Revelation Chapter 12 

“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: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 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. And his tail drew a 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. 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.” Revelation 12:1-5

The woman represents the True Church of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament she was called Israel .

“And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.” Isaiah 62:2-3

“And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord God shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name. Isaiah 65:15

What is this new name that God’s people Israel are to be called, none other than Christians!

“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch . And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians.” Acts 11:26

This is the same Church in the wilderness in Acts 7:38 “This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in mount Sina , and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us.” Acts 7:38

That the Christian Church is meant will appear also from her being clothed with the sun, a striking emblem of Jesus Christ, the Sun of righteousness, the light and the glory of the Church; for the countenance of the Son of God is as the sun shineth in his strength. 

“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.” Revelation 12:1

The sun depicts her as God’s chosen nation. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” I Peter 2:9

The moon under her feet alludes to God’s promise of dominion and the crown of twelve stars pictures royalty and relates to the 12 Tribes of the Children of Israel.

The Sun, Moon, and Stars, take us back to the Book of Genesis, where we find the story of Joseph’s dream. “And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For behold we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright: and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? Or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more: and behold, the sun and the moon and the stars made obeisance to me.” Genesis 37:5-9

When Joseph told Jacob his dream it was clear to Jacob that this represented his family. The people and the kingdom of Israel is clearly referred to as a Woman in the following verses: Isaiah 50:1; 47:7-9; 54:1; Jeremiah 3:1-25; Hosea 2:1-23

The Sun, Moon, and Stars represent the Glory of the Godhead in the resurrection. The crown of Twelve Stars represents the Twelve tribes of the Children of Israel; as it may also represent the Twelve Apostles or the Twelve last-day Apostles of the Lamb. Revelation 21:12-14

“And she being with child cried travailing in birth and pained to be delivered.” Revelation 12:2

This, when taken in connection with the following verse is a striking figure of the great persecution which the Church of Jesus Christ should suffer.

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.

The dragon is identified as Satan. His red color shows his murderous character. John 8:44. His seven heads and seven crowns depict the completeness and universality of his power and influence over the seven world kingdoms. His ten horns show Satan’s connection with the fourth beast of Daniel 7 (vv.7, 24) and with the Beast of the sea in chapter 13 of Revelation. The dragon is expressly identified as the Devil. The great dragon is a direct reference to the Pagan Roman Empire. The seven heads of the dragon represent the seven forms of Roman government when it changed from a republic to an imperial power. The “seven heads with seven diadems and ten horns” represent Satan’s dominion as prince of this fallen world. He is the prince of this world: or, his claim to, and effort for, universal dominion. He is god of this world; but he is not God Omnipotent. He is not all-powerful; nor can he be everywhere at once, nor does he know everything. There are not two Gods. Only ONE God, the Most High God who dwells in the High and Holy place, whose Name is Holy. The devil is a powerful prince of evil, permitted, in the wisdom of God, for some reason beyond human understanding, to make trouble for a while. But his doom is inevitable! 

“And his tail drew a third part of the stars 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.” Revelation 12:4

The “stars of heaven,” which he cast to the earth, may signify his power to marshal the hosts of the unseen world against the saints of God; or, his power to influence Church leaders to apostasy. Falling stars can also mean apostate saints falling.

“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.” Revelation 12:2-5

The man-child that is referred to, no doubt, has a two-fold interpretation.

1) Jesus Christ as an individual was hated by the dragon, the Roman Empire and Herod the Emperor (Satan and his angels) and therefore they sought to kill him.

2) The man-child can also be rightfully interpreted to apply to a corporate body or The man-child company as seen in Revelation 14:1, who are Witnesses to the Truth.

Please note: I will not go into great detail with this as some seem so at liberty to do and speak forth their theories on Heavenly things of which they are not privy to and have no knowledge on.

I do realize that there are many who seem to think that the Book of Revelation is some end time, seven year, end of the age, futuristic book. However, God’s Word is for the Saints of all times, throughout all generations! If only more people understood this. Yes, it does have a fulfillment and a climax at the Close of the Age. But the things that have been taught according to Modern Dispensationalism and Prophetic Futurism are gross, distorted, twisted, perverted, noxious weeds that have been sown, and for this we must be charitable in attempting to help our fellow brothers understand these things about prophecy! 

Jesus Christ was crucified in A.D. 33 and The Book of Revelation was written in A.D. 96. The Temple in Jerusalem , Palestine was destroyed in A.D. 70, some 26 years before John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos where he was persecuted for The Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ, when he received the Revelation to write the Apocalypse. Having said all of this, the Bible and History go hand in hand. Further, the Book of Revelation was written to give the True Church and Woman of Revelation Chapter 12, God’s Holy Apostles, Prophets and Saints of all times throughout the course of history, confidence, encouragement and edification in times of persecution! 

“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 three-score days.” Revelation 12:6

No doubt, there are some great promises in God’s Word in reference to a prepared wilderness by God. A place of preservation for the True Church of Jesus Christ. Exodus 3:18; Deuteronomy 8:1-16 However, I believe this to have had a prior and Historical fulfillment when William Bradford (a courageous man whom I have studied, “The Life and Works of William Bradford”) was compared to a Type of Moses, leading yet another, Great End Time Exodus, sailed on the Mayflower to these United States of America with his Mayflower Compact being signed on the 11th day of November, 1620, “There was drawn on the lid of a chest on board the Mayflower in Plymouth harbor, and signed by forty-one of the principle men of the first band of Pilgrims, a platform of government known as the Compact, which gave to these people the claim of being the first “signers” of this great and free United States of America. At this time, the earth opened her mouth and helped the Woman flee from the persecution in Europe . The study materials that the Puritans brought with them was their Geneva Study Bible and a Book by John Foxe, popularly known today as Fox’s Book of Martyrs, A HISTORY OF THE LIVES, SUFFERINGS AND TRIUMPHANT DEATHS OF THE EARLY CHRISTIAN AND THE PROTESTANT MARTYRS. Which in addition to their Geneva Bible, was to be read, studied, and taught to their children, and to their children’s children, so that they would never forget the horrible Persecution that these Courageous Saints and People of God had escaped from when the earth opened up her mouth and helped the Woman flee to these United States of America. (History is irrefutable, and for those who do not know history, they are doomed to the failures and mistakes of the past!) “Laurie Wallace Original” 

“And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not: neither was there place found any more in heaven. 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.” Revelation 12:7-9

Satan, having lost all opportunity to do damage in Heaven, he henceforth devotes himself to the Earth, to hamper and hinder, as much as possible, Christ’s redemptive work, and to keep as many human beings as possible out of Heaven. The vision of the war in heaven anticipates Satan’s exclusion from “Heaven” and his restriction to the earth during the tribulation.

“Michael,” the archangel, is the leader of God’s holy angels, Daniel 10:13-21, 12:1, and had some previous experience in contending with the devil. Jude 9. Satan is the chief of the fallen angels. God will empower Michael and his forces to cast Satan and his forces out of access to heaven, so that Satan must thereafter confine his activities to the earthly sphere. He is given four designations (1) dragon pictures his monstrous character as the enemy of God; (2) serpent connects him with the clever deception of Eve in Genesis 3; (3) Devil means “slanderer” (4) Satan means “Adversary.” He also deceiveth the whole world. 

The war in Heaven is a counterpart of conflicts between good and evil on earth. Possibly the outcome depends, more than we realize, on the armies in the invisible world.

The Dragon, in his determination to keep as many as possible from being saved through the Blood of Christ, installs himself in the “Beast,” “False Prophet,” and “ Babylon ,” all of which are institutions!

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.” Revelation 12:10-13

The words salvation, strength (Gr. Dunamis, “power”), kingdom, and power (Gr. Exousia, “authority”), all refer to the Coming of the Millennial Kingdom of Christ on earth. With reference to believers, Satan is most commonly referred to a tempter and the accuser of the brethren before God. (cf. Job 1:6-12; 2:1-5; Romans 8:33, 34) Believers can and will overcome him through the Blood of the Lamb and their witness (Testimony) for and about Christ. The Tribulation will be a time of terrible trouble on earth (cf Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1; Zephaniah 1:15; Matthew 24:15-31) for God’s people, just as it has been during times of persecution of the Saints in the past! It will be Satan’s final attempt to prevent the Establishment of Christ’s Kingdom on earth. Therefore, he has great wrath and intensifies his persecution on God’s chosen people, Israel-believers/Christians; while setting up his own counterfeit kingdom through the Beast Government System, False Prophet, and Mystery Babylon, all of which are institutions!

“And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and a times, and a half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:14-17

Satan’s persecution is an attempt to exterminate God’s chosen people, thereby preventing the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham and David in the Messianic Kingdom. But God protects His True Church, as He always has! The wings of a great eagle represent swift escape from persecution. Eagle’s wings represent being transported by the power of the Holy Spirit. The wilderness represents a place prepared by God for safety and preservation for the True Church . This has had a prior fulfillment when William Bradford led the Puritans to America to flee the persecution in Europe . The flood symbolizes overwhelming evil and persecution. Satan, through his forces, will persecute believers throughout the earth, as he always has. The “river of water” which the Dragon cast after her may refer to the Persecutions of the Church by the Roman Empire and the Persecutions/lies, armies, propaganda of Satan during the Tribulation period. A very common opinion is that after the rise of “ Babylon ,” the “Harlot” Church of Revelation Chapter 17, the True Church went into hiding. While the Harlot Church was on the Throne of World-Power, the True Church was out of sight, away in the wilderness. When Satan sees that he is not successful in destroying the woman, he proceeds to make war against the Godly Christian remnant of her seed. The remnant of the woman’s seed, are the remaining saints.

I do hope this brief study and overview of interpretation on Revelation Chapter 12 has enlightened you and given you much to think on and digest.

End Note by Laurie Wallace: January 18, 2006 – What you see transpiring in the earth today at this very critical moment in history is Satan’s final and last attempt to prevent the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham and David in the Messianic Kingdom. The Establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth with Jerusalem as its Glorious Capital from which Christ will Rule and Reign from during the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ, as the kingdoms of this world, (Rev. 11:15) were to only last but 6000 years and The Stone Kingdom of Jesus Christ is Rising in the Earth, the Mountain cut without hands, and these Kingdoms of Our Lord and of His Christ will last for ever and ever! Rev. 11:15 (MARK MY WORDS!) Further, the Stone Kingdom of Jesus Christ is going to break with a Rod of Iron and dash in pieces like a Potter’s Vessel all of the others kingdoms of this world that are opposed to His Reign, His Rule, and His Authority in the earth as His Righteous Government of a Theocracy is being set up as the kingdoms of this world has become the Kingdoms of Our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall Reign for ever and ever! Promoting Peace to all men and goodwill to mankind here on earth for 1000 years of Peace during the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ! Revelation 20:4 “FOR THOSE WHO OVERCOME!” 

HERE YE THE WORD OF THE LORD:

IT IS WRITTEN:

“The kingdoms of this world, has become The Kingdoms of Our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall Reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15 

I decree and declare this as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, having some knowledge into the Mysteries of God! Believe this, get it deep into your Spirit Man, and start speaking it and confessing it with your mouth:

“Lord, I want your Reign!”

“Lord, I want you Rule!” 

&

“Lord, I want your Kingdom!”

Let the whole House of Israel and the whole House of Judah declare with One Voice: “Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord!” Luke 13:35 “Come, Lord Jesus Come!”

“And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17 

In His Service,

JESUS CHRIST LIVES!

Laurie Wallace

Bond Servant of Jesus Christ

p.s. This article that I had written was on my website and I am passing it along for the Encouragement and Edification of God’s True Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Teachers and Saints to get them excited about God’s Coming Kingdom to this earth, full of hope and joy at His Glorious appearing, “…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Col. 1:27 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestations of the Sons of God. Because the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body!” Romans 8:18-23

It would be my Fervent and effectual Prayer that this writing has been a blessing to each of you that are in great anticipation and longing for His Appearing in His Kingdom, in hopes that each of you, “Give all diligence to make your Calling and Election sure!” II Peter 1:10 (Emphasis Mine) As some of you are being qualified and chosen for Kingdom Service in the Age and World to come and have been misled by some of the popular theories of Bible Prophecy that are being taught today, which has caused many to lose heart in the hope of their calling, set and appointed time for their ministry! Therefore, don’t lose heart, because your time of Ministry is coming in the Glorious Kingdoms of Our Lord and Of His Christ! Revelation 11:15

The Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ! “Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy Crown.” Revelation 3:11