Why is the dragon in the one verse referred to as the serpent?

[marie glen]

All through Revelation, chapter twelve, of the Bible, we read about "the dragon". He waits in front of the woman who gives birth to a manchild who will rule all nations with a rod of iron (unbreakable law and principle) in order to devour the manchild (a son of man) as soon as he is born. We can almost hear "Rachel weeping"...

But the manchild is not devoured. Instead he is caught up to God and his throne. (Hebrews 1:3) At which point, said dragon is enraged and pursues the woman, and there is a first migration (of the faith). There's war in heaven, Michael and his angels battle with the dragon and his angels, who do not prevail, and after which, the dragon is denied further access to the heavens.

He's pretty ticked off about that, so he persecutes the woman, and she is given the two wings of an eagle - a second migration of the faith - so she may fly away from the inquisitions to a new place where she is, for a "set time" (Strong's #2540) and "short while" kept safe from the face, countenance, fashion (Strong's #4383) of the dragon. (A set time of 3.5.)

But the serpent, after the set, short while, spews some sort of flood (proliferation) (Strong's #4215 current, stream, river) after the woman so she will be washed away (Strong's #4216) "overwhelmed, carried away" by the flood.

We know the serpent is the dragon, for the next verse (verse 16) says "But the earth" (in the vision John saw) "came to the rescue of the woman, and the ground opened its mouth and swallowed up the stream of water which the dragon had spewed from his mouth." (Amplified Version) [Cross-Reference - Luke 23:31!]

Why is the dragon, in the one verse, referred to as "the serpent"?

[WhiteWings]

δράκων
drakōn
Thayer Definition:
1) a dragon, a great serpent, a name for Satan

ὄφις
ophis
Thayer Definition:
1) snake, serpent
2) with the ancients, the serpent was an emblem of cunning and wisdom. The serpent who deceived Eve was regarded by the Jews as the devil.


So both Greek words can mean serpent.
More likely, I think, is that serpent in verse 16 is referring to wisdom.

Gen 3:1 Now the snake was wiser than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, Has God truly said that you may not take of the fruit of any tree in the garden?

:2c:

[rosered]

Good study Marie
  and good answer WW! 

  for me the  Serpent /dragon     the red one      may mean alot of things  metaphorically  speaking red   being flesh and blood   that does not inherit the Kingdom of God   and also may represent the bloodshed of the innocent  as well [Blood of the Lamb ]   lambs of GOD   

  the flood to me is the flood of lies  the earth swallows up   , Jesus   speaks of the flood that comes and   tells  mankind  how to build  his house   in faith  in the ROCK JESUS ,  not in wisdom of the world [Luk 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. ]

This helps me to see  whom that  Dragon serpent is [god of this world is ]   not the God of all things .  heaven and earth and below ...   

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 


2Cr 4:2   But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 


2Cr 4:3   But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 


2Cr 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 


2Cr 4:5   For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake


GODS WISDOM  and the wisdom  of the world scriptures   to be compared   helps us to see  more clearly  , its by Jesus He is the Wisdom and power of God making Him to Lord of the dead and Living    as well as the  Lord / master of   ALL   Act 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)


Jhn 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world  



Jer 10:12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.


Jer 51:15 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.


1Cr 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?


1Cr 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.


1Cr 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:


1Cr 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:


1Cr 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.


2Cr 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
  Seems the fleshy wisdom is of the carnal mind    to me and emnity against the Spirit  of God

[sheila]

...and yet,another perspective.  as the 'evil' cntrast/adversary

  called the dragon..when it entered the fallen angels........called the original serpent due to

this spirit entering the serpent in the garden..called the beast when it entered bodies of beasts

and they become wild/devouring flesh beasts.  And lastly known as 'the man of sin/lawlessness

son of perdition...when it enters the flesh of man.

[marie glen]

In rev 12, i think of the "serpent" who vomits the (vile?) flood after the faith (after a 2nd migration / travel, via eale wings, after fierce persecution/inquisition) and then after 350 "time span" (strong's #2540) as the dragon's Beguiler mode.. I haven't looked up the Strong's for dragon and serpent.. Good idea! :)