A Great Sign Appeared In Heaven

Let this time of study lead me to a deeper worship of You, Lord.


"Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth." (Revelation 12:1-2)


If you want to see what God is doing in he world, read His sign. His sign is the nation Israel. Israel is God's billboard and His blueprint for this day and age because the Jews are God's chosen people and Israel is the land of destiny.


Throughout the Bible, Israel is often referred to as a woman. In fact, in the Old Testament, Israel is spoken of as the wife of Jehovah (Isaiah 54;5-6). And God gave Joseph a prophetic dream in which these same celestial elements - the sun, the moon and twelve stars - were used to depict Israel (with Joseph being the twelfth star). (Genesis 37:9). All of this points to the fact that the woman in this passage symbolizes the nation Israel.


The child she is about to deliver is the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus came from the nation Israel (Romans 9:4-5), fulfilling God's promise to Abraham that through him all the world would be blessed.


God chose the tiny nation of Israel to be His own special treasure (Deu. 7:6). And for that reason, they are a people despised by satan. He has an ancient hatred for the woman Israel and for her Child, the Lord Jesus.


satan appears as the second sign in this chapter (Revelation 12:3), a fierce dragon the color of blood, which speaks of his murderous ways. This dragon has seven heads, which means he has great, though corrupted, wisdom. Crowns and horns speak of the power and authority he will have as he brings great suffering to the woman and stands ready to devour her Child the moment He is born (v. 4).


Yet we know satan's deadly plans will be thwarted, for this is what was just proclaimed in heaven as the seventh trumpet sounded, "... The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15).


~Adrian Rogers~