James, Revelation 12:1-5 is an introduction to identify who the woman is in the rest of Revelation 12.
Of course, the son she gave birth to is Jesus. I have never heard anyone in over 50 years of studying eschatology say that the son is not Jesus.
Jesus is the son of the woman - Israel.
Correction: Congregation Israel. She transcends time!
Nation Israel on the side before the Cross only represented the woman when Christ was born. After the cross, when Christ went back to heaven, the woman now represents the New Testament congregation, not physical Israel, where she went to the wilderness (world) with Gospel.
Revelation 12:1 is a recap of the dream Joseph had in Genesis 37 about his father (Jacob), mother, and Jospeh's 11 brothers. In Revelation 12:1 it is 12 stars, because Revelation 12:1 includes Joseph.
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:
The 12 stars are indicative of the MESSENGERS or SERVANTS of this congregation Israel. Children of God are as stars because when Christ dwells within them, they take on the responsibility to bring the light of the Lord to the world. For example, they are vessels or messengers carrying that light in the darkness. We ar in Christ, and He is in us, therefore we are lesser lights to light the earth. This is why stars are used in Scripture to SYMBOLIZE the servants or messengers of the Lord. For example, we can see this signified in Revelation 1:20 as God "reveals" to us the "MYSTERY" of this symbolism of the stars. There we read:
Revelation 1:20
- "the mystery of the seven stars which thou saw in My right hand, and the seven Golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the messengers of the seven Churches, and the seven candlesticks which thou saw, are the seven Churches".
Here God has unambiguously revealed to us the "symbolism" of what the Candlesticks represented, and what the stars represented. The Candlesticks signified the Churches and the
stars signified the messengers of the Churches. And so once again there is no need to speculate or guess what it symbolizes. God tells us plainly!
These 12 stars are representing the messengers of the congregation of Israel. The
number 12 in scripture often specifically identifies with the Lord's congregation. Look in Revelation 21 where the
12 tribes represented the Old Covenant with Israel, and the 12 Apostles represented the New Covenant with Israel. They all symbolize the same thing!!! That these are the messengers or Servants of God in the Kingdom of heaven.
The 12 Stars are arranged as a Crown to illustrate that they are Kings and they reign. Crowns in scripture are symbolic of a kingdom or reign. They are her crown, a Kingdom of Priests because they are in Christ. This is just as God said of the Old Testament Congregation,
Exodus 19:5
- "..And ye shall be unto Me, a Kingdom of priests, and a Holy nation."
Note (
not coincidentally) that God says the same thing of the New Testament Congregation,
1st Peter 2:9
- "But ye are a Chosen generation, a Kingly Priesthood, an Holy Nation.."
These things aren't incidental, God is equating the old Covenant congregation of God, and the New Covenant congregation of God! They have the SAME PROMISES and AGREEMENT because both Covenants are
with same Israel. Congregation Israel. Not physical nation Israel only! Like I said before, per Scritpure, in the New Covenant side of the cross, it has been confirmed, or strengthened (Hebrews 9:16-17) and made new in Christ's blood. The Covenant is WITH THIS WOMAN! Her messengers are her crown in Christ, Kings (rev 5:9-10) and Priests unto God. Selah!
Of course, per your post, the "type" was set long ago when Israel's son Joseph had a dream, and he dreamed that his 11 brothers (or tribes of his father Israel) were symbolized by eleven stars. You see, God is alerting us that the stars represent the Children of Israel (Genesis 37:9-10). God Interprets these things for us as He knows what He is doing even when we do not. These 12 stars a crown of the woman symbolize "The Children of Israel" in Christ.
And so this first verse tells us that this woman (Covenant Israel) is clothed with the righteousness or light of Christ, and that Christ by that light (Sun) guides her steps or lights her path. And that the messengers as little lights of Christ, reign in Christ as Kings and Priests unto God. This woman in Heaven symbolizes the congregation of the Kingdom of Heaven.
That is the biblical answer for Revelation 12:1-5!
The rest of Revelation 12 is about events to take place in the 7 year 70 week of Daniel 9, at the time of the end - which we are living in that generation.
Of course not. It is about the whole New Testament period where woman (NT Church) went forth to the world (wilderness) for symbolical 1,260 days. Not liteal 3-1/2 years or 7 years in the future.
Revelation 12:6 -
1260 days (first half of the 7 years)
1,260 days is the first part of the final week that spans over the New Testament period. Not 7 years.
Revelation 12:7-9 middle of the seven years
Rev 12:7-9
(7) And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
(8) And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
(9) And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Nope! This took place at the Cross when Satan and his messengers cast out of heaven at the same time the temple of His Body is being destroyed by his people, Jews, for rejecting the Message. This is how the Old Testament congregation fell so that she no longer have kingdom representation of God's kingdom. Remember that Christ will rebuilt it in 3 days. Now what is this temple that has fallen is not rebuilt by Christ in 3 days? Think, Douggg! Its in Scripture!
Revelation 12:14 -
the time/times/half time (second half of the 7 years)
False. It still talking about the first part of final 7, the 3-1/2 days, where Woman (church) flee to the wilderness (world) fed with Gospel. Its not the time of the end yet! Do you even know what the
wings of the eagle represent in Scripture and why was it GIVEN to the woman?! Look it up.
That is SECOND part of the final week AFTER the beast comes out of the bottomless pit who will overcome and kill Two Witnesses!
uh-uh! Do you know what is the power of the Holy People? Have you already forgotten that God gave the power to Two Witnesses to prophecy for 1,260 days while Satan was bound That is the power of the Holy Spirit is what RESTAINED Satan so that GOd's church could be built! After all Israel has been sealed and Satan come out of the bottomless pit, the power of the Holy People will be scattered! In another word, no more salvation just like the purpose of the Red Horse in Revelation 6:
Rev 6:4
(4) And there went out
another horse that was red: and
power was given to him that sat thereon to
take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
Who gave Satan the power? God! Satan did NOT have power while being bound so God first build His Church with "peace" which is salvation! But after building the church is finished, God released Satan and gave him the power to take peace (salvation) from Earth. And his great sword is his word that deceive! This is what Daniel 12:7 pointed to! Our power of testimony FOR salvation (peace) has been scattered but our salvation will not be harmed during Satan's short season of power! (little horn - hint hint hint!)