Pope Says Mary Is the Woman in Revelation
[Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "Pope Benedict XVI
reflected on the biblical description of a "woman clothed with the sun" in his
remarks at Rome's Spanish Steps on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. "It
represents the Church and Our Lady," the Pope said before the statue
commemorating Mary's Immaculate Conception. The 12th chapter of Revelation
describes "a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on
her head a crown of twelve stars." The pope said, "Besides representing Our
Lady, this sign personifies the Church...which is pregnant, in the sense that
she carries Christ" and "must give birth to him to the world." He explained,
"While sinless herself, Mary remains in solidarity with the Church struggling
against sin. That is why the people of God turn to their heavenly mother and ask
for her help..." Link:
Pope highlights Mary's role as 'woman of the apocalypse'
[Mike Gendron's comment] "The woman in
Revelation 12:1 has
historically been identified as Israel. She is "clothed with the sun, and the
moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." When we interpret
Scripture with Scripture, we see in
Genesis 37:9-11, the sun
refers to Jacob, the moon represents Rachel, Jacob's wife and the matriarch of
the 12 tribes of Israel. The 12 stars refer to the sons of Jacob and thus, the
12 tribes of Israel."
Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "So do I."
Israel is Israel.
Replacement theology is false.
Chrysostom--not a Jew.
See:
What is replacement theology / supersessionism?
Response to comment [from a Christian]: "An extremely compelling case is made here that indeed the woman clothed with the sun is Mary..."
No.
See:
Re 12:1-2
Response to comment [from a Christian]: "Replacement theology is probably the second most evil theology there is today."
Yep. What is the first? Don't give me Keyser Söze.
"Calvinism..."
Replacement theology leads to anti-Semitism. Calvinism leads to apathy. We fight the world, the flesh and the devil--in summary--the devil (Eph 6:12).
"Well, we should be nice to Semites, shouldn't we? Persians, too. And, Negros. And, let's not forget about those Asians, either."
We share the gospel with everyone (Ac 17:26, Mk 16:15). Leftists (Eccl 10:2) divide.
"My own problem is in losing confidence in Jesus because of my lost confidence in the church."
We may shake on the rock but the rock is never shaken (Ps 62:2).
Response to comment [from a Christian]: "The Star of Bethlehem"
"This could not have been a supernova or a conjunction
of planets, as some modern theories suggest, because of the way the star moved
and settled over one place (cf. v. 9). It is more likely a supernatural reality
similar to the Shekinah that guided the Israelites in the days of Moses (Ex.
13:21)." MacArthur, John Jr: The MacArthur
Study Bible. electronic ed. Nashville : Word Pub., 1997, c1997, S.
Mt 2:2
See:
What was the star of Bethlehem?
What is the Shekinah glory? Was the Shekinah glory a visible manifestation of
God's presence?
