pect to see the church left helpless
like a woman before a great dragon. We would naturally expect to
see divine aid extended, and this is done by the change of symbolic
imagery, Michael (Christ) and his angels appearing to wage war against
the dragon.

The battle between Michael and the dragon signifies the great conflict
which took place between primitive Christianity and the powers of
paganism enthroned in the Roman Empire. It will be observed that this
scripture has no reference to the origin of Satan himself, as some
people have supposed; for the conflict was fought in the Christian
dispensation, as is proved by the weapons which the followers of
Michael employed--"And they _overcame him by the blood of the Lamb_,
and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives
unto the death." Under this figure, the followers of Michael are
represented as victors, the dragon being cast down to the earth,
or overthrown. It is a fact of history that primitive Christianity
succeeded in its fight against paganism.

In the nineteenth chapter of Acts we have an account of the effect
Christianity had on heathenism. Paul went to Ephesus, which at that
time was the chief capital of proconsular Asia, a leading mart of
heathen idolatry, and in which was situated one of the seven wonders
of the ancient world--the temple of Diana. The preaching of the gospel
produced such a mighty effect that the followers of Diana, fearing
lest their magnificent system of worship should be destroyed, stirred
up the people in a tumult until the city was in an uproar, a great mob
shouting, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians."

Before the end of the first century, according to the testimony of
the younger Pliny, the temples of the gods of Asia Minor were almost
forsaken. Well has Butler said, "The final victory of Christianity
over heathenism and Judaism, and the mightiest empire of the ancient
world, a victory gained without physical force, by the moral power
of faith and perseverance, of faith and love, is one of the strongest
evidences of the divinity and indestructible life of our holy
religion."

It is a fact worthy of mention that the early Christians regarded
the Roman Empire as a great enemy to the truth, and described it as a
dragon, the victory of Christianity over heathenism being represented
by the overthrow of the dragon. Constantine and others of his time
describe these events thus. Says Bishop Newton, "Moreover, a picture
of