Rev. 12:1-4 – A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was pregnant and she *cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven crowns. And his tail *swept away a third of the stars of heaven and hurled them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her Child.

This struggle with the people of God and the enemy has gone on since the garden. In today’s verses we see this struggle coming to its end. This vision is the vision that Joseph had several thousand years ago and shows the persecution of the people of God and the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom at the end of the age. Obviously the battle wasn’t over as Satan supposed at the death of Christ but instead Satan’s ultimate defeat was sealed. The book of Revelation is the final death throws of the enemy attacking the nation of Israel as well as the church. Both Israel and the church can be seen as the woman clothed in the sun who will ultimately be clothed in victory and will reign with Christ. Here is how the Fire Bible describes this.

“This vision of “a great and wondrous sign” points in retrospect (i.e., “looking back”) to a vital event and truth. Though the description that follows is symbolic, it represents definite realities, just as the other symbols throughout Revelation. This woman refers to God’s faithful people of Israel through whom the Messiah came into the world. This is indicated not only by the birth of the child, but also by the reference to the sun and the moon (see Ge 37:9-11, in relation to similar images in Joseph’s dream) and the twelve stars, which would naturally refer to the twelve tribes of Israel.”

As we come to the end of the age the struggle intensifies but the outcome is inevitable, Christ will overcome and we will reign with Him. During this season of intense struggle multitudes of the people of Israel will be added to the body of Christ. Maybe at that time this vision will be better understood when Israel and the church become one. It is exciting as we anticipate a great harvest of souls among the sons and daughters of Abraham.