Topical Bible: The Dragon of Wicked Men

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "Dragon of Wicked Men" is not a direct phrase found in the Bible, but it can be understood as a symbolic representation of evil and opposition to God, often associated with Satan and his influence over humanity. The imagery of a dragon is prevalent in biblical literature, particularly in apocalyptic texts, where it serves as a metaphor for chaos, destruction, and malevolent power.

Biblical Imagery and Symbolism

In the Bible, the dragon is frequently used as a symbol of Satan and his forces. The most notable reference is found in the Book of Revelation, where the dragon is explicitly identified with Satan. Revelation 12:9 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 represents the ultimate adversary of God and His people, embodying deceit and rebellion.

The dragon's association with wicked men can be seen in its role as an instigator of evil and persecution. Revelation 13 describes a beast rising from the sea, empowered by the dragon, to wage war against the saints. This beast, often interpreted as a symbol of oppressive regimes or corrupt leaders, acts under the dragon's influence, illustrating the connection between the dragon and wicked human authorities.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament also contains dragon imagery, often linked to chaos and opposition to God's order. In Isaiah 27:1 , the prophet declares, "In that day the LORD will take His sharp, great, and mighty sword, and bring judgment on Leviathan, the fleeing serpent—Leviathan, the coiling serpent—and He will slay the dragon of the sea." Leviathan, a creature akin to a dragon, symbolizes the chaotic forces that God will ultimately subdue.

Similarly, in Ezekiel 29:3 , Pharaoh, king of Egypt, is likened to a dragon: "Speak and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt that this is what the Lord GOD says: 'Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great monster lying among your rivers, who says, "The Nile is mine; I made it for myself."'" Here, the dragon imagery underscores Pharaoh's arrogance and defiance against God, aligning him with the forces of wickedness.

Theological Implications

The dragon's representation of evil and its connection to wicked men highlight the ongoing spiritual battle between God's kingdom and the forces of darkness. Throughout Scripture, the dragon serves as a reminder of the reality of spiritual warfare and the influence of Satan in the world. Believers are called to remain vigilant and steadfast in their faith, recognizing the dragon's attempts to deceive and destroy.

Ephesians 6:12 emphasizes this struggle: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." The dragon of wicked men, therefore, is not merely a mythological creature but a symbol of the pervasive and insidious nature of evil that believers must confront with the armor of God.

Conclusion

The dragon, as a symbol of wicked men and satanic influence, serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual realities that underpin the visible world. Through the lens of Scripture, the dragon's imagery calls believers to discernment, faithfulness, and reliance on God's power to overcome the forces of evil.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 44:19
Though you have sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Miseries and Ills to which the Human Race is Justly Exposed ...
... and falsehood, by false suspicions, and all the crimes and wicked deeds of other
men? ... becomes an object of intenser fear than a lion or dragon, and the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 22 of the miseries and.htm

The Distinction to be Made Between the Righteous and the Wicked ...
... to be made between the righteous and the wicked The future ... a false prophet: "He spake
as a dragon, and exercised all ... upon the earth in the sight of men, and he ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxviii the distinction to be.htm

The Power of God
... (2.) This power of God is against the wicked. ... That men doubt of God's power appears
by their taking indirect courses; for ... Michael is stronger than the dragon. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/6 the power of god.htm

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
... How it strikes a damp into wicked men, when they see that the godly will keep close
to God in a ... His violence in tempting; and so he is the red dragon. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the worst things work for.htm

Adoption
... Affliction to a wicked man has evil in it, it ... Men were scorched with great heat,
and blasphemed the name of ... When the dragon has poisoned the water, the unicorn ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 adoption.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... The religion of Rome imperial, when symbolized by the dragon, was Paganism; that
of ... Thus JOSEPHUS says: "Demons are the spirits of wicked men." PHILO says that ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

Book iv Thus Gently Sang the Lady Philosophy with Dignified Mien ...
... the fulfilment of their desires, falls to the wicked. ... which is hard and which restrains
bad men by just ... of Stymphalus; and from the watchful dragon took the ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book iv thus gently sang.htm

Of the Mass.
... and all books declare), than a work of men (even of ... article, which says that it is
not a wicked or a ... In addition to all this, this dragon's tail, [I mean] the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the smalcald articles/article ii of the mass.htm

Addition to Acts of Philip.
... for the way of deceit has deceived you, the wicked dragon breathing has breathed
upon you: why do you punish these men for saying the serpent is your enemy? ...
/.../unknown/the acts of philip/addition to acts of philip.htm

A Homily on Guria and Shamuna, Composed by Mar Jacob.
... cross? The Son of God crushed the dragon by His crucifixion,. And lo! ... [3345].
At Him they looked as He was mocked by wicked men,. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/a homily on guria and.htm