What does the earth symbolize? (Revelation 12:16)


bouche


And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

Revelation 12:16 - King James

 


⚪ The people of Europe generally (The Roman 'earth')
⚫ The peoples of earth
⚫ The powers (since 1940)


 

 

⚪ The people of Europe generally (The Roman 'earth')

Rev. 12 [...]
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood. — "It Is a fact of history that the flood of truth which spread over France—arraigning Papacy and its priestcraft, and monarchy and its parasitic aristocracy, as the responsible causes of much of the ignorance, poverty and superstition of the people — was swallowed up, or absorbed by the people of Europe generally (The Roman 'earth'). And when the rulers of Europe formed what was called 'The Holy Alliance,' for the suppression of the liberties of the people and the perpetuation of their own thrones, it was too late to fetter the people; for, having drunk up the flood of waters, they would not submit. It was too late to think of re-establishing Papacy, which had been so terribly humiliated and whose anathemas against liberty and the French had so reacted against itself; so the pope was not even invited to Join the 'Holy Alliance,' of which before he would have been the recognized head."— C66.

Source : 🇺🇸 1917 - Studies in the Scriptures, Vol 7, The finished mystery, page 192 + Cover

 

⚫ The peoples of earth

Rev. 12 [...]
This flood of schemes and palaver that has flowed out of the mouths of the Devil's organization, as the Lord foretold, 'was swallowed up by the earth,' that is to say, the peoples of earth drank it in. The extremes to which the peoples have gone in their abortive effort to carry out such schemes have demonstrated to the remnant the absolute necessity of remaining entirely aloof from the world and standing firm for the Lord. With them there can be no compromise. And thus the earth has helped God's "woman". The remnant see that Satan's flood has deceived many, but it cannot deceive God's elect. - Vs.16.

Source : 🇺🇸 1930 - Light, Vol 2, page 254 + Cover

 

⚫ The powers (since 1940)

12:15, 16. "The earth" - elements within Satan's own system, or theruling powers in various lands - upheld freedom of worship. Starting in the 1940's, those powers "swallowed up the river [of persecutions] that the dragon disgorged from its mouth." Indeed, when Jehovah chooses to do so, he can influence governmental authorities to accomplish his will. Fittingly, therefore, Proverbs 21:1 states: "A king's heart is as streams of water in the hand of Jehovah. Everywhere that he delights to, he turns it." This should strengthen our faith in God.

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watchtower (Study), January 15, 2009, page 32 + Cover