The Last Trumpet And Final Interlude Series

Even as far away as they strayed throughout history, God made an eternal covenant concerning their welfare and blessing that He is about to bring to fulfillment. Israel is the source of worldwide blessing.

The Great Red Dragon

3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. 4 And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child. Revelation 12:3-4

Here we are given a significant key to human history. Scripture identifies this dragon as Satan.

Dragon image is sinister, deadly and frightening. Red is the color of bloody warfare.

He is great in the sense of power and influence. It is a story of Satan’s attempt to circumvent God’s plan and promise. Just look at a world map. How can one little country with less territory than the state of Washington attract so much attention and so much hatred around the world? From the time of Abraham, Israel had been “with Child” suffering the pain of child birth. Satan continually targeted God’s people to prevent the fulfillment of the Messianic promises.

He made every effort to thwart the birth of our deliverer and his conqueror.

Saul threw a spear at David.

David’s line was threatened several times.

Haman tried to legislate the extermination of the Jews.

The Maccabees resisted the Roman government’s attempt to destroy them.

After His birth, Satan did everything possible to destroy the baby. Satan tried to either tempt Jesus or destroy Him all through His earthly ministry. Eventfully, he accomplished what he thought to be final victory but turned out to be personal defeat.

The description and symbolism of this great red Dragon has been debated over and over.

Many try to identify the seven heads, ten horns and seven crowns John described. At the least, it is a general description of world powers and leaders effectively used by Satan to influence the world and build his kingdom.

The number seven signifies completeness, and the number ten is the number of fullness in the decimal structure. The seven heads and ten horns refer to completeness in conquering the world, which is evident in the appellation applied to Satan, prince of this world (Jo 12:31; 14:30; 16:11).

It may refer to literal historical world powers and their leaders. Some have attempted to identify past powers.

Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome and the last days world power.

Another possibility -- The seven heads are seven high ranking demons driving and empowering world powers.

20 Then he said, "Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come. 21 "However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince. Daniel 10:20-21