Woman Clothed with the Sun

A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.  She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. (Revelation 12:1-2, NIV 1984).

My Musings – As with many of the visions in Revelation, the woman is not identified, but merely described. And one might imagine, there are a variety of viewpoints as to the identity of this “woman clothed with the sun.”

• Mary – One viewpoint is that this is a symbolic reference to Mary the mother of Christ.
• Church – Others identify her as the Church, with the twelve stars representing the twelve apostles.
• Israel – Still others see the woman symbolizing Israel, as indicated by one of Joseph’s dream s. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” (Genesis 37:9–10, NIV 1984).
• Combination – As in other signs and prophecies, there is no reason why this one cannot have multiple meanings, as each exemplify Satan’s efforts through the ages (what was, is and is to come) to thwart God’s program for His creation.

The woman was said to be pregnant and about to give birth. Under the first viewpoint above, John would be looking back to the birth of Christ to the Virgin Mary, (what was).  Under the second viewpoint, it could be referencing the persecution of the church as Satan opposes it prior to the rapture (what is now).  Finally, if a symbolic reference to Israel of the past, it could point to the suffering of the future nation prior to the parousia, (what is to come). This period of time is, after all, considered by many to be Israel’s missing “week.”

My Advice – God, the great architect and designer of creation, has carefully plotted out the future consummation of that creation. Drawing upon what and is as it unfolds could be very instructive to those going through the tribulation whose eternal destiny hangs in the balance. For those of us alive today, we can also look back to what was recorded in God Holy Scriptures to help us discern the signs of the times, as well as the frequency and intensity of the birth pains. As we do, let’s make sure our “lamps” are full of oil and the “wicks” are trimmed. The bridegroom may come at any time. Are you ready?

Resources:

Walvoord, John F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 957–958). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Re 12:1). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Cabal, T., Brand, C. O., Clendenen, E. R., Copan, P., Moreland, J. P., & Powell, D. (2007). The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith (p. 1903). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.