“The Nation of Israel as Represented In Revelation 12” [Note: Israel Gives Birth to Christ in Revelation 12]

[John Young]

[Note: “Israel Gives Birth to Christ in Revelation 12” ~ John Young]

“The Nation of Israel as Represented In Revelation 12”
By Maurice Young, February 7, 2007

The identity of the “women” in Revelation 12 is of importance to the serious students of the scriptures as it is the object of Satan’s attack and God’s protection. As usual, the correct interpretation of the passage and its context will lead to a correct conclusion. Therefore, the scriptures are the final source of authority as to the identity of the woman in Revelation 12.

From Revelation 6:1 to Revelation 18:24 the context is the time of “Jacob’s Trouble”, or the 7-year Tribulation Period. The “times of the Gentiles” and God again deals primarily with the sons of Jacob, the nation of Israel.

Revelation 12:1 is a direct reference to the 12 sons of Jacob (Israel) as taught in Genesis 37:5-10 in the two dreams that God gave to Joseph. In Genesis 37:9 we read in the second dream, “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 eleven stars made obeisance to me.” This is a direct reference to the 12 tribes of Israel as written in Revelation 12:1. Dr. Harold B. Sightler correctly states, “The women is symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel, the people of Israel.” ~ [Dr. Harold B. Sightler, Revelation, (Greenville, SC: The Bright spot Hour, n.d.), 161]

This woman giving birth in typology is consistent throughout the Old Testament as a reference to the nation of Israel. Jeremiah 4:31 is one example. “For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! For my soul is wearied because of murderers.”

In the scriptures, and throughout the history of other nations, a dragon is a symbol of Satan. Satan is an adversary to God and to His people, the sons of Israel.

In Revelation 12:6 we read that the woman flees into the wilderness by the protecting hand of God due to the persecution of the dragon. In the scriptures, the only nation said to have journeyed in a wideness is the nation of Israel. In typology this is a direct reference to the nation of Israel. Clarence Larkin brings out, “As the ‘Woman’ and the dragon are symbols, so are the ‘Eagle's Wings’. They speak of the rapid and swift flight of the ‘Women’ (Israel) into the ‘Wilderness’ where she shall be safely kept and nourished for 3 ½ years until the Dragon is bound”. ~ [Clarence Larkin, The Book of Revelation, (Glenside, PA: Rev. Clarence Larkin Estate, 1919), 99.]

As we consider our interpretation of Revelation12 and notice the reference to the “man child” we can only come to the conclusion that eh man child is a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ, Since the man child is a reference to Christ the only inescapable conclusion, based upon scripture, is that the woman is Israel. Romans 9:4 & 5 clearly states, “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of Gog, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of the whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.”

The Faithful interpreter of scripture can only come to the conclusion that the “woman” in Revelation 12 is a direct reference to the nation of Israel.

Edited March 8 by John Young

[SureWord]

[7] Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
[8] Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.- Isaiah 66

Since the passage in Revelation 12 is a future event the "man child" is the saved remnant of Israel.

[John Young]

9 hours ago, SureWord said:

Since the passage in Revelation 12 is a future event the "man child" is the saved remnant of Israel.

I could say its Zion giving birth to believing Israel (the 144,000) who are symbolically giving birth to FAITH in Christ. The past birth of Christ into Israel was physical this birth into Israel is Spiritual by faith. So in one point I agree, they are born, but that birth is singular, its faith in Christ. But before they can be with him, He is caught up and they must wait in the wilderness until chapter 14.

Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

Isaiah 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

Edited March 9 by John Young

[SureWord]

3 hours ago, John Young said:

I could say its Zion giving birth to believing Israel (the 144,000) who are symbolically giving birth to FAITH in Christ. The past birth of Christ into Israel was physical this birth into Israel is Spiritual by faith. So in one point I agree, they are born, but that birth is singular, its faith in Christ. But before they can be with him, He is caught up and they must wait in the wilderness until chapter 14.

Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

Isaiah 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

Yes, it will be a point during "the beginning of sorrows" that the woman gives birth to child although I think it may involve more Jews than the 144,000. The 144,000 are the sealed.