A Dispute About the Woman in Revelation 12 in Christian Theology
While reading through various commentaries from Matthew Henry, John Gill, John Macarthur, D. James Kennedy, Robert Charles Sproul, and Vernon McGee's "Through the Bible" but as said, these are mere men and they can make mistakes. In fact, there was a dispute about the woman in Revelation 12, then again this isn't a cause for division because these commentators I've studied all agree with the essential soteriology to which the woman in Revelation 12 is interpreted as follows and remember Revelation does not only predict the future but it also somehow gives a review of past events to how they link towards the future.:
1.) Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus
Now here's the reason why I think some Christians believe Mary is the woman even if they are not engaged in Mary worship. If you think about the woman who is carrying the chosen child, one can only think of Mary the mother of Jesus even if one doesn't buy the heresy that she was sinless (even if some of them have unfortunately bought the heresy she remained a virgin all her life). Remember Mary was at risk when she was pregnant with Jesus because people would have spread the controversy she was unchaste, but fortunately her fiance Joseph protected her. Mary had a great ordeal and since she was a sinner saved by grace, she still needed to offer a sin offering. Some say Mary was in constant danger which makes some Christian authors to think she is the woman and that the sun, moon and stars are represented to herald the coming of the Messiah, not the woman or that when the woman was kept safe, it could be a reference back to when Herod the Great tried to kill the child but failed.
2.) The Church of all ages
Some great expositors like John Gill and Charles H. Spurgeon taught that the Church of all ages (which may refer to Acts 7:38). Spurgeon in his sermon "How they Conquered the Dragon" shows it as the Church of all ages. Gill in his exposition of Revelation 12 also mentions for verse 5 of Revelation 12 (to which he also has erroneously called Constantine a Christian emperor when in fact, he wasn't) saying that the man child is not Christ literally and personally considered. But seldom, even great expositors tend to forget that Revelation shows all three views- past, present, and future. That is there is the preterist view, the historicistic view, and the futuristic view of the Book of Revelation. This however for me is pretty confusing to associate the woman with the Church of all ages.
3.) Israel- this is the interpretation I side with in the study of prophecy
Israel seems to be the most valid conclusion. I for one uphold that Israel not Mary nor the Church of all ages is the woman.
The late Vernon McGee disagreed even with Spurgeon, Gill, and Henry on this matter when he mentioned in his lecture on Revelation 12 in "Thru the Bible Commentary" that the woman is more likely Israel because of the sun, the moon and the stars in Genesis 37:9-10 from Joseph's dream which really shows how Israel is the woman. In the same lecture, he also stated that travailing in birth associated with Israel though some may also say that it was associated with Mary (even to those who reject the idolatrous notions about her).
John F. Macarthur mentions in "A Jet Tour Through Revelation" saying, "Chapter 12 goes back to pick up some more details before we get to the final seven bowls. And it describes Satan's incessant persecution of Israel and the Messiah and the people of God. It talks about how he has always warred against God's people. The woman in this chapter is Israel, the child is Christ, the dragon is Satan. And the dragon has always been after the child born of the woman. And he has fought in the past and he'll fight in the future. Verse 7 says Satan's demons and Michael and his angels are going to have war in heaven. Guess who will win. Super angel Michael and his angels will win. They'll throw, verse 9, the end says, cast out into the earth all the demons." In fact, one must remember as said, Revelation also reviews past events. You cannot separate historical view and futurist view in studying prophecy, they always go together.
But as far as concerned, remember the Dragon wants to prevent the birth of the woman and the woman was attacked by the Dragon, with the flood and everything and Israel has always been attacked so severely. Not even Mary the earthly mother of Jesus was that attacked. That's' why I think the woman could only be Israel.