And the WOMAN fled into the WILDERNESS where she had a PLACE prepared by God,
While this verse says the WOMAN (Israel) fled into the wilderness, Jesus uses a similar expression "flee to the mountains" in Matthew 24:15-28 and Luke 21:20-24. Some scholars believe this wilderness (mountains) is the ancient city of Petra (today Sela). Cross-reference this passage with Daniel 11:40-41-45 and Isaiah 16:1-5.
Symbolically, the wilderness is a place of trial and much hardship for humans; yet, it is the place of peace and confident rest for God and His people. Recall this PLACE is prepared by God (John 14:1-11, Isaiah 33:13-16).
so that there she might be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
Again, we are amazed by the precision of time down to the day from a God who really knows no time and is eternal. Throughout the Revelation, we see this precise timing....watch for it.
This time period is the GREAT TRIBULATION. If it lasted any longer, all life may disappear (Matthew 24:15-22).
Note also that in the midst of "harsh conditions" in the wilderness, there is nourishment. This was true for the bondwoman, Hagar, in Genesis 16:7-14 and Galatians 4:21-31.
Many scholars believe that during this time the two witnesses (Revelation 11:3-4) speak out, and that this is the same 42 weeks that is given to "the beast" to do his boasting (Revelation 13:5).