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And so should you if scriopture matters to you. Apocalypse 12:

I was wondering when that would come up. I just started trying to study Revelation (lots of symbolism!) and noticed a couple of things in chapter 12.

Rev. 12:2 "Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth."

If we were to believe you church's teachings this can't be Mary because you believe she did not suffer any pain during childbirth, as stated so many times on this thread!

Rev. 12:5-6 "She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and his Throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days."

In this passage the woman flees to a sanctuary After the ascension of the child and hides there for a term that is equal to the second half of the tribulation. Looking at this I think the more obvious understanding of the passage is the woman represents Israel.

I was wondering when that would come up. I just started trying to study Revelation (lots of symbolism!) and noticed a couple of things in chapter 12. Rev. 12:2 "Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth...Rev 12 5:6 ""She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and his Throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness..."

Interesting find, wmfights. Any comments from the Orthodox/Catholic side?

FYI, the Orthodox Church never quotes from the revelation of John as it is the only book that is never read in the Divine Liturgy.

It is a historical fact that the Greek side of the Church had the most difficulty accepting John's Revelation as canonical. It did not accept the Apocalypse of John for almost 900 years after Christ. In the 9th century, it was still listed along with the "disputed" books in Constantinople.

this can't be Mary because you believe she did not suffer any pain during childbirth

the woman in Apocalypse 12 is Mary because she is identified as the mother of Christ (vv 2 and 10). Rather, this passage is an argument for Mary actually suffering the labor pains. The idea that she did not is popular piety and is not dogmatic. It is also possible to read the reference to pains as her participation in the labors of the entire Jewish nation and not physiological pain.

the woman flees to a sanctuary After the ascension of the child and hides there

Mary did flee to Ephesus, tradition tells us. It is also possible to see the Church in hiding in this passage. The reference to Israel is more clear in the birth pains, discussed earlier.

Rev. 12:2 "Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth."

If we were to believe your church's teachings this can't be Mary because you believe she did not suffer any pain during childbirth, as stated so many times on this thread!

Bravo, WM! Outstanding point.