The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

history is the same as that of the previous vision--the days of Pagan Roman persecution,
culminating in the elevation of Constantine to the throne of the Roman Empire. It is quite
necessary to keep in mind when interpreting this vision, that the persecution of the
Church by the Pagan government, up to that time, had in a measure the effect of keeping
the Church pure and of keeping it united. However, even in the Apostle's day, "tares,"
imitation Christians, had to some extent identified themselves with the Church, but up to
the time of Constantine's accession to the throne, when Pagan persecution ceased, Christ's
followers, who constituted the "many called," had been able to present in a large measure
an unbroken front before the world.
The "dragon" is here designated the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan. He
is therefore the symbol used, and is evidently the same one referred to by Christ as the
"prince of this world," and by St. Paul as the "god of this world," who is represented as
blinding the minds of them that believe not the Gospel. He is the same one who in the
form of a serpent deceived Eve, and caused the fall of our first parents. He is the great
fallen angel, so frequently referred to in the Scriptures. This is proved by the fact that in
the conflict he has associated with him other angels also fallen. The conclusion that Satan
is the one mentioned in the vision is confirmed as we consider the nature of his opponents;
these are Michael the archangel, and his subordinates, the holy angels.
Symbolic picture drawn from the fall of Satan
The "heaven" which is employed as a symbol in this vision, in which this conflict took
place, is the unseen, heavenly, spirit world. The fulfillment will be found in transactions
occurring on the earth. The symbols employed to describe this conflict are, therefore,
drawn from a literal transaction, the early stages of which were possibly in evidence
before man's creation, and have continued since. That occurrence is the fall of Satan and
his rebellion against Divine authority and against the Divine empire; additionally, the fall
of holy angels and their association with Satan. To understand the vision and its
application in history it will be necessary to have a general knowledge of this literal
occurrence.
While the history of Satan's rebellion against Divine authority is not all clearly given in the
Scriptures, we do find many references to it, and these enable us to gather with certainty
the following facts:
1. That Satan was a created being, having at one time his abode in the heaven of heavens;
the inference being that he was honored with his existence in creation's early morning, as
he is called Lucifer, bright one, son of the morning.--Ezek. 28:12-15; Isa. 14:12.
2. That at some remote period he rebelled against God's authority.--Isa. 14:12-15.
3. That because of such rebellion he was expelled from heaven; this our Lord witnessed.--
Luke 10:18.