Several attempts have been made to connect the nativity of Jesus, and more recently, the so-called “Rapture of the Church” to specific datable events in the heavens. In recent decades, several of these efforts have been centered on the... more
Several attempts have been made to connect the nativity of Jesus, and more recently, the so-called “Rapture of the Church” to specific datable events in the heavens. In recent decades, several of these efforts have been centered on the constellation Virgo, the vision of the woman “clothed with the sun” in Revelation 12:1-6, and possible Jewish dates for the conception or birth of Jesus. Some attempts at aligning Revelation 12 with the actual heavens are connected to theories about the Star of Bethlehem. This article presents a partial exegesis of Revelation 12:1-17, as well as Babylonian astronomical concepts, which could call into question some popular conceptions concerning dating the birth of the Messiah. (Updated May 2021)
