Wonders of Bible Prophecy
The hanging gardens of Babylon is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world but ancient Babylon was destroyed and according to Bible Prophecy, will never be inhabited again. Isaiah 13:19-22

Most people don’t realize that Bible also speaks of “wonders.” According to the book of Revelation, there are two “wonders” that exist in our time. One is called a “great wonder” and the other is simply called “another wonder.”

Amazingly enough, the Bible indicates that the world will be most intrigued by and eventually pay homage to the “another wonder” totally missing the "wonder" which the Bible refers to as “great.” See Revelation 12:1-3; and Revelation 13:3

In the first several verses of Revelation chapter 12 there is a comparison of these “wonders” that include many characteristics:

There are many more comparisons we could make but this will suffice for now.

Lets first turn are attention to the wonder, that the world for the most, part will miss, the woman. “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun…” Revelation 12:1

A Woman
Using prophetic symbols this "great wonder" is described as woman. A woman is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol of a Church. A good woman, or pure woman represents a faithful and good church, while a profligate or adulterous woman represents an impure, compromising, or unfaithful church. See Jeremiah 6:2, Ephesians 5:25-32, and Jeremiah 3:20.

Clothed with the Sun
This woman is described as clothed with the sun, she is wearing garments of light. Clothing in the Bible represents character. Isaiah 64:6, Zechariah 3:3-4

Light in the Bible is symbolic of truth, obedience, and righteousness it also represents the work of the Holy Spirit which leads us into all the truth. John 12:35, Ephesians 5:1-9, John 16:13

This light represents Jesus and that this church recieved it's light and truth directly from Jesus. John 8:12

The woman clothed in light represents the fact that this church is obedient to God's revealed truth and filled with the Holy Spirit. For its clothing it has the righteousness of Christ rather than the "filthy rags" of disobedient works based religions. (Works based religions are worthless attempts at covering the fact that the Holy Spirit is not with them.) This church obeys God from the heart. Ephesians 6:6, Psalm 40:8, Acts 5:32

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

IMPORTANT NOTE: There is a Bible prophecy(Isaiah 4:1) that at the end of time the vast majority of churches that call themselves Christian will not be wearing the garments of Christ's righteousness. It is therefore very important that we find out who this woman/church is that is described as a "great wonder."

Moon Under Her Feet
The woman clothed with light stands on a foundation that also gives her light. Genesis 1:16 tells of the creation of the greater and lesser lights, the sun and the moon. As the moon reflects the light of the sun and gives aid in times of darkness so does the old testament writings and the sanctuary system give aid to this church's understanding of present truth. John 5:39

The old testament is not done away with or thrown away as if it had no purpose, rather this woman (church) is aided by it. The light of the new testament and old testament are the same light, one sends out reflected light, the other, the sun is the source of light. This description is also indicative of the fact that this church would have as it's foundation and be in harmony with the teaching of the prophets both old and new. John 5:32-35

A Crown of Twelve Stars
This woman has a crown of twelve stars upon her head. Stars in the Bible represent angels, messengers, pastors, evangelists, apostles, and people in general who win others to Christ. Revelation 1:19, Daniel 12:3

The number 12 in this case is indicative of the church with its twelve apostles. This woman represents the true Christian church which Jesus formed, it receives some of its light (i.e. truth) as reflections of Jesus through his early disciples.

Paul prophesied that later there would be false shepherds and leaders, who would claim to have light and lead the church astray. Acts 20:29-31, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 We will learn more about that when we study about the "another wonder."

Cries Travailing in Birth Pains and Gives Birth to the Ruler of All Nations
The woman cries as she is experiencing the pains of giving birth. The woman is the church, the Israel of God, Her son would be the ruler of all nations, the long looked for annointed one, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ.

It was in the church's most extreme hour that God sent His son. Oppressed by foes, trapped in cold formalism, or even in outright apostacy, most of God's chosen people were ignorant of the true nature of the coming deliverer.

There were some, however, who still searched and understood the scriptures, who looked forward to the promised one, and saw in Jesus the fulfillment of the promises.

The Bible record shows that most of Israel were startled and troubled at the thought of the soon appearance of their Messiah. The true Israel, however, though small in number, were greatly relieved and full of joy at His birth as well at the onset of His ministry. Luke 2:8-20, Luke 2:25-38, Matthew 2:1-11, John 1:46-49

A similar situation will occur at the second advent of Christ, it will be earth's darkest hour, and few will understand and be ready to meet Him with joy and in peace. see also Matthew 24:44-51

The Man Child Caught up to Heaven (Revelation 12:5)
The child of the woman clothed with light was taken to heaven after His resurrection to continue His work for His people and to rule the universe through the endless ages as KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. This description unquestionably points to Jesus. Acts 1:6-9, Hebrews 8:1-2, Revelation 19:11-16

Jesus Over Came the Power of the Dragon
Not once was the Devil("Dragon" Rev. 12:9) able to force or to trick Jesus into breaking His Father's commandments and commit sin. Therefore He could be our Saviour, paying the penalty for our sins and giving us His power so that we could become sons and daughters of God.

Those that recieve Jesus power and overcome are also persecuted
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Revelation 12:11 The Bible indicates that there would be many who call themselves Christians but refuse God's power that would enable them to live a Godly life. See 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Besides giving a living testimony by demonstrating God's power to change their lives, the true church described in this chapter would also have the "testimony of Jesus" which by Bible definition is the Spirit of Prophecy. See Revelation 19:10 and 1 Peter 1:10-11

(Special Note: To find God's true church, look for the one that keeps all of God's commandments and has the testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of Prophecy, i.e. Jesus' last day church would have special instructions from Him through a prophet. Note that Jesus also warned us to be aware of false prophets, how to tell if a prophet is a true or a false one is a subject of another Bible study, we recommend that you start the Bible studies at http://www.BibleStudyWorld.com)

More coming soon…