child is Jesus, the Messiah.
(3) And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. Revelation 12:3 KJV
And John saw another wonder in heaven. He saw a great red dragon. This dragon is non other than Satan. If we break down the second part regarding the seven heads we will come to the conclusion he has seven areas he spiritually covers and ten horns represent ten leaders under him. The seven crowns upon his head represent seven areas he rules. In other words he has seven areas he is king over or has dominion.
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
This account is a scene from the past. Satan drew a third of the stars of heaven. These particular stars are related to the angels in heaven and we know that he influenced a third of the angels to follow him. This rebellion is what caused them to be thrown out of heaven, cast to the earth and put in chains.
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered then into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; ~ 2 Peter 2:4 KJV
So through Peter we can see another portion of the scripture confirms that these stars are the angels which were in heaven. And as the child was ready to be born Satan was ready to kill this child.
(5) 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 KJV
This particular scripture sums up the birth of Jesus, he was to rule the nations and then he was taken up to God the Father and his throne in heaven. We know he is seated at the right hand of God the Father.
(6) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. Revelation 12:6 KJV
This is the scripture that can confuse many because it jumps back in time to discuss when Mary went to a place for a short time that was prepared of God. One might ask…”When did Mary go away for a time?” The answer is right after Jesus was born she had to go away for a short time because King Herod was searching for “the child” that was born to kill him.
Right after the wise men visited Jesus and brought his gifts was when the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying he should arise and leave to Egypt.
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. ~ Matthew 2:13 KJV
In verse 19 of the book of Matthew (Matt 2:19) we find out King Herod is dead. So the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph again and told him to return to the land of Israel. We know that upon their return Joseph took them to Nazareth for fear of King Herod’s son, Archelaus, who was now reigning in his place. We also find out how much time they spent in Egypt. It was one thousand two hundred and sixty days which equals about 3 years and 4.5 months.
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. ~ Matthew 2:19 KJV
But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. ~ Matthew 2:22-23 KJV
