Rev. 12.3 “A great red dragon”—He is the same as “the old serpent” or “the Devil” or “Satan” found in 12.9. This serpent is the very one spoken of in Genesis 3.1. “Red” is the color of war. As a great red dragon he is a killer from the beginning to the end (cf. John 8.44; 1 John 5.19). “Seven heads” (see 17.9,12)—Ten horns represent the kings under the great king. The head is bigger than the horn and it is the head that makes use of the horns. Hence the dragon will use the so-called revived Roman Empire together with these lesser kings to persecute God’s children.

12.8,9 The name dragon speaks of cruelty; old serpent, of deceit; devil, of seduction; and Satan, of opposition. The devil is cast down from heaven, along with a third part of the angels who follow him, and he opens the pit of the abyss (9.1). How very dark is this world!

12.10 Formerly God redeemed with the blood, but now He redeems with power. The authority of the kingdom of God is perfect at the throne; but before Satan is cast down, God’s will is not done in the air. After 1260 days the kingdom of God will come upon the earth, and then shall His will be done on earth also. (The casting out of demons recorded in Matthew 12.28 is a proof that the kingdom of God has come upon the earth.)

Remember, Satan is a spirit being. The unholy trinity is that of the dragon, the first beast (the Antichrist-an actual person), and the second beast (False Prophet-an actual person).

The Antichrist is Nero revived. The False Prophet is Judas revived. They are the only two ever called the devil.