Expert: Scott Talbot - 9/11/2007

Question
Dear Scott,

I've read your interpretation of this chapter. I don't happen to agree. However, your approach is sound. Could you find time to pick apart my interpretation of the symbolism? If I'm way off, I'd like to understand why. Here goes:

The Woman is the church. She has the light and authority of the Truth (sun which rules the day). She stands victorious over the powers of darkness (moon which rules the night). This Woman is the visible institutional church of revelation 2 and 3 containing ALL those who call themselves Christians including those who are "overcomers".

The Man-Child is the overcomers of chapter 2 and 3. The birth is the separation of the visible institutional church from the invisible church of the overcomers. In other words: The Rapture.

Michael defeats Satan and casts him down to earth because Satan attempts to block (devour) the rapture from happening in the heavenlies since he has had dominion there (he wants claim to the bodies).

The Woman, without her exalted position (since losing the man-child that gave her credibility), finds herself in the wilderness fleeing for her life. She is pursued by Anti-Christ (via the dragon) and persecuted. However, she has MORE children (the tribulation saints) and Anti-Christ/Satan (full of wrath) is intent on destroying them etc., etc.

Much more can be said about this interpretation but these are the essentials. Please pick it apart. Obviously, this is a pre-trib rapture view.

Thanks,
Scott Dale

Answer
Hi Scott,

Prophecy can be difficult to interpret. One can come up with just about any interpretation and make it fit, if he wants to. How do we know we're not inserting our own thoughts into the prophecy rather than letting God speak for Himself (i.e., exegeting the interpretation from the passage, the context, and from related Scripture)?

With even the best exegesis, it is sometimes still difficult to determine with total confidence the interpretation of a passage of prophecy. That is because, while those of us who pre-date the prophecy can derive some benefit from it, it is those who witness the fulfillment of prophecy, or who can look back on it, that benefit most.

What is God's purpose for prophecy? It is one way in which He authenticates His message. We may not fully understand a prophecy that has not yet been fulfilled. But, when that prophecy has been fulfilled, there will be no doubt that it is fulfilled prophecy, and God is at work. It will prove that God is behind the events that are unfolding.

So while it may be fun to speculate about certain matters of unfulfilled prophecy, it is difficult to be dogmatic about every detail.

Scott