THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD — Unveiling the Virgin Church, the Firstfruits Company, and the Manifestation of Sonship
By Carl Timothy Wray
AUTHOR
Carl Timothy Wray is the founder of The Finished Work of Christ and Zion University. For more than forty years he has searched the Scriptures, seeking to understand the full counsel of God’s mind from Genesis to Revelation. His writings focus on the Finished Work of Christ, the Plan of the Ages, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, the Throne of God, the manifestation of sonship, and God’s eternal purpose to bring all things into harmony in Christ. Through hundreds of books, teachings, and videos, Carl continues to proclaim the Gospel of Grace, the Kingdom of God, and the progressive unveiling of God’s purpose through the ages.
The Woman and the Man-Child is one of the most mysterious and misunderstood visions in the entire Book of Revelation. In this book, we examine Revelation 12 through the lens of the full counsel of God, tracing the prophetic pattern from Genesis through the Prophets, the Apostles, and the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Discover the meaning of the Woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, the crown of twelve stars, the travail of birth, the Firstfruits Company, and the Man-Child. This book explores the Virgin Church, the manifestation of sonship, the purpose of Pentecost, the promise of Tabernacles, and God’s Great Wonder in Heaven. Keywords: The Woman and the Man-Child, Revelation 12 explained, Virgin Church, Firstfruits Company, Manifestation of the Sons of God, Sonship, Book of Revelation, God’s Great Wonder in Heaven, Tabernacles, Fullness of Christ.
The Woman and The Man-child: INTRODUCTION
Among all the signs revealed in the Book of Revelation, none stands higher than the great wonder that appeared in heaven. Before John saw the dragon, before he saw war in heaven, before he saw beasts, judgments, trumpets, and vials, he saw a Woman. Within that Woman was a divine purpose that had been hidden in the heart of God from the foundation of the world.
The Woman and the Man-Child are not presented as a minor doctrine. They stand at the center of one of the greatest prophetic visions ever given. The vision reveals not merely what God has done, but what He is bringing forth. It reveals a heavenly purpose unfolding within the earth.
Throughout Scripture, God works according to a divine pattern. First comes the seed, then the firstfruits, and finally the harvest. Christ Himself appeared as the Firstborn from among the dead, the Firstfruits of resurrection life, and the Pattern Son. Yet Scripture continually points beyond the Head to a corporate fulfillment. The question therefore arises: if every harvest begins with firstfruits, where do the firstfruits of sonship appear?
The vision of Revelation 12 answers that question.
The Woman is seen clothed with the sun, standing above the moon, crowned with twelve stars, and travailing to bring forth a child. The imagery is heavenly, yet the purpose is earthly. The vision unveils God’s intention to bring forth a company that bears witness to His purpose in a unique and powerful way.
This book does not attempt to answer every question concerning Revelation 12. Rather, it seeks to establish foundational principles that allow the Scriptures to speak with one voice. We will examine the Woman, the Virgin Church, the Firstfruits Principle, the purpose of Pentecost, the promise of sonship, and the significance of the Man-Child within the progressive revelation of God’s plan.
Our purpose is not speculation but reconciliation—bringing together the testimony of Moses, the Prophets, the Apostles, and the Revelation of Jesus Christ into one harmonious witness.
May the Spirit of Truth guide us as we explore God’s Great Wonder in Heaven.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
God’s Great Wonder in Heaven
Chapter 1 — The Great Sign Appearing in Heaven
Chapter 2 — The Woman Clothed with the Sun
Chapter 3 — The Moon Under Her Feet
Chapter 4 — The Virgin Church and the Seed of Sonship
Chapter 5 — The Travail Before the Birth
Chapter 6 — Every Harvest Begins with Firstfruits
Chapter 7 — The Birth of the Man-Child
Chapter 8 — Pentecost, Tabernacles, and the Fullness of Christ
Chapter 9 — The Man-Child and the Throne
Chapter 10 — God’s Purpose in This Age
CHAPTER 1
THE GREAT SIGN APPEARING IN HEAVEN
“AND THERE APPEARED A GREAT WONDER IN HEAVEN”
“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.” — Revelation 12:1
The first thing John sees is not a beast.
The first thing John sees is not a dragon.
The first thing John sees is not judgment.
The first thing John sees is a wonder.
The Spirit intentionally directs our eyes to the Woman before showing us the conflict surrounding the Woman.
This is one of God’s great patterns.
God reveals purpose before He reveals opposition.
Before Pharaoh appeared, God had already prepared Moses.
Before Goliath appeared, God had already prepared David.
Before Babylon rose, Zion already existed in the purpose of God.
Likewise, before the dragon appears in Revelation 12, the Woman appears first.
Purpose always precedes opposition.
Light always precedes darkness.
Life always precedes death.
A WONDER IN HEAVEN
John specifically says:
“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven…” — Revelation 12:1
Notice the location.
The wonder appears in heaven before it appears in earth.
Throughout Revelation, heaven represents the realm of God’s authority, purpose, government, and administration.
The vision is heavenly because the source is heavenly.
The purpose did not begin on earth.
The purpose began in God.
Paul wrote:
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…” — Ephesians 1:4
Again he writes:
“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.” — Ephesians 1:9
The Woman is not an afterthought.
The Woman stands within a purpose established before the foundation of the world.
THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
The Book of Revelation begins with these words:
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him…” — Revelation 1:1
This is important.
The Book of Revelation is first and foremost the unveiling of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, every symbol must ultimately reveal something concerning Christ and His purpose.
The seals reveal Christ.
The trumpets reveal Christ.
The throne reveals Christ.
The Lamb reveals Christ.
The Woman reveals Christ.
The Man-Child reveals Christ.
The entire book is the unveiling of God’s purpose centered in His Son.
The Woman cannot be understood apart from Christ.
The Child cannot be understood apart from Christ.
The vision exists to reveal Him.
GOD’S PURPOSE HAS ALWAYS MOVED TOWARD BIRTH
The Woman appears in heaven carrying a child.
“And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.” — Revelation 12:2
The vision is immediately centered upon birth.
This is not a vision of death.
This is not a vision of destruction.
This is a vision of manifestation.
God is bringing something forth.
Throughout Scripture God continually reveals Himself through birth.
Isaac was born.
Israel was born.
Christ was born.
The Church was born.
Again and again God advances His purpose through birth.
The vision of Revelation 12 follows the same pattern.
The Woman carries within her a purpose that is approaching manifestation.
FIRSTFRUITS BEFORE HARVEST
One of the great laws of God is the law of Firstfruits.
Paul writes:
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” — 1 Corinthians 15:20
Again he writes:
“Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” — 1 Corinthians 15:23
Notice the divine order.
Firstfruits.
Then harvest.
Christ appears first.
Then those who are His.
The Head appears first.
Then the Body.
The Pattern Son appears first.
Then the many brethren.
This principle appears throughout Scripture.
God never begins with the harvest.
God begins with firstfruits.
This principle will become essential as we continue through Revelation 12.
THE WOMAN CARRIES THE PURPOSE OF GOD
The Woman is not merely a symbol of beauty.
She is not merely a symbol of purity.
She is carrying something.
She is pregnant with purpose.
Within her is a manifestation that has not yet appeared.
Within her is a revelation that has not yet been fully unveiled.
Within her is a birth that heaven itself is watching.
The entire chapter revolves around this reality.
A Woman.
A Child.
A Birth.
A Manifestation.
A Purpose.
The vision does not begin with war.
It begins with a Woman carrying the purpose of God.
WHY THIS CHAPTER MATTERS
Many approach Revelation 12 looking for dragons.
God begins with a Woman.
Many approach Revelation looking for destruction.
God begins with birth.
Many approach prophecy looking for the end.
God begins with purpose.
The Woman and the Man-Child stand at the center of one of the greatest mysteries in Scripture.
Before we can understand the Child, we must understand the Woman.
Before we can understand the manifestation, we must understand the purpose.
Before we can understand the harvest, we must understand the firstfruits.
The great wonder appearing in heaven reveals that God has never abandoned His purpose.
The vision begins with a Woman.
The vision moves toward a Child.
And the vision reveals the unfolding of God’s eternal purpose through the ages.
CHAPTER 2
THE WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN
“A WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN”
“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun…” — Revelation 12:1
Having introduced the great wonder appearing in heaven, John immediately focuses our attention upon the Woman herself.
The first thing we are told about her is not her identity.
The first thing we are told about her is her clothing.
She is clothed with the sun.
Throughout Scripture, clothing speaks of nature, identity, authority, and manifestation.
Adam lost his covering in Eden.
The priests received holy garments.
The prodigal son received a robe.
The saints are clothed in white raiment.
Again and again, God uses clothing to reveal spiritual realities.
Therefore, before we examine the Child, we must understand the clothing of the Woman.
THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
The sun throughout Scripture points to Christ Himself.
“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings…” — Malachi 4:2
The natural sun governs the day.
The natural sun provides light.
The natural sun provides warmth.
The natural sun sustains life upon the earth.
Likewise, Christ is the source of spiritual light.
Christ is the source of spiritual life.
Christ is the source of spiritual illumination.
John wrote:
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” — John 1:4
Again he wrote:
“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” — John 1:9
The Woman is therefore clothed with Christ Himself.
She is clothed with His life.
She is clothed with His light.
She is clothed with His righteousness.
She is clothed with His glory.
CHRIST IS HER GARMENT
Notice carefully what John says.
He does not say the Woman is holding the sun.
He does not say she is studying the sun.
He does not say she is admiring the sun.
He says she is clothed with the sun.
This is a much deeper reality.
The Woman is not merely associated with Christ.
She is covered by Christ.
Paul describes this reality when he writes:
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” — Galatians 3:27
Again he writes:
“Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ…” — Romans 13:14
The purpose of God has never been merely to give information about Christ.
The purpose of God is to clothe a people with Christ.
The Woman stands as a testimony that Christ has become her covering.
CHRIST FORMED WITHIN
Paul uses language remarkably similar to Revelation 12.
“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” — Galatians 4:19
Notice the words:
Travail.
Birth.
Formation.
These are the very themes John sees in Revelation 12.
The Woman is not carrying a doctrine.
She is not carrying a creed.
She is not carrying a religious system.
She is carrying the purpose of Christ.
Paul says the goal is:
“Until Christ be formed in you.”
The Woman is clothed outwardly with the sun because Christ is being formed inwardly within her.
The outward manifestation reflects the inward reality.
A GREATER GLORY
The Woman represents a greater glory than former administrations.
Paul compares the glory of Moses with the glory of Christ.
“But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious…” — 2 Corinthians 3:7
Then he asks:
“How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?” — 2 Corinthians 3:8
The Law had glory.
The tabernacle had glory.
The priesthood had glory.
Yet Paul declares a greater glory has appeared in Christ.
The Woman is not clothed with the glory of shadows.
She is clothed with the glory of substance.
She is clothed with the glory of the Son Himself.
A CORPORATE WOMAN
Throughout Scripture, God often uses a woman to represent a people.
Israel is portrayed as a wife.
Jerusalem is portrayed as a mother.
The Church is portrayed as a bride.
Paul writes:
“For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 11:2
The Woman of Revelation 12 is therefore greater than a single individual.
She represents a corporate people.
A people joined to Christ.
A people separated unto Christ.
A people carrying the purpose of Christ.
She is a heavenly company bearing witness to God’s eternal intention.
PREPARATION BEFORE MANIFESTATION
God always prepares the vessel before He reveals the purpose.
Moses spent years in preparation before confronting Pharaoh.
David spent years in preparation before sitting upon the throne.
Jesus spent years in preparation before His public ministry began.
Likewise, the Woman is prepared before the Child appears.
Her clothing comes before the birth.
Her glory comes before the manifestation.
Her preparation comes before the unveiling.
The Woman teaches us that God’s manifestations are never accidental.
They are the result of divine preparation.
WHY THE WOMAN IS CLOTHED WITH THE SUN
The Woman is clothed with the sun because she has become a vessel through whom Christ is revealed.
She reflects His life.
She reflects His nature.
She reflects His glory.
She reflects His purpose.
Everything that follows in Revelation 12 flows from this reality.
The moon beneath her feet.
The crown upon her head.
The travail of birth.
The Man-Child.
The throne.
The victory.
All proceed from this one revelation:
The Woman is clothed with the sun.
She is clothed with Christ Himself.
And because she is clothed with Christ, she is prepared to bring forth the purpose hidden in God from before the foundation of the world.
CHAPTER 3
THE MOON UNDER HER FEET
“AND THE MOON UNDER HER FEET”
“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet…” — Revelation 12:1
The Spirit does not merely tell us what the Woman is clothed with.
The Spirit also tells us what is beneath her feet.
The sun is above.
The moon is below.
This distinction is deliberate.
The Woman is clothed with the sun, yet the moon rests beneath her feet.
This is one of the most powerful symbols in the entire vision.
The Spirit is showing us the difference between substance and shadow.
The Spirit is revealing the difference between direct light and reflected light.
The Spirit is revealing the difference between fulfillment and preparation.
THE MOON HAS NO LIGHT OF ITS OWN
The moon is a remarkable creation.
Yet the moon possesses no light of its own.
Everything the moon shines comes from the sun.
Its light is borrowed.
Its light is reflected.
Its light points beyond itself to a greater source.
This becomes a powerful spiritual picture.
The Law reflected Christ.
The sacrifices reflected Christ.
The feasts reflected Christ.
The priesthood reflected Christ.
The tabernacle reflected Christ.
Everything pointed toward Him.
Everything testified of Him.
Everything borrowed its meaning from Him.
The moon shines because of the sun.
The shadows exist because of the substance.
THE LAW AS A SHADOW
The writer of Hebrews says:
“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things…” — Hebrews 10:1
Paul writes:
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” — Colossians 2:16-17
Notice the language.
Shadow.
Body.
Type.
Reality.
Promise.
Fulfillment.
The Law was glorious.
The sacrifices were glorious.
The priesthood was glorious.
Yet they were all preparing men for something greater.
They were moonlight pointing toward sunrise.
THE PURPOSE OF THE MOON
The moon was never the destination.
The moon was the guide.
God never intended His people to remain forever in shadows.
The shadows were designed to lead them to Christ.
Jesus Himself declared:
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” — John 5:39
Every sacrifice testified of Him.
Every feast testified of Him.
Every priest testified of Him.
Every lamb testified of Him.
Every altar testified of Him.
The moon was preparing men for the appearance of the Sun.
THE WOMAN STANDS ABOVE THE SHADOWS
The vision does not place the moon upon the Woman’s head.
The vision does not place the moon in her hands.
The moon is beneath her feet.
This is significant.
The Woman has not rejected the shadows.
She has fulfilled them.
She has not despised them.
She has moved beyond them.
The shadows brought her to Christ.
The types brought her to Christ.
The ceremonies brought her to Christ.
The promises brought her to Christ.
Now she stands clothed with the very One to whom they pointed.
The moon remains valuable.
But it no longer governs her.
The sun governs her.
FROM MOONLIGHT TO SUNLIGHT
There is a great difference between walking by moonlight and walking in sunlight.
Moonlight reveals partially.
Sunlight reveals fully.
Moonlight reveals shapes.
Sunlight reveals reality.
Moonlight prepares.
Sunlight manifests.
This pattern appears throughout Scripture.
The Law prepared.
Christ fulfilled.
The shadow prepared.
The substance arrived.
The promise prepared.
The fulfillment appeared.
The Woman stands as a witness that God’s purpose has always been moving from preparation toward manifestation.
THE FEASTS REVEAL THE SAME PROGRESSION
The Feasts of Israel reveal this same pattern.
Passover pointed forward.
Pentecost pointed forward.
Tabernacles pointed forward.
Each feast revealed another measure of God’s purpose.
Each feast contained truth.
Each feast contained revelation.
Each feast contained glory.
Yet each feast pointed toward greater fullness.
The Woman standing upon the moon reveals a people who understand God’s progressive purpose.
The former things are not despised.
The former things are understood.
Every shadow becomes meaningful when the substance arrives.
THE TESTIMONY OF PAUL
Paul understood this progression.
He writes:
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child…” — 1 Corinthians 13:11
Then he says:
“But when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
Paul was not condemning childhood.
He was revealing progression.
The purpose of childhood is maturity.
The purpose of shadow is substance.
The purpose of promise is fulfillment.
The purpose of moonlight is sunlight.
The Woman standing upon the moon reveals a people who have embraced the progression of God.
WHY THE MOON IS UNDER HER FEET
The moon under her feet reveals that God’s purpose is moving forward.
The shadows have served their purpose.
The promises have done their work.
The preparation has accomplished its task.
The Woman now stands clothed with the Sun.
She stands in direct relationship with the One whom all the shadows foretold.
She walks in the reality toward which all previous administrations pointed.
The moon remains beneath her feet because the shadows have brought her to Christ.
The ceremonies have brought her to Christ.
The types have brought her to Christ.
The promises have brought her to Christ.
The Woman stands above them because she now stands clothed with the very fulfillment of God’s purpose.
The moon under her feet is Heaven’s declaration that preparation has given way to manifestation, shadow has given way to substance, and the Sun of Righteousness has arisen upon a people prepared to carry His purpose into the earth.
CHAPTER 4
THE VIRGIN CHURCH AND THE SEED OF SONSHIP
“HOW SHALL THIS BE?”
“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” — Luke 1:34
As we come to the fourth chapter of our study, the Spirit begins to reveal one of the greatest mysteries connected to the Woman and the Man-Child.
The mystery is not merely birth.
The mystery is conception.
Before there can be manifestation, there must be conception.
Before there can be a harvest, there must be a seed.
Before there can be a son, there must be a birth.
Before there can be a birth, there must be conception.
The story of Mary becomes a prophetic picture of a much larger spiritual reality.
What happened individually in Mary reveals a corporate pattern that God intends to accomplish through His people.
The natural becomes a pattern of the spiritual.
The visible becomes a witness of the invisible.
THE VIRGIN SHALL CONCEIVE
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son…” — Isaiah 7:14
Notice carefully.
The sign was not merely a son.
The sign began with a virgin.
The vessel mattered.
The condition of the vessel mattered.
The preparation of the vessel mattered.
God chose a virgin because the birth He intended to bring forth could not originate from the power of man.
It had to originate from God Himself.
This principle lies at the very heart of Revelation 12.
The Woman is not merely a church.
The Woman is a virgin church.
A people separated unto God.
A people reserved for His purpose.
A people carrying a heavenly seed.
A CHASTE VIRGIN UNTO CHRIST
Paul writes:
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 11:2
Paul does not describe the Church as a religious organization.
He describes her as a virgin.
He does not emphasize programs.
He emphasizes purity.
He does not emphasize systems.
He emphasizes relationship.
The purpose of the Church is not merely activity.
The purpose of the Church is union.
A virgin speaks of a people whose affection belongs to one Bridegroom.
A people whose devotion belongs to one Lord.
A people whose expectation is centered upon Christ alone.
KNOWING NO MAN
Mary asked:
“How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” — Luke 1:34
This question reaches far beyond the natural story.
Spiritually speaking, it reveals a profound principle.
The purposes of God cannot be produced through human ability.
The purposes of God cannot be manufactured through religious systems.
The purposes of God cannot be organized into existence.
The things of God must originate from God.
The Church has often trusted:
- Human wisdom.
- Human strength.
- Human organization.
- Human methods.
Yet the Man-Child is not conceived through human power.
The purpose originates in the Spirit.
The seed originates in God.
The life originates in heaven.
THE HOLY GHOST SHALL COME UPON THEE
“And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee…” — Luke 1:35
This is the answer to Mary’s question.
This is also the answer to every spiritual birth.
The Holy Spirit is the source.
The Holy Spirit is the initiator.
The Holy Spirit is the life-giver.
The Holy Spirit is the conceiver of God’s purpose.
Everything God births begins with the operation of His Spirit.
The Law could not produce it.
Human effort could not produce it.
Religious activity could not produce it.
Only the Spirit can bring forth the purpose of God.
CHRIST THE SEED
Paul writes:
“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made… And to thy seed, which is Christ.” — Galatians 3:16
The ultimate seed of God is Christ.
Every promise centers in Christ.
Every covenant centers in Christ.
Every purpose centers in Christ.
The Woman is carrying more than a message.
She is carrying Christ.
She is carrying the Seed.
She is carrying the purpose hidden within God from the beginning.
The Child cannot be understood apart from the Seed.
The Seed cannot be understood apart from Christ.
THE LAW OF DIVINE CONCEPTION
Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly demonstrates this principle.
Isaac was conceived through promise.
Samuel was conceived through divine intervention.
John the Baptist was conceived through divine visitation.
Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost.
Again and again the pattern appears.
God initiates.
God conceives.
God brings forth.
God manifests.
The purpose never originates in man.
The purpose originates in God.
This is why the Woman appears in heaven before she appears in earth.
The source is heavenly.
The origin is heavenly.
The purpose is heavenly.
THE VIRGIN CHURCH CARRIES A HEAVENLY PURPOSE
The Church is not merely called to preserve doctrines.
The Church is called to carry divine purpose.
The Church is not merely called to maintain traditions.
The Church is called to bring forth what God has planted.
The Woman carries within her a purpose that heaven itself is watching.
The vision of Revelation 12 is a vision of divine conception moving toward manifestation.
The Child appears because the Seed has already been planted.
The manifestation appears because the purpose has already been conceived.
The harvest appears because the life has already been sown.
THE PREPARATION FOR THE MAN-CHILD
Before Revelation 12 speaks of the Child, it speaks of the Woman.
Before it speaks of manifestation, it speaks of conception.
Before it speaks of authority, it speaks of preparation.
This is God’s order.
The Woman comes first.
The Seed comes first.
The conception comes first.
The birth comes afterward.
The manifestation comes afterward.
The throne comes afterward.
Everything begins with the Virgin Church carrying the Seed of God’s purpose.
The Woman stands before us as a witness that heaven’s purpose cannot be produced by the flesh.
It cannot be manufactured by man.
It cannot be organized into existence.
It must be conceived by the Spirit.
And because the Spirit has conceived it, the birth is certain.
The Virgin Church carries the Seed of Sonship.
The Child is already present in promise.
The manifestation is simply waiting for the appointed hour.
CHAPTER 5
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD — THE TRAVAIL BEFORE THE BIRTH
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD ARE CONNECTED BY TRAVAIL
“And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.” — Revelation 12:2
The relationship between the Woman and the Man-Child cannot be understood apart from travail.
Before the Man-Child appears, the Woman travails.
Before manifestation comes pain.
Before birth comes pressure.
Before fulfillment comes groaning.
This is one of God’s great laws throughout Scripture.
The Woman and the Man-Child are connected by a divine process.
The Man-Child does not suddenly appear without preparation.
The Woman carries.
The Woman nourishes.
The Woman prepares.
The Woman travails.
Then the Man-Child appears.
This is the divine order revealed in Revelation 12.
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD REVEAL GOD’S PROCESS
Many focus upon the birth of the Man-Child while overlooking the travail of the Woman.
Yet the Spirit intentionally records both.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal not merely a destination but a process.
The Woman reveals preparation.
The Man-Child reveals manifestation.
The Woman reveals formation.
The Man-Child reveals appearance.
The Woman reveals what God is doing secretly.
The Man-Child reveals what God eventually manifests openly.
The two cannot be separated.
The Man-Child is the fruit of the travail of the Woman.
CREATION ITSELF IS TRAVAILING
Paul writes:
“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” — Romans 8:22
Notice the language.
Groaning.
Travailing.
Birth.
Paul is describing the same principle revealed in Revelation 12.
The Woman and the Man-Child are not isolated from the rest of Scripture.
Romans 8 and Revelation 12 speak the same language.
Both reveal a creation waiting.
Both reveal travail.
Both reveal birth.
Both reveal manifestation.
The whole creation groans because something is approaching manifestation.
The Woman groans because the Man-Child is approaching manifestation.
THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD
Paul continues:
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” — Romans 8:19
This is one of the great themes connecting the Woman and the Man-Child.
Creation is not waiting for another promise.
Creation is waiting for manifestation.
Creation is not waiting for another shadow.
Creation is waiting for reality.
The Woman carries within her the promise.
The Man-Child represents manifestation.
The Woman carries the seed.
The Man-Child becomes the firstfruits expression of what has been carried.
The travail exists because manifestation is near.
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD FOLLOW THE PATTERN OF CHRIST
Everywhere in Scripture, birth follows travail.
Sarah travailed before Isaac.
Israel travailed before deliverance.
Mary travailed before Christ.
The Church travailed before Pentecost.
The pattern never changes.
The Woman and the Man-Child follow the same divine order.
God first conceives a purpose.
God then forms that purpose.
God then brings forth that purpose.
The Man-Child appears because the purpose has matured within the Woman.
BEFORE ZION TRAVAILED
Isaiah saw this mystery long before John.
“Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.” — Isaiah 66:7
Notice the language.
A man child.
Isaiah and John are looking at the same mystery from different vantage points.
Both see a birth.
Both see a man child.
Both see a divine purpose coming forth.
The Spirit is establishing a consistent witness throughout Scripture.
The Woman and the Man-Child are not isolated symbols.
They are part of a prophetic pattern stretching from Genesis to Revelation.
THE WOMAN PREPARES THE WAY FOR THE MAN-CHILD
The Woman and the Man-Child cannot be separated.
Without the Woman there is no birth.
Without the travail there is no manifestation.
Without the preparation there is no appearance.
The Woman prepares the vessel.
The Woman carries the purpose.
The Woman nurtures the seed.
The Woman endures the pressure.
The Woman experiences the travail.
Then the Man-Child appears.
This is God’s order.
WHY THE TRAVAIL MATTERS
Many desire manifestation.
Few understand preparation.
Many desire glory.
Few understand formation.
Many desire the Man-Child.
Few understand the travail of the Woman.
Yet Revelation 12 gives equal attention to both.
The Spirit wants us to understand that God’s purposes mature before they manifest.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal this divine principle.
The Woman represents the hidden work.
The Man-Child represents the revealed work.
The Woman represents the process.
The Man-Child represents the manifestation.
The travail is the bridge between the two.
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD REVEAL THE HOUR OF BIRTH
The chapter closes with a simple but powerful truth.
The Woman is not carrying death.
The Woman is carrying life.
The Woman is not carrying defeat.
The Woman is carrying purpose.
The Woman is not carrying failure.
The Woman is carrying manifestation.
The travail reveals that the appointed hour is drawing near.
The Woman and the Man-Child stand together as one of God’s greatest prophetic pictures.
The Woman carries the purpose.
The Man-Child reveals the purpose.
The Woman carries the firstfruits seed.
The Man-Child becomes the firstfruits manifestation.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal that God’s purpose is not merely being preached.
God’s purpose is being brought forth.
CHAPTER 6
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD — EVERY HARVEST BEGINS WITH FIRSTFRUITS
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD REVEAL THE LAW OF FIRSTFRUITS
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” — 1 Corinthians 15:20
One of the most important principles in all Scripture is the principle of Firstfruits.
Without understanding Firstfruits, the Woman and the Man-Child remain a mystery.
Without understanding Firstfruits, the purpose of God through the ages becomes difficult to reconcile.
The law is simple.
God never begins with the harvest.
God begins with Firstfruits.
God never begins with the many.
God begins with the one.
God never begins with the fullness.
God begins with the first manifestation.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal this divine law operating in Revelation 12.
CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS
Paul writes:
“But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s…” — 1 Corinthians 15:23
Notice the divine order.
Christ first.
Then afterward.
The Head first.
Then the Body.
The Pattern Son first.
Then the many brethren.
The Firstborn first.
Then the family.
This is God’s way.
Jesus did not merely teach resurrection.
He became the Firstfruits of resurrection.
Jesus did not merely teach life.
He manifested life.
Jesus did not merely teach victory.
He manifested victory.
Everything begins in Christ.
The Woman and the Man-Child must therefore be understood through the same Firstfruits Principle.
THE HEAD APPEARS BEFORE THE BODY
Paul writes:
“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead…” — Colossians 1:18
The Head always appears before the Body.
The pattern always appears before the fulfillment.
The firstfruit always appears before the harvest.
The prototype always appears before the reproduction.
This is why Christ is so important to understanding the Woman and the Man-Child.
The Man-Child does not originate a new pattern.
The Man-Child follows the pattern already established in Christ.
The Head appeared first.
The Body follows afterward.
The Firstfruit appeared first.
The harvest follows afterward.
FIRSTFRUITS THROUGHOUT SCRIPTURE
The principle of Firstfruits is woven throughout the Bible.
Abraham appears before the nation.
Isaac appears before the tribes.
David appears before the kingdom.
Christ appears before the Church.
Again and again God reveals Himself through Firstfruits.
The Firstfruits reveal what the harvest will become.
The Firstfruits reveal God’s intention.
The Firstfruits reveal God’s direction.
The Firstfruits reveal God’s purpose.
The Woman and the Man-Child stand within this same divine pattern.
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD REVEAL A FIRSTFRUITS COMPANY
The Woman does not bring forth an entire harvest.
The Woman brings forth a Man-Child.
This is significant.
The vision is focused upon Firstfruits.
The vision is focused upon a beginning.
The vision is focused upon an initial manifestation.
Throughout Scripture God continually begins with a Firstfruits company.
A remnant.
A witness.
A first manifestation.
A beginning that eventually expands.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal this principle operating in Revelation 12.
The Child appears first.
The larger purpose unfolds afterward.
JAMES AND THE CHURCH OF FIRSTFRUITS
James writes:
“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” — James 1:18
Notice again the language.
Begat.
Birth.
Firstfruits.
The same themes continue appearing.
God births.
God brings forth.
God manifests.
God reveals Firstfruits before harvest.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal this same process.
The Child is not random.
The Child is purposeful.
The Child represents the principle of Firstfruits operating according to God’s order.
THE EARNEST AND THE FULLNESS
Paul writes:
“Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession…” — Ephesians 1:14
An earnest is a beginning.
An earnest is a pledge.
An earnest is a down payment.
An earnest points toward fullness.
Throughout Scripture, God continually moves from earnest to fulfillment.
From promise to manifestation.
From seed to harvest.
From Firstfruits to fullness.
The Woman and the Man-Child stand within this progression.
The vision reveals a movement toward manifestation.
A movement toward fullness.
A movement toward the accomplishment of God’s purpose.
THE FIRSTFRUITS MUST APPEAR FIRST
This principle explains many passages of Scripture.
Christ was Firstfruits.
Then came the harvest.
The Head appeared.
Then came the Body.
The Pattern appeared.
Then came the fulfillment.
The same principle appears throughout God’s dealings.
The Firstfruits must appear first.
The beginning must appear before the completion.
The witness must appear before the expansion.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal this divine order.
The Child appears first because God’s purpose always begins with Firstfruits.
WHY THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD MATTER
The importance of the Woman and the Man-Child is not merely found in symbolism.
Their importance is found in what they reveal.
They reveal God’s order.
They reveal God’s pattern.
They reveal God’s method.
The Woman reveals preparation.
The Man-Child reveals Firstfruits manifestation.
The Woman reveals conception.
The Man-Child reveals birth.
The Woman reveals process.
The Man-Child reveals appearance.
Together they reveal one of the most important laws in God’s kingdom:
Every harvest begins with Firstfruits.
THE FIRSTFRUITS COMPANY
As Revelation 12 unfolds, the vision continually directs our attention toward a Firstfruits manifestation.
The Woman carries.
The Woman travails.
The Woman brings forth.
The Man-Child appears.
The pattern is unmistakable.
God is revealing that before the harvest can be gathered, there must first be a Firstfruits company.
Before fullness appears, there must first be a witness.
Before the many are reached, there must first be a beginning.
The Woman and the Man-Child stand as one of the clearest revelations of this principle in all Scripture.
The Woman carries the purpose.
The Man-Child becomes the Firstfruits manifestation of that purpose.
And through the Firstfruits, God reveals what He intends to accomplish in the harvest that follows.
CHAPTER 7
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD — THE BIRTH OF THE MAN-CHILD
“AND SHE BROUGHT FORTH A MAN CHILD”
“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron…” — Revelation 12:5
The entire vision has been moving toward this moment.
The Woman appeared.
The Woman was clothed with the sun.
The moon was placed beneath her feet.
The Woman carried the seed.
The Woman travailed.
The Woman endured the pain of birth.
Now the Child appears.
This is the climax of the vision.
The Woman and the Man-Child are inseparable.
Everything in Revelation 12 has been moving toward manifestation.
The purpose carried within the Woman now appears openly.
The hidden purpose becomes visible.
The concealed purpose becomes manifest.
The promised purpose becomes revealed.
NOT A BABY BUT A MAN-CHILD
The Spirit does not merely say:
“And she brought forth a child.”
The Spirit says:
“And she brought forth a man child.”
This distinction is important.
The emphasis is not infancy.
The emphasis is maturity.
The emphasis is not beginning.
The emphasis is development.
The emphasis is not merely life.
The emphasis is manifested life.
The Spirit intentionally uses language that points beyond spiritual childhood.
The vision is directing our attention toward sonship.
The vision is directing our attention toward maturity.
The vision is directing our attention toward manifestation.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal not merely the beginning of life but the appearance of a mature expression of life.
THE PERFECT MAN
Paul writes:
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man…” — Ephesians 4:13
Notice the language.
A perfect man.
Not merely a child.
Not merely a babe.
Not merely an infant.
A perfect man.
The purpose of God has always been growth toward maturity.
The purpose of God has always been development toward fullness.
The purpose of God has always been conformity to Christ.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal this principle in symbolic form.
The Child appears as a mature expression of the purpose carried within the Woman.
MANY SONS BROUGHT UNTO GLORY
The writer of Hebrews declares:
“For it became him… in bringing many sons unto glory…” — Hebrews 2:10
Notice again the language.
Many sons.
Not one son.
Many sons.
The first Son appeared in Christ.
The Pattern Son appeared first.
The Firstborn appeared first.
The Firstfruits appeared first.
Now Scripture begins speaking of many sons.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal this progression.
What first appeared in the Head is now seen moving toward corporate expression.
The purpose of God has always been centered in His Son.
Now that purpose expands into many sons brought unto glory.
THE FIRSTFRUITS MANIFESTATION
Throughout the previous chapter we examined the law of Firstfruits.
Now we see Firstfruits appearing.
The Child is not presented as the entire harvest.
The Child appears first.
The Child appears before the larger unfolding of God’s purpose.
The Child appears as an initial manifestation.
This follows God’s pattern throughout Scripture.
Christ first.
Then afterward.
The Head first.
Then the Body.
The Firstfruit first.
Then the harvest.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal this same divine order.
The Child appears because God always begins with Firstfruits.
THE MAN-CHILD AND SONSHIP
Paul writes:
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” — Romans 8:14
Again he writes:
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” — Romans 8:19
Romans 8 and Revelation 12 speak a common language.
Both reveal sonship.
Both reveal manifestation.
Both reveal expectation.
Both reveal purpose.
Creation waits.
The Woman travails.
The Child appears.
The language differs.
The principle remains the same.
The Spirit continually points toward manifestation.
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD REVEAL GOD’S PURPOSE
The Man-Child does not appear by accident.
The Child appears because God intended the birth.
The Child appears because God planted the seed.
The Child appears because God prepared the vessel.
The Child appears because God brought the conception.
The Child appears because the appointed time arrived.
Everything in the chapter reveals divine purpose.
The Woman reveals preparation.
The Man-Child reveals manifestation.
The Woman reveals formation.
The Man-Child reveals appearance.
The Woman reveals what God is doing within.
The Man-Child reveals what God brings forth openly.
CALLED UNTO THE THRONE
“And her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” — Revelation 12:5
The first destination mentioned after the birth is the throne.
This is significant.
The vision immediately connects sonship with authority.
The vision immediately connects maturity with administration.
The vision immediately connects manifestation with God’s government.
The Child is not merely born.
The Child is associated with the throne.
This theme will become increasingly important as Revelation unfolds.
The purpose of sonship is not merely blessing.
The purpose of sonship is participation in the purpose and administration of God.
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD AS A PROPHETIC SIGN
The Woman and the Man-Child stand as one of the greatest prophetic signs in the entire Book of Revelation.
The Woman reveals God’s preparation.
The Man-Child reveals God’s manifestation.
The Woman reveals hidden purpose.
The Man-Child reveals visible fulfillment.
The Woman reveals conception.
The Man-Child reveals birth.
Together they reveal the progressive unfolding of God’s purpose through the ages.
The vision is not centered upon destruction.
The vision is centered upon birth.
The vision is not centered upon defeat.
The vision is centered upon manifestation.
The vision is not centered upon darkness.
The vision is centered upon life.
THE APPEARING OF THE MAN-CHILD
The great wonder in heaven has now reached its climax.
The Woman has fulfilled her purpose.
The seed has come forth.
The travail has produced birth.
The hidden purpose has become visible.
The Man-Child appears as the fruit of the Woman’s travail and the manifestation of the purpose she carried.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal one of God’s greatest prophetic patterns.
Preparation leads to manifestation.
Conception leads to birth.
Firstfruits lead to harvest.
The Woman leads to the Man-Child.
And through the appearing of the Man-Child, God reveals the next stage of His unfolding purpose in the earth.
CHAPTER 8
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD — PENTECOST, TABERNACLES, AND THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD REVEAL A PROGRESSION
The Woman and the Man-Child do not appear in isolation from the rest of Scripture.
They appear within a divine progression.
God has always revealed Himself progressively.
“The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” — Proverbs 4:18
The light increases.
The revelation increases.
The manifestation increases.
The purpose unfolds progressively.
This principle appears throughout Scripture.
Seed.
Blade.
Ear.
Full corn in the ear.
Thirtyfold.
Sixtyfold.
Hundredfold.
Passover.
Pentecost.
Tabernacles.
Again and again God reveals Himself through progressive unfoldings of His purpose.
The Woman and the Man-Child must be understood within this progression.
PENTECOST WAS A GLORIOUS BIRTH
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come…” — Acts 2:1
Pentecost was a genuine birth.
The Spirit was poured out.
The Church was born.
The Gospel began to spread throughout the earth.
The gifts of the Spirit were given.
The fivefold ministry was established.
A glorious administration began.
The Church Age has carried the testimony of Christ for centuries.
Pentecost was not failure.
Pentecost was not weakness.
Pentecost was a mighty visitation of God.
The Spirit descended.
The Church arose.
The nations heard the Gospel.
The Kingdom advanced.
Pentecost was glorious.
THE PURPOSE OF PENTECOST
Paul explains the purpose of the Pentecostal administration.
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” — Ephesians 4:11
Why?
“For the perfecting of the saints…” — Ephesians 4:12
God gave ministry gifts to nurture, strengthen, and mature His people.
The purpose was growth.
The purpose was development.
The purpose was preparation.
The purpose was maturity.
Pentecost was never merely about gifts.
Pentecost was about preparing a people.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal where that preparation ultimately leads.
EVERY ADMINISTRATION HAS ITS MATURITY
One of the great truths revealed throughout Scripture is that every administration possesses its own maturity.
There were mature men under Moses.
There were mature prophets under the Law.
There were mature apostles under Pentecost.
Each administration produced mature vessels according to the measure appointed to that administration.
Moses was mature.
David was mature.
Paul was mature.
John was mature.
Yet each man served within a particular administration of God’s purpose.
This distinction is important.
The question is not whether maturity existed.
The question is what maturity belongs to each administration.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal another dimension of this unfolding purpose.
THE EARNEST AND THE FULLNESS
Paul writes:
“Which is the earnest of our inheritance…” — Ephesians 1:14
An earnest is a beginning.
An earnest is a pledge.
An earnest points toward something greater.
Throughout Scripture, God continually moves from earnest to fulfillment.
From promise to manifestation.
From beginning to completion.
From Firstfruits to harvest.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal this movement.
The vision is not moving backward.
The vision is moving forward.
The purpose is advancing toward manifestation.
The purpose is advancing toward fullness.
THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST
Paul writes:
“Till we all come… unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” — Ephesians 4:13
Notice Paul’s destination.
The fullness of Christ.
Not merely knowledge.
Not merely gifts.
Not merely activity.
The fullness of Christ.
Everything in God’s purpose moves toward fullness.
Every administration reveals a measure.
Every administration reveals a portion.
Every administration reveals Christ according to its appointed purpose.
The Woman and the Man-Child direct our attention toward fullness.
The vision points beyond beginning.
The vision points toward completion.
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD AS A SIGN OF FULLNESS
The Spirit does not present a babe in Revelation 12.
The Spirit presents a Man-Child.
The symbolism points toward maturity.
The symbolism points toward development.
The symbolism points toward fullness.
The Woman carries.
The Woman nourishes.
The Woman prepares.
Then the Man-Child appears.
The vision emphasizes the bringing forth of a mature expression of God’s purpose.
This is why the Woman and the Man-Child occupy such a central place in Revelation.
They reveal not merely birth.
They reveal fullness emerging from preparation.
FROM PENTECOST TO TABERNACLES
The feasts themselves reveal progression.
Passover revealed redemption.
Pentecost revealed outpouring.
Tabernacles revealed fullness, inheritance, and completion.
The feasts are not enemies of one another.
They are stages within one divine purpose.
Each feast reveals Christ.
Each feast reveals truth.
Each feast reveals glory.
Yet each feast points beyond itself toward greater fullness.
The Woman and the Man-Child stand within this progressive unveiling.
The vision points beyond beginnings and toward completion.
GOD’S PURPOSE IS ALWAYS INCREASING
Isaiah declared:
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.” — Isaiah 9:7
Notice the word increase.
God’s purpose advances.
God’s revelation advances.
God’s administration advances.
God continually unveils more of Christ.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal this principle.
The vision reveals increase.
The vision reveals progression.
The vision reveals the ongoing unfolding of God’s eternal purpose.
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD REVEAL THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST
The Woman and the Man-Child stand as a prophetic witness to the progressive nature of God’s purpose.
Pentecost revealed Christ.
The Apostles revealed Christ.
The Church reveals Christ.
Yet the purpose of God continues moving toward the fullness of Christ.
The Woman carries that purpose.
The Man-Child reveals that purpose.
The Woman represents preparation.
The Man-Child represents manifestation.
The Woman represents formation.
The Man-Child represents maturity.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal that God is not abandoning His purpose but bringing it forward according to His appointed order.
The same Christ revealed in Passover is revealed in Pentecost.
The same Christ revealed in Pentecost is revealed in fullness.
One Christ.
One purpose.
One plan.
Progressively unveiled from age to age until the fullness of His purpose fills all things.
CHAPTER 9
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD — THE MAN-CHILD AND THE THRONE
“CAUGHT UP UNTO GOD, AND TO HIS THRONE”
“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
The moment the Man-Child appears, the Spirit immediately directs our attention to the throne.
This is significant.
The vision does not move from the birth to the wilderness.
The vision does not move from the birth to the nations.
The vision does not move from the birth to ministry.
The vision moves from the birth to the throne.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal that God’s purpose has always been connected to divine government.
The Child is not merely born.
The Child is connected to the throne.
The Child is connected to God’s administration.
The Child is connected to God’s purpose.
THE THRONE IS THE CENTER OF REVELATION
Throughout the Book of Revelation, the throne occupies the central place.
John writes:
“And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.” — Revelation 4:2
Before the seals, there is a throne.
Before the trumpets, there is a throne.
Before the vials, there is a throne.
Before the judgments, there is a throne.
The throne is the center of the book because the throne is the center of God’s government.
Everything proceeds from the throne.
Everything returns to the throne.
The Woman and the Man-Child must therefore be understood in relation to the throne.
THE THRONE SPEAKS OF AUTHORITY
A throne represents authority.
A throne represents government.
A throne represents administration.
A throne represents rulership.
Throughout Scripture, God continually associates sonship with inheritance and authority.
The Child in Revelation 12 is not merely associated with life.
The Child is associated with government.
The Child is associated with purpose.
The Child is associated with administration.
The throne reveals that God’s purpose extends beyond birth into responsibility.
THE SON AND THE THRONE
The Father spoke concerning Christ:
“Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” — Psalm 2:6
Again He says:
“Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” — Psalm 2:7
Notice how sonship and government appear together.
The Son.
The Throne.
The Kingdom.
The Authority.
The same pattern appears throughout Scripture.
The Son is not separated from the Kingdom.
The Son is not separated from the purpose of God.
The Son is connected to the administration of God.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal this same principle.
JOINT-HEIRS WITH CHRIST
Paul writes:
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…” — Romans 8:17
Sonship and inheritance are inseparable.
The purpose of sonship is not merely privilege.
The purpose of sonship is participation.
The purpose of sonship is sharing in the purpose of God.
The purpose of sonship is sharing in the inheritance of Christ.
This is why Revelation 12 immediately points us toward the throne.
The throne reveals inheritance.
The throne reveals participation.
The throne reveals administration.
TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH
Jesus declared:
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” — Revelation 3:21
Notice the progression.
Christ overcame.
Christ sat down.
The overcomer follows.
Again we see the Firstfruits Principle.
The Head first.
Then the Body.
The Firstborn first.
Then the brethren.
The Pattern first.
Then the fulfillment.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal this same order.
The Child is connected to the throne because the purpose of God is moving toward participation in His administration.
THE ROD OF IRON
The Man-Child is described as:
“…who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron…” — Revelation 12:5
This language comes directly from Psalm 2.
“Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron…” — Psalm 2:9
The rod speaks of authority.
The rod speaks of government.
The rod speaks of divine order.
The rod speaks of righteous administration.
The Spirit is revealing that the Child is connected to the Kingdom purpose of God.
The throne and the rod appear together because both reveal government.
Both reveal administration.
Both reveal the authority of God’s purpose.
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD REVEAL HEAVENLY GOVERNMENT
Many see Revelation 12 only as a chapter about conflict.
Yet the chapter continually directs us toward government.
The throne.
The rod.
The Child.
The Kingdom.
The purpose.
Everything points toward God’s administration.
The Woman is carrying more than a child.
The Woman is carrying a purpose connected to God’s government.
The Child appears as the manifestation of that purpose.
The throne reveals the destination.
THE THRONE AND THE FULLNESS OF PURPOSE
The throne reveals that God’s purpose is larger than individual experience.
The throne reveals corporate purpose.
The throne reveals Kingdom purpose.
The throne reveals God’s intention to administer His will throughout creation.
The Child is not born merely for personal blessing.
The Child is connected to the purpose of God.
The Child is connected to the Kingdom of God.
The Child is connected to the administration of God.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal that God’s purpose has always been moving toward the manifestation of His government.
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD POINT TO THE THRONE
The chapter closes with the same truth with which it began.
The Woman carries purpose.
The Man-Child reveals purpose.
The throne governs purpose.
The Woman prepares the vessel.
The Man-Child manifests the purpose.
The throne reveals the destination.
The Child is caught up unto God and unto His throne because the ultimate purpose of God is not merely birth.
It is participation in His Kingdom.
It is participation in His administration.
It is participation in His purpose.
The Woman and the Man-Child stand as a prophetic witness that God’s purpose moves from conception, to birth, to manifestation, and ultimately to the throne itself.
For the throne remains the center of God’s government, the center of His Kingdom, and the center of His eternal purpose.
CHAPTER 10
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD — GOD’S PURPOSE IN THIS AGE
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD REVEAL GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28
As we come to the conclusion of this book, we must return to the question that has echoed throughout every chapter:
Why did God show John the Woman and the Man-Child?
Why place this vision in the center of Revelation?
Why reveal a Woman clothed with the sun?
Why reveal a Man-Child brought forth through travail?
The answer is found in purpose.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal God’s purpose.
The vision is not merely about prophecy.
The vision is not merely about symbolism.
The vision is about what God is accomplishing.
The vision is about what God is bringing forth.
The vision is about the unfolding of His eternal purpose.
GOD HAS ALWAYS WORKED ACCORDING TO PURPOSE
Paul writes:
“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.” — Ephesians 1:9
God is not reacting.
God is not improvising.
God is not creating plans as history unfolds.
God works according to purpose.
Before Adam fell, God had purpose.
Before Abraham was called, God had purpose.
Before Moses received the Law, God had purpose.
Before Christ appeared, God had purpose.
Before John saw Revelation, God had purpose.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal that purpose moving toward manifestation.
THE PURPOSE HIDDEN FROM AGES
Paul writes:
“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints.” — Colossians 1:26
God’s purpose was hidden.
Not absent.
Hidden.
Concealed.
Reserved for an appointed unveiling.
Throughout the ages, God progressively revealed portions of His plan.
The Law revealed part.
The Prophets revealed part.
The Apostles revealed part.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ gathers the testimony together and unveils the larger picture.
The Woman and the Man-Child stand within that unveiling.
The vision reveals what God has been moving toward throughout the ages.
CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON
Paul writes:
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…” — Romans 8:29
This verse reveals the center of God’s purpose.
The goal is Christ.
The purpose is Christ.
The destination is Christ.
The image is Christ.
The Woman is clothed with Christ.
The Child reveals Christ.
The throne belongs to Christ.
The entire vision centers upon Christ.
Everything God does ultimately points toward conformity to His Son.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal that purpose unfolding.
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD REVEAL FIRSTFRUITS
Throughout this book we have seen the Firstfruits Principle repeatedly.
Christ the Firstfruits.
The Head before the Body.
The Firstborn before the brethren.
The Pattern before the fulfillment.
The Firstfruit before the harvest.
This principle is woven throughout Scripture.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal this same divine order.
The Child appears as a Firstfruits manifestation.
The Child appears as a witness.
The Child appears as a beginning.
God continually begins with Firstfruits before bringing forth harvest.
THE PURPOSE OF PENTECOST
Pentecost was never an end in itself.
The outpouring of the Spirit was glorious.
The gifts were glorious.
The ministries were glorious.
The Apostolic administration was glorious.
Yet every administration serves a purpose greater than itself.
Every administration points beyond itself.
Every administration advances the purpose of God.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal the continuing progression of that purpose.
The vision reveals God moving from preparation toward manifestation.
THE PURPOSE OF TABERNACLES
The Feast of Tabernacles points toward fullness.
The feast points toward completion.
The feast points toward inheritance.
The feast points toward the accomplishment of God’s purpose.
Throughout Scripture, God continually moves from beginning to completion.
From seed to harvest.
From earnest to inheritance.
From promise to fulfillment.
The Woman and the Man-Child stand within this progression.
The vision reveals God bringing forth what He has long prepared.
THE THRONE REMAINS THE DESTINATION
The Child is caught up unto God and unto His throne.
The throne remains central because God’s purpose remains central.
Everything proceeds from the throne.
Everything returns to the throne.
The throne reveals divine administration.
The throne reveals divine government.
The throne reveals divine purpose.
The Woman and the Man-Child are connected to the throne because they are connected to God’s purpose.
The vision is not merely about birth.
The vision is about administration.
The vision is about Kingdom purpose.
The vision is about the accomplishment of God’s will.
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD AS GOD’S GREAT WONDER
We began this book with a wonder.
“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven…” — Revelation 12:1
We now end with that same wonder.
The Woman clothed with the sun.
The moon beneath her feet.
The crown of twelve stars.
The travail.
The birth.
The Child.
The throne.
Every element reveals God’s purpose.
Every symbol reveals God’s intention.
Every picture reveals God’s plan.
The Woman and the Man-Child stand as one of the greatest prophetic revelations in all Scripture because they reveal God’s purpose moving toward manifestation.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGE
The final lesson of the Woman and the Man-Child is simple.
God is moving history toward His purpose.
God is moving creation toward His purpose.
God is moving His people toward His purpose.
The purpose hidden before the foundation of the world continues unfolding through the ages.
The Law served that purpose.
The Prophets served that purpose.
The Apostles served that purpose.
The Church serves that purpose.
The Kingdom serves that purpose.
The Woman carries that purpose.
The Man-Child reveals that purpose.
The throne administers that purpose.
The purpose is Christ.
The purpose is conformity to Christ.
The purpose is the revelation of Christ.
The purpose is the manifestation of Christ.
The purpose is the increase of His Kingdom.
The purpose is the accomplishment of His will.
The Woman and the Man-Child reveal God’s Great Wonder in Heaven because they reveal that God’s purpose has never failed, never stopped, and never changed.
From Genesis to Revelation, from promise to fulfillment, from seed to harvest, from Firstfruits to fullness, the purpose of God continues advancing until all things find their completion in Christ.
“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” — Romans 11:36
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES BY CHAPTER
Introduction
Revelation 12:1-5
Ephesians 1:4-10
Romans 8:28-29
Colossians 1:26-27
Revelation 1:1
Chapter 1 — The Great Sign Appearing in Heaven
Revelation 12:1-2
Revelation 1:1
Ephesians 1:4
Ephesians 1:9-10
1 Corinthians 15:20-23
Romans 8:19
Hebrews 2:10
Chapter 2 — The Woman Clothed with the Sun
Revelation 12:1
Malachi 4:2
John 1:4-9
Galatians 3:27
Romans 13:14
Galatians 4:19
2 Corinthians 3:7-18
2 Corinthians 11:2
Chapter 3 — The Moon Under Her Feet
Revelation 12:1
Hebrews 10:1
Colossians 2:16-17
John 5:39
1 Corinthians 13:11
Galatians 3:24
Romans 10:4
Chapter 4 — The Virgin Church and the Seed of Sonship
Luke 1:34-35
Isaiah 7:14
2 Corinthians 11:2
Galatians 3:16
Genesis 3:15
John 3:6
James 1:18
Chapter 5 — The Woman and the Man-Child: The Travail Before the Birth
Revelation 12:2
Romans 8:19-23
Isaiah 66:7-8
Galatians 4:19
John 16:21
Micah 4:10
Hebrews 12:22-23
Chapter 6 — The Woman and the Man-Child: Every Harvest Begins with Firstfruits
1 Corinthians 15:20-23
Colossians 1:18
James 1:18
Romans 8:19
Leviticus 23:10-11
Proverbs 3:9
Revelation 14:4
Chapter 7 — The Woman and the Man-Child: The Birth of the Man-Child
Revelation 12:5
Ephesians 4:13
Hebrews 2:10
Romans 8:14
Romans 8:19
Romans 8:29
Isaiah 66:7
Psalm 2:7-9
Chapter 8 — The Woman and the Man-Child: Pentecost, Tabernacles, and the Fullness of Christ
Acts 2:1-4
Ephesians 4:11-13
Ephesians 1:14
John 7:37-39
Proverbs 4:18
Mark 4:26-29
Isaiah 9:7
Leviticus 23:15-17
Leviticus 23:39-43
Chapter 9 — The Woman and the Man-Child: The Man-Child and the Throne
Revelation 12:5
Revelation 4:2
Romans 8:17
Psalm 2:6-9
Revelation 3:21
Hebrews 1:8
Ephesians 2:6
Daniel 7:27
Chapter 10 — The Woman and the Man-Child: God’s Purpose in This Age
Romans 8:28-29
Ephesians 1:9-10
Colossians 1:26-27
Romans 11:36
Hebrews 6:1
Philippians 3:20-21
1 Corinthians 15:23-28
Revelation 12:1-5
Revelation 21:5
Ephesians 3:11
