Re-envisioning the Church through the "Eyes" of the Woman Clothed with the Sun and the Bride in John’s Apocalypse

Abstract

The book of Revelation is dominated by many enig­ma­tic images and symbols that spark a variety of interpretations and speculations. Among these puzzling images, the feminine symbols in the second half of the book are worth noting: the wo­man clothed with the sun in Revelation 12, the whore in Rev­e­lation 17, and the bride in Revelation 21. Their meanings are often debated. Some feminist scholars argue that these images evoke violence towards women and are full of androcentric lan­g­uage. Others, however, by underlining the metaphoric nature of these female symbols, refute this claim. This study aims to pro­vide a fresh interpretation of this debate by looking more closely at the web of John’s metaphors and narrative system and utilizing both historical-critical and narrative approaches. This work argues that these female figures convey positive images of women and inclusivity in the Lamb’s Church. Moreover, the wo­man clothed with the sun and the bride have a vital role in John’s apocalypse. The link between these two metaphors—the transformation of the woman and becoming the bride—offers an important message to contemporary churches, including church­es in Indonesia, in navigating the world and overcoming cris­es.