Methodius
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Pope Pius XII approvingly wrote:
“Moreover, the scholastic Doctors have recognized the Assumption of the Virgin Mother of God as something signified, not only in various figures of the Old Testament, but also in that woman clothed with the sun whom John the Apostle contemplated on the Island of Patmos.” (Munificentissimus Deus)**
Roman Catholics often claim that the woman in Revelation 12 is Mary, even though the latter part of the chapter speaks about events, including events of the end times, which didn’t occur during Mary’s life. Even if we view the woman as Mary, the passage doesn’t logically lead to the Assumption of Mary, a doctrine for which the passage is often cited.
The church father Methodius says that the woman is the church, not Mary. He refers to the correct view of the woman, so he doesn’t seem to have thought that there were multiple correct interpretations. Apparently, he thought it would be incorrect to view the woman as Mary:
“The woman who appeared in heaven clothed with the sun, and crowned with twelve stars, and having the moon for her footstool, and being with child, and travailing in birth, is certainly, according to the accurate interpretation, our mother, O virgins, being a power by herself distinct from her children; whom the prophets, according to the aspect of their subjects, have called sometimes Jerusalem, sometimes a Bride, sometimes Mount Zion, and sometimes the Temple and Tabernacle of God. For she is the power which is desired to give light in the prophet, the Spirit crying to her: ‘Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see; all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.’ It is the Church whose children shall come to her with all speed after the resurrection, running to her from all quarters.” (The Banquet of the Ten Virgins, Discourse 8:5)
Not only did Methodius not view the woman as Mary, but he didn’t even think that the child is Christ. He describes the child in Revelation 12 as the people who are regenerated in baptism through the work of the church. He argues against those who think the child is Christ:
“The Church, then, stands upon our faith and adoption, under the figure of the moon, until the fulness of the nations come in, labouring and bringing forth natural men as spiritual men; for which reason too she is a mother. For just as a woman receiving tim unformed seed of a man, within a certain time brings forth a perfect man, in the same way, one should say, does the Church conceive those who flee to the Word, and, forming them according to the likeness and form of Christ, after a certain time produce them as citizens of that blessed state. Whence it is necessary that she should stand upon the laver, bringing forth those who are washed in it…If any one, for there is no difficulty in speaking distinctly, should be vexed, and reply to what we have said: ‘But how, O virgins, can this explanation seem to you to be according to the mind of Scripture, when the Apocalypse plainly defines that the Church brings forth a male, while you teach that her labour-pains have their fulfilment in those who are washed in the laver?’ We will answer, But, O faultfinder, not even to you will it be possible to show that Christ Himself is the one who is born. For long before the Apocalypse, the mystery of the Incarnation of the Word was fulfilled. And John speaks concerning things present and things to come. But Christ, long ago conceived, was not caught up to the throne of God when He was brought forth, from fear of the serpent injuring Him. But for this was He begotten, and Himself came down from the throne of the Father, that He should remain and subdue the dragon who made an assault upon the flesh. So that you also must confess that the Church labours and gives birth to those who are baptized.” (The Banquet of the Ten Virgins, Discourse 8:6-7)
Methodius disagreed with Pope Pius XII and Roman Catholicism’s modern apologists.
Now, can you show me where it has come true? A prophecy has to come true at one specific point in time. To say, “well people over the years have loved Mary (therefore Christ as you reason) more means the prophecy was true” would be wrong. Prophecies have to have an objective, verifiable time of when they come true and saying alot of people will love God is no prophecy, especially when the Bible declares that the love of many will wax cold. Unless we’re “not” in the end times?
I will grant that it could be Mary, but I don’t believe it. I believe it is Israel/the Church.