The man-child, which has been interpreted as being applied solely to Christ, is also incomplete, because Christ did not escape death by being raptured, and second, Christ was born 100 years before this prophecy. All prophecy relates to the future and not the past. Certainly, in a general way, there is a parallel here with Israel and Christ in the symbolism of the Woman and the man-child, but it is not the primary fulfillment of this prophecy.
Third, notice in Revelation 12:5-6 that the remnant of the woman’s seed is left behind and flees into the wilderness for 1260 days, which is approximately 3.5 years, the same duration of the Great Tribulation when the Antichrist rules. The expression “the remnant of her offspring” (v. 17) tells us a large number of her seed has been taken away in rapture.
At the end of the church age, some saints are ready for the Lord’s return at the first phase of the His coming, called the rapture. Clearly some are not. Some are taken, and some are left. Some are caught away before the Great Tribulation, and some go through it. The man-child company are those caught up to the throne who are the firstfruits unto God (Rev. 14:4). The remnant of the woman’s seed is those left behind, whom I believe are a part of the great multitude who came out of the Great Tribulation (Rev. 7).
A closer look at another golden clue identifies the time period of this symbolism. The dragon has seven heads and 10 horns. Notice that the horns are not yet crowned, but in Revelation 13:1, they are crowned. What does that mean? Most Bible scholars agree that the 10 horns in this imagery represent the 10 kings who have power only when the Antichrist reigns. This means that he is not yet reigning at the beginning of Revelation 12, but is in Revelation 13:1.
Through this symbolism we can safely determine that the sun-clothed woman and the dragon Satan are portrayed as spiritual enemies throughout the ages with the moment of action marked by the travail, birth and subsequent rapture of the man-child.
This is the glorious rapture of the church for those who are watchful, prayerful, consecrated, and ready—not some far-fetched, scientific, ridiculous theories of astrological constellations. How thrilling a possibility it is to be included in this company! This, and not the other, should be the supreme preoccupation and magnificent obsession of every saint.
