God has been very systematic in relating the events concerning the Christian dispensational guidance through this prophecy. We must use His Divine key of symbolic language, if we are to receive the truth of this message. A brief introduction of the events that would come to pass were related through the symbols of the four horsemen. We now receive a more detailed account of these events through the continuing parallel themes of this prophecy. Let us view the connecting link to the White horse of the 1st Sealed Scroll.

The Woman in this scene travailing in pain to be delivered is symbolizing the New Testament church. The child represents the new converts to Christ that were birthed by the woman. Isaiah prophesied of this event as he wrote: "Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? 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." (Isa.66:7-8)

A holy nation was truly brought forth in a day! The book of Acts records that five thousand people were saved at one time by the preaching of the gospel! The Dragon symbolizes the Pagan Roman Empire ready to devour her child. Paganism killed Christians for their faith as soon as they were "Spiritually born" into the Kingdom of God. The 2nd Scroll told us that the Rider of the Red Horse took peace from the earth and killed with the sword. History has related the severe persecutions that Paganism brought against the Christians in that 1st century.

The entire 12th chapter of Revelation is speaking of the "Spiritual" conflict that took place between Christ's people and the Pagan religions of the Roman Empire. The "War in heaven" symbolizes that which is taking place on earth in the church realm. There has never been nor ever will be a war in the Holy Heaven where God dwells! This is a "Spiritual warfare" between Michael (symbolizing Christ's ministry) and the Dragon (symbolizing Pagan forces of Rome) spoken of here in the prophecy. It was the "Word of God" that changed that Pagan society, not a physical war! The scriptures confirm this truth. "And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death." (Rev.12:11)

Rev. 12:1-4
"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. And she being great with child, cried, travailing in birth and pain to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born."

The woman symbolizes the church, which is said to be the Mother of all believers. She is clothed with the sun,which symbolizes the greater light of the New Covenant.

The Old Testament prophet called Malachi wrote of, "The Sun of righteousness that would arise with healing in his wings." He is referring of course to the Son of God.
The "Sun" is symbolizing the greater Light of the New Covenant, just as the sun in the natural world is the greater light.
The woman in this scene is clothed with the sun and standing on the moon. The moon symbolizing the lesser light of the Old Covenant. The twelve stars in her crown represent the twelve chosen apostles. These symbols complete the Spiritual picture of the birth of Christianity.
Speaking of Christ's true church, it is written in Ephesians 2:20... "Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone."