I think we are both wrong, I don't think the woman is earthly Jerusalem nor heavenly Jerusalem. I think it's specifically talking about Mary as an individual.
I say this because as I was researching my response to you it dawned on me that heavenly Jerusalem DOES NOT travail in child birth but the woman in Rev 12 does travail in birth.
So yes, I was wrong about the identity of the woman and thank you very much for a debate that helped me learn something! Now phase two of the debate lol.
Why is the manchild the 144,000 and not Christ?
I say this because as I was researching my response to you it dawned on me that heavenly Jerusalem DOES NOT travail in child birth but the woman in Rev 12 does travail in birth.
So yes, I was wrong about the identity of the woman and thank you very much for a debate that helped me learn something! Now phase two of the debate lol.
Why is the manchild the 144,000 and not Christ?
To answer your question, one of the main reasons why the man child is representing the 144,000, is because Jesus does not fit the criteria of being the man child. Satan is waiting to devour/kill the child as soon as it is born, but before he can do that the man child is caught up to God and His throne. In opposition, Jesus was killed, buried, resurrected and later ascended to God's right hand. That the male child is caught up to God before the dragon/Satan can kill him, does not match the events which took place with Jesus.
Regarding the 144,000, in Rev.14:4 it states that, "These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins." By saying that these 144,000 did not defile themselves with woman, it infers that they are all males, ergo, male child. The phrase "Male Child" is a collective name representing the 144,000, who will be caught up to God's throne before Satan can devour them and which will take place after the 7th trumpet is sounded.
Christ is the only one in the bible who rules with a rod of iron.
The Lord = And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter.
The church = (The letter to Thyatira) And to the one who is victorious and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery —just as I have received authority from My Father. And I will give him the morning star."
The Male Child/144,000 = And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.
And though it does not use the phrase "rod of iron," Rev.20:4-6 states that the great tribulation saints who are resurrected will also rule with Christ during the millennial kingdom:
"And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. "
"The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him for a thousand years."
I hope this information is beneficial[/QUOTE]