05. The Wrath of the Dragon | Chapter 05: A Dragon's Tale

The Bible talks about the angelic being Lucifer who wanted to be God in Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:11-19. Sin was conceived by his heart in the form of pride. It took him to the extent of wanting to take over God’s position as Sovereign of the Universe. He was however, not alone in His rebellion against God. The Bible in Revelation 12:7, describes that the war that took place in heaven was between Michael and his angels, and the Dragon and his angels.

We will now dig deeper into how Lucifer convinced a large number of the angelic beings of heaven to join his side of the rebellion. God never creates a defective, evil or bad creature. Everything He creates is for His good pleasure and for His glory (Genesis 1:31). The big question is: “How did Lucifer convince them?” The Bible does provide clear-cut answers that will give peace to our ever-questioning minds. We must bear in mind that we are talking about a mighty angelic being who is “…full of wisdom and perfect in beauty…” Ezekiel 28:12.

Revelation 7:3-4 made the first mention of Satan as a “…great red dragon, having seven and ten horns, and seven crowns upon its heads…” This great red dragon that appeared “drew a third part of the stars of heaven and did cast them to the earth…” with his tail. We have to unlock two symbols here:

1. The Stars of Heaven
   One day, during the time that Job was sick with the grievous sores, God spoke to him from a whirlwind and said, “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of you, and you will answer me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding. Who laid the measures thereof, if you know? Or who stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Job 38:2-7. When God was laying out the foundations of the world, the “morning stars” sand together.
   
   We have read from Revelation that Satan drew one third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. The Bible says that Satan, “…was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him…” Revelation 12:9. The Bible, therefore, refers to angels as “morning stars”. Revelation 1:20 provides more proof of this fact referring to stars as angels. We also have more evidence when we connect Revelation 9:1 and Revelation 20:1.
   
   
2. The Tail of the Dragon
   The Bible stated that the great Dragon (Satan) “…drew a third part of the stars of heaven and did cast them to the earth…” Revelation 12:4. What does it mean to draw someone with your tail? The Bible answers and says, “The ancient and honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that teaches lies, he is the tail.” Isaiah 9:15. Satan is the father of all false prophets. Jesus himself said, “…He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44.

By breeding pride and self-love in his heart, Lucifer’s heart desired to be glorified as God. When speaking to Satan, God said, “…thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the sit of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man and not God…thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God…” “Thine heart was lifted up because of thine beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom because of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground…” Ezekiel 28: 2, 17. 

“How you have fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! You have been cast down to the earth, you who weakened the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the sides of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.” Isaiah 14:12-14.

Here are two beings in controversy: God and Lucifer. In his campaign against God, this angelic being could only use deception and lies to win the support of a third of heaven’s angels. The Bible does not speak the exact words he spoke or the kinds of deception he used to convince the angels.

However, we can learn a little of his techniques by studying the story of Eve and the Serpent. The Bible says, “Now the serpent (dragon: Revelation 12:9) was more subtil (cunning/crafty: Ezekiel 28:12) than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea hath not God said, ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Genesis 3:1-2. Even by his first words, the Serpent employed great skill of subtlety. 

God had given the specific command, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden, but you shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17. Eve replied, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” 

By her reply, Satan knew that he had conquered her because she added “…neither shall ye touch it…” the Serpent then made his bold attack, “You shall not surely die; For God knows that in the day that you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods (Isaiah 14:12-14), knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5. In order for the Serpent to accomplish his attack on Eve, the Serpent twisted the words of God and then he told her that much good could come out of their disobedience to God’s command. Isaiah the prophet was right when he said, “The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teaches lies, he is the tail.” Isaiah 9:15. 

Lucifer had convinced one-third of heaven’s angels that much good could be accomplished by disobeying God. His true motive was: he wanted the throne of God for himself. He spread the sin that was found in his heart among the angels and caused them to sin also. The Bible says, “…sin is the transgression of the law…” 1 John 3:4 and that “…the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23. 

In his campaign against God, common sense can only tell us that Satan offered the angels a better state of existence if they join his cause, just like he told Eve, “…your eyes shall be opened, ye shall be as gods…” Genesis 3:5. Eve must’ve thought that God was withholding something from them because the serpent was implying that their eyes were closed.

What a tale! Lies told by the Devil who is the father of lies. One-third God’s angels were lost from His kingdom because they chose to listen to the lies and deception of Lucifer. The archenemy of God conquered the Adam and Eve by a few cunningly deviced lies. 

He has continued leading men and women to their doom through lies and deceit. “Be sober, be vigilant, for thy adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8. Be sober, be vigilant, and beware!