The Woman & the Dragon

Chapter 12 of Revelation is a cosmic picture of the fulfillment of God’s plan for our salvation, first revealed in Genesis 3:15 in regard to the woman and her offspring.  The New Eve labors in pain (see Gen. 3:16) giving birth to Jesus Christ the Son of God (Rev. 12:5), and to all children of God we see referenced at the end of this chapter, Rev. 12:17.

“She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.” (Rev. 12:2)

The Book of the Prophet Isaiah, chapter 66 prepares us for this great event. We begin to realize that even though we suffer labor pains with our Mother Mary to be reunited with almighty God, it is already accomplished in God’s eyes.

King David wanted to build a temple for the Lord, and his son Solomon was charged with the task. As magnificent as the Temple must have been, eventually it becomes clear that only our Lord can build a true and eternal dwelling place, beginning with the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the New Eve.

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption. As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Gal 4:4-6)

With Mary as his mother, the Son of God then became Man, known in Sacred Scripture as the Incarnation, “And the Word became flesh” (Jn 1:14), the Body of Christ, with Jesus Christ as the head and God’s children as the body. St. Augustine reflected on Psalm 126, and insightfully connects two walls, the Jews and the Gentiles, built upon our Lord Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of the new and eternal Temple.

“We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.” (Rom 8:22-23)