And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. Revelation 12:1-2

Often when we think about Christmas or the birth of Christ, we don’t often think of the book of Revelation. However the book of Revelation clearly shows how Jesus coming into this world to destroy Satan and the war between them.

The book of Revelation is often interpreted many ways, the woman here is sometimes interpreted as Mary herself, some would says its symbolic of the Church. I believe the woman is symbolic of Israel, notice the twelve stars on her head representing the 12 tribes of Israel. Jesus the Messiah (Christ) came through Israel.

And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. Revelation 12:3-4

Next we see the Red Dragon which is symbolic for Satan. We notice the ten horns and seven crowns which represent all the evil kingdoms Satan has used to persecute Gods people. We also notice reference to the “war in heaven” when 1/3 of the stars (fallen angels)  were thrown out of heaven by arch angel Michael (Daniel 12, Jude 1)

Notice Satan was looking to destroy Jesus as soon as he was born. We know this also from when King Herod heard of Jesus birth and ordered all male babies to be killed, which was prophesied by Jeremiah called “Rachels weeping” (Matthew 2, Jeremiah 31)

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. Revelation 12:5

Israel brought forth the Messiah , who would be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And Jesus would sit at the right hand of God and all power and authority have been given to him. Jesus rules with a Rod of Iron, Amen!