NOTE.—This not only shows that, since the crucifixion of Christ, Satan knows that his doom is sealed, and that he has but a limited time in which to work, but that his efforts are largely if not wholly now confined to this world, and concentrated upon its inhabitants. Better than many professed Christians, Satan knows that time is short. 9. What did the dragon do when cast to the earth? “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, _he persecuted the woman_ which brought forth the man child.” Verse 13. NOTE.—The persecution of Christians began under pagan Rome, but was carried on far more extensively under papal Rome. Matt. 24:21, 22. 10. What definite period of time was allotted to this great persecution of God’s people under papal Rome? “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, unto her place, where she is nourished for _a time, and times, and half a time_, from the face of the serpent.” Verse 14. NOTE.—This is the same period as that mentioned in Dan. 7:25, and, like the ten horns, identifies the dragon with the fourth beast of Daniel 7, and its later work with the work of the little horn of that same beast. In Rev. 13:5 this period is referred to as “forty-two months,” and in Rev. 12:6 as 1260 days, each representing 1260 literal years, the period allotted to the supremacy of papal Rome. Beginning in 538 A.D., it ended in 1798, when the Pope was taken prisoner by the French. See notes on page 223. The woman fleeing into the wilderness fittingly describes the condition of the church during those times of bitter persecution. 11. What was Satan’s design in thus persecuting the church? “And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, _that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood_.” Verse 15. 12. How was the flood stayed, and Satan’s design defeated? “_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.” Verse 16. NOTE.—The mountain fastnesses, quiet retreats, and secluded valleys of southwestern Europe for centuries shielded many who refused allegiance to the Papacy. Here, too, may be seen the results of the work of the Reformation of the sixteenth century, when many of the governments of Europe came to the help of the cause of reform, by staying the hand of persecution and protecting the lives of those who dared to take their stand for the right. The discovery of America, and the opening up of this country as an asylum for the oppressed of Europe at this time, may also be included in the “help” here referred to. 13. What did Christ say would be the result if the days of persecution were not shortened?