“And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems” (Revelation 12:3 ESV).
In speaking of a large, red, seven-headed dragon, Revelation 12:3 offers another sign. Red is traditionally associated with the color of war, while dragons are large, destructive, and dangerous. While the number seven is typically associated with the idea of perfection, this passage does not suggest perfection in a positive sense. Instead, this being is perfectly evil. The crowns are symbolic of power and authority, and as for the horns, we will consider them at greater length when we reach Revelation chapter thirteen.
We can skip ahead in Revelation chapter twelve to gain a clearer picture of this dragon’s true identity: “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:9). This leads us to a comparative analysis that offers a great deal of spiritual insight.
When “that serpent of old” first appeared in the first book of the Bible, he seemed to be little more than a talkative and inquisitive serpent. (1) But here in the last book of the Bible, he has grown to become an enormous seven-headed dragon. That comparison thus serves as a fitting analogy for sin. For instance, a seemingly minor indiscretion of thought or deed may eventually grow into something uncontrollable that threatens to consume us. Therefore, we would do well to seek God’s help in avoiding such things before small sins turn into large ones.
Revelation 12:4 continues by saying, “His tail swept down a third of heaven’s stars and threw them to the earth…” (CEB). This passage should catch our attention, for Job 38:6-7 draws a parallel between stars and angelic beings. In fact, the Biblical book of the prophet Isaiah describes Satan himself in that very manner. (2)
This has led some commentators to the understanding that Satan persuaded one-third of the angelic realm to join him in his rebellion against God. We now refer to those beings as “demons.” The act of throwing (or flinging) them to the earth tells us that they no longer serve God in heaven, but work to fulfill the dragon’s agenda on earth.
While such a thought may be terrifying to contemplate, it also means that two-thirds of the angelic realm remain in God’s service and represent “…ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14). But more importantly, God is ultimately responsible for the safety and security of His people, for as we’re reminded in the New Testament epistle of 1 John, “…He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
(1) Or at least he appeared that way to Eve.
(2) While the text of Isaiah 14:1-23 concerns the king of Babylon, the context of verses twelve to fifteen addresses the Satanic power behind his throne.