Understanding the Book of Revelation: The Woman and the Dragon

The Woman               

                   Chapter 12 is about the woman and the dragon. It can be difficult to interpret what this chapter is talking about but with the right outlook on it, it becomes clear. In Genesis 37:9 Joseph saw in a dream the sun, moon, and eleven stars plus himself, signifying the totality of God’s people. Based on this principle, the sun, moon, and stars here must signify all of God’s people as well, which is represented by a woman. The sun signifies God’s people in the New Testament because the world is no longer dark after Christ entered the world; there is hope for mankind. The moon signifies God’s people in the Old Testament. The moon is the age of law, which is not to be exalted over the stars; all these people are light bearers. The child, being a man child, signifies God’s stronger people. The bible considers them a collective unit fighting the battle for God here on earth. The cry mentioned is actually a prayer. When it says “…and cried out in pain…” it signifies the suffering that God’s people face. 

The Red Dragon

                The red dragon in verse 3 is Satan. The redness of the dragon signifies the shedding of blood caused by Satan’s murders (John 8:44). The seven heads and ten horns are those of the Antichrist (13:1). This indicates that Satan and the Antichrist are one; the Antichrist is an embodiment of Satan. The seven diadem crowns that the dragon wears indicate the glory of the seven Ceasers’ extraordinary kingship. Since each of them were one with Satan, each assumed deity, claimed to be God, and forced people to worship himself as God. The third part of the stars that are cast to the earth are the saints that backslide because of Satan and are therefore cast down to earth and now they must partake in the Great Tribulation and rapture.  That the dragon stood before the woman signifies that he is always against God’s people. Since Genesis 3:15 to this day he is always waiting to claim possession of God’s people and devour them. The man-child is the overcoming saints, the stronger followers. We know this because in Revelation 2:26-27 it says that the overcoming saints will help rule the nations during the millennial kingdom and here they are given an iron rod to rule the nations. God will protect the remaining believers during the last three and a half years before they are raptured on that last day. 

The War in Heaven

                The war in Heaven mentioned in verse 7 begins immediately after the strongest believers are raptured. They are always in a state of fighting for the Lord. With this war Satan and his angels are cast out of Heaven. Satan accused Job and Joshua and now he accuses the believers of God day and night. But, through fighting him, the kingdom of God can now come in full. Verse 11 refers to the overcoming believers who constitute the man-child in verse 5. They overcame the slander of Satan. The blood of the Lamb answers before God all the accusations of the devil against us and gives us victory over him. We need to verbally testify against the devil when we feel him against us. Unto death indicates martyrdom. They were martyred in Christ’s name. The devil is angry because he has been cast out of Heaven losing all of his territory. He will concentrate his hatred against God’s people during the last three and a half years with great strength, trying to turn them away from Him. 

The Woman in the Wilderness

                Because of this wrath of Satan, God will be the great eagle that protects her. The wings signify his strength to rescue (Exodus 19:4, Deuteronomy 32:11-12). He will protect His people from Satan just like He brought the people of Israel out from the Pharaoh’s persecution. A time and times and a half denotes three and a half years. The water that Satan will cast out in verse 15 signifies the armies that will be sent by Satan to try and destroy the children of God. God said that He would not use water again to punish His people; therefore, this refers to Satan’s attempt to destroy God’s people. The earth will open and swallow Satan (the depths of the earth often signify hell). The rest of her seed signifies the rest of God’s people who do not make up the man-child. Among them are the Jews that we saw in Chapter 7 and the believers who hold Jesus’ testimony. The sea in verse 18 is the same that we will see in 13:1- the Mediterranean Sea. The sand here represents the shore of the Holy Land, where Israel is. Satan’s persecution will be focused mainly on the land of Israel during the Great Tribulation. 

Is Homosexuality Really Wrong?

                There are those who like to say that there is no place in the bible that says homosexuality is wrong. They say people are born as homosexuals and it's not their choice. But it is. In their own sin, without the Holy Spirit to convict them, they cannot see what is really wrong.The world often likes to change God’s words and meanings, and even remove parts of the bible, to conform to their own worldly desires to sin. However, the bible clearly states in multiple verses that homosexuality is a sin.

“Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.”

-Leviticus 18:22

“If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman,

both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death;

their blood will be on their own heads.”

-Leviticus 20:13

“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the

kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor

idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders

nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers

nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”

-1 Corinthians 6:9-10

"For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the  woman and burned in their desire toward one another, 
men with men committing indecent acts and

receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a

depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper."

-Romans 1:26-28

                Homosexuality is clearly wrong and goes against the creation of God. But then again, God is so far out of our country. He created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve or Alexis and Eve. There is no other way that we would have been able to reproduce and be the world that we are today. Homosexuality has a severe judgment administered by God Himself. This judgment is simple:  they are given over to their passions.  That means that their hearts are allowed to be hardened by their sins (Romans 1:24).  As a result, they can no longer see the error of what they are doing, and then they go and promote it and condemn others who don't participate in their sin.  So, without an awareness of their sinfulness, there will be no repentance and trusting in Jesus.  Without Jesus, they will have no forgiveness.  Without forgiveness, there is no salvation. Without salvation, there is only damnation in eternal hell.

                We are not supposed to judge or condemn these men and women who give in to their temptations. No sin is greater than another. Lying is no better than homosexuality. All sin leads to death. Therefore, we are not to condemn or hate the person, we can only hate the sin that they are committing.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged.

Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.

Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

-Luke 6:37

                We were all born sinners so we cannot condemn a homosexual any more than we would have been condemned, even if we were just a liar or a thief. They have the same chance at being saved as we did. God did not say he was sending Jesus to die for everyone but homosexuals or murderers. No, he sent Him for all to be redeemed.

“And that is what some of you were. But you were washed,

you were sanctified, you were justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the

Spirit of God.”

-1 Corinthians 6:11

                Homosexuality is a sin, and like any other sin it needs to be dealt with in the only way possible.  It needs to be laid at the cross and repented of. They need to be prayed for and they need to accept the conviction from the Holy Spirit. And, like all sinners, the person needs to be forgiven.  That can be found in Jesus.  He is the Lord, the Savior, and the risen King. If you want to love another man, love Jesus -- not in a homosexual attitudinal sense, but in one of respect and trust.  After all, Jesus is God in flesh (John 1:1,14) and he died to save sinners.  We are all sinners and we are called to be the brides of Jesus.

                We should pray for the salvation of the homosexual, the same as we would for any other person in sin.  It is not an issue of arrogance or judgment.  It is a loving thing to do.  We don't want anyone to be lost due to their sin. Jesus came to save all people and we should not hide him from anyone.  The homosexual is still made in the image of God -- even though he is in grave sin.  Therefore, we should show homosexuals the same dignity, humility, and grace as anyone else with whom we come in contact. Show God’s love and his mercy so that he or she may be driven to accept Christ as their savior and give up their sin.  Don't injure them.  Don't hate them. You’ll only cause them to not want to be a follower of Christ. Plant a seed for them! However, this does not mean that you are to approve of their sin.  Don't compromise your witness for a socially acceptable opinion that is void of godliness and biblical truth.  Instead, stand firm in the word that God has revealed and patiently love him/her biblically, and pray for their salvation.

                After that, it is their choice. It is like the parable of the sower (Matthew 13: 1-23). When anyone hears the message about the kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown. That’s the seed that was planted on the path. The seed that was planted on the rocks is the one who receives the message with joy. However, he lasts only a short while until persecution or suffering comes. The seed that fell among the thorns is the one who hears the word but the worries of life and wealth make it unfruitful. The seed that fell on the good soil is the one who receives the word and understands it and continues to live his life by the word.