Study Title: The Flight of the Radiant Woman
Author: 
Lesson Title: Introducing the Radiant Woman
Lesson No.: 2
Lesson Text: Rev. 12:1-6.
Memory Verse:    ""   -ESV
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The Radiant Woman

I. The significance of the "radiant woman".

	A. Identifying the woman.

		- "Great sign" = fantastic spectacle.

		- **Note this occurs in the heavens, to emphasize its symbolic nature.

		1. Who she is not.

			a. She is NOT Mary, mother of Jesus

				- Roman Catholics exegetes use this to perpetuate the Mary myth.

				- This is why Mary is called "Queen of Heaven".

			b. She is not JUST the nation of Israel, Isa. 54:5-6, 66:7.

				- Known as the "wife of God".

				- Partially correct.

				- Not Israel as a whole.

			c. Not astrological, mystical or borrowed from mythology.

		2. Who she is.

			a. the idealistic Zion, Rom. 9:4-5.

			b. the pre-Christ, Messianic community.

			c. the post-Christ, church of believers.

		3. Her appearance

			- Clothed with the sun.

			- The church reflects God and Christ who are seen in this light, Psa. 104:2, Rev. 1:16.

			- The moon under her feet.

				-- Permanence

				-- Dominance over the celestial bodies.

				-- Dominance over pagan religions.

			- The crown of twelve stars.

				-- The victor's wreath.

				-- Twelve can be the apostles, the 12 tribes or both.

				-- The woman has won the victory-- the church is triumphant!

			- Pregnant and in agony.

			- In the throes of giving birth.

			- The agony is that of the Messianic community-- languishing without hearing the voice of God for 400 years of oppression and turmoil.

	B. Identifying the dragon

		1. His characteristics.

			- Great because he is an awesome creature.

			- Fiery because he has come to make war, like the second apocalyptic horse.

			- Seven heads of evil brilliance.

			- Ten horns of complete, arrogated (usurped) authority.

			- The crown of stolen dominion and false reign (not the victor's crown).

			- One third of stars knocked from heaven.

				-- Not literal (Christ not born yet, no tribulation).

				-- Not falling angels (out of place).

				-- Is an awesome display of power.

		2. His diabolical intent.

			- To destroy the Messiah.

			- We see the connection with the OT saints.

			- This is why the woman is in agony.

			- Satan has been trying to destroy the Christ child.

			- By destroying the Messianic community.

			- Either through war or through sin.

			- But the child is born nonetheless.

	C. The child of promise

		1. The Davidic Messiah.

		2. The King and Shepherd.

	D. Persecution and protection in the desert.

		1. The meaning of the wilderness.

		2. Protection and nourishment in the church age.



**All quotations are taken from the English Standard Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.