Cynical Bear:
Actually, I have answered it and my answer is fully supported by references to the orthodox Church Fathers going back to the 2nd century. Your position is well “your position” or one based on an interpretation that Pastor Bubba Bob Jones made at the First Fundie Church of somewhere.
Revelation 12 does point to Mary as from a literal interpretation perpsective, she was the won who gave birth to Christ. The Catholic Church along with the Eastern Orthodox Church have always used the 4 sense of Scripture method [Literal, Allegorical, with is then divided into the spiritual, moral and anagogical sense of scripture] and Typology, OT points to the NT and NT unlocks the Old [following St. Augustine].
So as the Navare Catholic Commentary notes, The Woman is depicted by features that can apply to Israel, the Blessed Virgin and the CHurch. The passage becomes more clearer and more meaningful in light of Revelation as a whole. For example, ST. Luke, in his account of the annunication, sees Mary as representing the faithful remant of Isael; the angel salutes here with the greeting given Zephaniah 3:14-15 to the daughter of Zion. So here this an allegorical connection to Mary supported by the text.
The Navare Commentary goes on to say that a direct reference to Mary is also supported as she as a Mother, shares the pain of Calvary [Luke 2:35] and who was also prophesied in Isiah 7:14 as a sign [cf. Mt 1:22-23]. St Paul in Galatians 4:26 sees in a woman Sarah, an allegorical reference to the Church our mother.
Another reference to Mary being the Woman is described in the Ignatius Catholic Commentary on this passage, Revelation 12:1-6 describes a woman wearing a Crown indicating a Queen Mother who bears a royal male child; thus a Queen Mother of a Davidic Kingdom reestablished by Christ, who is from the line of David and the Eternal King of Glory [cf 1 Kings 2:19-20; Jer 13:18].
Finally, you bait and switch alot in your post. The issue was Assumption of Mary, not the issue of Veneration which is to show Honor towards something or some person.
Zephaniah 3: 14-15 is talking about Israel during and after the Tribulation. No reference to Mary can be inferred. The “church” did not replace Israel.
Galatians 4:26 is once again not about Mary.
The tortured injection of meaning into scripture by the RCC is painful to observe. Allegory carried to an extreme is dangerous and the RCC certainly does that. >> Another reference to Mary being the Woman is described in the Ignatius Catholic Commentary on this passage, Revelation 12:1-6 describes a woman wearing a Crown indicating a Queen Mother who bears a royal male child; thus a Queen Mother of a Davidic Kingdom reestablished by Christ, who is from the line of David and the Eternal King of Glory [cf 1 Kings 2:19-20; Jer 13:18].<<
Revelation 12 in no way can be referencing Mary unless she is to come down to earth again to be tortured. Giving double meaning doesn’t work.
>> Finally, you bait and switch alot in your post. The issue was Assumption of Mary, not the issue of Veneration which is to show Honor towards something or some person.<<
It all ties together. All adoration and honor belong to Christ.