By Mike Kurtz
Read Revelation 12:1-6.
Chapters 12-14 take us out of the sequence of events of the great tribulation to introduce us to the actors in these dramatic end time events. Seven actors in all are displayed in this parenthetical section with today’s passage introducing “a woman clothed with the sun,” “an enormous red dragon,” and “a child.”
Who is this woman? She is a great sign according to the passage. She is in fact the first of seven signs in heaven. And perhaps these are signs leading to the end. I am inclined as many commentators are to see the woman as symbolic of the nation of Israel. The reference to the sun and moon seems to correlate with a similar reference in Gen. 37:9-11 where Jacob and Rachel are identified as the sun and moon, respectively, and eleven stars representing the sons of Jacob (minus Joseph to whom this dream referred). The crown of twelve stars representing the 12 tribes of Israel and the pregnancy of the woman about to give birth undoubtedly refers to Christ as seen in vv. 5-6.
The second sign and actor appears in v. 3, and this is none other than Satan (cf. 12:9) described as a red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his head. It was through him that v. 4 says a third of the stars (a reference to demonic angels in this context) are swept from the heavens. However, based on similar descriptions given in 13:1 and Dan. 7:7-8, 24, this red dragon also represents some kind of political or earthly power whose underlying strength and leader is Satan. The power of the dragon and the person of Satan are so intertwined as to be inseparable on earth. He is said to be waiting to devour the child to come…
The child? This is Jesus Christ who will rule all nations, though some contend that the child represents the church. After his birth, he is said to be snatched up to God and to His throne – where He resides today. Based on vv. 5-6, it would appear that the birth of Jesus is followed by His ascension into heaven. That is followed by the woman, or the nation of Israel, being protected for 1,260 days (i.e. 3-1/2 years). What we have here is a description of the birth of Christ, the attempt to devour Him at birth (note Herod’s decree to kill the first born males at the time of Jesus’ birth), and finally His ascension into heaven. As noted by the 19th century theologian, Henry Alford, “Words can hardly be plainer than these.” What follows after Jesus’ ascension in this passage is a gap of time that moves us forward to the tribulation period as distinguished by the reference to 1,260 days. Because Israel is shown to be fleeing to the desert for these 3-1/2 years, it would seem that this particular event occurs during the second half of the tribulation period. All this to say, John is being given a history lesson on the events of the past as they relate to the end times events. For every future event, there is a past that leads up to it.
That is true for everyone. Our futures will be shaped by our past and by the events and decisions of today. We often fall prey to the present, and once in a while we stop and think about the future particularly as it might relate to retirement, college education funds, our elderly parents, etc. These are good and necessary. But just as important is the need to consider our spiritual futures. When you have a chance this week, stop and consider how the things you are doing today will affect your spiritual future. Are you putting into place healthy disciplines that will help lead to a healthy future? How are the decisions you are making today going to affect your spiritual maturity in the future? IF you stay on your current track, where might it lead in the future?