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N Revelation 12, John records for us a part of his vision that seems to be something of a review. It is sure that the history of Israel is analogous to the development of this drama. Read Revelation 12 & then consider how each character fits with all that we've learned about Israel's place in God's plan of redemption. The woman of Revelation 12:1 should bring to mind Jacob's wife (Joseph's mother), Rachel (Genesis 37:9-10). The 12 stars then would represent the 12 tribes of Israel. The baby boy of Revelation 12:2, 4 & 5 is none other than Jesus Christ. Israel as a nation existed to a great degree for the purpose of bringing the Messiah into the world. The red dragon of Revelation 12:3 is Lucifer & verse 4 describes his original fall. The stars of Revelation 12:4 are the fallen angels who followed Satan in his rebellion against God. Verse 4 also communicates the effort which Satan put forth (through Herod) to kill baby Jesus when He was born (Matthew 2:13-18). Revelation 12:5 presents Christ at both of His advents, the end of His first & the beginning of His second; His ascension & return.
Since Satan failed to defeat the Messiah Himself, he has turned his attention toward Israel as a whole (vs. 5-17). Revelation 12:6 & 14 alludes to the last half of the Tribulation Period, when the Jews will have to endure the greatest & most widespread anti-Semitic persecution of their history (Matthew 24:14-22). Satan will certainly have a large majority of the earth's population in his pocket at that point, & they will do all in their power to help him eradicate the Jews (Revelation 12:15). But they will fail (vs. 16). Verses 7-11 relate a final removal of Satan from heaven. And verse 12 gives us a peek into Lucifer's evil mind in his last hours before being (vs. 2-3).
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