Definition: 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:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this really beautiful and symbolic passage from Revelation 12:1. It's quite poetic, so we’ll take it in layers: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a dramatic event in heaven – a massive cosmic spectacle that signals a major shift in the coming times. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven…” This is just setting the stage - we're looking at something remarkable happening above us. “Wonder” suggests awe and amazement. “…a woman clothed with the sun…” This is where it gets interesting. The woman isn’t just wearing clothes; she’s manifesting the power and brightness of the sun! The sun represents God's light, truth, and goodness. It's a powerful symbol of divine presence. “and the moon under her feet…” Just like the sun, the moon is also being elevated – representing order, stability, and the natural world. “and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:” This is where it gets really symbolic. A “crown of twelve stars” represents the entire universe – all the created things God has made. The twelve stars are like a divine blessing or guidance. It signifies that everything is part of God’s plan and creation. Overall Meaning & Symbolism: This verse paints a picture of a time of great upheaval and conflict in the world. The woman represents Christ, who is coming to defeat evil and restore order. The sun and moon represent the natural world – things we often take for granted – that are being used as tools by Satan (representing evil). The crown of stars signifies God’s ultimate victory over evil and his blessing on creation. Why is it important? This passage isn't meant to be taken literally. It’s a powerful metaphor. It’s telling us about the future – that God will ultimately triumph over evil and establish peace and justice in all of creation. In short, this verse describes a spectacular event where God reveals Himself through His created order, promising a victory against darkness. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific theme in Revelation (like the battle between good and evil)? Give you some different interpretations of this passage?