Topical Bible: Dragon: A Term Applied: To Satan

◄ Dragon: A Term Applied: To Satan ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical literature, the term "dragon" is often used symbolically to represent Satan, the adversary of God and His people. This imagery is most prominently featured in the apocalyptic literature of the Bible, where the dragon embodies chaos, evil, and opposition to divine order.

Revelation and the Dragon

The Book of Revelation provides the most explicit depiction of Satan as a dragon. In Revelation 12:9 , the text states, "And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him." Here, the dragon is directly identified with Satan, emphasizing his role as a deceiver and adversary.

Revelation 12 further describes a cosmic battle between the forces of good and evil, with the dragon waging war against the woman and her offspring, symbolizing the people of God. Revelation 12:17 notes, "And the dragon was enraged at the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus." This passage highlights the dragon's relentless opposition to those who follow God's commandments.

Symbolism and Characteristics

The dragon's portrayal in Revelation is rich with symbolic meaning. It is described as having seven heads and ten horns, with seven crowns on its heads (Revelation 12:3). This imagery suggests immense power and authority, as well as a counterfeit mimicry of divine sovereignty. The dragon's red color may symbolize bloodshed and destruction, further underscoring its malevolent nature.

In Revelation 13, the dragon gives power to the beast, another symbol of evil and opposition to God. Revelation 13:2 states, "The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority." This transfer of power illustrates the dragon's role as the ultimate source of evil influence in the world.

Old Testament Allusions

While the explicit identification of the dragon with Satan is unique to the New Testament, the Old Testament contains allusions to dragon-like creatures that symbolize chaos and opposition to God. For example, Isaiah 27:1 speaks of the Lord's victory over Leviathan, "the gliding serpent, the coiling serpent; He will slay the dragon of the sea." This imagery reflects God's triumph over forces of chaos and evil, prefiguring the ultimate defeat of Satan.

Theological Implications

The depiction of Satan as a dragon in the Bible serves to communicate the reality of spiritual warfare and the ongoing struggle between good and evil. It underscores the deceptive and destructive nature of Satan, who seeks to lead humanity away from God. The dragon's defeat, as foretold in Revelation, assures believers of God's ultimate victory and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

In summary, the term "dragon" in the Bible is a powerful symbol of Satan, representing his role as the arch-enemy of God and His people. Through vivid imagery and apocalyptic narrative, Scripture reveals the dragon's nature and destiny, offering hope and assurance to those who remain faithful to God's commandments.

Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 20:2
And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Papacy not the Antichrist
... Nevertheless, by common consent the Reformers applied the prophecies ... 1. The term
"Antichrist" whether employed in the ... mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the papacy not the antichrist.htm

The Mystery
... in the apocalyptical sense,""I renounce the dragon, and all ... his works; where, under
the name of Satan as chief ... As to the reason of the term applied to it, it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery 2.htm

False Profession.
... Footnote: "Latitudinarian." This term is used ... opinion or practice, he is the tail,
the dragon's tail, the ... Gospel-means applied are the last remedy for a barren ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xx false profession.htm

The Argument for the Immaculate Conception.
... often represents her as crushing the head of the dragon. ... the proper meaning of the
predicate applied to her ... as to the meaning of the term immaculate; whether ...
/.../ 29 the argument for.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... and the beast that succeeds to the dragon is to ... examples occur in Scripture, by whatever
term we may ... contents of these psalms are then applied, according to ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

On the Clause, and Shall Come in Glory to Judge the Quick and the ...
... the heresy; it is another head of the dragon, lately sprung ... making a false show,"
which is here applied to a ... John is included under this term by Cyril, appears ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xv on the clause.htm

Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy.
... world to whom these words may be most legitimately applied. ... religion spoken of was
authorized by a dragon or state ... needful to enquire what is meant by the term. ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter ii scriptural predictions of.htm

Subject Index
... Subject Index. ??on, meaning of the term, [1]316 ... Beast, the, [157]557. Bel and the
Dragon, [158]467. ... Christ is King of, [1292]267. applied to Christ, [1293]262. ...
/.../irenaeus/fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/subject index.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... Babylonish dragon, death compared to, [159]142, [160]229 ... Earthen Vessels, term declares
our frailty, [517]320 ... God and Lord, applied to both the Father and the Son ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

The Apocalypse.
... taken in a generic sense, and applied to the ... a lamb, and speaking as a dragon, and
exercising ... Lee substitutes with L?�cke the term "Historical" for "Continuous ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 101 the apocalypse.htm