Revelation 12:16 Study Bible: The earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the serpent spewed out of his mouth.

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◄ Revelation 12:16 ►

But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth to swallow up the river that had poured from the dragon's mouth.

But the earth
In this phrase, "the earth" is depicted as an active participant in the divine narrative. The Greek word for "earth" is "γῆ" (gē), which can refer to the physical land or the world as a whole. In the context of Revelation, the earth often symbolizes the realm of humanity or creation itself. Here, it acts as an instrument of God's providence, suggesting that even the natural world is under divine control and can be used to fulfill God's purposes. This reflects the biblical theme that creation itself longs for redemption and is involved in the cosmic struggle between good and evil (Romans 8:19-22).

helped the woman
The "woman" in Revelation 12 is traditionally interpreted as representing the people of God, often seen as Israel or the Church. The Greek word for "helped" is "βοηθέω" (boētheō), meaning to come to the aid of or to assist. This assistance from the earth signifies divine intervention and protection for God's people amidst persecution. Historically, this can be seen as a reassurance to early Christians facing trials, emphasizing that God provides support and deliverance in times of distress.

and opened its mouth
The imagery of the earth opening its mouth is reminiscent of Old Testament events, such as the earth swallowing Korah and his followers in Numbers 16:32. The phrase suggests a miraculous intervention, where natural elements act in unexpected ways to fulfill God's will. This act of the earth "opening its mouth" symbolizes the swallowing up of threats against God's people, reinforcing the theme of divine protection and the futility of opposing God's plans.

to swallow up the river
The "river" here is symbolic of the flood of persecution and deceit unleashed by the dragon, representing Satan. The Greek word "ποταμός" (potamos) for "river" can also mean a torrent or flood, indicating overwhelming adversity. The act of the earth swallowing the river signifies the nullification of these threats, illustrating that no weapon formed against God's people will prosper (Isaiah 54:17). It serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over chaos and evil.

that had poured from the dragon’s mouth
The "dragon" is a symbol of Satan, the adversary of God and His people. The Greek word "δράκων" (drakōn) is used for "dragon," evoking images of a fierce and formidable enemy. The "mouth" of the dragon represents the source of lies, accusations, and destructive forces. Historically, this reflects the spiritual warfare faced by the early Church, as well as the ongoing battle between truth and deception. The imagery of the river pouring from the dragon's mouth underscores the relentless nature of these attacks, yet the ultimate futility of Satan's efforts against the divine plan.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Woman
Symbolically represents God's people, often interpreted as Israel or the Church. She is depicted as being pursued by the dragon, indicating persecution and spiritual warfare.

2. The Dragon
Represents Satan, the adversary of God and His people. The dragon's actions symbolize attempts to destroy or deceive the faithful.

3. The Earth
Acts as an agent of divine intervention, providing protection to the woman by swallowing the river, which represents the dragon's attack.

4. The River
Symbolizes the flood of persecution or false teachings that the dragon uses to try to overwhelm the woman.

5. Divine Intervention
The event where the earth helps the woman, illustrating God's sovereignty and protection over His people.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty and Protection
God is in control and provides protection for His people, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Spiritual Warfare
Believers are engaged in a spiritual battle, but they are not alone; God intervenes on their behalf.

The Role of Creation
Creation itself can be used by God to fulfill His purposes and protect His people.

Perseverance in Faith
Despite the attacks from the enemy, believers are called to remain steadfast, trusting in God's deliverance.

Symbolism and Reality
Understanding the symbolic language of Revelation helps believers grasp the reality of spiritual truths and God's ultimate victory.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the imagery of the earth helping the woman in Revelation 12:16 encourage you in your personal spiritual battles?

2. In what ways can you see God's protection in your life, similar to how the earth protected the woman?

3. How does understanding the symbolic nature of Revelation help you interpret other challenging passages in the Bible?

4. What practical steps can you take to remain steadfast in faith when facing spiritual attacks or persecution?

5. How can the connection between Revelation 12:16 and other scriptures like Genesis 3:15 and Matthew 16:18 deepen your understanding of God's plan for His people?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 3:15
The enmity between the serpent and the woman, which foreshadows the ongoing spiritual battle between Satan and God's people.

Exodus 15:12
The earth swallowing the enemies of Israel, similar to how the earth helps the woman in Revelation.

Psalm 124:4-5
Describes being overwhelmed by waters, akin to the river from the dragon's mouth, but God provides deliverance.

Isaiah 59:19
When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord lifts a standard against him, paralleling the earth's intervention.

Matthew 16:18
The promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church, reflecting the protection seen in Revelation 12:16.

Sermons

Nature Serving Christianity	D. Thomas, D. D.	Revelation 12:16
Nature Serving Christliness	D. Thomas	Revelation 12:16
Science and the Church	C. S. Robinson, D. D.	Revelation 12:16
The Earth Helps the Woman	W. Wayte Andrew, M. A.	Revelation 12:16
The Help of the Earth	S. Conway, B. A.	Revelation 12:16
War Against the Remnant	Wm. Guild, D. D.	Revelation 12:16
How They Conquered the Dragon	C. H. Spurgeon.	Revelation 12:10-17
Love Triumphant		Revelation 12:10-17
Missionary Conflict and Victory	R. H. Roberts, B. A.	Revelation 12:10-17
Overcoming the Accuser	D. Fraser, D. D.	Revelation 12:10-17
The Accuser of the Brethren	D. Roberts, D. D.	Revelation 12:10-17
The Blood of the Lamb, the Conquering Weapon	C. H. Spurgeon.	Revelation 12:10-17
The Church's Victory	John Aldis.	Revelation 12:10-17
The Encouragement to Increased Missionary Effort to be Derived from the Assurance of Final Victory	Bp. Daniel Wilson.	Revelation 12:10-17
The Evidence of Christianity from the Persecution of Christians	J. Priestley, LL. D.	Revelation 12:10-17
The Heavenly Song of Victory	H. Bonar, D. D.	Revelation 12:10-17
Victory	Wm. Guild, D. D.	Revelation 12:10-17
Victory Over the Foe	Dean Vaughan.	Revelation 12:10-17
Satan in a Rage	C. H. Spurgeon.	Revelation 12:12-17
The Defeatability of the Devil	D. Thomas	Revelation 12:12-17
The Defeatibility of the Devil	D. Thomas, D. D.	Revelation 12:12-17
Victorious Rejoicing	William Guild, D. D.	Revelation 12:12-17
Woe on the Earth	J. A. Seiss, D. D.	Revelation 12:12-17
Safety in Satanic Persecution	R. Green	Revelation 12:13-17

People

John, Michael

Places

Patmos

Topics

Cast, Dragon, Drank, Flood, Forth, Helped, Mouth, Open, Opened, Opening, Poured, River, Spewed, Swallow, Swallowed, Swallowing, Woman's

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Revelation 12:15-16

5167 mouth

Library

Prevailing Prayer.
Text.--The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.--James v. 16. THE last lecture referred principally to the confession of sin. To-night my remarks will be chiefly confined to the subject of intercession, or prayer. There are two kinds of means requisite to promote a revival; one to influence men, the other to influence God. The truth is employed to influence men, and prayer to move God. When I speak of moving God, I do not mean that God's mind is changed by prayer, or that his …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Third
refers to Exodus. The promise is, "I will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it" (ii. 17). It is in this third Epistle, which refers to the wilderness period and Balaam's counsel, that we have a special reference to the manna, the wilderness sustenance, of which Exodus contains the record. "Bread from Heaven" and "Angels' food" (Ps. lxxviii. 24,25) are set over against the lusts of the …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

The Glory of Jesus and Mary.
Before entering upon the contemplation of the excellent glory which surrounds the blessed in heaven, we must endeavor to form a correct idea of God's grace, which enabled them to perform the great and noble actions we are now to consider. They were all, except Jesus and Mary, conceived in sin, and, therefore, subject to the same temptations that daily assail us. They never could have triumphed and reached the supernatural glory which now surrounds them, had they been left to their own natural strength, …
F. J. Boudreaux—The Happiness of Heaven

The Work of Christ.
The great work which the Lord Jesus Christ, God's well beloved Son, came to do was to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. This finished work of the cross is the basis of His present work and His future work. What mind can estimate the value and preciousness of that work in which the Holy One offered Himself through the eternal Spirit without spot unto God! He procured redemption by His death on the cross. In His present work and much more in the future work, He works out this great redemption …
A. C. Gaebelein—The Work Of Christ

A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Voluntary Suffering
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. T hat which often passes amongst men for resolution, and the proof of a noble, courageous spirit, is, in reality, the effect of a weak and little mind. At least, it is chiefly owing to the presence of certain circumstances, which have a greater influence upon the conduct, than any inherent principle. Thus may persons who appear to set death and danger at defiance in the hour …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Fourth vision "In Heaven"
H^4, chap. xii. 1-12. A Great Sign. We now come, not only to the great central subject of the whole Book, but to the central pair of the seven Visions, and to the actual literary centre of the Book. All this shows us that we are on the threshold of an important part of Scripture which relates to the actual Revelation or Unveiling of the glorious Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. The whole section (chaps. xii.--) is not only Episodal in subject and Parenthetical in form, but is a good example of historical, …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

Apostles To-Day?
"Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are ye not my work in the Lord?"--1 Cor. ix. 1. We may not take leave of the apostolate without a last look at the circle of its members. It is a closed circle; and every effort to reopen it tends to efface a characteristic of the New Covenant. And yet the effort is being made again and again. We see it in Rome's apostolic succession; in the Ethical view gradually effacing the boundary-line between the apostles and believers; …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 Here is high preferment for the saints. They shall be advanced to a kingdom. There are some who, aspiring after earthly greatness, talk of a temporal reign here, but then God's church on earth would not be militant but triumphant. But sure it is the saints shall reign in a glorious manner: Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.' A kingdom is held the acme and top of all worldly felicity, and this honour have all the saints'; so says our Saviour, Theirs is the …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished; …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Protevangelium.
As the mission of Christ was rendered necessary by the fall of man, so the first dark intimation of Him was given immediately after the fall. It is found in the sentence of punishment which was passed upon the tempter. Gen. iii. 14, 15. A correct understanding of it, however, can be obtained only after we have ascertained who the tempter was. It is, in the first place, unquestionable that a real serpent was engaged in the temptation; so that the opinion of those who maintain that the serpent is only …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher, …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Love
The rule of obedience being the moral law, comprehended in the Ten Commandments, the next question is: What is the sum of the Ten Commandments? The sum of the Ten Commandments is, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind, and our neighbour as ourselves. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.' Deut 6: 5. The duty called for is love, yea, the strength of love, with all …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness.
^A Matt. IV. 1-11; ^B Mark I. 12, 13; ^C Luke IV. 1-13. ^c 1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, ^b 12 And straightway the Spirit driveth him forth ^c and ^a 1 Then [Just after his baptism, with the glow of the descended Spirit still upon him, and the commending voice of the Father still ringing in his ears, Jesus is rushed into the suffering of temptation. Thus abrupt and violent are the changes of life. The spiritually exalted may expect these sharp contrasts. After being …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

A Preliminary Discourse to Catechising
'If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled.' - Col 1:23. Intending next Lord's day to enter upon the work of catechising, it will not be amiss to give you a preliminary discourse, to show you how needful it is for Christians to be well instructed in the grounds of religion. If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled.' I. It is the duty of Christians to be settled in the doctrine of faith. II. The best way for Christians to be settled is to be well grounded. I. It is the duty of Christians …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Its Meaning
Deliverance from the condemning sentence of the Divine Law is the fundamental blessing in Divine salvation: so long as we continue under the curse, we can neither be holy nor happy. But as to the precise nature of that deliverance, as to exactly what it consists of, as to the ground on which it is obtained, and as to the means whereby it is secured, much confusion now obtains. Most of the errors which have been prevalent on this subject arose from the lack of a clear view of the thing itself, and …
Arthur W. Pink—The Doctrine of Justification

An Appendix to the Beatitudes
His commandments are not grievous 1 John 5:3 You have seen what Christ calls for poverty of spirit, pureness of heart, meekness, mercifulness, cheerfulness in suffering persecution, etc. Now that none may hesitate or be troubled at these commands of Christ, I thought good (as a closure to the former discourse) to take off the surmises and prejudices in men's spirits by this sweet, mollifying Scripture, His commandments are not grievous.' The censuring world objects against religion that it is difficult …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

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