Charles Spurgeon Commentary Revelation 12:3-4

"And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads seven diadems. And his tail draweth the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon standeth before the woman that is about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child." — Revelation 12:3-4 (ASV)

The spirit of evil in the heavenly realms, fighting against the power of light, goodness, and grace, is a mysterious being with great power, high intelligence, seven heads, and ten horns. He wields mighty influence over multitudes of people, so that there were seven crowns upon his seven heads. Scripture says, And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth.

The crocodile, which I suppose was the earthly figure from which John's dream sprang, has great force in its tail; and Satan doubtless long ago drew from heaven a number of its stars—other angels fell with him. And there are times in the heavens of the church when ministers fall; they seem to fall in groups.

Those who should be lights for God fall into darkness and become teachers of heresy. As Scripture says, He did cast them down to the earth. They lost their brightness; they betrayed their earthly origin.

Furthermore, the Scripture states, And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. Remember how he sought to slay Jesus; and the same is true for all the man-children born to God, who will be of service in the kingdom of God.

The main attack of the dragon was against the child; indeed, the main attack of the power of evil is against Christ and everything Christly. If he could destroy the gospel, he would not care about the church at all: the woman might go if the man-child could be destroyed.