Useful Bible Studies > Revelation Commentary > chapter 12
In our opinion, the woman in Revelation chapter 12 means Israel. The people originally from Israel are called the Jewish people.
In the history of the world, the devil’s anger against the Jewish people has been very severe. On several occasions, he has tried to destroy the Jewish people completely. For example, see the Book of Esther. However, the devil has always failed in this plan, because God has protected Israel.
So, instead the devil tries to fight against the women’s other children. That is, against the brothers and sisters of her male child, Christ, who will soon rule all nations (verse 5). Hebrews 2:10-12 refers to Christians as the brothers of Christ.
Not all Christians originally belonged to Israel, but God has joined them together in his family (Ephesians 2:11-16; Romans 11:17-24). They have become, with Israel’s people, the children of Abraham (Romans 4:16-17; Galatians 3:6-9). Romans 2:28-29 even describes them as true members of the Jewish people. Even if Christians did not formerly belong to any nation, they have now joined God’s people, his holy nation (1 Peter 2:9-10).
So it does not surprise us when the devil tries to fight against Christians. His evil and cruel acts against the people whom God loves so much do not surprise us. Even the wicked deeds in Revelation chapter 13 will not surprise us. The devil will act in a terrible manner, but he cannot do so for long. Soon Christ will come to rule, and then the devil will lose all his power.
In the meantime, Christians are not without protection when the devil fights against them. God has provided everything that they need to stand firm (Ephesians 6:10-18). Christ himself prays for them (Hebrews 7:25); his angels (God’s special servants) serve them (Hebrews 1:14). At the time that he has chosen, Christ will rescue them from this world, and from their troubles here (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Next part: The antichrist appears (Revelation 13:1)
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© 2016, Keith Simons.