And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
All Commentaries on Revelation 12:16 Go To Revelation 12
Victorinus of Pettau
AD 303
That the earth opened her month and swallowed up the waters, sets forth the vengeance for the present troubles. Although, therefore, it may signify this woman bringing forth, it shows her afterwards flying when her offspring is brought forth, because both things did not happen at one time; for we know that Christ was born, but that the time should arrive that she should flee from the face of the serpent: (we do not know) that this has happened as yet.
