Who is the great red dragon in Revelation 12?
The great red dragon in Revelation 12 is Satan. The seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns indicate his power. His tail drew a third part of the stars of heaven, and he stood before the woman, Israel, ready to devour her child, which refers to Christ at Bethlehem.
Les explains that in Revelation chapter 12, Israel is the woman, and the great red dragon is Satan. The dragon is pictured with seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns, indicating his power. His tail drawing the third part of the stars of heaven reverts back to Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14, where he said he would be like the Most High and ascend above the sides of the north. In his fall and rebellion, a third of the angelic host followed him, the angels Jude mentions who left their first estate. The dragon cast them to the earth and stood before the woman, Israel, to devour her child as soon as it was born. That speaks of Christ being born at Bethlehem, and Herod’s decree to kill all the boys was how he stood ready to devour Him.
And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.