First when you look at the Greek this woman translates as a married woman! So why did the English translation say just woman instead of married woman? Because the translators use just one English word to translate from the Hebrew or Greek to best represent the meaning! From verse two she is pregnant so we can assume she is married however the woman riding the beast in Revelation chapter 17 represents Satan! She is also married but to Satan! In verse one here heaven is translated as God’s dwelling place which includes the sun, moon and the stars! So heaven is inclusive of God’s creation including us! This woman in her brilliancy is clothed with the sun, moon and stars! The word crown means a conqueror rather than a crown just worn on her head! So who is this woman married to? The number twelve is significant! Who represents the twelve stars? We have twelve apostles! We have twelve patriarch’s in the Old Testament! We have the twelve tribes of Israel. Many believe the woman represents the church for we are the bride of Christ! However some believe the woman represents Israel. Some others believe the woman represents the virgin Mary! She gives birth to the church though Israel. I have no problem with all three interpretations! If you make the church exclusive and end up with replacement theology church history has shown us you can become anti-Semitic then much harm can come to the Jews and God’s Kingdom through the church! Israel is included in the Book of Revelation with the 144000 Jews out of 12 tribes redeemed during the 7 year tribulation period! Studying the Book of Revelation is challenging but there is a special blessing for reading and studying this Book! (Revelation 1:3) Scholars say that there are more references to the Old Testament in this Book of Revelation than any other New Testament Book! Problem is the Apostle John does not directly quote these but weaves them into the Book! Many referrals to Book of Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah and the Psalms! The most important point here is what is God telling you about the prophetic Book of Revelation? You have to read it and study it yourself if you want the answer! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Tag: patriarchs
Want To Build A Altar To God? Requires Blood! Genesis 35:1
The word for Altar in the Hebrew is the word, “Mizbeach.” It means the place of sacrifice by slaughtering an animal. The sacrificial system was at the focal point of the Israelite system of worship since the sacrifice and subsequent meal were used to solemnize a covenant or treaty to symbolize a position relationship between two parties. Noah built an altar and offered sacrifices on exiting the ark. The patriarchs built altars and sacrificed at various points along their journeys such as Abram, Isaac, Jacob and Moses. At Mount Sinai, God commanded that the Israelites build a tabernacle that included two altars; a bronze altar in the courtyard for sacrificing animals and a golden altar inside the tabernacle for burning incense. Solomon and Ezekiel followed a similar pattern. God also required that the altar for burnt offerings be made of earth or uncut stones so that human hands would not defile it. God also required that the altar would have no steps so that human nakedness would not be exposed on it. Notice that the blood required was not human blood but animal blood. In some religions including Islam human sacrifice is required. God never required us to commit another sin to try to cover our first sin. The blood of animals never did pay the penalty of death for our sin but pointed us to the God-Man Jesus Christ as the one and only sacrifice for our sin. Only the blood of God Himself which was sinless blood would suffice for our guilt. Choose Christ and the gift of salvation that He alone has provided for us! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com