Good post. But it is not in
chronological order. Here is my take on Revelation 12
Rev 12:1-4
(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:
(2) And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
(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.
(4) 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.
The woman here symbolizes the Congregation of God (Covenant Israel). The sun that this woman is clothed in is symbolic of the righteousness of Christ. The moon under her feet is again symbolic of the light directing her steps so she sees where she is going that she will not stumble in darkness. The moon is the reflected light from the Sun to guide us in darkness, John 11:1-10. The stars represent the messengers or servants of this congregation Israel. They are the children of God, both saved and unsaved. Because when Christ dwells within them, they take on the responsibility to bring the light of the Lord to the World. The 12 stars are representing the messengers of the congregation of Israel. The number 12 in Scripture often specifically identifies with the Lord's congregation. The Dragon, of course, is Satan. His tail is used as a synonym for false prophets who come to hurt and deceive the CHildren of God so they will come under the authority of Satan. That is why it cast down the third of Woman's 12 stars to signify deceived the Jewish leaders to come under Satan's influence, power, and authority, even when they claim to be the servants of God. They are responsible for bringing apostasy to the Old Testament Congregation in the days of Christ. They are the ones whom Christ will wage war with during his ministry. More on that later.
Israel was the representative of God's congregation before Messiah came, but her representation was taken from her and gave to the Church AFTER the Cross and Messiah's ascension to the Throne. The heaven here is symbolizing the Kingdom of Heaven where the WOMAN (congregation) dwells. It is the same place where Satan was among the sons of God (Elect) when Job was tested ON EARTH. Satan did NOT go up and appear before God in third heaven as most belief. Satan was still on earth, among people within God's congregation as an accuser of His people.
Rev 12:5-6
(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.
(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.
Jesus Christ was born, did his ministry, and caught up to His Throne. After the Cross, the woman no longer represented Israel, but the Church, who has fled into the wilderness. The wilderness represents the world without water of Gospel. God has prepared the World for the church to grow and fed with Gospel, safe from Satan's harm. We need to look at the wilderness of Exodus as a type of Church's journey in the world.
The 1,260 days represents the ministry of the Church in the world as long as God is saving people through the testimony of Two Witnesses which is why their ministry lasted the same 1,260 days. The Two Witnesses are the Elect that God empowered them with Gospel.
Continue to verse 7-11 next.
