Revelation 12:1

With the seventh trumpet the mystery of God was to be finished. Chapter Revelation 10:7. This has already sounded, and "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ." Chap Revelation 11:15. We cannot therefore, with any degree of probability, suppose that the long series of persecutions and trials predicted in this and the following Chapter s belongs to the seventh trumpet. Both the numbers contained in these prophecies, and their general character, identify them with those previously recorded. Accordingly there is a general agreement among expositors that the vision here goes back to the primitive days of Christianity, and gives a new series of revelations containing a more interior and spiritual view of the history of the church, that of the preceding series having been more outward and providential.

A woman; undoubtedly a symbol of God's church.

Clothed with the sun; with the glory of Christ's presence, and the graces of his Spirit.

The moon; according to some, a symbol of all sublunary things; others, with more reason, regard it as a symbol of the less glory of the Mosaic economy.

A crown of twelve stars; the twelve apostles of the New Testament, answering to the twelve tribes of the Old. Twelve is the symbol of God's people. Compare chapter Revelation 21:12; Revelation 21:14, where the twelve angels of the twelve gates represent the twelve tribes of Israel; and the twelve foundations the twelve apostles. We can in this world but faintly conceive the glories with which saints in heaven are crowned, and to which, after their days of trial, all true believers will be for ever exalted.