Revelation 12

What follows is my interpretation of Revelation chapter 12.

As a reference, here are the links I used to get the text for Revelation 12 and the Joseph Smith Translation (JST) for Revelation 12

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/rev/12?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/jst/jst-rev/12.html?lang=eng

It is my opinion that while many of the chapters in the book of Revelation are most likely in order of occurrence, there are chapters of a more expository nature. The intent of these expository chapters (and in some cases verses) is to provide some background, history, or other relevant information. Chapter 12 is one of these chapters that contains a lot of explanatory material.

Revelation 12	JST Revelation 12
1 aAnd there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a bwoman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:	1 And there appeared a great sign in heaven, in the likeness of things on the earth; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.
2 And she being with achild cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.	2 And the woman being with child, cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.	3 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up unto God and his throne.
4 And his tail drew the athird part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.	4 And there appeared another sign in heaven; and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman which was delivered, ready to devour her child after it was born.
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a arod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.	5 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore years.
6 And the awoman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.	6 And there was war in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought against Michael;
7 And there was awar in heaven: bMichael and his cangels fought against the dragon; and the ddragon fought and his angels,	7 And the dragon prevailed not against Michael, neither the child, nor the woman which was the church of God, who had been delivered of her pains, and brought forth the kingdom of our God and his Christ.
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in aheaven.	8 Neither was there place found in heaven for the great dragon, who was cast out; that old serpent called the devil, and also called Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth; and his angels were cast out with him.
9 And the great dragon was acast out, that old serpent, called the bDevil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.	9 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ;
10 And I heard a loud avoice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and bstrength, and the kingdom of our God, and the cpower of his Christ: for the daccuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.	10 For the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they aovercame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their btestimony; and they loved not their lives unto the cdeath.	11 For they have overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; for they loved not their own lives, but kept the testimony even unto death. Therefore, rejoice O heavens, and ye that dwell in them.
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.	12 And after these things I heard another voice saying, Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, yea, and they who dwell upon the islands of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he apersecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.	13 For when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man-child.
14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.	14 Therefore, to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might flee into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.	15 And the serpent casteth out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.	16 And the earth helpeth the woman, and the earth openeth her mouth, and swalloweth up the flood which the dragon casteth out of his mouth.
17 And the adragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make bwar with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.	17 Therefore, the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Note verse 7 in the JST, "...nor the woman which was the church of God..."

This is not to say that the woman could not be symbolized by a constellation.

And verse 1 does appear that it could be referring to a celestial event, such as various planetary alignments.

Here are some of my thoughts, based on the JST version.

Verse 1. An astronomical event is the easiest explanation. What is interesting is the JST adds "in the likeness of things on the earth." If we take verse 7's explanation, that the woman is the church, then who, or what, do the sun, moon, and 12 starts represent? My immediate thought is the 12 stars may represent the 12 apostles, but I'm still working on the sun and moon.

It could also be that the 12 stars are the 12 servants JST Revelation 5:6 mentions. In the Revelation 5:6 it mentions seven servants, but the JST corrects this to 12.

Another possibility, the sun, moon, and stars are used to represent the kingdoms of glory.

Personally, I think it may be that the the sun, moon, and stars are representative of the power and authority vested in the church. The sun would represent the Melchizedek Priesthood (the sun being symbolic of the celestial and spiritual matters), the moon would represent the Aaronic priesthood (the moon being symbolic of the temporal or earthy ordinances), and the stars would represent the presiding priesthood quorum (both the first presidency and quorum of the 12 apostles) who governs the church (with the right to govern being represented by a crown).

Verse 2. "Travailing in birth" are the labor pains that come as the time for birth arrives. The contractions become stronger, longer, and closer together, with the down times (the breaks between the pains) becoming shorter.

Verse 3. Who is the "man child?"

[I'm leaving my original comments in place as I think they have merit, but note that there is updated information at the end of this post regarding the man child.]

Most likely the man child is referring to the Lord, who taught the gospel and established his church. However, it might also refer to Joseph Smith, who brought forth the Book of Mormon, restored the Church and the priesthood authority and the fulness of the Gospel.

The "rod of iron" is often interpreted to refer to an oppressive or dictatorial power. However, in the Church we can look at this differently. "Rod of iron" could easily be the "iron rod," which we understand to be the "word of God" or the Gospel. It is by this word of God that the nations will be ruled.

The question is how does the church give birth to the Savior? Or how would it give birth to Joseph Smith?

It could be interpreted that the church, which is represented by the woman, consists of the doctrine and teachings of the Gospel, such as contained in the scriptures. It is the plan of salvation whereby we can return to our Heavenly Father.

Before the Lord was born, the Jews had the writings of the prophets. They had the scriptures. They knew the doctrine. For many to consider changing their traditions, to abandon many of the teachings of the rabbis, to match what was actually taught in the scriptures with what the Master taught, to consider the law of Moses was to be fulfilled, and to accept the Lord as the Messiah...well, it would have been very painful for many who claimed to be part of the church. There were clearly growing pains for the early followers of Christ.

But how would the Savior be born of the Church? Maybe we can look at it in this way. The Savior established his Gospel, he organized his Church. He called and set apart his apostles, those who would lead his Church. But, he did all of this BEFORE he completed his atonement. The Gospel, the entire plan of salvation, was established before the great atoning sacrifice was completed. The Lord was foreordained to this role. The Father knew his Son would complete his mission. But, it was not until the Lord's atonement was made that the law of Moses was fulfilled. So, we might look at the atonement being the Lord's birth into his completed Messianic role.

Up until the atoning sacrifice Satan hoped to somehow foil God's plan, and he did all he could to inflict pain and misery on those who professed to be followers of Christ.

However, with the Lord's fulfillment as the Messiah, he was taken to God's presence to take his place by God's throne.

If we look at Joseph Smith's time, there were many who could not fathom that the true church was not on the earth. It was heresy to believe in the administering of angels, or that God himself would talk to man. It was very painful to restore the true Church. Much of the doctrine already existed, the Christianity was well established, but the true order of the Church, with the authority of the priesthood, was not on the earth. Through Joseph Smith the Church, along with the fulness of the Gospel and authority to administer its ordinances, was restored. While Joseph was the prophet, and was the instrument in restoring the Church, the Church was organized first and then Joseph was set apart as the president (the Prophet) of the church. And he grew into that calling.

From the time of Joseph's First Vision until the Church was formally organized, there was increasing trials and travails for those interested in the work that Joseph was called to do.

D&C section 21 was given at the organization of the Church on 6 April 1830. In the heading we read that the members of the Church "voted to accept and sustain Joseph Smith Jr and Oliver Cowdery as the presiding officers of the Church." In verse 1 the Lord calls Joseph "a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ...." So, while we consider Joseph a prophet before the Church was organized, he was officially called a prophet after it was organized.

As the first prophet of the latter-day dispensation, it is Joseph's calling to be the head of the dispensation. It is my understanding that all prophets and those who have priesthood keys will eventually report to the head of the dispensation (this is a bit of an over-simplification), and then all of these will report to Adam, the first man, who then reports to the Savior. If these heads of dispensations are also those who assist the Lord in judging those in their dispensation, then it might be interpreted that Joseph will "rule all nations."

And on a similar interpretation, the Savior will rule all nations during the millennium, and he is our judge and advocate before the Father.

Personally, every time I read this verse I think the Savior fits the description the best.

Verse 4 is obviously referring to Satan, as the dragon, and the third of the hosts of heaven who rebelled and followed Satan and were cast out of heaven. Satan tried to kill the Lord after his birth, with the most notable instance being when Herod tried to get the wise men to tell him where the new king was born. It was even because of the influences of Satan on the wicked that the Lord was taken to be killed. When the Savior was resurrected he did return to the Father.

On a similar note, it is our belief that after Joseph Smith was martyred, he was taken into God's presence.

Once again, I think the Savior is the better fit for the "child" mentioned.

Verse 5 talks about the woman, the church of God, fleeing into the wilderness for 1,260 years. Years is a big difference from the days mentioned originally. And, this understanding really throws a monkey wrench into those who only see it as 1,260 days.

This translation does fit into the prophetic times used throughout the Old Testament. By prophetic time, there are a number of prophesies in the Old Testament where a "day" refers to year. So, seven "days" in prophetic time would actually be seven years.

I'm not aware of any other reference to time that got changed in Joseph Smith's translation of the Book of Revelation. It seems that the Prophet made the inspired change so that the references to time in these revelations would be more consistent with our understanding of time. So, when a "day" is a day it is left as "day," and where it refers to a year, the "day" gets changed to year.

My understanding is this fleeing "into the wilderness" has a couple of meanings.

First it applies to the Church and fulness of the Gospel becoming lost to the world, the period of apostasy. We don't have an exact time when the apostasy was complete, but we have a fairly good idea when the church came out of the wilderness:

D&C 5:14 "And to none else will I grant this power, to receive this same testimony among this generation, in this the beginning of the rising up and the coming forth of my church out of the wilderness—clear as the moon, and fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." (this revelation was given in 1829). Note the reference to the moon and sun--could these also refer back to JST Revelation 12:1?

D&C 33:5 "And verily, verily, I say unto you, that this church have I established and called forth out of the wilderness." (this revelation was given in 1830).

D&C 86: 3 "And after they [the sowers of the seed] have fallen asleep the great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon, that maketh all nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign—behold he soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness." (this revelation was given in 1832).

D&C 109:73 "That thy church may come forth out of the wilderness of darkness, and shine forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners;" (this revelation was given in 1836). 

Out of curiosity, going back 1,260 years in history from 1829 we get to the year 569. From 1830 we subtract 1,260 years to 570.

I'm not sure if there is any significance, but the prophet Mohammad was born about the year 570 AD.

Before I go any further, I believe those Muslims, who follow what their religion really teaches, are good people. However, there are very extremist views of Islam, and too many promote these extreme views. As a result, there are many who are led astray.

Muslims do view Jesus as a prophet, though definitely not as the Savior. And, it is my understanding, many in Islam do not believe a Savior is needed as Allah can do anything, and can therefore forgive anyone for anything, and save anyone he chooses to. A god who is both just and merciful could not do this because the demands of justice and mercy cannot be met without a mediator, otherwise the god would cease to be a god. Similarly, a god who ignores the demands of justice for one person but forgives another of the same sins would be a changing god, one who is a respecter of persons.

Anyway, it is interesting that one of the great anti-Christianity movements had the birth of its prophet about 1,260 years before the Lord said his church was coming out of the wilderness.

The year 570 AD also seems to be about the time when the world begins to plunge into the Dark Ages.

It was about this time that the Lombards invaded Italy and the world power started shifting from the east to the west. It was with this invasion that the last pieces of classical Rome fell.

The ancient Christianity made was for the medieval church.

This site has a good summary. Don't panic about the "exmormon" part of the site name, I have yet to find out why it's named that way because everything I've read appears to support the Church. http://exmormon.org.uk/tol_arch/whyprophets/prophets/lombards.htm As a side note, I don't agree with all of this sites analysis or interpretations, but there are some interesting ideas. The page referenced covers more of historical summaries that focus on why 570 AD was the point of change, going from the age of Rome to the age of Europe, the boundary point.

It is because of this mention of 1,260 years that makes me wonder if the "man child" in verse 3 is the Savior and not Joseph Smith.

The other meaning to fleeing into the wilderness is more applicable in a later verse.

Verse 6. References the war in heaven. It also can also be interpreted that this was is continuing.

Verse 7. Satan and his followers "prevailed not" against Michael and those who follow God and his plan. What is interesting about this verse is it references both past (the rebellion in heaven) and future (when the church is "delivered of her pains" and the kingdom of God is established).

Verse 8. References Satan and his followers being cast out heaven and sent to the earth.

Verse 9-11. These are the words of the "loud voice in heaven." My understanding is this references the joy in heaven that the plan of salvation, because of the Savior and his atonement, would make it possible for those who believe to return again.

Verse 12. This is a warning to those on the earth. The devil knows he has a short time. Some think that Satan believes he can win the war. This verse seems clear that he does not believe in a win if he knows he has a short time. What he wants is to inflict as many casualties as he can. He wants to prevent as many of God's children from returning as he can. Maybe he has convinced his followers that they can still win, but he knows he cannot return to God's presence, and he will never have the glory of a god. Because the time is becoming shorter, the devil's wrath is becoming greater.

Verse 13. This is simply explained. The woman is the Church of God, and the devil (the dragon) is persecuting the Church and those who believe in Christ.

Verses 14 to 17 are the more interesting verses of this chapter.

Verse 14. The woman (Church) is "given two wings of a great eagle." Could the great eagle refer to the United States? Why does it specifically mention "two wings?" Isn't is understood eagles have two wings? Why doesn't is just say "wings of a great eagle?"

If we consider the woman as the restored Church, then when she flees "into the wilderness" it could be the time when the Church was persecuted and fled from place to place, and eventually from Nauvoo to Utah, where the Church was able to be nourished and to grow, away from the intense persecution "of the serpent."

However, why are "two wings" mentioned? Maybe there will be two times when the Church flees "into the wilderness."

Some will consider this a stretch, but another meaning to the fleeing into the wilderness could be a coming gathering call. D&C 86:3, mentioned earlier, gives a hint to this possibility when it states, "the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness."

Most interpretations of "a time, and times, and half a time" believe it refers to 1 year, 2 years, and a half year, or 3 and half years total time.

If there are two times when the Church flees into the wilderness, it could be this reference to time also has different meanings. The first could be a general time period. And it may also reference a 3.5 year period.

Regarding a possible future gathering call, there are some who have had dreams and visions of this gathering who believe the faithful will be gathered to the places of refuge for up to 3 and half years before they return to rebuild cities that have been destroyed.

Verses 15 and 16. I'm not sure about the meaning of these particular verses, except in a general sense where Satan is making a great effort to destroy the Church and wash away its influence. However, these verses are interesting when you consider the dreams and visions of those who have seen a mega-earthquake striking the Wasatch Front. In this quake, the dams above Provo Canyon will break and the reservoirs will flood the valleys. Along with the earthquake, the waters from the underground aquifers will also come up and flood the valleys. But, at the same time with the earthquake the earth opening, as a result of the earthquake, will help those who remain in the valley by swallowing "up the flood." As is the case with many scriptures, there are certainly multiple symbolic meanings as well as the possibility of an actual, literal meaning.

Verse 17. This verse appears to reference the time after the faithful saints have been gathered. The "dragon was wroth with the woman," not that he wasn't mad at the Church before but because he wasn't able to destroy it completely, now he's really angry. So, he will "make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have a testimony of Jesus Christ." Clearly these remnants are the faithful who were spared, including those who were called to gather and those called to remain behind.

---update 9/13/2017---
While doing research, after posting the above, I found the following information regarding the "man child" from http://exmormon.org.uk/tol_arch/whyprophets/prophets/quotes4.htm

The "man child" of Revelation 12
The loss of "common consent" under Justinian appears to fulfil the prophecy in Revelation 12 of the man child being taken into heaven. This event is discussed in more detail on the page about the Lombards. Often in the church we talk as if the "man child" was the authority of the apostles. This is true in a general sense, but we need to be more specific: 

The man child was the church organization, not the apostles 

"The man child representing the priesthood, who was chosen "to rule all nations with a rod of iron," was "caught up unto God, and to his throne," there to remain through the dark days of spiritual rebellion and satanic dominion, or until the earth could be prepared for his return to receive just and rightful power."
- Joseph Fielding Smith Jr., Doctrines of Salvation, vol.3, p..270 

"the Man Child, -- the Holy Priesthood, was received up into heaven from whence it came"
- Discourses of Brigham Young, Pg.415 

[Does this mean the priesthood in the sense of the apostolic authority - the keys of the kingdom of heaven? Or does it mean the priesthood in the sense of the men of the priesthood - the day to day organization on the ground?] 

"A woman ("the church of God"!) gives birth to a man child ("the kingdom of our God and his Christ" which shall hold sway during the Millennial Era, the kingdom John has just seen in vision!). See Rev. 11:14-19. Such is the Prophet's inspired interpretation.
"Among Biblical scholars of the world, the man child is presumed to be Christ, a speculative conclusion which, though seemingly persuasive, is refuted by the obvious fact that the Church did not bring forth Christ; he is the Creator of the Church.
"Among Latter-day Saint scriptural exegetes, it is not uncommon to say that the man child is the priesthood, a seemingly persuasive speculation, which again however must be rejected by the same line of reasoning. The Church did not bring forth the priesthood, but the priesthood is the power that brought the Church into being."
- Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Vol.3, p.517 

[So when the prophets said the man child was the "priesthood", they meant the kingdom (or organization) of the church, not the apostolic authority.] 

John and Isaiah both confirm this interpretation of "man child" 

[The idea of the woman having a man child comes from Isaiah chapter 66:] 

5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompense to his enemies. [Compare Revelation 12:2,5]
7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? [or] shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. 

[Isaiah continues, showing that this righteous nation - Zion's children - shall rule the world. It is the same story that Daniel taught. The Saints would inherit the world. ] 

[Isaiah, like Daniel, was talking about the Second Coming of Christ. John, in Revelation, makes clear that in his day, the First Coming, the man child was not going to grow to rule the world at that time, but was to be taken back to heaven.] 

[Revelation 12:17 refers to "the remnant of her seed", which everyone understands is the church's remaining members. Revelation therefore shows us that the woman's seed - which of course included the man child - refers to church members]

So, while I still think "man child" is may refer to our Savior, it appears that the man child is the organization of the Church, specifically under the priesthood authority and keys.

The Lord called his apostles, organized his church, and ordained the apostles, thus establishing the order and organization of the Church.

This does not mean the priesthood came after the Church, because it certainly existed before. It means that the priesthood organization of the Church came after the Church was organized.

Even in the restoration this was the case. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had the priesthood conferred upon them before the Church was organized, but it wasn't until after the Church was formally organized that the formal organization of the priesthood--along with the accompanying keys and authority--was established.