July 1, 2022

But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. Revelation 12:16

The twelfth chapter of Revelation is a sweeping history of God’s faithful people and the devil’s persecuting pursuit of them. By the time we reach verse 16, the woman (God’s people) is fleeing a veritable flood of persecutors. Let us take a look at the help she received when the earth helped the woman.

Religious persecution all over Europe was a nightmare for those who desired to live their lives in faithfulness to Jesus. The corrupted church had risen to its officially recognized position of power by AD538, following the papacy’s uprooting—using military power—of the three (of ten) kingdoms who had opposed it (see Daniel 7:8). The church of the middle ages had the military backing of the monarchies. The heavily populated Old World was, in literary terms, referred to as a “sea” or “waters” (see Revelation 17:15). By contrast, the sparsely populated New World was “land” or “earth.”

The earth indeed helped the persecuted woman! That treacherous voyage across the stormy Atlantic ocean was bravely faced in order to reach the shores of the New World: a“Sweet Land of Liberty.” Though wild and untamed, it was preferred over life under the heavy, coercive hand of papal authority.

God’s word tells us that, after Jesus ascended into heaven (Revelation 12:5), His people eventually had to flee…. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days (12:6). We see that God prepares a place for His people. And while there, they receive nourishment: But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent (v.14).

Beloved, always be ready to receive daily nourishment from God! He has told us plainly that, at the close of earth’s history, His faithful people will become the objects of hatred and persecution. History will repeat itself, only on a broader, worldwide scale. Rely totally upon His providence. Your obedience and faithfulness will surely enrage the enemy. It’s no secret!

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17