Mary - Revelation 12

[bstricklin]

This is also posted below - I hit the “back” button on my browser too many times and it re-posted. My apologies.

Hello,

I am in the process of learning about the Catholic faith - I went through RCIA last year. I have a question to you all about Mary and Revelation 12.

It seems that most Catholics I talk to and whose books I have read (Hahn) believe that Mary is the woman in Rev. 12 going through pain giving birth to Jesus. Growing up in a Evangelical church, I was taught the woman was Israel. The footnotes in my NAB state that the woman is most likely Israel.

My question is how can this woman be Mary when the Early Church Fathers wrote that Mary suffered no labor pains in giving birth to Jesus because she was full of grace?

Thank you in advance for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[Vincent]

Check out Jimmy Akin’s answer.

 

[Salmon]

Jimmy Akin’s discussion of “polyvalent symbolism” is very important.

All through the Old Testament, for example, the Passover Lamb points to Christ. At the Last Supper, however, Christ does not take a hunk of flesh from the Passover lamb in front of Him and say, “This is my flesh.”

Luke 22:

19: And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Your question is similar to asking, “So, which truly symbolized Christ? The Passover lamb, or the manna in the desert?”

Peace in Christ…Salmon