REVELATION 12:  BOTTOM LINE

A single Scripture can give many messages on many different levels and in multiple applications.  i.e.,
UNIVERSALLY:  applies to everyone the same - i.e., the Woman in Rev. 12:1 is seen as THE CHURCH.

[Matthew Henry commentary]:

1. We see how the church is represented in this vision. (1.) As a woman, the weaker part of the world, but the spouse of Christ, and the mother of the saints. (2.) As clothed with the sun, the imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Having put on Christ, who is the Sun of righteousness, she, by her relation to Christ, is invested with honourable rights and privileges, and shines in his rays. (3.) As having the moon under her feet (that is, the world); she stands upon it, but lives above it; her heart and hope are not set upon sublunary things, but on the things that are in heaven, where her head is. (4.) As having on her head a crown of twelve stars, that is, the doctrine of the gospel preached by the twelve apostles, which is a crown of glory to all true believers. (5.) As in travail, crying out, and pained to be delivered. She was pregnant, and now in pain to bring forth a
holy progeny to Christ, desirous that what was begun in the conviction of sinners might end in their conversion, that when the children were brought to the birth there might be strength to bring forth, and that she might see of the travail of her soul.

[Chuck Smith commentary]:

v.1-2 The "woman" is the nation Israel. She wears a crown of twelve stars, symbolizing the twelve tribes and reminiscent of Joseph's dream (Genesis 37:9).

v.3 The "dragon" is Satan, that old serpent.

v.5 The "man child" of Israel could be the 144,000 who will be taken to heaven in the middle of the Tribulation. When we next see the 144,000, they are in heaven before God's throne (Chapter 14:3). Most scholars agree that the "man child" is Jesus Christ.

v.6 When the image of the beast is set up in the temple, Israel will flee to the city of Petra.

v.9 Isaiah 14:12-17.

v.10 Satan is the one who accuses us before God.

v.11 The victory over Satan is won through the blood of Christ.

v.14 Isaiah 16:1 tells of Sela (Petra) as the refuge for the Jews. "A time, and times, and half a time" is three and one-half years.

v.15 The "flood" is an army.

[Jane Leade commentary]:

A marvelous thing the Lord hath revealed to me concerning this Woman which holy John saw:  She represents
God's Spouse and Mate.  From this Union came forth the highest Birth.   The Eternal Word of Wisdom did go forth, as the mighty Alpha and Omega in a distinct glorious personality known to Himself in God and the everlasting Virgin - before any thing of the heavenly Hosts were created.  He stood equally in the Counsel of the Father and Virgin for the bringing of the whole Creation into a figurative manifestation. Now for what is all this but to discover the mystery of this Woman:  that she is the eternal Virgin who will essentially introduce herself INTO those who are prepared and appointed to enjoy her? She will confer her Sun and Crown of Stars upon her [holy] Representatives. Here will be brought down the one elemental Robe [Garment].   And the quintessential Root will again be found, which will give a most glorious Luster and will renew the gross vile matter as being the acting Wisdom to shew forth Gods wonders; all which are reserved until her day.

She is looked for as God's fruitful Bride to bring forth Christ's personality in plurality as so many immaculate
Princes, ruling in God. Just cause will be found, if we consider this Principle, wherein the Serpent with so much
bitterness wars against the Virgin and her Seed, why her Off-spring, as soon as born, is caught up to Heaven from whence the Dragon is cast out and where the Iron Rod will crush him and be too hard for him and his adherents.
Her Off-spring will appear as Virgins, with her own lustrous Son, who is the first-born amongst the Kings of the
Earth and Heavens. Oh, the high and majestical Glory which shall proceed from the Virgin's Womb, with whom is the blessing that will abound in fruitful Gifts and high working Powers from the Magia [Wisdom] ground. Eve’s Conception in sorrow shall not here be known; for this Virgin never was disobedient nor broke faith with God Who  is her Husband.  The fruit of her travail is Blessing and Joy through the whole Generation that shall be Born of her: She shall be the Mother of the true Virgin-Church, wherein no mixture of Will-Worship or False Doctrine shall be found.
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Although these differ, they are yet of a UNIVERSAL APPLICATION, meant to mean the same thing to EVERYONE.

DURING THE NIGHT, THE BELOVED BROUGHT IT DOWN TO THE "NITTY-GRITTY" FOR THE INDIVIDUAL APPLICATION:  YOU, ME, EACH SEPARATE INDIVIDUAL TO LOOK AT AS THEMSELVES FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THEMSELVES:

So, the CAST OF CHARACTERS OF REVELATION 12:

1.  The Woman is, indeed, "God's Fruitful Bride".  She is, indeed, WISDOM.  This is known from the description of the moon UNDER HER FEET (reasoning, the mental realm PUT DOWN); clothed with the sun (knowledge  NOT from academia, studies, education, reasoning, the intellect but from "SEEING", "ILLUMINATION", "THE LIGHT"); upon her head a crown of twelve stars (A GOVERNING QUEEN - in control of the "nations WITHIN"; in control of her SPIRIT,  the emotions, the will, the mind all quiescent)

But MOST APPLICABLE TO YOU, SHE IS HOW YOU WERE BEFORE YOU FELL!

SO THE WOMAN IS YOU.  THE ONE YOU DON'T KNOW YOU ARE AND ARE YET TO BE RESTORED TO.
 

2. The red DRAGON is YOU.  The self-loving, sly, cunning, favour-seeking, deceiving, man slayer [desiring self to be "above" brethren, more favoured than "brethren", jealous of "brethren"].  HIDDEN IN THE HEART.  KICKING YOUR "HIGHER SELF'S" BUTT because of self-love.  LIVING because the one he lives within won't slay him - kick him out.  THE DEVIL - SATAN - WITHIN.

3.  That he can be "run out of "town" is evident because Michael threw him out of the HIGH PLACES, NEAR THE THRONE OF THE HEART - WITHIN!  MICHAEL:  "WHO IS LIKE GOD".  That is what it takes to DETHRONE the dragon.  Hating sin - WITHIN:  JUST LIKE GOD.  Not countenancing sin - WITHIN:  JUST LIKE GOD.  Michael, too, is WITHIN.

4.  The travailing, fleeing, wildernessed Woman is YOU.  As you are NOW, as you have become.  RUNNING FROM THE DEVIL.  O, WISDOM, HOW FAR THOU HAST FALLEN.  living out of the mind; a slave to human reasoning, intellect, understanding, knowledge, emotions, dependent and weak-willed.

IN YOU, WISDOM IS AT THE MERCY OF REASONING, TRADITION, THE INTELLECT, THE
EMOTIONS AND ALL THE OTHER HOSTS OF "NATIONS".....GETTING KICKED AROUND AND
RUN BY ANGER, SELF-PITY, PRIDE, ARROGANCE, PASSIVITY, SELF-MOTIVATION,
CONJECTURE,   - ALL THE NATIONS UNDER "THE GOD OF THIS WORLD - ["SATAN AND
HIS ANGELS"].....WITHIN".
 


"...THEREFORE GET WISDOM..."

SPIRIT HOLY AWAITETH THE TRUE CRY OF THY HEART...TO RESPOND WITH HELP

5.  The MANCHILD is IN YOU, waiting to come forth and RULE THOSE WARRING NATIONS WITHIN.
 
 

THE CAST OF CHARACTERS:  ALL ARE WITHIN YOU

HOW LONG TILL WOMAN-WISDOM COMES FORTH FROM THE WILDERNESS
THE WORLD SYSTEM OF THINGS, THE WORLD OF FEAR, CONFUSION:  HUMANITY?