The Woman, The Dragon, And The Child Series

Alpha and Omega, Part 36, Revelation Part 13

The Woman, The Dragon, and The Child

Revelation 12:1-9

Introduction

- Been studying Revelation together, to understand God’s plan for creation

-- This is the conclusion of our Alpha and Omega series since January

-- REM: Redemption of sin has been provided through Jesus; we have a choice

- Last week, we discussed the two witnesses and their testimony FOR God

-- We also got a sneak peak of the next 10 chapters (through Heaven’s praise)

-- This was revealed to us to emphasize that yes, victory is coming!

- Today we’ll begin to examine one of the most exciting chapters of Revelation

-- It pulls back the curtain to show the struggle between good and evil

-- FACT: There IS a conflict ongoing since the beginning of time

-- This chapter begins to show the undoing of that to set things right

- Read Revelation 12:1-9 / Pray for wisdom

- TR: Want us to know there are three characters to explore today

-- They are: a woman with a child, a great red dragon, and a child

-- Exploring these sets up (and clarifies) the eternal players in this struggle

-- Let’s unpack our first character ...

Point 1 – A woman with a child in her womb

- She is said to be a great sign in the Heavens - GR: sémeion; a miracle; a sign

-- Some versions even identify or relate to her as a great wonder

- The woman is not specifically identified, but it becomes clear who she is

-- Two things I want us to zero in on as we unpack this truth

1. She is clothed with the sun, the moon is under her feet, and on her head is a crown with 12 stars on top of it

- In the OT, Joseph had a dream that portrays this very analogy for us

-- Genesis 37:9-11, “Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant.”

- Jacob understood exactly what was meant when the dream was described

• The sun was represented as the father, Jacob

• KEY: Jacob's name WAS changed to Israel by God!

• The moon is the mother, and the 12 stars are the children

• The dream was a picture of Israel, the founding of the nation of believers

-- Joseph’s dream was that Israel would be saved from destruction through him

2. The woman is pregnant (which leads to a child being born) (v2, 5)

- The child is without a doubt, the prophesied Messiah, Jesus Christ

-- How do we know this? He and He alone will rule all the nations (See v5)

-- His rule will be with an iron rod; meaning He will be "just" in His decisions

-- Psalm 2:9, “You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.”

-- REM: It is Jesus who is exalted to the Throne of God; refer to Ch 4 and 5

- Yet, the "religious discussion" always focuses on who the woman is ...

-- So, let's unpack this together for clarity and wisdom today

- There are various theories: First is perhaps this is a revelation of Mary

-- However, Mary was human - and there are too many supernatural qualities

-- She is also not to be honored or worshiped, she was simply a willing vessel

- Second theory is the woman is the picture of the Church

-- But know this: the church did not give birth to the Messiah (vice-versa)

- Some say that the woman is a living representation of the nation of Israel

• Paul told us clearly that Jesus came out of Israel

-- Romans 9:5, “Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.”

• Isaiah prophesied that Israel would labor in pain and bring forth a child

-- Isaiah 66:7-8, “Before the birth pains even begin, Jerusalem gives birth to a son.

Who has ever seen anything as strange as this? Who ever heard of such a thing?

Has a nation ever been born in a single day? Has a country ever come forth in a mere moment? But by the time Jerusalem’s birth pains begin, her children will be born.”