First of all the woman in Revelation is the nation of Israel. In Joseph's dream the sun, moon, and stars bowed down to Him. Besides, if you think it is Mary then you have to admit she was not without sin. The woman in Revelation "cried out in pain" which is a result of sin.
>>Catholic doctrine is not at variance with Acts 17:11.<<
Of course it is. Paul said they searched the scriptures to see if even what he taught was true. He didn't say they searched tradition. Paul also said if someone taught something they didn't teach that person was to be considered accursed.
>>it does NOT say search the scriptures only.<<
If you want to add to scripture to make up your belief have at it. You might want to research what scripture says about adding to it or taking from it however.
>>The bible does NOT say that oral tradition stopped after parts of the bible were written down.<<
I DOES tell us this.
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Now, stop dancing around and show proof that what they called "oral tradition" is the same as what the Catholic Church teaches as "oral tradition". And please don't give us things that are written in scripture. That's not "oral tradition".
“...woman of St. John is Israel ...”
The woman in Revelation is Mary, now in Heaven. The early Christians ALL knew and understood this. The bible is richly layered with meaning - which you would know since anyone who reads it knows this - and it can also mean Israel too, because Israel “birthed” Jesus as did Mary as well.
The literal meaning (Mary is the woman) is primary, however, as John saw an actual woman, not a metaphorical nation.
The book of Revelation is the catholic mass liturgy taking place in heaven (it is the same as the mass). All of the early Christians understood this as well, since they ALL participated in the liturgy (eucharist) - that was the way to worship - there was no other “service”.
Protestants do not understand Revelation because they are blind to what is being revealed - the heavenly mass taking place in the New Jerusalem. Unless they convert, they never will even if they read it a thousand times. The Protestant attempts to explain Revelation in a geopolitical sense (modern cities, rulers, etc.) fail because they do not understand what is being revealed - the liturgy in heaven.
Of Course! the woman is Mary and The Lamb (Jesus as victim, the sacrificial lamb who has replaced the Temple animals is highly figured) is Jesus as former victim who has now triumphed.
Modern Protestants try to explain Revelation as geopolitical, etc., but they do not get it and never will.
A man will never understand a woman because he ISN’T one, and visa versa. 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; it comes across as mean spirited and unChristian - maybe you do not realize this?
Also - protestants will never understand scripture until they attend a mass and understand the order of the liturgy - the mass (tradition of breaking the bread as instructed in John) predated scripture and continues.