Israel Birthing Her Messiah

December 23rd, 2024
by Dr. D. Lance Waldie

Revelation 12:1-2 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; 2 and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.

In Revelation 11, with the blowing of the seventh trumpet of God’s judgment on the earth, the second coming of Jesus Christ is recorded: the Kingdom of God coming to the earth. Though the “woe” of this judgment for unbelievers is not described until chapter 16, the joy of it is sung from heaven from heaven’s inhabitants: “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever!” (11:15). This exultant heavenly decree is climaxed with an awesome display of God’s glory as He unveils the ark of the covenant in the heavenly temple, accompanied by peals of thunder and lightning, an earthquake, and a horrific hailstorm. Sitting in awe, John then beheld the seven figures of the Tribulation, recorded in chapters 12-14: (1) the woman, signifying Israel, (2) the dragon, epitomizing Satan, (3) the man-child, referring to Jesus Christ, (4) Michael, denoting the angels, (5) elect-Israel, the saved remnant of the woman’s seed, (6) the beast from the sea, the Antichrist, and (7) the beast out of the earth, the false prophet, a religious leader promoting the Antichrist’s evil agenda.

The first to be presented is “a woman,” representing Israel—referred to as “a great sign” that appeared in heaven (12:1). The woman as a “sign” (Gr. sēmeion) is one of Revelation’s many signs (cf. 12:3; 13:13-14; 15:1; 16:14; 19:20). That she is a “great” sign attests to how vital Israel is. Though John sees the sign “in heaven,” Israel depicts a reality on the earth, for Israel is later described as being pursued and persecuted by Satan during the Tribulation. Reminiscent of Joseph’s dream in Genesis 37:9-10 where the sun and moon and stars represent Israel, she is, first, “clothed with the sun.” This depicts her as the light through which God illumines the world, fulfilled in Christ who is the light of the world (John 8:12), having His fleshly birth through the nation of Israel. Second, she has the “moon under her feet.” This may point to her perpetuity, for Psalm 72:5 states, “Let them fear You while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations” (italics mine). Likewise, Psalm 89:37 in referring to God’s enduring promise to David: “It shall be established forever like the moon, and the witness in the sky is faithful” (italics mine). Third, on her head is a “crown of twelve stars,” clearly representing the 12 tribes of Israel, or more specifically, the elect of Israel—God’s true remnant from the nation.

In addition, the woman is pregnant, awaiting the birth of her son (v. 2)—a reference to the birth of Christ which the nation of Israel did in fact birth: Jesus of Nazareth, Abraham’s Seed (Gal. 3:16). That the woman also “cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth” likely speaks to the centuries of tribulation Israel endured prior to the birth of her Messiah.

Other women in the Bible are representative of something else in John’s Revelation, namely Jezebel (2:20)—as a system of false religion. Likewise, the harlot in 17:1-7, 15-18 who depicts the future apostate church. Also, the bride, the Lamb’s wife who represents the Church being wedded to Christ in glory (19:7ff.). Throughout the OT, Israel is depicted as the wife of Yahweh, though sadly as an unfaithful wife of the worst kind. Yet John depicts the remnant of Israel as faithful, standing strong against Satan’s attacks during the future Tribulation.

Food for Thought

The nation of Israel initially rejected their Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. But God’s covenant with Abraham prevents Him from rejecting Israel outright. There thus remains a remnant of true Israel—believers from that nation who will one day receive Jesus as their Messiah. So, during the Tribulation, Israel’s elect will come to salvation. God guaranteed this in Romans 11:25-26.