“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 great dragon was hurled down - that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray - Satan's titles accumulate: serpent (from Genesis 3), devil (slanderer), and the deceiver of all nations. His defeat is both cosmic and immediate, a realized eschatology flowing from Christ's victory.
Church Fathers on Revelation 12:9
“There was a battle in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon warred, and his angels, and they prevailed not; nor was their place found any more in heaven. And that great dragon was cast forth, that old serpent: he was cast forth into the earth.” This is the beginning of Antichrist; yet previously Elias must prophesy, and there must be times of peace. And afterwards, when the three years and six months are completed in the preaching of Elias, he…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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