What does Revelation 12:1 mean?

John tells us in this verse that a sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun. She is the first of seven key figures described in this part of Revelation. The moon was under her feet, and she wore a crown of twelve stars on her head. This sign was and is the first of several signs to come: Revelation 12:3; 13:13–14; 15:1; 16:14; and 18:20. Although the sign of the woman appears in heaven, the events that ensue take place on earth.

The woman symbolizes Israel. Genesis 37 tells us Joseph, Jacob's favored son, had a dream in which Jacob's other sons and his parents bowed down to him. When he told his father Jacob about the dream, his father immediately applied the imagery. The sun and moon were Joseph's father and mother, Jacob—also named Israel—and Rachel. Joseph's brothers were the eleven stars. The crown on the woman's head probably signifies that Christ's future kingdom will center in Israel. Although Joseph's brothers bowed down to him in Egypt (Genesis 42:6), someday restored Israel will bow down to Jesus, who is far greater than Joseph.

This symbolic woman's status as Israel will be confirmed later in the passage, as her future-ruling offspring is opposed by "a great red dragon."