Monday: The Dragon of Revelation

Daily Lesson for Monday 3rd of March 2025

The overarching perspective of celestial rulers in the cosmic conflict is encapsulated in the book of Revelation, where the devil is depicted as “the great dragon” who opposes God and “deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9, NKJV).

Read Revelation 13:1-8. What does this reveal about the extent of the dragon’s jurisdiction?

The dragon (Satan) not only wars against God (Revelation 12:7-9) and His servants (for example, Revelation 12:1-6), but he is depicted as the ruler behind the earthly kingdoms who persecute God’s people throughout the ages.

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

The dragon “gave . . . his power, his throne, and great authority” to the beast from the sea (Revelation 13:2, NKJV; compare with Revelation 13:5; Revelation 17:13-14). This beast from the sea is “given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months” (Revelation 13:5, NKJV).

So, Satan (the dragon) gives power and ruling authority to a beast (an earthly religious-political power). This power is exercised in order to usurp the worship due to God. The beast blasphemes God’s name; it also wars against, and even overcomes, God’s holy ones (saints), at least for a period of time. This worldwide authority and jurisdiction is given to him by the dragon, the usurping ruler of this world.

Yet, there are clear limits on Satan and his agencies, as well, including temporal limits. “ ‘Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time’ ” (Revelation 12:12, NKJV).

Satan “knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:12, ESV), and the events described in Revelation proceed along prophetic time lines, which show specific limits (see Revelation 12:14, Revelation 13:5) to the reign of these evil forces.

Indeed, God finally triumphs. “ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away’ ” (Revelation 21:4, NKJV).

However hard for us to see it now, in the end good will eternally triumph over evil. Why is it so important that we never forget this wonderful promise?

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