Session 10: Revelation 11:15-12:17

Cheat Sheet

A woman appears in Revelation 12, representing God’s faithful people, both past (Israel) and present (the church.) The moon beneath her feet indicates that she has dominion over creation; the crown of twelve stars indicates her royal status. Greek, Egyptian, and Roman cultures each had their own myths about pregnant women involved in cosmic turmoil. Yet John sees these stories with Christian eyes, and his vision reveals a grander story that culminates with the lordship of Jesus Christ.

A red dragon then appears, and John later identifies him as Satan. Both in the Old Testament, and in other Ancient Near Eastern cultures, dragons were images of chaos and represented a fearsome enemy. Here in Revelation, Satan the dragon is red, the colour of blood. His many heads and horns represent the dragon’s power, and recall a similar vision seen by the prophet Daniel in Daniel 7. This is a beast that believes in its own power, and is prepared to fight for it.

A male child born to the woman was another image common to many cultures: normally, this child would then grow up to rule and be worshipped. John clearly sees this child as Jesus, the dragon’s enemy and the world’s one true Lord.

The wilderness is a place of refuge and nurture for God’s people. This reminds John’s hearers of the role of the wilderness in the Exodus, as well as in the life of Jesus (see Matthew 2:13-15.)

Two wings of a great eagle is a reference to the goodness of God in carrying his people to places of safety. See, for example, Psalm 55:6-7, and Isaiah 40:31. Being carried this way is a sign that God is protecting the woman and taking her to safe refuge.

The serpent spewing water is an image of the evil deeds and words that Satan throws at the church. In some ancient cultures, floods were understood as vindictive acts sent by local river gods. Yet the fact that the flood comes from the dragon’s mouth is also significant: it indicates that this is, at least in part, a symbol of the devil’s words. Yet Revelation’s readers are already assured: in 1:16 they hear of a sword coming from Jesus’ mouth. His word is also a weapon.

Study

One New Testament scholar has argued that much of the book of Revelation needs to be “felt, not analysed.” Certain sections, such as this one, can confound and confuse us if we concentrate too hard on the small details and try and understand every technical point. This runs the risk of us missing the full, visual force of John’s visions.

For this study, use the lectio divina method as you read this week’s verses:

• Lectio: Someone opens in prayer, before slowly reading the verses aloud to the group. Once the reading is finished, the group sits in silence for a few minutes.
• Meditatio: The passage is read to the group a second time. Again, following the reading, the group sits in silence. As group members, try not to be too analytical or distant. Rather, consider: what is God saying to me right now?
• Oratio: The passage is read to the group a third time. Once this reading is completed, group members can share phrases or words in the reading that really stood out to them. These do not need to be justified or explained, although members are welcome to reflect further if they would like.
• If time allows, Contemplatio: The passage is read to the group one final time. Once the reading is finished, the group sits in silence for a few minutes.

Close the study with a time of prayer. Offer prayers of praise and reflection on God’s attributes.

Optional Extra Resources

This is the end of our time in Revelation, for now at least. Have a chat as a group. How have you found it?