The Woman & the Dragon

Revelation 12 unveils a cosmic battle between good and evil, literally between St. Michael the Archangel and the dragon, inviting us to interpret these visions through historical and spiritual lenses.

“Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it.” (Rev. 12:7-9)

Here we read about the celestial battle between the angels, in particular the Archangel St. Michael, whose very name challenges Morning Star “Lucifer” (a fallen Cherub?) and its angels with the question, “Who is Like God?”

Clearly this battle began at the time God created man, before the fall of Adam and Eve, as we are introduced to this “cunning snake” in the Book of Genesis, chapter 3. Tradition holds that some of God’s creatures in Heaven were filled with resentment at the prospect of serving man as they serve God. “Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav’n.”

Although this battle is above us, it certainly includes us as Satan’s greatest revenge is the fall of each and every human being who turns against God. While the war is over, the battle continues for each and every human being until we enter into our eternal reward or demise. None of God’s creatures can be overpowered by Satan, but we are capable of being enticed to serve the devil rather than our Creator.