Who is the woman in Rev 12?
Rev 12:1. Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.
This chapter is full of symbols, so the woman represents the church of all believers. She is clothed with the sun of Christ´s righteousness. Malachi 4:2. John 8:12. The moon under her feet represents the churches enemies like the Devil and political leaders who work for him in Rev 12. 1 Corinthians 15:23-25. Romans 16:20. Malachi 4:3. Psalm 18:37.38. The garland on the head of the woman is a “stephanos” in the Greek and represents a crown of victory, eternal life and glory. 1 Corinthians 9:25, 2 Timothy 2:5, 1 Peter 5:4, Rev 6:2, Rev 14:14. There are twelve stars on the garland. Stars represent angels in Revelation e.g. Rev 1:20, 12:4. These angels look after the twelve spiritual tribes of Israel scattered abroad who are Christian believers. James 1:1. OK! The woman in this chapter represents the church of true believers in Christ from the time of Christ.
Rev 12:2. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.
Who is the child?
Isaiah 7:14. Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call his name Immanual.
Matthew 1:23. “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call his name Immanual,” which is translated, “God with us.”
Psalm 2:7-9. I will declare the degree: The Lord has said to me, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them to pieces like a potter´s vessel. (This text refers to Messiah).
The citation “rod of iron,” for a full explanation see my website www.ayindk.com/Rev 19:15.
Rev 12:5. She bore a male child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up to God and his throne. (The male child is Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:18-25. Christ died on the cross and was resurrected on the third day. Luke 23:44-46. 24:1-7. 24:50.51.)
Hebrews 10:12. But this man (Jesus Christ), after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.
Rev 12:3. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold a great fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.
See my website for a full explanation of the fiery red dragon www.ayindk.com/Rev 17:7.8. In short, the fiery red dragon represents Satan the devil.
What do the seven heads mean in prophecy? See my website www.ayindk.com/Rev 17:9-11 for a full explanation.
In short, the seven heads represent the seven largest churches in the world. E.g.
- Church of the East: 0.6 million.
- Restoration and non-Trinitarianism: 42-48 million.
- Anglicanism: 85 million.
- Oriental Orthodoxy: 86 million.
- Eastern Orthodoxy: 225-300 million.
- Protestantism: 800 million.
- Roman Catholicism: 1.2 billion.
What do the ten horns represent in prophecy? See my website www.ayindk.com/Rev 17:12.13. In short, the ten horns represent the ten tribes of Europe during the Middle Ages. In addition, during the time before Christ´s Second Coming the ten horns represent all the political nations on the earth.
Rev 12:4. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her child as soon as it was born.
What does the tail mean in prophecy?
Isaiah 9:15. The prophet who teaches lies, he is a tail.
What do stars mean in prophecy?
Rev 1:20. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.
The dragon who is Satan is the tail, who told lies to a third of the angels in heaven and deceived them about the character of God and his love for them. Hence, they were cast out of heaven to this earth.
Rev 12:4. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her child as soon as it was born. This is referring to the time when Christ was born and Satan working through King Herod tried to kill Christ at Bethlehem, however, Joseph and Mary made their escape to Egypt with the child.
King Herod put to death all the male children under two years old in the town of Bethlehem. Matthew 2:16.
Rev 12:6. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. In prophetical writings, one day is equal to one year. Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:6. Therefore, when it says in the text “one thousand two hundred and sixty days” this means prophetical years, 1,260 years. This figure is also equal to “a time, times and half a time” in Rev 12:14. When we add this figure up, we have one time plus two times plus half a time which equals 3½ times. One time is equal to 360 years in prophecy. So, 3½ times is equal to 1,260 years. Therefore, these two verses in Rev 12: 6.14, reinforce each other in Biblical prophetical time. In addition, the 42 months in Rev 11:2.3. are also equal to 1,260 years in Biblical prophecy. If we times 42 months with 30 prophetical days for each month, this gives us 1,260 days or prophetical years. Hence, there is harmony in these calculations.
When does this woman flee into the wilderness away from the persecutions of Satan the dragon?
During the Dark Middle Ages, 1260 years from 538 to 1798 A.D. This was when Satan worked through the papacy to persecute many millions of Roman Catholic believing members of the church, in Christ. They tried to conform them to believe in the papacy and their authority to interpret the Bible. However, they would not be deterred; they read the Bible for themselves and became personal believers in Christ as their savior. They were called Protestants, because they protested against the authority of the papacy to control their beliefs. As a result, over 50 million Roman Catholic Church members, were burnt at the stake for their beliefs and this included their children. This was then a Dark period for the church of believers. The woman in this text, represented the Protestant believers in the Roman Catholic church, who were persecuted.
Rev 12:7-9. And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So, the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast out to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Michael is another name for Jesus Christ and means in the Hebrew, “who is like God,” Michael is also the archangel: Daniel 10:13. 12:1. Jude 9. 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
A study related to the Dragon or Satan
Rev 13:1. Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.
This beast represents the papacy in the Roman Catholic church system, and the seven heads represent the seven largest churches which are related to the Roman Catholic church system. The ten horns with ten crowns represent the ten tribes of Europe and the nations of the world before Christ´s second coming. The blasphemous name on the seven heads mean that they are not representing God on this earth.
Rev 13:4. So they worshipped the dragon who gave authority to the beast.
Who worshipped the beast?
Rev 13:3. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.
Who gave authority to the beast representing the papacy?
The dragon who represents Satan gave authority to the beast papacy.
Rev 13:11. Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.
This beast who comes out of the earth is a symbol of the USA and the two horns of power like a lamb are a symbol of Christ the Lamb of God. This nation is like a Christ like kingdom and a Christian nation. However, the nation speaks like a dragon. Who is the dragon in this text? It is Satan. Speaking like a is related to the laws enforced by persecution, with the intent of destroying those who refuse to obey religious edicts. There will come a time in the future when this nation, the USA will speak like a dragon.
Rev 9:1. Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. (The star in this text is a symbol of Satan. The earth is the bottomless pit. Satan has the power with the key to the bottomless pit to inflict persecutions upon Christians through the Ottoman Empire for 150 years from 1299-1449)
Rev 17:3. So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
The scarlet red beast is a symbol of Satan. The seven heads are a symbol of the seven largest churches in the world. The ten horns are a symbol of the ten tribes that started Europe but have developed into all the nations in the world before Christ´s second coming. The woman is a symbol of the fallen worldwide corrupt church. The beast or Satan will ascend out of the bottomless pit/earth in Rev 17:8. The beast/Satan that was, and is not, is himself also the eight, and is of the seven and is going to perdition Rev 17:11.
Rev 20:1-3. Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit which is the earth, and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
Rev 20:7.8. Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.
Where do these nations come from?
The second resurrection of the wicked non-believers. Rev 20:5. John 5:28.29. Daniel 12:2.
Rev 20:9.10. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Rev 2:13. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos. – – -I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan´s throne is. And you hold fast to my name. and did not deny my faith even in the days in which Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Where is Satan´s throne in this text?
For a full explanation see my website www.ayindk.com/Revelation 2:12-17. In short Satan´s throne is situated in Rome, in the Vatican where the papacy is seated.
Luke 4:3. The devil tempts Jesus to turn stones into bread.
Luke 4:5. The devil tempts Jesus to give him all the kingdoms of the world.
Luke 4:9. The devil tempts Jesus: “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here” – the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem.
Luke 10:18. I saw Satan fall like the lightening from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the powers of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 13:16. “So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound – think of it – for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” (Refers to a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. Luke 13:11).
John 13:27. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him (Judas). Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
Acts 5:3. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?”
1 Corinthians 7:5. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time., that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
2 Corinthians 11:14. For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 12:7. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
1 Thessalonians 2:18. Therefore, we wanted to come to you – even I, Paul, time and again – but Satan hindered us.
2 Thessalonians 2:3.4. Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
2 Thessalonians 2:7-9. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. And the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs and lying wonders.
1 Peter 5:8. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Zechariah 3:1. Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.
Job 1:6.7. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come from?” So Satan answered to Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
Job 1:12. And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
Hence, the following afflictions upon Job were caused by Satan.
Job 1:15. The Sabeans took the oxen and donkeys away and killed Job´s servants.
Job 1:16. Fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants.
Job 1:17. The Chaldeans took the camels and killed Job´s servants.
Job 1:18.19. Jobs sons and daughters were killed when a great wind struck the house where they were eating and drinking.
Job 2:4-7. So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse you to your face!” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.
Job 1:10. In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
1 Chronicles 21:1. Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.
A word study related to the Dragon or the Devil.
Matthew 25:41. Depart from me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Luke 8:12. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
John 6:70. Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is the devil.
John 8:44. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning. (Jesus is talking to the Pharisees John 8:13 and the Jews in John 8:31)
John 10:38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.
John 13:2. And supper being ended, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon´s son, to betray him.
Ephesians 6:11. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Hebrew 2:14. He himself likewise shared in the name, that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. (The devil has power over all who are in bondage to sin and he determines when and who they shall die. Christ has the keys of death Rev 1:18. and determines when all believers in God shall die. He even allows believers to die as martyrs who are appressed by Satan.
1 John 3:8. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning.
1 John 3:10. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest. Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
Revelation 2:10. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Genesis 3:1. Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord had made.
Genesis 3:4.5. Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.” For God knows that in the day you eat of the it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.
Genesis 3:15. And I will put enmity between you (Satan) and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he (Christ) will bruise your (Satan´s) head, and you (Satan) shall bruise his (Christ´s) heal.
Isaiah 14:12-16. This scripture is referring to Lucifer which is another name for Satan meaning insolent.
Isaiah 14:12-16. How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation, on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High. Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit. Those who see you will gaze at you, and consider you, saying: “Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook the kingdoms, who made the world as a wilderness and destroyed its cities, who did not open the house of his prisoners?
Ezekiel 28:12-19. This scripture is a prophecy concerning the king of Tyre who represents Satan – because the king of Tyre was never perfect like Satan who was created perfect.
Ezekiel 28:12-19. You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; – – – Was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; – – – You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones. Your heart was filled up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you. – – – Therefore, I brought fire from your midst; it devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth, in the sight of all who saw you. – – – You have become a horror, and shall be no more forever.
Conclusion
These are most of the texts in the Bible which are related to Satan, the Devil or Lucifer.
The reason why Satan was cast to this earth by God, was to see the results of sin and how it was developed in his life and rulership. For example, in Genesis 1:26 when God made Adam and Eve, he made them in his image. Genesis 1:26 God put Adam and Eve on this earth and they had dominion over all creatures on this earth. They were like a king and Queen of this earth.
Genesis 3:1-7. Then Satan through the serpent determined to lead them into sin and take away their right to rulership on this earth and be the ruler himself. John 14:30.
Job 1:6.7. Satan became the representative ruler of this earth by force and deceit, and he met with other sons of God in a kind of committee meeting council in heaven. He met at these meetings until he crucified Jesus Christ through the priests.
Luke 10:18. And he (Christ) said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven.”
John 14:30. For the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in me.
John 12:31.32. Now is the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.
“If He (Satan) failed here (at the crucifixion), his hope of mastery was lost; the kingdoms of this world would finally become Christ´s; he himself would be overthrown and cast out. But if Christ could be overcome, the earth would become Satan´s kingdom, and the human race would be forever in his power.”[1]
After the creation of Adam and Eve on this earth, Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven.
“No longer free to stir up rebellion in heaven, Satan´s enmity against God found a new field in plotting the ruin of the human race. In the happiness and peace of the holy pair in Eden he beheld a vision of the bliss that to him was forever lost. Moved by envy, he determined to incite them to disobedience, and bring upon them the guilt and penalty of sin. Our first parents were not left without warning of the danger that threatened them. Heavenly messengers opened to them the history of Satan´s fall and his plots for their destruction.”[2]
Conclusion
Satan´s rebellion and being cast out of heaven occurred after the creation of this earth and Adam and Eve. How Long? The Bible does not give anymore details about the event. Satan became the ruler of this earth when he led Adam into sin. Satan appeared at the annual heavenly council to represent this earth. By crucifying Jesus Christ, Satan was not allowed to represent the rulership of this earth anymore, because Christ overtook the rulership through his atoning death on the cross.
Rev 12:10. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God, day and night, has been cast down.” (Salvation, strength and the kingdom of God came through Christ when he atoned for the sins of all who believe in him. Hence, Satan´s power became limited over all believers in Christ.
Rev 12:11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (All believers in Christ have overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb. How? Hebrews 9:22. And according to the law all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission – of sins).
Who is the Lamb of God a symbol of?
John 1:29. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold! The Lamb of who takes away the sin of the world!”
This is the Lamb of God who was typified in the slaying of the lamb in the morning and evening sacrifice in the earthly sanctuary. Exodus 29:38.39.
1 John 1:7. The blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanses us from all sin.
When? 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he his faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
What is the word of their testimony?
Rev 1:9. John your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Rev 12:17. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and he went to make war with the remnant of her seed, who keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
What is the testimony of Jesus Christ?
Rev 19:10. For the testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy. (John was persecuted and imprisoned on the island of Patmos because he preached, taught and proclaimed the word of God from the Bible which included the prophecies.)
Rev 12:12. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.
Why is there rejoicing in the heavens?
Those who dwell in the heavens are God and the angels, plus the beings from different worlds in the universe. Job 1:6,7. 38:7. The sons of God refer to human beings created by God who live on the other worlds in the universe. Genesis 6:1-3. These sons of God did not fall into sin like Adam did. Therefore, the text in Rev 12:12 says there is rejoicing in the heavens but not on this earth, because the devil has been cast down to the earth and he is doing everything possible with his angels to destroy mankind before his time is up.
The text says that Satan´s time is short. How short?
God works in time spans in the Bible. During the creation week God created the heavens and the earth in 6 days and rested on the seventh which is a Sabbath. Each day of the week has an evening and morning to signify 24 hours of the day. Genesis 1: 2:1-3.
The Bible marks off each month of the year with the beginning of a new full moon. Psalm 81:3. When Adam sinned against God there was the promise of a savior to come to atone for the sins of all who believe. Genesis 3:15.
The promise of the Messiah was outlined in the time prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27 and was fulfilled in the death of Jesus Christ our Lord on the cross, when he uttered the words, “it is fulfilled.” John 19:28-30.
In addition, we have the prophecy in the book of Daniel 2: of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream about a statue revealing the empires through history on the earth in the last days before the second coming of Christ. This prophecy reveals that there are no more empires to come and rule the earth when we come near the second coming of Christ. So time is short for Satan before he will be punished and destroyed by fire from heaven sent by God. Rev 20:7-9.
Rev 12:13.14. Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
The woman is a symbol of the church. The male child represents Jesus Christ. The dragon is a symbol of Satan or the devil. The time, times and half a time is explained in Rev 12:6. In short it represents the time of 1260 years during the time of the Dark Middle Ages from 538-1798.
Satan worked through the papacy, to destroy true worship during the Middle Ages. Over 50 million Roman Catholic members of the church were burnt at the stake because they refused to acknowledge the papacy as the head of the church. They accepted Christ as the head of the church instead as stated in the Bible. Ephesians 5:23. For a more detailed explanation of time, times and half a time, see my website www.ayindk.com/Daniel 7:25.
The persecuted church during the Middle Ages found refuge in the mountains of Piedmont e.g. Waldenses. The Huguenots from France travelled the sea to various countries and continued their worship there in freedom. Protestants from Europe travelled to North America and established a protestant nation over there. The Huguenots travelled to safe haven countries like Holland and England. Even more so, God guided the protestant reformation lead by Martin Luther from Wittenburg, Germany, to the rest of Europe.
Rev 12:15. So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.
What does it mean, “to spew water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman?”
The first we read in the Bible about waters is in Genesis 6:17. God will send a flood on the earth to destroy the sinful inhabitants. So in this event, flood waters, is a symbol of destruction.
In Rev 12:13 it says, “Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman. So the spewing water out of the mouth of the dragon involves persecution of the believers in Christ, from the dragon who is Satan.
During the 1,260 years, time, times and half a time which refers to the Middle Ages the papacy in Rev 13:7 says it was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them.
Conclusion
To spew water out of the mouth of the dragon like a flood after the woman is a symbol of persecution, destruction and war against the true believers in God.
Rev 12:16. But the earth helped the woman and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.
Now this “earth” has a symbolic meaning in the book of Revelation and refers to North America. e.g. Rev 13:11. Then I saw another beast coming out of the earth.
Many protestant Christians during the end of the Middle Ages travelled from Europe to North America to escape persecution from the papal authorities. In this way the earth: North America helped the woman representing protestant Christians escaping from Europe.
Rev 12:17. OK! Let us come to the last verse in Rev 12:17. And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
The dragon is a symbol of Satan. Rev 12:7-9.
The woman is symbol of the protestant Christian church. Rev 12:1.
The remnant of the woman´s seed are those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. The ten commandments of God are written in Exodus 20:1-17. Deuteronomy 5:6-21.
There are those who say that the Ten Commandments are only binding for believers in the Old Testament. However, the New Testament also says the Ten Commandments are binding for Christians.
Rev 4:12. Here is the patience of the saints, here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
1 John 5:3. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.
1 John 2:4. He who says, “I know him,” and does not keep his commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him.
1 John 3:4. Sin is transgression of the law.
Romans 3:20. For by the law is the knowledge of sin. (When we break the Ten Commandments of God, we become sinners and commit sin).
Romans 3:31. Do we make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law. (This law refers to the Ten Commandments)
Romans 7:7. I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “you shall not covet.”
The words, “You shall not covet,” is taken from the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:17.
James 2:8-12. (In this text the royal law is the Ten Commandments which we should keep). If you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.
Luke 23:56. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandments. (There are those Christians who say that after the cross the law was nailed to the cross and we do not have to keep the commandments. But this text is after the death and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and the disciples still kept the Sabbath which is written in the Ten Commandments Exodus 20:8).
Ephesians 4:4. Only have one God. (Exodus 20:2.3.)
Ephesians 4:25. Putting away lying. (Exodus 20:16.)
Ephesians 4:28. Steal no longer. (Exodus 20:15.)
Ephesians 5:3. Fornication and covetousness. (Exodus 20:14.17.)
Ephesians 6:1.2. Honor your parents. (Exodus 20:12.)
Acts 13:42. So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. (Exodus 20:8.)
Acts 13:44. On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. (Exodus 20:8.)
Acts 18:4. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. (Exodus 20:8.)
Rev 12:17. And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
What is the testimony of Jesus Christ?
Rev 19:10. The testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy.
Rev 1:1-4. John the disciple was on the island of Patmos because of the testimony of Jesus Christ. (He was imprisoned there because of his witness to the testimony of Jesus Christ).
The spirit of prophecy includes all the prophetical scriptures in the Bible. E.g. Daniel, Revelation, Mathew 24: Seventh Day Adventists would also include the book: The Great Controversy, as part of the spirit of prophecy.
Conclusion
The testimony of Jesus Christ includes witnessing to the prophetical writings found in the holy Bible.
Rev 12:17. And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
This is the last time we read of the woman in Rev 12: The Dark Middle Ages have gone. The persecutions have disappeared. Satan tries a new method of making war against the woman. This is enlarged, in the message to the Laodicea church in Rev 3:14-22. This message to the Laodicean church is the last message to the Christian church as a whole in church history. From Rev 2: to Rev 3: is a description of the Christian church of all believers from the time of Christ to this present day in seven time periods of church history. The Laodicean church is a description of the Christian church worldwide, just before Christs Second Coming.
What is the condition of this church?
Christ says in Rev 3:15.16.17. I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot, I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.
Persecutions did not work in the Middle Ages, so Satan changed his tactics and made Christians wealthy and their works became lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. Which means they are not on fire to proclaim the gospel or reject it. They are passive and only Christians by name and not by example. When Christs says that he will vomit them from his mouth, this indicates that the woman, the Protestant church as a whole is not acceptable to Christ. He has rejected the woman and she has changed her form and become a harlot, hence mixing with the world and believing in many false doctrines. The woman has ceased to exist as a church representing Christ on this earth. She no longer keeps the 10 commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ as stated in Rev 12:17.
When did this change take place? After the Dark Middle Ages and before the Second Coming of Christ. The time period in history for the Laodicean church experience is now, in the present, and not in the future. The Protestant church as a whole has fallen from grace and Christ says I will vomit you out of my mouth.
[1] Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc.,), 687.
[2] Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc.,), 52.