As we learned in Lesson 22, Jesus symbolizes His true church (the daughter of Zion) as a pure woman, and the false, apostate churches as a harlot (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:22,23; Isaiah 51:16).

The sun represents Jesus, His gospel, and His righteousness (Psalm 84:11; Malachi 4:2). Without Jesus there is no salvation (Acts 4:12). The moon under her feet represents the Old Testament sacrificial system: as the moon reflects the sun’s light, so the system was helpful only as it reflected light from the coming Messiah (Hebrews 10:1). The crown of twelve stars represents the work of the 12 disciples, which crowned the early years of the New Testament church.

The baby is Jesus. He will one day rule all nations with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:13–15; Psalm 2:7–9; John 1:1–3,14). Jesus, crucified for our sins, rose from the dead and ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9–11). His resurrection power in our lives is one of Jesus’ essential gifts to His people (Philippians 3:10).

The dragon represents Satan, who was cast out of heaven (Revelation 12:7–9) and was working through the pagan Roman Empire at the time of Jesus’ birth. The ruler who tried to kill Jesus at birth was Herod, a king under pagan Rome. He killed all the male babies of Bethlehem, hoping to destroy Jesus (Matthew 2:16).

The seven heads represent the seven hills on which Rome was built (Revelation 17:9,10). The ten horns represent the governments that supported the major powers in oppressing the church; in pagan Rome’s day these were the 10 barbarian tribes that later became modern Europe (Daniel 7:23,24). In the last days they represent all the nations of the world united in the end-time coalition. A third of the stars are the angels who supported Lucifer in his rebellion and were cast out with him (Revelation 12:9; Luke 10:18; Isaiah 14:12).

No longer able to attack Jesus personally, he aimed his fury and persecution at God’s church and His people (Revelation 12:13).

The woman fled into the wilderness, where she was protected for “a time and times and half a time” (1,260 literal years) from the fury of Satan working through papal Rome. The two wings represent God’s protection and support (Exodus 19:4; Deuteronomy 32:11). This is the same period of papal supremacy and persecution (AD 538–1798) repeatedly mentioned in prophecy (a day for a year — Ezekiel 4:6). The “wilderness” refers to the solitary places of earth where God’s people hid and escaped total annihilation (Hebrews 11:37,38). When the church came out of hiding after the 1,260 years, it held the same doctrine as the apostolic church.

It means the last remaining portion. In reference to Jesus’ church, it means His church of the very last days — one based on all of Scripture, as was the apostolic church.

It will keep all Ten Commandments, including the seventh-day Sabbath of the fourth commandment (John 14:15; Revelation 22:14). It will also have the testimony of Jesus, which the Bible says is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). A full explanation of the gift of prophecy is in Lesson 24.

The final two of six points: 5. It will be a worldwide missionary church (Revelation 14:6). 6. It will preach the three angels’ messages (Revelation 14:6–14): God’s judgment is in session — worship the Creator by keeping His Sabbath (Revelation 14:7; Exodus 20:8,11); come out of the fallen churches of Babylon; do not worship the beast or receive his mark (Sunday-keeping in place of the true Sabbath).

Scripture promises that those who seek will find (Matthew 7:7). Jesus hands us these six specifications and says, “Go find My church.” He promises that those who seek for heavenly things will find them.

Jesus gave such distinctive specifications that they fit only one church. Check by the points: a church that (1) did not exist officially between AD 538 and 1798, (2) arose after 1798, (3) keeps the Ten Commandments, including the seventh-day Sabbath, (4) has the gift of prophecy, (5) is a worldwide missionary church, and (6) preaches the three-part message of Revelation 14:6–14. Jesus asks you to take these six specifications and check for yourself — it is easy.

The Bible says God’s people are called into one body — the church (Colossians 3:15). Jesus is the head of the body (Colossians 1:18). He asks those who leave Babylon to join the remnant church. He calls them “My people” in both the Old Testament (Isaiah 58:1) and the New (Revelation 18:4). Of His sheep outside the fold He promises that they will hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:16,27).

We enter Jesus’ remnant church by baptism (1 Corinthians 12:13). Details about baptism are in Lesson 9.

Yes. A. The Bible says there is only one true body, or church (Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:18). B. The Bible says our day is like Noah’s day (Luke 17:26,27). How many ways of escape were there in Noah’s day? Only one — the ark. Today God has provided an “ark” — the church that will take His people safely through earth’s final events. Don’t miss this ark!

A. Its central theme is the everlasting gospel — righteousness by faith in Jesus (Revelation 14:6). B. It is built on Jesus, the Rock (1 Corinthians 3:11; 10:4), and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). C. Jesus died for His church (Ephesians 5:25). D. He describes it plainly so it is easy to identify. E. Its doctrines are all true (1 Timothy 3:15).

They will: A. be saved in His heavenly kingdom (Revelation 15:2); B. overcome the devil by the power and blood of Jesus (Revelation 12:10,11); C. be patient (Revelation 14:12); D. have Jesus’ faith (Revelation 14:12); E. find glorious freedom (John 8:31,32).

Scripture calls us to come into the ark — you and all your household (Genesis 7:1). In Noah’s day, only eight people heeded God’s invitation. Jesus is waiting at the door of His end-time ark — the remnant church — for you.