After the seventh trumpet has sounded and before the bowls are dispensed, the apostle John continues with prophecies from the
little scroll and begins by describing two signs. God uses signs as a way to globally signal time
(Gen 1:14), or to specifically warn of an individual (Gen 4:15),
or to commemorate an agreement (Gen 9:12-17). The signs appear to be intentional for John.
The second sign is the Red Dragon with seven heads and ten horns (Rev 12:3). This figure
of speech is explicitly identified as Satan (Rev 12:9); however, the significance of his
seven heads and ten horns are unfathomable.
With the impending birth of Jesus, the apostle John's imagery of Satan's tail sweeping "away a third of the stars
of heaven and threw them to the earth" (Rev 12:4) suggests that 1/3 of God's angels fell to
follow Satan for the purpose of killing the coming Savior-King. Consistent with this view are the gospel accounts of frequent
encounters with Satan and evil spirits and ultimately Jesus' death by crucifixion.
The apostle John's prophecy does not mention the death of Jesus. Following His birth, the apostle instead speaks
of the Child being "caught up to God and to His throne" (Rev 12:5) which appears to be a
reference to Jesus' ascension to heaven (John 20:17; Acts 1:9-11).