Section 49
15. It is not clear whether the events of this verse follow those of the preceding or whether they are given as an example of the protection afforded the woman. But the serpent adopted a novel method of trying to drown her or at least carry her off. He ejected water from his mouth like a river so that she might become ‘riverborne’ (potamophor
ton). This descriptive word is found in a papyrus of 110 BC (MM) and is thus not a coinage of the Seer. But no other example appears to be cited of its use of a person. Swete sees in the figure ’the thought of the godly wrestling with a flood of evil’. This thought may well be present as also a reference to Egypt again, for as they escaped from that land the people of God were in danger from water.
ton). This descriptive word is found in a papyrus of 110 BC (MM) and is thus not a coinage of the Seer. But no other example appears to be cited of its use of a person. Swete sees in the figure ’the thought of the godly wrestling with a flood of evil’. This thought may well be present as also a reference to Egypt again, for as they escaped from that land the people of God were in danger from water.16. The woman found an unexpected ally in the earth, which swallowed the river emitted by the dragon. Ancient literature does not afford an exact parallel, though some remind us that rivers were known to plunge beneath the earth (there was one near Colosse). More apposite is the song of Moses, ‘You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them’ (Ex. 15:12). In time of difficulty the Lord delivers his servants in one way or another. Some commentators hold that John means that in the natural moral order established on earth there is that which helps the Christian church. This is an unlikely interpretation, for in this book the world and the church are set over against one another. Those outside the church do not help it but persecute it. The church’s help comes from God.
17. The woman not being vulnerable to his attacks, the dragon proceeded to vent his rage on the remainder of her offspring (cf. Gn. 3:15). These are further explained as those who obey God’s commandments (cf. 14:12) and hold to the testimony of Jesus (see note on 1:2). Satan is at war with all Christians. He is not able to accomplish his purpose against God and therefore he does what he can in opposing God’s people.