What does the great red dragon symbolize? (Revelation 12:3)
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And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Revelation 12:3 - King James |
⚪ The Pagan Roman Empire
⚫ The Devil and his organization
⚫ Satan
⚪ The Pagan Roman Empire
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Rev. 12 [...]
12:3. And there appeared another wonder In heaven: — Among the ecclesiastical powers of the same epoch. And behold a great red dragon. — The Pagan Roman Empire, which had its own religious system. Source : 🇺🇸 1917 - Studies in the Scriptures, Vol 7, The finished mystery, page 183 + Cover |
⚫ The Devil and his organization
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Rev. 12 [...]
At the same time "there appeared another wonder [or sign] in heaven". After the temple of God was opened those who were brought into the temple had an understanding of these "signs" or "wonders", but they could not have an understanding prior thereto. Through the columns of the Watch Tower of March 1, 1925, the Lord revealed these truths concerning the great wonders to his people. This latter "wonder" or "sign" is described as "a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads", and he had a tail. (Vs, 3) Dragon is one of the names that God gave to Satan the enemy and properly applies to Satan's organization. It is derived from the Greek word drakoon, and means a serpent, and this also is one of the names that apply to Satan the Devil. (Rev. 12:15; 20:1-3) Thus the Devil is identified, and his organization with him. Source : 🇺🇸 1930 - Light, Vol 1, page 233, page 234 + Cover |
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At the same time “another wonder” appeared in heaven, “a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.” (Rev. 12:3) The “great red dragon” is the Devil’s organization.
Source : 🇺🇸 1928 - Government, page 179 + Cover |
⚫ Satan
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"The dragon [Satan] kept standing before the woman who was about to give birth," states Revelation 12:4, "that, when she did give birth, it might devour her child." This shows that Satan wanted to dispose of the newborn Kingdom quickly, at the moment of its birth if at all possible. Though Jehovah's intervention prevented Satan from realizing his wicked intention, satan was determined and relentless in his effort to do harm to the newly established Kingdom. It stands to reason, therefore, that "Michael and his angels" would waste no time in taking action to remove "the dragon and its angels" from the heavenly scene so that no harm could come to the Kingdom. This suggests that the defeat and ousting of Satan took place soon after the Kingdom's birth in 1914.
Source : 🇺🇸 The Watchtower STUDY, May 15 2009, page 18 + Cover |