Revelation 12:1-6 Questions:

1.       Regarding Rev 12, Walvoord, a literalist, calls it “the most symbolic chapter in the Bible’s most symbolic book.”  

a.       List reasons why we should interpret the Bible literally as much as possible.  

b.      List reasons when it is ok to interpret the Bible symbolically.  

2.       Rev 12:1:  “Now a great sign appeared in heaven:  a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.”  

a.       Who do you think the “woman” symbolically represents?  Please give reasons for your answers.  

3.       Rev 12:2:  “Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.”  

a.       Who do you think this “child” symbolically represents?  Please give reasons for your answer.  

4.       Rev 12;3:  “And another sign appeared in heaven:  behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.”  

a.       Who do you think the “great, fiery red dragon” represents?  

b.      What do the seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads represent?  

5.       Rev 12:4:  “His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth.  And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.”  

a.       What is being described when John writes, “His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to earth?  

b.      How many stages are there in Satan’s [Lucifer’s] fall [i.e., stages in his diminishing power]?  

c.       Why does the “dragon” want to devour the Child?  When did this almost happen in Scripture?  

6.       Rev 12:5:  “She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.  And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.”  

a.       What is being referred to when it says “a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron”?  

b.      What is being referred to when it says “her Child was caught up to God and His throne”?  

7.       Rev 12:6;  “Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.”  

a.       Where do you think the woman fled?  Where is this place prepared by God?  

b.      When do you think the “one thousand two hundred and sixty days” starts?  When do you think these days [3.5 months] end?

Ezekiel 26-28:

8.       Ezekiel 26-28 is in the middle section of Ezekiel which are prophecies of judgment upon the Gentile nations.  

a.       What common thing are these nations going to be judged for?

One Year Bible Reading:  The Gospels:

9.       Why do you think there are four Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry upon this earth?