In Revelation 12, the nation of Israel is symbolically depicted as a Woman clothed with the sun and moon, wearing a crown of stars, confirming her identity through ties to Joseph's dream in Genesis 37. This Woman, Israel, is about to give birth, and her Child, identified as the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is the target of the great red dragon, satan, who seeks to destroy Him. The Woman who bore Christ flees to a place prepared by God, remaining unconverted throughout the early verses of the chapter. Later, in verse 17, the remnant of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus Christ, are distinguished from her, indicating the church. Israel, as the Woman, faces persecution from the dragon, who continues to target her even as she is given wings of a great eagle to escape to her place. The church, identified as her offspring, experiences persecution within Israel before the Woman flees, showing they are in different locations by the time of these events. Biblical examples from the Old Testament, such as Ezekiel 16 and Isaiah 47, support the symbolism of a woman as a city or nation, often of vile character, rather than consistently representing a church.

The symbol of a woman in biblical prophecy often requires careful interpretation within its specific context. Overwhelmingly, in Scripture, a woman symbolizes a physical city or nation rather than a church. However, this does not preclude the possibility that a woman can represent a church in certain instances, provided the context supports such an interpretation. For example, in Revelation 12:1-5, the woman is identified as Israel, giving birth to the Child who will rule all nations, clearly pointing to the historical nation of Israel. Yet, in Revelation 12:6, this same woman appears to transform into the church, the Israel of God, fleeing to the wilderness. This shift raises questions about the consistency of the symbol's meaning without a clear change in context. These examples underscore the need for honesty and precision in interpreting the woman symbol, ensuring that conclusions align with the immediate scriptural context.

God reveals a striking vision in Revelation 17, portraying a woman as a symbol of a great false church that exerts immense influence over the world. This woman, depicted as a harlot, sits upon the revivals of the Roman Empire, controlling millions through her idolatry and making the whole world drunk with the wine of her fornication. Her worldwide dominance is evident as she manipulates kings and emperors to fulfill her ungodly desires, showcasing her power over nations and peoples of every language. The angel in Revelation 17:18 identifies this woman as the great city that reigns over the kings of the earth, highlighting her central role in global affairs. Her wealth and luxury, symbolized by adornments of gold, precious stones, and pearls, further emphasize her identity as a rich and powerful entity. Ultimately, God declares that this false church will face destruction, as the ten horns on the beast will turn against her, making her desolate and burning her with fire, fulfilling the divine judgment upon her actions.

The biblical imagery in Isaiah 4:1-6 portrays the churches of God as seven women who, in desperation, take hold of one man, likely the leader of the Two Witnesses, typed by Zerubbabel. This remnant church is motivated to join in the Witnesses' work, which God stirs and empowers to rebuild the spiritual Temple. Additionally, Isaiah 41:19 depicts the churches as seven major trees planted in the wilderness, symbolizing their restoration and presence in a desolate spiritual landscape, amidst warnings and encouragements to be of good courage and to work, as echoed in Haggai 2:4-5. These passages suggest that, as this age draws to a close, God will prepare a table in the wilderness of this world for His church, setting the stage for a remnant to represent Him before the end-time world.

In the narrative of II Kings 4:8-37, the Shunammite woman emerges as a significant figure, embodying the church as a whole. Described as notable, her piety is evident as she provides for the prophet Elisha by setting aside a room for him and caring for his needs whenever he visits Shunem. Her actions reflect a deep devotion, paralleling the role of the church in supporting and nurturing God's servants. Her miraculously born son, representing the individual Christian, further ties her symbolic role to the broader spiritual community, illustrating the church's responsibility to its members. Through her story, subtle parallels are drawn to modern circumstances, offering pointed lessons for Christians today amidst their struggles in a contrary culture.

The church of God is distinguished from other churches by its adherence to the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. This adherence is what separates the church of God from others, as it keeps every commandment it understands, not limiting itself to just the Ten Commandments. The church's responsibility includes preaching the gospel to the world and further refining and magnifying that message for the benefit of its members, preparing them for life in the Kingdom. Each member of the church is gifted by Christ to serve in various functions to God and fellow members, contributing to the church's mission and progress.