Revelation 12:1,2

The book of Revelation divides itself into two parts. There are two series of visions, one giving the fate of the world and ending with chapter 11:18; the other beginning with the next verse and extending to the close of the book. The first series has brought us to the fall of the great city of sin, the triumph of Christ, and the general Judgment; the second begins with the infancy of the Church and traces its career and struggles until the New Jerusalem is revealed from heaven. While the object of the second series is to outline the history of the true Church, at the same time it necessarily reveals the history and fate of. false Church,. great apostasy, which shall be the mightiest enemy of the truth. It is unfortunate that the last verse of the eleventh chapter has not been attached to the next chapter where it properly belongs, as it is the beginning of…

A NEW VISION.

The reader will observe that the language with which the first series opens in Revelation 4:1, is quite similar to the opening words of the verse that begins the second series. "I saw. door opened in heaven" is the opening sentence of the prophecy, chap. 4:1, language which implies that the secrets of heaven are to be revealed. In chap. 11:19, it is said that "The temple of God was opened in heaven." Even the Ark of the Testament in its most secret place is brought to view. There is to be. revelation of facts connected with the temple of God. We have already shown that the reference is, not to the Jewish temple which no longer existed, but to the spiritual temple, the Church of Jesus Christ. Its door is opened; its history is foretold; the visions now beheld, will relate to its fortunes, sorrows, trials, triumphs.

"And there appeared. great wonder in heaven;. woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head. crown of twelve stars: and she being with child, cried, travailing in birth, and pained, to be delivered."--12:1, 2.

After the announcement that it is the door of the temple that is now opened, the vision sweeps onward and the facts of history are portrayed in the symbols beheld by the apostle through the opened portals. His attention is fixed upon. great wonder. There appears in heaven. beautiful woman, clothed with the sun, standing upon the moon, and crowned with twelve stars. Let us pause before we proceed further, to inquire what this may mean?

A woman is used as. symbol many times in the Scriptures. "Say you to the daughter of Zion, behold thy salvation cometh." (Isaiah 62:11.) Here the reference is to the Church. Again Paul, Galatians 4:31 says, "Ye are not the children of the bond woman, but of the free woman." All are agreed that here the free woman represents the Church. Again, Revelation 21:2, John sees the New Jerusalem descending adorned as. bride to meet her husband. The bride, the Lamb's wife, here and in the ninth verse, indeed in every place spoken of, is the Church. Once more; Paul speaks of Jerusalem, the mother of us all, alluding again to the Church. This symbol, then, is a, common one to represent the Church, and we are justified in declaring that to be its meaning in this passage. Indeed, in the verse preceding, we have the Church named under the designation of the temple of God.

This woman is clothed with the sun, shines with sunlight, the light of the Sun of Righteousness, whence cometh all her glory. Let Christ, her light be taken away, and she who is as fair as the moon, as clear as the sun, is changed into darkness. The woman stands upon the moon.. suppose this refers to the Jewish, the shadowy dispensation, to Moses and his law. Their light is all reflected light. Unless flooded with the rays of the Sun of Righteousness the Old Testament would cease to shine. Upon this old dispensation, the Church following it in time and superior in excellence, stands not as upon. foundation, but as following in succession.

Twelve stars were in the diadem that rested upon her brow. It is so evident that this refers to the twelve apostles, inspired by Christ to carry on his work, establish the Church and give it laws, that. need only to refer to the explanation.

The Apostle not only notes the attire of the woman, but speaks of her peculiar condition. She is about to become. mother. We may be assured that this would not have been noted if it had no significance. Again we must let the Scripture explain its own meaning. "As soon as Zion travailed she brought forth children." (Isaiah 66:8.) The travail of Zion causeth an increase. The condition asks our attention to. Church in sorrow. suffering Church, but out of whose suffering there cometh an increase of the saints. It is. period when the saints are multiplied in the midst of persecution.

The symbolism points us to. period when the Church is pure. She shines brightly with the light of the Sun of Righteousness. There is no spot to dim the lustre of her garments. The twelve apostles are the only stars. She has no uninspired leaders whose light has dimmed that of Christ and his apostles. But, in this time of purity there is sorrow. The Church cries out with pain. Saints are imprisoned, tortured, martyrs die, but amid the pain and flames of death, exhibit such constancy, such devotion, such moral grandeur, that the blood of martyrs becomes the seed of the Church.