DECEMBER 18 | Revelation 12:1-6
- Kathleen Serio
- Dec 18, 2024
- 4 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Understanding God's Word: Breaking Down The Symbolism
By Kathleen Serio
“What in the world did I just read?” That was my first thought after reading this passage, which was followed rather quickly by, “oh my dear, Revelation, why must you live up to your stereotype of being confusing and weird?” This thought was followed by a prayer:, “God what is it that you want me to do with this passage? What can I possibly share to gain something worthwhile from this seemingly wacky story?” Well, sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. What can I do with something weird that doesn’t make any sense? I can try and help it make sense!
So, I dove into some research about this passage, and true to all the things I knew of Revelation growing up, this passage is FULL of symbolism and hidden references. I should note now that I am failing all of my past English teachers and am being bad about citing references, but I will link all of the resources I used at the end of this in case you want to dive deeper into this passage.
The Woman is Israel, and the 12 stars are the 12 tribes of Israel. The Woman, or God’s Bride, has the job of delivering Jesus, The Child. Just as God promised to Abraham in Genesis 12, Israel birthed Christ.
Next, we have The Dragon. As you might guess, The Dragon is the Devil, Satan. The 7 heads and crowns are believed to be referring to the 7 kingdoms which were nations that ruled over Jerusalem. The 10 horns point to the final kingdom and the 10 kings that shall rule (Daniel 7:7, 24 and Revelation 17:12). The Dragon sweeping stars from the sky and flinging them to earth can be seen as warfare that Satan inflicts on us.
With regard to The Child, Jesus Christ, Rulers were determined to kill Jesus even before He was born: from Pharaoh ordering the death of Hebrew born males in Exodus 1, to Herod ordering the death of all male children born in Bethlehem of a certain age in Matthew 2. The iron scepter with which Jesus will rule is also talked about in Psalm 2 where we read of a promise of God that connects to the covenant God made with Abraham in regard to Jesus and His rule over all.
God takes The Child to His throne. This can be seen as Jesus’ ascension into heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father.
Recall that The Woman is Israel, God’s people. God prepared a place for her just as Jesus prepares a place for us (John 14:2). The 1,260 days converts to 42 months, which connects to passages in Daniel calling to the time in between Jesus’ death and resurrection and the second coming. Personally, I first thought of God protecting Jesus in the desert when Satan tested him for 40 days and nights. The key here is God protecting His people.
So overall I have come to see this passage as this:
God fulfilling His promise to Abraham for Jesus to be one of his descendants, coming from the 12 tribes of Jacob, the nation of Israel. The time leading up to Jesus’ birth was not easy for Israel. The Devil tried to attack God’s people. The Devil not only wanted to destroy God’s people, but Jesus Himself; however, he fails as God protects both His people and His son. Jesus will come back to us to rule, and until that time when Jesus comes, God will protect His people and care for us.
PRAYER
God thank you for the resources we have been given to be able to better understand Your Word. Thank you for the protection you give us from Satan and for the gift of Jesus. Thank you for the season of Advent where we can prepare ourselves for the birth of Your Son; where we can look back on all of the promises that You have fulfilled to us; and know that the promises yet to be fulfilled surely will be.
Resources
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KATHLEEN SERIO
I grew up at UALC and have been blessed to have many role models in this church. They encouraged me to pursue my passions including volunteering with Young Kids’ VBS, HSM, teaching Sunday School, small groups, Operation Christmas Child, mission trips, ushering, and more. It has been a joy to go from participating in ministries as a kid to becoming a leader as an adult.
WOW!!! What a great job you did researching this passage!!! I read it and it was very confusing. Soooo Many thanks for your researching and giving us the references!!!
My comment out loud after reading this scripture was about the same as yours & I have studied it before! Thanks for your research and explanation. It was very helpful!!!
This is a wonderful summary of a passage that’s really difficult to understand. Thank you for the effort it took to dig deeper into this - well done!
Awesome.
An amazing devotional. Thanks for all of the research, Kathleen.