Zion Publishing

 In our previous study of Revelation, we have learned that there are seven principle themes identified in the book of Revelation.  Also there are seven periods or divisions that make up the Gospel Day or the opportunity of salvation for humanity.  To get a better understanding of these previously studied topics, please read Revelation Study - Part 4.

            This month we will begin the study from Revelation 12 concerning the woman and the dragon.  There are many different theories that stem from this chapter, but any interpretation should be founded upon the word of God.  Revelation chapter 12 will allow us to understand the rest of the book of Revelation more clearly.

            Revelation 12:1, “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.”

            It is understood from our previous studies that the book of Revelation cannot be taken literally.  A woman clothed with the sun and standing on the moon is a preposterous picture if taken literally but a beautiful picture seen spiritually.  It must be first understood where this woman was.  Verse one tells us that this great wonder appeared in heaven.

            In the word of God, there are three different heavens mentioned.  First, is the heaven of heavens as stated in Deuteronomy 10:14, where God dwells, also known as the celestial heavens. 

            Second, is the visible heaven which God created as recorded in Genesis chapter one, which is commonly called the terrestrial heaven. 

            The third heaven mentioned in the word of God is the spiritual heaven or the heavenly realm that God’s people dwell in after being resurrected from the dead state of sin.  Ephesians 2:4-6 speaks of believers seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.  Paul also taught the church in Philippians 3:20, that our conversation is in heaven. 

            Paul also speaks of the principalities and powers that war against the believers in Ephesians 3:10.  Hebrews 3:1 speaks of a heavenly calling and Hebrews 12:22 speaks of the heavenly Jerusalem, different from the natural city Jerusalem of the Middle East.

            These scriptures clearly show the distinction of the heavens.  Revelation 12:1 could not be speaking of the terrestrial heavens because the woman would have to be bigger than the sun and be able to stand on the moon and be clothed with the sun at the same time, and giving birth to a man child.  Nor could this scripture be speaking of the celestial heaven, for the sun and the moon are not in God’s heaven, and there is no marriage in heaven for a woman to be in labor giving birth to a child.  Also in verse 5 of Revelation 12 it states that the man child was caught up unto God and to his throne.  The child would not have needed to be “caught up” if the woman was already in God’s dwelling place.

            The last available option is the ecclesiastical heavens where believers dwell after being raised from sin, and walking in newness of life.  There was war in this heaven, and Paul spoke in Ephesians 6 of the warfare against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places.

            This vision in Revelation 12 was depicting a scene in the spiritual heavens.  Now that it can be understood that this was a spiritual symbolism, we can now go further to decipher who the woman was and the enemy that was against her.

            Some have said that this woman depicts the children of Israel with Jacob being the sun and the moon being Rachel.  But this possesses no logic; most of the sons of Jacob were born unto Leah.  The Catholics teach that this woman was Mary bringing forth Christ.  The book of Revelation chapter one verse one, Jesus Christ was showing to John the things which were shortly going to come to pass, and also in verse nineteen of chapter one, Christ told John to “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.”  John did not see Christ born of the virgin Mary.

            So who is this woman in Revelation 12?  Many times in the scriptures a woman is mentioned because she bares children of her husband.  In Isaiah the same imagery is used showing a woman bringing forth a man child in chapter 66:7-9.  In verse 8, the Bible says, “As soon as Zion travailed she brought forth her children.”  The New Testament Zion is the body of Christ, as stated in Hebrews 12:22, 23, and the body of Christ is the bride of Christ as stated by Paul in Ephesians 1:22, 23, and 5:23-32. 

            The woman is the bride of Christ, the Lamb’s wife, the New Testament church of God adorned in the light of Christ, who is the Sun of righteousness as stated in Malachi 4:2.  The greatest spiritual light to enlighten every person is Jesus Christ.  He said, “I am the light of the world.”  When the church is adorned with Christ, his light shines through the church.  Thus Christ said in Matthew 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world.”

            The church of God was clothed with the sun or adorned with the doctrine of Christ.  Romans 13:14 says, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provisions for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”  Christ was seen in their actions, conduct and all manner of conversation.  This was the great wonder in heaven:  The world saw Christ through the church. 

            Worldliness and flesh is now the most visible scene within churches today.  The lust of the flesh and things of this world have infiltrated into the church and Christ is not seen.  Hatred, bitterness, envy, strife, and fornication are seen in many assemblies today.  What made the Church of God so beautiful in the morning of the Gospel Day was that she was adorned in the holiness and purity of Jesus Christ.  Being adorned with Christ is what produces a great wonder in the ecclesiastical heavens today.  Preachers and teachers deny the ability of Christians walking in the holiness of Christ, and when the true church of God live holy and undefiled by sin and worldliness in this life, it is a great wonder to behold.

            The New Testament believers were first called Christians at Antioch because they were adorned in the doctrine of Jesus Christ.  Acts 4:13 speaks of Peter and John, and the amazement and wonder which they received after the lame man walked.  The world marvelled at Stephen when he was stoned.  He looked up into the heavens and forgave them of their wicked deeds. – Acts 7:60.  This was a replica of Christ.  Stephen was clothed in the sun. 

            If Christ is not on display, then “flesh” will be seen.  When a person is provoked, if Christ has been put on, then the person will respond as Christ responded.  I Peter 2:21-23 says, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.”  But is they have not put on Jesus Christ, they will respond in the flesh. 

            Christ must be on the inside in order to be seen on the outside.  That which is within will come out.   The New Testament church of God had put on Christ.  They had his love, forgiveness, patience, and the works of Christ in power, glory and authority. 

            The woman is the bride of Christ, the church of God.  The sun is the New Covenant or the light of Christ who is the lawgiver of the New Covenant.  The moon is the Old Covenant upon which the woman stood symbolizing that the law and prophets was the New Testament church’s foundation.  Ephesians 2:19, 20 states, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”

            In the next issue of “The Way To Zion Journal,” we will continue in our study of Revelation 12:1 and looking at a further analyzes of the crown of twelve stars upon the woman’s head.