The Dragon and his authorized Beasts The dragon, the beast and the false prophet – "the mystery of iniquity" (2.Thess 2:7-12) form a blasphemous “Anti-Trinity”, the counterfeit of "the mystery of godliness" (1.Tim 3:16). The book of Revelation colorfully narrates a) the persecuting power of the Dragon, b) the rise of the beast from the sea, c) the ascension of the beast from the abyss or pit, d) the beast from the land or earth and e) downfall of the beasts and their brood. a) The persecuting fiery red Dragon, having 7 heads and 10 horns, and seven diadems on his heads Satan the serpent of old (Gen 3:1), appears as being the archetype of the beast nature (Rev 12:9). He might be the „prince of this world order “(John 12:31), yet YHVH is the GOD of this earth. Thus, Lucifer’s power and success is limited by GOD and his punishment is certain. The seven heads and the ten horns of the Dragon are a general description of his universal power in past ages and places of the world. The colour of the dragon implies his fiery rage as a murderer from the beginning. The devil – no longer able to accuse the elect in heaven – craftily tempts and ferociously persecutes the saints on earth because he knows that he has only a short time left (Rev 12:12). He deceives the whole world. All power and authority is given unto Yahshua in heaven and on earth (Mt 28:18; Re 12:5). He sits on the right hand of GOD’s throne. Satan and his demons’ dwell in "the pit of the abyss" – the orifice of the hell, but in his impious mimicry of GOD's heavenly throne, Satan sets up his earthly throne (Rev 4:2). The Bible records several cities in which Satan had established his throne in the past: a) Ancient City of Babylon; Isa 14:4-21, b) City of Tyre; Ezek 24:1-19; c) City of Pergamum; Rev 2:13, d) City of Jerusalem; Rev 11:8; 1Pet 5:13, e) City of Rome; Rev 17-18.
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