And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.
(Revelation 12:3-4 ESV)
The sign of the woman given in Revelation 12:1-2 has been very clearly identified in Stellarium as having occurred on September 23, 2017, the sign in Revelation 12:3-4 of the red dragon has been much more difficult to find. While the Revelation 12:1-2 sign is a “great sign in the sun, moon, and stars”, the Revelation 12:3-4 sign is “another sign” which appears in heaven. Is “another sign” another of the same KIND of sign as verses 1,2 or is it a different kind of sign?
The Same Kind of Sign
First, let’s examine the possibility that the dragon sign of Revelation 12 is the same kind of sign as the “great sign”. In Revelation 12:1-2, there appears a “great sign” in heaven. This sign includes a woman (Israel) and a child (the body of Christ, the church). This sign can be observed in astronomy software such as Stellarium as occurring September 23, 2017. Unsealed.org has done a magnificent job detailing this sign. However, where is the dragon?
In Revelation 12:4, the dragon is literally waiting to devour the child. If it is the same kind of sign as the Great Sign of the woman, we need to be looking for a physical sign in the universe (second heaven). This could involve the sun, moon, and/or stars (constellations). Perhaps it might even include something like a comet or meteor showers.
Since there are dragon constellations (Serpens, Draco, Hydra), do these figure into the September sign? Some watchmen do think it appears that Serpens may be involved, as it has 7 heads with 7 diadems on it, and 10 horns. You can see a discussion on this here – the Sign of the Dragon. I haven’t found much on Draco. Hydra also may be involved, as it covers 1/3 of the sky (8 hours) and thus “sweeps a third of the stars of the sky” in its nightly passage.
Another suggestion has been made that the Dragon sign might be connected to the Draconid meteor shower in some way. This meteor shower occurs every fall around October. For it to be a prophetic sign, it would need to be markedly out of the ordinary in some way. We will have to just watch the skies and see! More information on the Draconid meteor showers can be found on earthsky.org. For the October 7, 2017 shower, see their article: All You Need to Know: Draconids in 2017.
Image credit: EarthSky.Org
You may be able to find more information on these three constellations, the meteor showers, and how they interact with Virgo in your searches. Scott Clarke continues to examine Stellarium for the possible Dragon sign of Revelation 12:3-4. His most recent YouTube video here – The REAL Dragon Sign.
A Different Kind of Sign
Next, let examine the possibility that the dragon sign of Revelation 12 is a different kind of sign than the woman sign. No mention is given of the sun or moon in this sign. The sign mentions stars being cast down from heaven in connection with the dragon.
From Revelation chapter 13, we clearly are able to identify the seven headed ten horned dragon as the antichrist empowered by satan. We are told later in Chapter 12 that the dragon is, indeed, satan.
And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Revelation 12:9 ESV
And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority… And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” Revelation 13:1-2,4 ESV
Could the dragon sign refer to a spiritual battle that takes place in the heavens – the earth’s atmosphere where the powers of darkness currently rule? If so, does this battle occur around the time of the rapture of the church – when the “child” is about to be delivered?
It’s possible that Revelation 12:3-4, 6:13, and 12:7-9 are all describing the same event. Revelation 12:7-9 provides the details (detail popout) of what was introduced in 12:3-4. Consider the verses together:
And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. (Revelation 12:3-4 ESV)
…and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. (Revelation 6:13 ESV)
Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Revelation 12:7-9 ESV)
Note that the “stars of the sky” and satan and his angels are both thrown down to the earth. Angels are often referred to as stars, and in Rev 12:3-4 it is certain that the 1/3 of stars that the dragon’s tail sweeps are the angels that fall with him.
This battle may even include manifestations of fallen angelic beings, which is supported in scripture in coordination with the “great sign” – Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. (Luke 21:10-11 ESV). Are the stars being cast down from heaven part of the terrors Luke mentions at the very beginning of the birth pains?
I have written further on these topics in: The Blood Moon – Seal 6, Revelation 12 – Rapture and Tribulation Overview, The Coming Deception – “Aliens”?, Revelation 12 – A Sign in the Heavens, September 23, 2017
Unsealed has an excellent article on the Dragon of Revelation 12:3-4 which would seem to support this second interpretation.
Summary
I personally believe that the dragon sign of Revelation 12:3-4 will be fulfilled by the war in heaven. I believe that war gives us the details of what is happening in the sign, and that it occurs either concurrently or immediately after the rapture of the church. This is further detailed in my Revelation 12 post.
I don’t know enough about stars and star maps and mystery planets to definitively identify what might appear to attempt to “devour” the church as it is harpazo’d (snatched, raptured) up to heaven. I *do* know that Michael and the holy angels rise to battle satan and his horde at this time, or shortly after, and that the fallen angels are forever booted out of access to heaven (Rev12).
No matter what happens in the star and planetary alignments, the true spiritual battle that it represents will be monumental.
Further Resources:
Are you CERTAIN of your Salvation, beyond a shadow of a doubt? Do you KNOW that no matter when the rapture occurs, you will be counted worthy to escape? If not, please read What Must I do to Be Saved.
Where is the Dragon – Unsealed
The Blood Moon – Seal 6
TheRevelation 12 – Rapture and Tribulation Overview
Revelation 12 – A Sign in the Heavens, September 23, 2017
God’s Mosaic – A Whole Scripture Overview of Things To Come
Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign – The Convergence is Now
Main Menu – God’s Mosaic Prophecy Model
The Bible is infallible. I am not. Be a Berean – examine the scriptures for yourself to see if these things are so!
Red Moon Rapture 