What does Revelation chapter 12 mean?

Answer

In Revelation chapter 12, John sees a vision of a woman “clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” «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). Note the resemblance between this depiction and the account that Joseph provided of his father Jacob (Israel), mother, and their offspring (Genesis 37:9-11). The twelve stars symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel. Therefore, the woman in Revelation 12 represents Israel.

Further support for this explanation is found in Revelation 12:2-5, which mentions the woman being pregnant and delivering a child. While it is accurate that Mary gave birth to Jesus, it is also true that Jesus, the descendant of David from the tribe of Judah, originated from Israel. In a way, Israel brought forth Christ Jesus. Verse 5 states that the woman’s child was “a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne.” Clearly, this refers to Jesus. Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11) and will eventually establish His kingdom on earth (Revelation 20:4-6), ruling with perfect justice (the “rod of iron”;see Psalm 2:7-9).

The woman’s escape into the wilderness for 1,260 days alludes to the forthcoming period known as the Great Tribulation. One thousand two hundred sixty days equals 42 months (of 30 days each), which is equivalent to 3 1/2 years. HalfwayThrough the Tribulation period, the Beast (the Antichrist) will establish an image of himself in the temple to be constructed in Jerusalem. This act is the abomination that Jesus mentioned in Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14. By doing so, the Beast violates the peace agreement he had forged with Israel, prompting the nation to seek refuge—potentially in Petra (also see Matthew 24;Daniel 9:27). The escape of the Jews is symbolized as the woman fleeing into the wilderness.

Revelation 12:12-17 describes how the devil will wage war against Israel, attempting to annihilate her (Satan knows his time is short, relatively speaking—see Revelation 20:1-3, 10). It also indicates that God will shield Israel in the wilderness. Revelation 12:14 states that Israel will be safeguarded from the devil for “a time, times, and half a time” (“a time” equals 1 year; “times” equals 2 years; “half a time” equals one-half year; in essence, 3 1/2 years).