Revelation 12 is part of a broader context that extends to chapter 13. For a fuller explanation of the context, please read this article: War in Heaven
Following is a brief verse-by-verse explanation of the first six verses of chapter 12:
Revelation 12:1: And there appeared a great sign in the heavens, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon was under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head.
The woman is the early church after Christ. Being clothed with the sun describes how the true gospel message provided a robe of righteousness for the dedicated followers of Christ (See Isaiah 61:10). The moon represents the Mosaic Law, and being under her feet suggests that the early church was primarily Jewish. The crown of 12 stars describes the 12 apostles, the primary leaders of the early church.
Revelation 12:2: and having a babe in her womb, she cries, being in travail, having been distressed to bear.
A woman travailing in childbirth represents trouble and a state of anguish. Pagan Rome was challenging Christianity’s sincere desire to be pleasing to God.
Revelation 12:3: And another sign was seen in the heavens. And behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads!
The red dragon represents the pagan Roman Empire under Satan’s control. The seven heads with seven crowns picture the successive forms of government that would control the empire throughout the age.
Revelation 12:4: And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven and cast them onto the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman being about to bear, so that when she bears he might devour her child.
As the new Christian faith spread through the Roman Empire, it drew the attention of pagan philosophers, who challenged its beliefs. Some of the Christian leadership accepted pagan philosophies and were symbolically cast to the earth. Satan’s plan to destroy Christianity is described as the dragon’s desire to devour the child.
Revelation 12:5: And she bore a son, a male, who is going to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up to God and to His throne.
The child born out of the early church developed into the papal system and eventually became the beast described in Revelation 13:1,2. That religious system eventually ruled he world with a rod of iron. Anyone who disagreed with its teachings and practices was persecuted.
Revelation 12:6: And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, so that they might nourish her there a thousand, two hundred and sixty days.
One thousand, two hundred and sixty days describes the 1,260 years of papal supremacy from 539 AD, when the Roman Empire came under papal control, to 1799 AD, when Napoleon essentially dethroned the Papacy, eliminating its persecuting authority. During these long and difficult years, sincere Christians sought refuge outside the system, where the Lord spiritually nourished them.
Much more can be said on these important prophetic passages. For a more complete analysis of the larger context, we encourage you to visit War in Heaven.
