Revelation 12:9; The Great Dragon Was Cast Out

Revelation 12:9 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. 

The general appearance is that of a dragon, or monster, breaking and formidable. In size he is great, with tremendous proportions, suggesting his power and activity. He has a fiery colour, or a brilliance like fire, showing attractiveness rather than repulsiveness. The 7 heads, 10 horns, and the crowns will be appearing again in chapter 13 and 17. The heads are mountains or governments energised by this monster (Revelation 17:9) and the ten horns are ten kings of the end time (Revelation 17:12).

Revelation 17:9 And here isthe mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. 

Revelation 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 

This monster is Satan (Revelation 12:11) and his special representative, the Antichrist, is described in the same way in Revelation 13:1.

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 

Revelation 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 

Through the centuries, Satan has been masquerading as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 

But now at last the great enemy of God and the archfiend of the universe is revealed in his true colours.

Hermon A. Hoyt, Studies in Revolution, BMH Books, 1977.