Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Revelation 12:9. It’s a really important part of understanding the story of the beginning of evil in the world. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: A Dragon: The "great dragon" represents Satan, who was originally a powerful being created by God to help humanity. He was a force of good initially, but he became corrupted and started leading people astray. The Old Serpent (Satan): This is the “old serpent” – that’s Satan himself! He's been around for a long time and has always tried to tempt people to do wrong. Cast Out: The Bible says Satan was expelled from God’s creation, which is essentially Heaven itself. This signifies his being banished from the place where he should be. His Angels Cast Out: Satan isn't alone anymore! He’s been joined by other powerful beings – his angels – who were also cast out with him. What Does It Mean? This verse describes a significant turning point in history. It means that Satan started to sow discord and temptation, and he’s been working to undermine God's plan for humanity. It's a warning that evil is persistent and will continue to challenge God’s goodness. In short, it says that Satan was banished from Heaven and his forces are now actively trying to deceive people. Why is this important? This story is often seen as the beginning of the conflict between good and evil in the world. It's a reminder that we all face temptation, and it’s crucial to resist those temptations and stay on the right path – guided by God's truth. --- Do you want me to: Explain anything else about this verse? Connect it to a specific story in the Bible?