What does Revelation 12:2 mean?

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And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. Revelation 12:2

Explanation

The verse Revelation 12:2 comes from the Book of Revelation, which is full of symbolism and visions about the end times. In the literal sense, the verse describes a woman in the throes of childbirth, experiencing intense pain and labor as she is about to give birth. On a deeper level, this imagery has been interpreted to represent a range of concepts, from the birth of Christ to the emergence of a new era for the Church, or the nation of Israel bringing forth the Messiah.

In apocalyptic literature, a woman in labor is a common metaphor that symbolizes a time of distress preceding a significant event, such as the coming of the Messiah or the ushering in of God’s kingdom. The imagery implies the dual nature of childbirth, combining the notions of pain with the hope and joy of new life.

Historical Context

Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, was written by the apostle John, traditionally believed to be John the Evangelist. Scholars often date its composition to the late first century AD, during a time of persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. This persecution may inform the imagery of suffering and deliverance found in the book.

The woman in Revelation 12 is often associated with several entities: the Virgin Mary, the Church, and Israel. Mary’s connection comes from her role as the literal mother of Jesus, while the Church and Israel are seen symbolically as figures that “birth” the Messianic hope or the expansion of God’s plan for humanity.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, interpretations of Revelation 12:2 vary among different Christian denominations:

Catholicism sees the woman as a representation of Mary, as well as the Church and Israel. Mary’s travail represents the pain of the world waiting for the Savior, while the Church’s pain is interpreted as the persecution of Christians.
Protestant Interpretations often see her as a symbol of the nation of Israel or the faithful community of the Old and New Testaments, who looks forward to the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies.
Dispensationalists may see this verse as a reference to future, literal events involving Israel during the end times.

Practical Applications

Revelation 12:2 can offer several practical applications for believers:

It reminds individuals to maintain hope and faith through personal trials, as these struggles often precede growth or deliverance.
The verse can encourage believers to be resilient in the face of tribulation, looking forward to the promise of God’s redemption.
It is a lesson in compassion and empathy, encouraging others to support those who are suffering, as pain often precedes renewal.

Cross-References

Isaiah 26:17: “Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O Lord.”
Isaiah 66:7-8: “Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.”
Matthew 24:8: “All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words include:

“with child” (Greek: ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα, en gastri echousa): literally means “having in belly,” indicating pregnancy.
“cried” (Greek: κράζω, krazo): to cry out or scream, reflecting intense pain.
“travailing in birth” (Greek: ὠδίνω, odino): connotes not just the process of childbirth but also experiencing birth pangs.
“pained” (Greek: βασανίζω, basanizo): to torment or torture, emphasizing the severity of her labor.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The image of a woman in labor is not unique to Christianity. Various cultures and religions have used this metaphor:

In Greek mythology, the Titaness Leto labors to give birth to Apollo and Artemis, experiencing profound difficulty due to Hera’s jealousy.
Jewish literature, like the Midrash, uses labor imagery to describe Israel’s wait for the Messiah.
In Hinduism, the goddess Parvati endures great penance and literal labor to birth Kartikeya, the god of war.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the process of childbirth is a well-studied physiological phenomenon, where intense pain results from contractions of the uterus and the stretching of the cervix. This verse metaphorically aligns with the understanding that significant transformations — whether biological, societal, or personal — often involve periods of challenge or pain, echoing the concept of “no pain, no gain.”

Commentaries

Expert biblical commentators offer varying insights:

Matthew Henry’s Commentary suggests the woman represents the church and her childbirth reflects the struggles in raising her offspring in faith.
The MacArthur Study Bible notes that the symbols in Revelation are drawn from Old Testament prophecies and this verse is indicative of Israel in the throes of the Great Tribulation.
The New International Commentary on the New Testament hypothesizes that the imagery echoes cosmic dualities and the triumph of good over evil through suffering. These commentaries agree that the woman’s travail has profound eschatological significance connected to the culmination of God’s redemptive plan.