Revelation 12:1-4 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. 4 Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born.
John’s vision continues with a scene with the woman and the dragon. This passage has been debated because the symbolism is difficult to determine. The major problem is the identity of the woman and the dragon. The woman could be Israel and its twelve tribes, the church with disciples, or Mary with Jesus. This is suggested because of the twelve stars on her head and the later description of her child.The dragon is red, often symbolizing blood. Its size is huge, suggesting strength and influence. Its seven heads with seven crowns could be rulers or authority. The ten horns could refer to nations or leaders. It has great power. Stars could be angelic beings. One possible interpretation of the dragon is Satan. The dragon waits for the birth of the child in order to devour it.
This scene is both awesome and horrible at the same time. It is something for the story books or mythology. The story creates a sense of dread and uncertainty. What will happen to the woman and her child? Will God come to the rescue or will the dragon win? In the midst of our own uncertainties like this, we can turn to God for protection. We can change our uncertainties into expectations knowing that we are in God’s hands.
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