Considering Revelation 12 vision of the woman and her male child, in the light of the Book of Enoch vision of the beasts and the male young goat.
In the Book of Enoch, the vision of the beasts, which includes the male young goat or billy goat, presents a symbolic representation of the unfolding history of humanity. The male goat, often linked with power and rebellion in apocalyptic literature, could serve as a distinct figure from the traditional representation of the body of Christ, which is often symbolized by sheep. In Enoch's vision, the male goat may symbolize an external or contrasting force within God's redemptive plan, not necessarily a member of the body of Christ in the conventional sense.
The depiction of the male goat contrasts with the image of the lamb, which is frequently associated with Christ and the faithful in Christian thought. Goats are often used in biblical symbolism to represent those who are separated from the righteous or those who embody opposition, even though they may still be part of God's broader plan in some way. In this context, the male goat might represent an alternative trajectory within God's plan—possibly a figure or force that plays a pivotal role in history or the final judgment, but not aligned with the Christian concept of the body of Christ.
Enoch's portrayal of the goat as a young male suggests a figure of energy and potential, one who might rise to prominence or power, yet without the same association to Christ-like humility or sacrificial leadership symbolized by the lamb. This distinction implies that the male child in Revelation 12, if linked with this Enochian vision, may represent a powerful force or movement that is distinct from the body of Christ. The imagery of the goat, particularly in apocalyptic literature, often conveys a message of authority or rebellion, indicating that this "male child" might be an agent of divine will, but not one that falls under the typical Christian understanding of the body of Christ. Thus, the male child in Revelation 12, when considered alongside Enoch’s vision of the goat, could symbolize a force or power that is part of God's overall plan but operates in a different, perhaps more disruptive, way than the church.
Stephen D Green, with ChatGPT, March 2025
