Revelation 12:1 And a great sign was seen in the heaven,
Catholics think that John would not have recognized Mary? The importance of Mary and the "queen of heaven" concept to the Catholic faith and they have to rely on one verse where John, the person Mary was living with, and he doesn't even take the opportunity to identify her? Really? It was a sign and we can go back to the Old Testament to begin to understand who that sign is referring to.
Isaiah 54:6 For the LORD has called you, Like a wife (woman) forsaken and grieved in spirit, Even like a wife (woman) of one's youth when she is rejected," Says your God. 7 For a brief moment I forsook you, But with great compassion I will gather you. 8 In an outburst of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, But with everlasting lovingkindness I will have compassion on you," Says the LORD your Redeemer.…
The Hebrew word used that has been translated "wife" in that verse is translated woman, wife, or female. The Greek word in Revelation translated "woman" means woman or wife. The "woman" in Revelation is the same "woman" as in Isaiah 54.
>>The book of Revelation is the catholic mass liturgy taking place in heaven<<
No, the book of Revelation is the description of the last seven years of the prophecy of Daniel and the end of this age.
>>Modern Protestants try to explain Revelation as geopolitical, etc., but they do not get it and never will.<<
Catholics will never understand Revelation because they have been taught that the "church" has superseded the nation of Israel which is a total corruption of scripture.
>>So please stop attempting to explain Catholicism as a non Catholic because you ARE NOT one and there are massive blind spots in your thinking;<<
I don't try to explain Catholicism but only point out their own published and stated beliefs that are contrary to scripture.
>>it comes across as mean spirited and unChristian - maybe you do not realize this?<<
If Catholics find posting scripture pointing out their errors is mean spirited so be it. I will continue to contend for the truth of scripture.
Catholicism consists of mostly pagan rituals and beliefs.
Thank you for this question. I remember when I was new to Revelation, and even upon hearing it taught that it was Mary and Jesus, thought it quite odd. One has to wonder why John, a contemporary of Mary, and someone who would have immediately recognized her, failed to identify Mary by name? There is no question in my mind if John had seen Mary, he would have identified her. The same goes for the man child. Why would John not immediately identify this person as Jesus? He certainly would have recognized him as he was with him on Earth, saw him glorified at the Transfiguration, and met with him after Jesus' resurrection. The truth is this was a sign/wonder representing a summary of the past, as well as the future events at mid-tribulation.
John takes you back to the beginning of time and shows you the spiritual battle of the devil against God's chosen people who would produce the Word, Jesus. Note that the dragon "stands" continually seeking to devour - Joseph, the male children of Israel born in Egypt, Haman's plot in Esther, while Jesus was alive (Bethlehem, the temptation, the many attempts on his life), the fall of Jerusalem and dispersion of the Jews among the nations, the pogroms, persecution, the holocaust, and the coming tribulation.
Mary is NEVER described in scripture in such terms, but there is a description in the Old Testament that sounds familiar to Revelation 12:7 - Jacob/Israel's family.
Genesis 37:9 (KJV)
9 And he (Joseph) dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
And in another place, a pretty interesting parallel verse to what we see in Revelation 12.
Isaiah 66:7-8 (KJV) 7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. 8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
Catholics will never understand Revelation because they have been taught that the "church" has superseded the nation of Israel which is a total corruption of scripture.
I think that error has filtered into a few denominations. The Christian college I attended my freshman year was teaching some interesting things concerning Revelation. The moment you start trying to force the Church into Revelation, you end up in the proverbial religious ditch. And you rob Israel of their proper place in prophecy.