Revelation 12:1–2: A Pregnant Woman in Heaven
Welcome to the Unveiling Jesus Christ Newsletter!
Last week, we explored the events surrounding Lucifer’s fall and the beginning of the physical creation. This week, we turn to John’s vision in Revelation 12, where a pregnant woman in heaven reveals the organization of the premortal church and the rebellion of Lucifer.
A Great Sign in Heaven
In the last verse of Revelation 11, John saw the ark of the covenant in heaven as a symbol of Christ at his Second Coming (Revelation 11:19). In the first verse of Revelation 12, John had another vision of heaven, but this vision takes us back in time to the premortal grand council in heaven on Kolob. In this vision from the premortal past:
| “There appeared a great sign in heaven, in the likeness of things on the earth.” JST Revelation 12:1 |
John describes the woman as a great sign (Greek: sēmeion mega), meaning she symbolized an object of superior importance.
The great sign of the woman symbolizes the premortal church of God, which the Father organized during the grand council in heaven on Kolob (JST Revelation 12:7). William Burkitt identified her as such in his 1703 Bible Commentary, saying:
“This woman, the church, is said to appear in heaven, having her original from heaven.” — William Burkitt, Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament (Rev. 12:1), 1703 |
Joseph Fielding McConkie said:
“Presumably the tutelage for [Eve’s] earthly mission came not only through the family but also through the premortal Church, for it is reasonable to assume such an organization existed in the premortal life.” — Joseph Fielding McConkie, The Man Adam, pp. 89, 110 |
Joseph Fielding Smith confirmed this, saying:
“With regard to the holding of the priesthood in the premortal existence, I will say, that there was an organization there just as well as an organization here.” — Joseph Fielding Smith, Conference Report, October 1966, p. 84 |
The Premortal Church of the Devil
At the same time the Father organized the premortal church of God on Kolob, Lucifer rebelled and organized the premortal church of the devil.
“To know what is meant by the church of the devil, we must also know that Satan stands in opposition to God; that he sought to change the Father's plan of salvation so as to force salvation upon all mankind; that his offer was rejected; that he then rebelled and led one-third of the hosts of heaven in a war against God…. There was thus a church of the devil in pre-existence.” — Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Vol. 3, p. 547 |
The establishment of the premortal church of God during the grand council was concurrent with the establishment of the premortal church of the devil, for Joseph Smith taught that the devil “always sets up his kingdom” in opposition to the kingdom of God.
“Always sets up his kingdom” in opposition to the kingdom of God. — Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 365 |
The Woman in Heaven Travailed in Birth
In Revelation 12:2, the woman representing the premortal church of God was pregnant and:
| “She being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.” Revelation 12:2 |
This symbolizes Lucifer’s rebellion during the grand council that caused much pain to the premortal church. When Lucifer rebelled the woman cried, which is to say:
| “The heavens wept over him.” Doctrine and Covenants 76:27 |
The pregnant woman (premortal church) metaphorically gave birth to a man child in Revelation 12:5, who represents Jesus Christ. This metaphorical birth symbolically depicts the membership of the premortal church voting to sustain and support Jehovah (Jesus Christ) as Creator, Redeemer, and head of the church and government of God by their sustaining vote. By the sustaining vote of the premortal church, Christ ruled in heaven with a rod of iron in the likeness of his future rule on earth at the Second Coming.
Learn More
For a deeper dive into the premortal church and its many earthly likenesses, check out my podcasts from:
🎧 October 19, 2025 – Click here to listen.
🎧 October 21, 2025 – Click here to listen.
…and read sections 194 and 195 in my book Unveiling Jesus Christ at UnveilingJesusChrist.com.
John Cassinat
Unveiling Jesus Christ
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