The description of this woman indicates that John has in mind the transition from God’s people, Israel, in the Old Testament to His church in the New Testament.

1. The woman is “clothed with the sun.” This suggests a church shining like the noonday sun, because of being clothed with Christ’s glorious presence. Jesus, “the light of the world” (John 8:12), shines through the members of His church, and they in turn become “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).

2. The woman has “the moon under her feet.” The moon represents the reflected light of the gospel in the sacrifices and ceremonies of God’s people in the Old Testament. The moon being “under her feet” suggests that the reflected light of the Gospel of the Old Testament has been superseded by the reality of Christ’s life, ministry, death, and resurrection.

3. The woman has “a crown of twelve stars on her head.” Stars fittingly represent the twelve apostles, men of noble character whose testimony about Jesus shines brilliantly to this very day.

Clearly, John is describing the transition from God’s Old Testament people to the Christian church of the New Testament that Jesus established.

The sun, moon, and stars—used to describe the characteristics of this woman—emphasize the light-giving ministry of the Christian church, and its primary role of sharing the Good News.