The Bride of Yeshua in the Wilderness
Who is the woman that is mentioned in Revelation 12 that is taken into the wilderness for three-and-one-half years (Rev 12:14), which occurs just before the second coming of Yeshua? I believe that is a reference to the end times saints who are the bride of Yeshua. (Not all saints are the bride of Yeshua. Some are foolish virgins [Matt 25:1–13], or lukewarm believers who will have to go through fiery trials to become approved of YHVH [Rev 3:14–21]. Some are still rebels in respect to his Torah [Ezek 20:37]. The end times bride will be Torah submissive [see Rev 12:17; 14:12].) Let’s explore some answers to this question.
When the Scriptures speaks of the wilderness (Heb. midbar), it is referring to anywhere outside of the land of Israel.
Ezekiel 20:33–41 says that YHVH will bring the house of Israel out of their captive nations with an outstretched arm and with fury poured out (in a time of YHVH’s judgments) (vv. 33–34, as when he brought them out of Egypt). YHVH will bring his people into “a wilderness of the people.” This could be a literal wilderness as with the children of Israel, or a spiritual wilderness in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation in which Israel is called to live and be a light. There he will plead with Israel face-to-face like he did in the wilderness of Sinai (vv. 35–36). This seems to be another reference to the second exodus (v. 36). In that wilderness, YHVH will purge out those who are rebels and those who transgress (or sin; i.e., violate his Torah, see 1 John 3:4) against YHVH (v. 38). This YHVH did with ancient Israel for 40 years. During this time of testing and purging, the house of Israel will not be returning to the land of Israel (v. 38) until they have put away their idols (v. 40), then all the house of Israel will be acceptable to YHVH and will serve him on his holy mountain (v. 40–41). Israel not to return until they loath their spiritual pollution (v. 42-44). Continue reading