A commonly held belief among many Christians today is that the woman in John’s vision of Revelation 12 represents the Christian Church (God’s people) and that the moon under her feet, is symbolic of the old covenant which was done away with at Christ’s death. Yet when examining John’s vision and the symbolism surrounding this mysterious woman, there may be more to her identity than is now realized.
First off, the woman is found to be pregnant. Did the Christian Church give birth to the promised Christ child? No. John’s vision is pointing to a time before the start of the Christian dispensation.
Second, the dragon (Satan) standing before the pregnant woman, is seen sweeping away with his tail a third of the stars of heaven. Again, this is pointing to a time long before the Christian Church, particularly to the time of Lucifer’s rebellion and the great angelic fall from heaven.
Third, the dragon is seen waiting to devour the woman’s child once born. This is a biblical-historical reference to the wicked king Herod’s attempt to kill the promised Christ child once born in the flesh of man.
Fourth, after the Christ child is caught up to God and his throne, the dragon persecutes the woman. This is a reference to God’s people (Jews and Christians) who suffered persecution under Rome’s imperial rule.
Fifth, the woman flees from the dragon and is nourished in the wilderness for 1260 days (years). This is a reference to God’s people (Christians and Jews) who suffered persecution under Rome’s papal rule.
Sixth, the dragon makes war with the woman’s seed who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus. This is a reference to God’s people (the remnant of her seed) who are yet to suffer Satan’s persecution in the last days.
When examining John’s vision, the theme of the Great Controversy is clearly seen throughout the story of the woman, the dragon, and her seed. Therefore, the woman and the timeline of John’s vision may not be limited to this Christian dispensation as commonly thought. Who is the woman that traverses John’s timeline vision? One plausible answer, The kingdom of God both in heaven before Christ’s birth and on the earth after Christ’ resurrection (new birth).
God’s kingdom of glory: symbolized by the woman in heaven bearing the promised Christ child. A kingdom of glory, where the glories of the sun, moon, and stars are symbolic of the glory of God, His Son, and the angelic hosts of heaven (scripture texts supporting this notion: 1 Corinthians 15:40-41, Revelation 21:23).
God’s kingdom of grace: symbolized by the woman on earth and her seed (including her firstborn—Jesus). A kingdom of Grace: reclaimed from the devil, and reuniting man with heaven through Jesus’ shed blood on the sinner’s behalf (scripture texts supporting this notion: Hebrews 4:14-16, Revelation 5:6-10).
After the last enemy is destroyed, death itself, our world will transition from a kingdom of grace to the kingdom of glory. John the revelator speaks of this transition as follows: “And the seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever.” Rev. 11:15