V.1-6 Christ’s coming to earth was the beginning of God’s great work. So now we read of a woman (Israel) and the child (Christ) born to her. The dragon (Satan) waits for the birth to devour (eat) the child. But the child escapes.
V.6 Refers to present day, when Israel is scattered.
V.7-13 These explain why she (Israel) had to fly. They refer particularly to the last half of the seven years (1,260 days in verse 6) when Satan has been cast down onto the earth.
V.14 “A time” equals 1 year, “times” equal 2 years, “half a time” equals one half a year. This again makes 3½ years. During this time of tribulation, the Lord is protecting the Jewish believers.
V.15-17 “As a flood after the woman” refers to the Gentile nations whom Satan uses to try to destroy Israel during this tribulation period. Satan hates the believers in Israel and turns his fury against them.