The power here referred to as “the Devil and Satan” is also denominated “the dragon.”  This use of the definite article shows clearly that a particular character is designated—­the dragon—­and implies that the object has already been introduced.  In his first appearance upon the symbolic panorama (chap. 12:3) he is simply styled a dragon, but in every subsequent instance he is called the dragon, which proves that the same character is meant.  In addition to the former remarks on chapter 12:9 relative to the terms applied to this antichristian power, the following quotation from the People’s Cyclopaedia will throw some light on the subject:  “In the mythical history and legendary poetry of almost every nation, the dragon appears as the emblem of the destructive and anarchistic principle....  Like the serpent, the dragon is always a minister of evil ... the object of which is to fight order, harmony, and progress.  In Christian art, the dragon is the emblem of sin....  It is often represented as crushed under the feet of saints and martyrs....  Sometimes its prostrate attitude signifies the triumph of Christianity over Paganism.”  Art.  Dragon.  Considering this usage of these terms for ages, it is not strange that they were applied also to that great antichristian, persecuting system of Paganism, which stood before Christianity as its greatest barrier to “order, harmony, and progress.”

The angel that overthrew this public system of Pagan infidelity symbolizes the primitive host of Christians, the ministers in particular.  Some have supposed that he represented Christ; but, as already shown conclusively, Christ can not be symbolized by an inferior intelligence, hence always appears upon the scene in his own character, proclaiming his own eternal name.  The fact that this angel possessed the key of the bottomless pit is no proof that he is Christ, even though in chapter 1:18 Jesus is said to have certain keys; for in chapter 9:1 we find that a fallen star—­the symbol of Mohammed—­is said to have “the key of the bottomless pit” also.  At the most, this expression is only a symbol of power and authority, be it good or bad.  In the gospel the same figure is applied to God’s ministers, where they are given authority to bind the powers of wickedness on earth.  Mat. 16:19; 18:18.  The chain is a symbol of the power to bind.

When Christianity first commenced its warfare with this huge system of error, almost the entire then-known world was under its deceptive influence; but by a long conflict, in which thousands of the noble followers of the Lamb were slaughtered, this antichristian public system of Pagan infidelity was at last completely overthrown, and the final result was, that the civilized world became as completely Christian (nominally at least) as it ever had been Pagan.  This great transformation could never have been effected without the undying heroism and whole-hearted consecration of the first disciples of Christ.  From this time the dragon as such—­as a public deceiver of the nations throughout the Apocalyptic earth—­was overthrown.  This marks the beginning of the thousand years mentioned.