Who is this dragon said to be?
Answer
"And the great dragon was cast out that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole
world." Verse 9.
NOTE-Primarily the dragon represents Satan, the great enemy and persecutor of the church in all
ages. But Satan works through principalities and powers in his efforts to destroy the people of God. It was
through a Roman king, King Herod, that he sought to destroy Christ as soon as He was born. Matt. 2:16.
Rome must therefore he symbolized by the dragon. The seven heads of the dragon are interpreted by some
to refer to the "seven hills" upon which the city of Rome is built; by others, to the seven forms of
government through which Rome passed; and by still others, and more broadly, to the seven great
monarchies which have oppressed the people of God; namely, Egypt, Assyria, Chaldea, Persia, Greece, and
pagan and papal Rome, in`--either of which Rome is represented and included. See pages 155, 156. The ten
horns, as in the fourth beast of Daniel 7, evidently refer to the ten kingdoms into which Rome was finally
divided, and thus again identify the dragon with the Roman power.
What is revealed by the law?
29. What bears witness to the genuineness of the righteousness obtained by faith, apart from the deeds of the law?
By what means did Herod seek to destroy Christ?
9. What expressions in the prophecy of Joel seem to imply a double fulfilment of this outpouring of the Spirit?
Of what sin were the Amorites specially guilty?
What was the character and the work of many of the bishops at that time?
How did the Apostle Peter say the message of the Lord's coming would be treated by some?
Questions & Answers are from the book Bible Readings for the Home Circle