Question:
What did the twelve stars on the crown represent? What did the seven crowns on the red dragon heads represent? I am doing a study on crowns and am unable to get answers to these questions.
Answer:
Thanks for asking a good question. The twelve stars on the crown in Revelation 12:1 represent the twelve tribes of Israel. We can see that from what it says about the woman. Verse 2 says that she was travailing in birth. Verse 3 says that the dragon (which verse 9 says is the Devil and Satan) is ready to devour the woman’s child as soon as it is born (verse 4). Verse 5 makes it clear that the birth is referring to the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, because He is the One who will rule with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15,16).
We see here the mighty battle that was taking place behind the scenes when Jesus was born. Satan was doing everything in his power to kill the Lord Jesus as soon as He was born. But Jesus did not die until it was the right time, when He died for our sins (Holy Bible, I Corinthians 15:1-4). Then He was caught up to the Father, and to His throne (verse 5).
Verse 6 lets us know that the “woman” does not just refer to Mary, but to the nation of Israel as well, because it was of the Jewish nation that Jesus came, and this verse shows God’s protection over not only Mary, but over His people, Israel, who have been so persecuted.
Matthew 19:28 tells us that the twelve apostles are going to be over the twelve tribes of Israel in the end. “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, YE ALSO SHALL SIT UPON TWELVE THRONES, JUDGING THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL.”
What about us? Is there no reward left? Are they all taken? This crown having stars upon it reminds us of future rewards for us, as well. “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. AND THEY THAT BE WISE SHALL SHINE as the brightness of the firmament; AND THEY THAT TURN MANY TO RIGHTEOUSNESS AS THE STARS FOR EVER AND EVER” (Holy Bible, Daniel 12:2,3). We can receive the righteousness of Jesus Christ through His shed blood, and then we can spend our lives pointing others to Him. That is one way to shine throughout all of eternity.
As to the dragon’s seven heads and ten horns, and the seven crowns upon the seven heads, I cannot say to what nation and divisions those refer. Some used to say that the ten heads referred to the “Common Market” of Europe, but that number “10” came and went. The crowns obviously refer to the power of 7 people or groups under the control of Satan. Remember, even the apostle Paul could not figure out what everything represented (notice Hebrews 9:5).
I have some questions for you. Have you placed your complete faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to save you and to keep you saved? Are you then striving to live a holy life for Jesus’ sake, and striving to bring others to repentance and faith in Christ? Are you reading the King James Bible every day? If so, you will find the answers to many exciting things in your life!