WHO IS THE “CHILD” OF REVELATION 12:1-5?
by Shawn Brasseaux
The Bible says in Revelation chapter 12: “[1] 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: [2] And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. [3] 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. [4] 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. [5] 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.”
Who is this “child” mentioned in verses 2, 4, and 5? The common teaching is that it is Jesus Christ. After all, He was a member of the nation Israel (Matthew 1:1), He is to rule all nations with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15), and He was caught up to God and His throne (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9-11). But, does that necessarily make Jesus the “child” of Revelation chapter 12? Could someone else be that child? We will scan the Bible text for clues.
John the Apostle penned an interesting set of verses, Revelation 2:24-27: “[24] But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. [25] But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. [26] And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: [27] And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.”
To those Jewish believers who overcome (the reign and deception of Antichrist), Jesus Christ promises them they will rule over the nations with a rod of iron (verses 26-27). So, not only does Jesus Christ rule over the nations with the rod of iron, He will also appoint believing Jews—or “the circumcision believers”—to rule over the nations under Him. These Jewish kingdom believers will share Christ’s authority over the nations. After all, Jesus Christ is called “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16). He is King and He is Lord, but He has kings and lords serving under Him in His government. Just as His Father appointed Him, so He appoints them. Revelation 12:5—born of Israel and ruling all nations with a rod of iron—is not exclusive to Jesus Christ. It is also true of believing Jews in Israel’s program. But, there is more.
In order to “re-start” Israel’s program after our Dispensation of Grace ends, God will use 144,000 male Jewish preachers. We read about them in Revelation chapter 7: “[1] And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. [2] And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, [3] Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. [4] And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”
These 144,000—on earth in the aforementioned chapter 7—are suddenly caught up into heaven. Revelation chapter 14: “[1] And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. [2] And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: [3] And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. [4] These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. [5] And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”
This is not the Rapture and it has nothing to do with us the Church the Body of Christ, please note! Revelation chapters 7 and 14 are talking about the 144,000 Jewish men (verse 4) who will preach during the first 3½ years (or so) of the seven-year Tribulation. This group is the “child” of Revelation chapter 12. That is, Israel will “give birth” to a group of preachers. Also, that group of preachers will rule over the nations in Christ’s earthly kingdom (following the Tribulation, in the Millennium, 1000-year reign). Furthermore, that group of preachers will be caught up into heaven roughly halfway through the seven-year Tribulation. Satan will unsuccessfully try to harm or kill them.
It would not make sense for the Apostle John, in Revelation chapter 12, to reach back into Israel’s history and suddenly start talking about Jesus’ birth (Matthew chapter 2), and His ascension (Acts chapter 1). No, the “child” in Revelation chapter 12 is future. It is Israel’s believing remnant, chiefly the 144,000 Jewish preachers. These 144,000 will come from the nation Israel (Revelation chapter 7), they will rule over the nations in the Millennium (Revelation chapter 2), and they will be caught up to God and His throne in heaven (Revelation chapter 14).
