The book of revelation is a vision from jesus christ, given to him by god the. This is the key to the meaning of the symbolic woman, beast, harlot, and false prophet. The woman in the wilderness 1 and there appeared a great wonder in heaven. Revelation mentions that the name of christ is written on the foreheads of the saints revelation 3. The beast from the sea in chapter is a fusion of elements from the all four of the beasts the prophet daniel saw emerge from the sea in chapter 7 of his book. Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. This sign consists of the whole of the appearances, the account of which is contained in this verse and the following one. The best theory regarding the meaning of the white stone probably has to do with the ancient roman custom of. 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 here evidently anticipates, by a summary statement, what he relates more in detail in revelation 12. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. In the course of these visions, seven main figures are.
The book of revelation, also sometimes referred to as the apocalypse, contains both literal and figurative prophecies, and both literal and figurative events. The book of revelation, often called the book of revelations, revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation, or simply revelation, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words or the apocalypse, is the final book of the new testament, and therefore also the final book of the christian bible. What does the sea symbolize in the book of revelations in the. In order to understand this chapter, we now need to understand the symbols. God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and a sound mind. Core christianity interpreting the symbolism in the book of.
Some context to the bibles last book of revelations. The woman that john saw in revelation chapter 12 is undoubtedly the nation of israel. Jan 02, 2020 revelation mentions that the name of christ is written on the foreheads of the saints revelation 3. Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, a 2 who gives witness to the word of god and to the testimony of jesus christ by reporting what he saw. Certain numbers are used symbolically in the bible. Sep 28, 2014 jesus chose 12 disciples who later became the 12 apostles which seem to fit the context of the number 12 used elsewhere in the bible as this number also signified governmental rule or authority. Though the scene of the vision opens in heaven, it is. Note the similarity between this description and the description that joseph gave of his father jacob israel and his mother and their children genesis 37. The new jerusalem city has 12 foundations, 12 gates 12 thousand furlongs, a tree with 12 kinds of fruit 12 times a year eaten by 12 times 12,000 or the 144,000. Later in revelation, john will refer to the holy spirit in the singular rev. David guzik commentary on revelation 12 explains the woman, the child.
This enrages satan, who commits to attacking the offspring of the woman revelation 12. Polyvalent symbolism, in which symbols have more than one meaning, also is part of revelations imagery. Kimb on revelation 12 yes god loves you, a love that surpasses our understanding. The horns are a symbol of power and the crowns are a representation of authority. A few verses later, this dragon is clearly identified as satan. In revelation chapter 12, john sees a vision of a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars revelation 12. Revelation 1 new international version niv prologue. Revelation chapter 12 explained discover revelation. The emblem of the church militant and the woman, there is the frailty of her nature. It is the final revelation of god to mankind, and within its message, it completes the messages and prophecies of the past, and links it all into the events to unfold in the near future. The seven heads and ten horns picture a terrifying image of great power, authority, knowledge, and strength. Then i witnessed in heaven an event of great significance.
This battle is seen throughout chapter 12 through 15, with chapter 16 through 19 dealing with the judgments of god upon those working against his church. Re apocalypse christian bible study resources, dictionary, concordance and search tools. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. By ernie and mary kroeger the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him to show to his bondservants, the things which must soon take place. For instance, many religious people have gone to revelation 20. Nothing in revelation will contradict anything else in the bible. What does the sea symbolize in the book of revelations in. Revelation 12 is the twelfth chapter of the book of revelation or the apocalypse of john in the new testament of the christian bible. We wont renew our comparisons with the book of ezekiel until revelation chapter 14. The symbols in scripture are interpreted by the bible itself.
The third symbol of revelation 12a great, fiery red dragon verse 3is described as having drawn a third of the stars of heaven and standing before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her child as soon as it was born verse 4. Therefore, we also must keep in mind the second principle necessary to a proper understanding of the book of revelation. Verse by verse study of revelation chapter 12 by tony warren. The woman of the apocalypse is a figure described in chapter 12 of the book of revelation written c. Jesus had 12 disciples, and there were 12 tribes of israel.
Who are the woman, child and dragon in revelation 12. Biblical scholars agree that the third of the stars he swept from the sky represents the angels that he tempted to follow him in his rebellion against god revelation 12. The literal seas or bodies of water and in some cases the sea represents the entire world population of mankind. Symbolism in the book of revelation the bart ehrman blog. In these next two chapters the old testament references will be the visions and prophecies given to the prophet daniel. The series is explained by pastor steven anderson and i found this a helpful resource to my ever. The dragon spoken of in revelation 12 is clearly satan, who desires to destroy israel and her child, jesus christ. In our interpretation we must see what it meant for them, and then we will see what it means for us.
There is no blessing like that attached to any other book of the bible. Hes just a mildmannered christian guy living in exile whenpow. The woman delivered a son before running away to a place prepared for her by god where she would be taken care of. Also in heaven was a red dragon with seven heads and a crown on each head. The best theory regarding the meaning of the white stone probably has to do with the ancient roman custom of awarding white stones to the victors of athletic games. In revelation chapters 12, and 14 the main figures of the great tribulation are. Aug 30, 2019 the literal seas or bodies of water and in some cases the sea represents the entire world population of mankind. Revelation 12 niv bible a great sign appeared in heaven. Revelation 12 commentary the interpretation of the signs. Twelve has always been an important number in the bible because there were twelve tribes of israel and twelve apostles.
In the new testament, this word describes the unveiling of spiritual truth rom. The five figures mentioned in this chapter are the woman who symbolizes israel, the tenheaded dragon who represents satan, the male child who is jesus, satan himself as the fourth figure, and the offspring of the woman, referring to the people of israel. The vision is thus plainly declared to be figurative cf. Revelation 12 bible commentary matthew henry concise. God hits him with a doozy of a revelation hey, thats not a bad idea for a title. Revelation, chapter 12 united states conference of catholic bishops. Revelation greek apokalupsis means an uncovering, an unveiling, or a disclosure. What does the number twelve 12 mean or represent in the bible.
Not so much because the chapters are so difficult to discern, but because so many people are caught up in private interpretations, and the parroting of the unsound doctrines that theyve heard. By ernie and mary kroeger a great sign appeared in heaven. A and appeared clothed crown feet great head heaven her in moon of on sign stars sun the twelve under with woman wondrous nt prophecy. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Similarly, the number twelve and anything divisible by twelve is the number of the people of god rev. Book of revelation apocalypse in the bible king james version. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. Verses 718 look like a doublet of these opening verses, as if john were drawing on two different accounts of the same vision.
In the course of these visions, seven main figures are described. This is an exciting and wonderful series explaining the book of revelation from the kjv bible. While it is true that mary gave birth to jesus, it is also true that jesus, the son of david from the tribe of judah, came from israel. Jacob didnt have any trouble identifying the symbolic meaning of the sun, moon and stars shall i and your. The womans mortal enemy is satan, who appears as a dragon times in this book compare verses 9. Starting in chapter 12, revelation takes a detour from the stepbystep narrative of the end times. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Symbolism in the book of revelation i will soon conclude this thread dealing with the ancient use of letters of the alphabet for numerals by discussing the most famous instance of them all, the number of the beast in the book of revelation. What is the moral of the story of revelation chapter 12. Why is god going to give us a white stone with a new name. According to the book of mormon, the bible went through the hands of a great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches. The greek word semeion, which is translated as wonder, sign, or miracle, is used to describe a woman clothed with the sun. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ.
I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. The events described occur over a wide variety of eras, including past, present, and future. The meaning of 12, which is considered a perfect number, is that it symbolizes gods power and authority, as well as serving as a perfect governmental foundation. What is the sevenheaded wild beast of revelation chapter. A description of the church of christ and of satan, under the figures of a woman and of a great red dragon. Whether he is or not, he seems to be using the second account to interpret and clarify the first. Because of todays insidious enticements, we need special help to be protected from stumblingstones in our path, false doctrines in our search for truth. The gaps and abrupt changes in verses 16 are explained in part by the rest of the chapter. Revelation 12, new international version niv the bible app. This led to my exegetical work in determining the meaning of the.
Preface the book of revelation is one of the most misunderstood books in the bible. Revelation chapter 12 begins with john as he is watching a woman give birth in heaven. Satan and the world which the gospel of john describes in the life of jesus. Book of revelation apocalypse in the bible king james version revelation is the final book in the holy bible. Two wings of the great eagle of revelation 12 the herald of hope. Additional evidence for this interpretation is that revelation 12. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. This letter was written to the churches in the roman province of asia.
It also reveals that god will protect israel in the wilderness. Book of revelation apocalypse in the bible king james. Chapters 12 to 14 are explanatory prophecies that describe some of. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. Biblical scholars agree that the third of the stars. Archaeology confirms the bible tyre and the bible petra and the bible egypt and the bible babylon and the bible the lost books of the bible crossing musical boundaries music is a powerful emotional motivator that crosses cultural and language barriers. The key to understanding the specific meaning of the ten horns and seven heads of the beast of revelation chapter is an image of the wild beast identified later in revelation a brightred beast that has seven heads and ten horns. The book is traditionally attributed to john the apostle, but the precise identity of the author remains a point of academic debate.