The woman in the sky (Revelation 12:1-2) Part 1

Core text:

Something important appeared in the sky. It was a woman whose clothes were the sun. The moon was under her feet, and a crown made of twelve stars was on her head. She was about to give birth, and she was crying because of the great pain… (Revelation 12:1-4 CEV)

What does the woman symbolize? Is it possible that she is connected to the end of the world?

We read in the core text that a woman appeared in the sky. She had three symbols to identify her. The sun, the moon and the stars. If you know the Bible well, you will instantly recognize these three symbols in the Old Testament. In Genesis 37:9 we find them together:

“Joseph later had another dream, and he told his brothers, "Listen to what else I dreamed. The sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowed down to me." (Genesis 37:9 CEV)

If you know the story about Joseph, you would remember that he became the second in command of Egypt without his family knowing. In command of the Egyptian forces, his family came to visit him but the family didn’t recognize him and they bowed before him. They bowed before him just like he had dreamed.

The catch is, however, that Josephs father was Jacob and his brothers were the fathers of the 12 tribes of Israel (Joseph included). Thus the sun, moon and stars would make the future Israel. Most modern scholars are certain that the sun, moon and stars represent the people of God.

The woman in our core text is thus from God, representing the people or the church of God. Tell us how you interpret the sun, moon and stars.

Till next time