The recap focuses on the "woman" who represents the nation of Israel with its twelve tribes. When God came to earth in flesh, His "human" birth was through His chosen people, as promised (in the Abrahamic covenant), in order to bless all nations...
(Revelation 12:1-2) A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; 2 and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.
The dragon represents Satan. His tail sweeping away a third of the stars most likely means that when Satan fell, he took with him about a third of the angels. Because Satan's desire is to battle and do away with God, their attacks are mostly against God's chosen people. So when Jesus came to earth (100 % God and 100 % man), Satan thought this was his chance to kill God...
(Revelation 12:3-4) Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. 4 And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.
When Jesus presented Himself to Israel as their Messiah, He could have ushered in the Millennial kingdom right then had Israel accepted Him as their King (according to both the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants), but - as prophesied - was rejected, crucified and rose again to have victory over death. So right after His work on the cross was completed, He ascended to heaven to wait a while...
(Revelation 12:5) And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne.
The allegory jumps right from Jesus' ascension to a scene in the Tribulation (since the Church Age does not have much to do with Israel's story). In the second half of the Tribulation, the believing Israelites (and perhaps other believers) are going to hide in the wilderness where God will protect them. God also seals the 144,000 (Israelites) so as to guarantee some living souls to enter the Millennium where their covenants will be fulfilled as promised...
(Revelation 12:6) Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
Today's takeaway: Jesus already has the victory over Satan and death, so it is Jesus we should look to for protection and strength...
(1 Peter 5:6-11) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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