121 A great sign appeared in heaven : a woman clothed with the sun , and the moon under her feet , and on her head a crown of twelve stars ; 2 and she was with child e ; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth . 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven : and behold , a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns , and on his heads were seven diadems . 4 And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth . And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth , so that when she gave birth he might devour her child . 5 And she gave birth to a son , a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron ; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne . 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God , so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Revelation 12:1-6
Commentary on Revelation 12:1-6
(Read Revelation 12:1-6)
The church, under the emblem of a woman, the mother of believers, was seen by the apostle in vision, in heaven. She was clothed with the sun, justified, sanctified, and shining by union with Christ, the Sun of Righteousness. The moon was under her feet; she was superior to the reflected and feebler light of the revelation made by Moses. Having on her head a crown of twelve stars; the doctrine of the gospel, preached by the twelve apostles, is a crown of glory to all true believers. As in pain to bring forth a holy family; desirous that the conviction of sinners might end in their conversion. A dragon is a known emblem of Satan, and his chief agents, or those who govern for him on earth, at that time the pagan empire of Rome, the city built upon seven hills. As having ten horns, divided into ten kingdoms. Having seven crowns, representing seven forms of government. As drawing with his tail a third part of the stars in heaven, and casting them down to the earth; persecuting and seducing the ministers and teachers. As watchful to crush the Christian religion; but in spite of the opposition of enemies, the church brought forth a manly issue of true and faithful professors, in whom Christ was truly formed anew; even the mystery of Christ, that Son of God who should rule the nations, and in whose right his members partake the same glory. This blessed offspring was protected of God.