Will the bride-to-be remain faithful and pure or will she forget her vows and turn to immorality? This strange symbolism sums up the struggle of God's people down through the ages. In Revelation, John, using very familiar prophetic terminology, tells the story of a woman who survives satanic conflict and lives today in your country.
Some Bible students have counted over 40 names in the scriptures that apply to the enemy of God and the true woman. This enemy has worked most successfully by mixing truth and error and applying the pressure of religious-political powers against the followers of the true God. Not only has spiritual error and corruption been symbolized by a harlot woman, but also, politically, as THE beast. The beast is mentioned more than 30 times in Revelation but the woman in white is victorious at last.
At age 12, what woman, apart from your mother, had the most influence on your life? What have others said?
What relationship would you like to strengthen now, and how do you plan to go about it? What have others said?
Falling in Love with the Woman in White
Read Revelation 12:1-6. Are you surprised by John's strange vision of a pregnant woman in heaven? Why? What have others said?
The sun appears as bright, white light, a symbol that often represents Jesus' power and righteousness. The moon reflects the sun's light, but is seen under the woman's feet; this represents the Old Testament religious system now past. The stars represent the angels and ministers of God. Does this symbolism give you any clues to the identity of the woman who gives birth to the male child who will rule all nations? What are your conclusions? What have others said?
How does John use male terminology to further identify the people who are included in the 'woman' and are protected in the wilderness during Satan's attack? Revelation 12:10, 11 What have others said?
Cross Reference:
John's original readers were very familiar with the 'woman' because she had been identified in the writings of the Old Testament and Paul.
Comparing Isaiah 54:1-8 with 2 Corinthians 11:2 and Ephesians 5:25-27, as what do you identify the woman? What have others said?
If you were writing the Bible would you choose a woman or a man to represent God's people? Why? What have others said?
In Jesus' love for the woman there is a picture of His love for you. How can people become part of God's family? Galatians 3:27, 28 What have others said?
When a man and a woman fall in love they usually take time to get to know each other before becoming visibly joined in marriage. What picture do you get in Matthew 28:19, 20 of a developing relationship with Jesus before a person visibly becomes part of the woman symbol? What have others said?
From you experience, what are some of the essentials of strong family, friendship, or work relationship? What have others said?
What do you like best about the way the pure woman is pictured in Revelation 19:6-8? What have others said?
Learning to Dread the Woman in Red
Is there anything that shocks you about the second woman pictured in Revelation? Revelation 17:1-6 What have others said?
What, to you, are the most striking contrasts between the two women of Revelation? What have others said?
In Old Testament times, when God's people turned to false gods He called that spiritual adultery. Notice, for example, Hosea 2:2-7
In the Study Guide on Revelation 17 we will learn more about the woman in red. The woman in Revelation 17 is dangerous because she makes people drunk. What similarities do you see between false teachings -- that mix God's truth with error -- and intoxication? What have others said?
Where, apparently, are many of God's true people today? Revelation 18:4 What have others said?
What would you consider to be an effective way to examine everything you believe in to see whether it is from the true woman or the counterfeit? What have others said?
Safety Increased by Identifying the Beast
Read Revelation 13:1-8 and Daniel 7 and notice how all of the qualities of ancient Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and the little horn are absorbed into the beast of Revelation 13. List some of the parallels you can see between the "little horn" of Daniel 7:7-8, 20-22, 23-25 and the best in Revelation 13:5-8. What have others said?
Which of the characteristics of the beast trouble you the most? What have others said?
When religion and civil power combine against God's people, God uses a "beast" or "horn" to represent what happens. When the religious and civil powers are identified separately, a woman is seen riding on the beast. (Revelation 17) Do you feel that civil/state powers should enforce true religion, false religion, or any religion? Why? What have others said?
If you were to devise a fate for a deceiver and destroyer of millions, what would it be? Compare with Revelation 19:20. What have others said?
Without appearing judgmental or dogmatic, how could you help a friend see the danger of following the wrong "woman?" What have others said?
Changing a religious belief can be painful. Can you identify with the early Christians who suddenly found many of their beliefs in conflict with traditional Judaism? What have others said?
Jesus said "If you love me keep my commandments." (John 14:15 KJV) How do you see this differing from legalism? What have others said?
In what way can your baptism be a memorial of Jesus' resurrection? (See Romans 6:1-11) What have others said?
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