Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Revelation 12:16. It's a pretty rich and symbolic passage, so we'll go through it step-by-step: Here’s what it means in simpler terms: “Revelation 12” : This refers to a vision or prophecy that comes from God about the end times. It’s like a glimpse of what’s coming before it happens. “12” : This number is important – it represents twelve "weves" or "horns." Think of them as different aspects of the world's problems. “And the earth helped the woman…” : This describes the beginning of a problem - a woman, representing humanity, who was tempted by Satan (often called the Devil). She was given a beautiful and tempting gift – knowledge and power. “…and the earth opened her mouth…” : This is where the real problem begins. The woman’s mouth became wide open, like a gaping hole. It's a sign of her pride and rebellion. “And swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.” : This is the core of the verse. A “dragon” represents Satan or evil forces – often interpreted as the forces of temptation and chaos. The "flood" is a metaphor for a great spiritual disaster or judgment. The dragon cast it out, meaning he banished it from the world. So, putting it all together: The verse describes a time when Satan tricked a woman (representing humanity) into gaining power through knowledge and temptation. This act caused a catastrophic event – the flood – that overwhelmed the world. The earth, as a result of this event, helped the woman by opening her mouth, allowing the flood to occur. What does it mean in a bigger picture? This is often interpreted as a prophecy about the final battle between good and evil, and the potential for widespread destruction and chaos that will follow. It speaks of a time when humanity will be tempted, and the consequences of that temptation will be devastating. Important Note: This is a complex verse with many interpretations, and it’s often debated among theologians and scholars. However, its imagery and message are powerful and continue to resonate across different traditions. --- Do you want me to explain any specific aspect of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like to know: What the "dragon" represents specifically? How this relates to the Book of Genesis (the creation story)? What does it mean for humanity's future?