NOTE.—Primarily the dragon represents Satan, the great enemy and persecutor of the church in all ages. But Satan works through principalities and powers in his efforts to destroy the people of God. It was through a Roman king, King Herod, that he sought to destroy Christ as soon as He was born. Matt. 2:16. Rome must therefore be symbolized by the dragon. The seven heads of the dragon are interpreted by some to refer to the “seven hills” upon which the city of Rome is built; by others, to the seven forms of government through which Rome passed; and by still others, and more broadly, to the seven great monarchies which have oppressed the people of God; namely, Egypt, Assyria, Chaldea, Persia, Greece, pagan Rome, and papal Rome, in either of which Rome is represented and included. See page 269. The ten horns, as in the fourth beast of Daniel 7, evidently refer to the ten kingdoms into which Rome was finally divided, and thus again identify the dragon with the Roman power. 6. How is the conflict between Christ and Satan described? “And there was war in heaven; Michael and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Verses 7-9. NOTE.—This conflict, begun in heaven, continues on earth. Near the close of Christ’s ministry, He said, “I beheld Satan as lightning _fall from heaven_.” Luke 10:18. “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be _cast out_.” John 12:31. From the councils of the representatives of the various worlds to which Satan, as the prince of this world, was formerly admitted (Job 1:6, 7; 2:1, 2), he was cast out when he crucified Christ, the Son of God. 7. What shout of triumph was heard in heaven following the victory gained by Christ? “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, _Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ_: for the accuser of our brethren is _cast down_, which accused them before our God day and night.... Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.” Verses 10-12. 8. Why was woe at this same time proclaimed to the world? “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! _for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time_.” Verse 12, last part.