The Woman in Revelation 12: A Symbol of Jew and Gentile – The Remnant Church and the Fulfillment of the Queen of the South
In the book of Revelation, chapter 12, we encounter a mysterious and powerful image: a woman clothed with the sun, standing on the moon, with twelve stars on her head. She is pregnant, and cries out in pain as she prepares to give birth. This image has long puzzled theologians and believers alike, but a deeper understanding of the woman in Revelation 12 reveals something extraordinary: she is a representation of both Jew and Gentile—God’s true remnant church, the body of believers who are faithfully following Jesus Christ.
The Woman: A Symbol of the Remnant Church
Revelation 12:1-2 describes the woman as “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.” This powerful and symbolic description points to the church, which is made up of both Jewish believers (the "twelve stars" representing the tribes of Israel) and Gentile believers. Together, they form the true people of God, the church—the faithful remnant.
This woman, in her appearance, brings to mind the language used in the Old Testament, particularly in Joseph’s dream in Genesis 37:9-11, where the sun, moon, and stars represent his father, mother, and brothers. The imagery of the twelve stars is a direct reference to the twelve tribes of Israel, the foundation of God’s chosen people. However, in Revelation 12, the woman represents more than just Israel; she encompasses all of God’s faithful people, both Jews and Gentiles, who have been grafted into the promises of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul, in Romans 11, speaks of the Gentiles being grafted into the olive tree, which represents the people of God (Romans 11:17). Through Jesus, the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile is broken down (Ephesians 2:14), making way for one united people of God.
The Woman's Birth: The Birth of Christ and the Church
The woman in Revelation 12 is pregnant and about to give birth to a child, and she faces great opposition from the dragon, who symbolizes Satan. This child, who is destined to rule all nations with an iron scepter (Revelation 12:5), is The last Elijah, the endtime prophet, who is born presented the world in the fullness of timein the fullness of time. However, the woman’s travail does not end with her birth of the prophet (manchild); it extends to the church, which is birthed from the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ.
Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the church is brought into existence, and its members—Jews and Gentiles alike—are united by their faith in the Savior. The remnant church, therefore, continues the work of proclaiming the gospel and spreading the kingdom of God, enduring suffering and opposition, just as the woman faced great peril while she carried the Messiah.
The Queen of the South: A Fulfillment in Revelation 12
In Matthew 12:42, Jesus makes an intriguing reference to the Queen of the South, who came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon. Jesus says, “The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.”
This statement may seem unrelated to Revelation 12 at first glance, but a closer look reveals that the Queen of the South is a type of Gentile believer who recognizes the wisdom of God and responds with faith. In Jesus’ time, many Gentiles, like the Queen of the South, were coming to recognize the truth of God revealed in Christ. Jesus, being the fulfillment of God’s wisdom, is a new and greater Solomon, and the Queen’s visit is prophetic of the Gentile nations seeking the truth of the gospel.
Just as the Queen of the South traveled from afar to find the wisdom of God in Solomon, so too, in Revelation 12, the woman symbolizes the nations—both Jew and Gentile—gathered together to acknowledge the wisdom and grace of God. This is the fulfillment of the Gentile inclusion in the gospel and the rise of the new, united people of God, which transcends ethnic and national boundaries.
The Woman, the Remnant, and the Future Hope
Revelation 12 concludes with the woman fleeing into the wilderness, where she is protected by God for a time, times, and half a time. This period of refuge signifies the time of trials and tribulations that the church, both Jewish and Gentile, will face as they await the return of Christ. The woman represents the faithful remnant, a people who have not bowed to the pressures of the world but remain steadfast in their trust in God, waiting for His ultimate victory over evil.
As we reflect on Revelation 12, we are reminded of the incredible privilege of being part of the remnant church—both Jew and Gentile—united in Christ. The imagery of the woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and the crown of twelve stars reminds us that we are part of a glorious and eternal plan that stretches from the Old Testament to the fulfillment in Christ and beyond. Just as the Queen of the South acknowledged the wisdom of Solomon, so too do we, as the church, acknowledge the wisdom of God in Christ, who has brought us into His kingdom.
The woman of Revelation 12 is not just a symbol of the past but a living representation of the church today—a church that spans time, cultures, and nations, united in the hope of Christ’s return. Let us be encouraged, as we are the people of God, the faithful remnant, called to shine His light in a world that desperately needs His truth.
Prayer:
Lord, we thank You for revealing Yourself to us through Your Word. We praise You for uniting Jew and Gentile into one body, the church, through faith in Jesus Christ. Help us to live as faithful members of Your remnant, always looking forward to the day when You will return in glory. May we reflect Your wisdom and truth to a world in need. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Dr. Phil Spears
The Queen of The South
In his recent work, The Biblical Queen of Sheba From Cebu, Dr. Spears presents a compelling reimagining of the Queen of Sheba's origins. Traditionally associated with regions in Arabia or Africa, Dr. Spears proposes that the Queen's true origins may lie in the Philippines, specifically the island of Cebu. He explores how the Philippines' strategic position and seafaring heritage could have fostered a kingdom of unparalleled sophistication, connecting ancient seafarers, traders, and spiritual traditions to the ancient world.
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