And the GREAT DRAGON was THROWN DOWN,
The GREAT DRAGON is symbolically equal to evil. It is clear that evil was defeated first in heaven and then on earth. Believers can take comfort in this. No matter how bad things get on earth, the GREAT DRAGON is already DEFEATED (Romans 8:31-37-39)!
the serpent of old who is called the DEVIL and SATAN,
No mistaking this dragon; he is the same as in Genesis 3:1-7. His works are evil and are destroyed by Christ (1 John 3:1-10). He is the same one who is prowling seeking believers to devour (1 Peter 5:1-11).
who DECEIVES the WHOLE world;
Humanly, it is difficult to believe that one being would try to do this. The deception starts in the minds of the unbelieving (2 Corinthians 4:1-4-6 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12).
Next, the deception moves into the church as "servants of righteousness" (2 Corinthians 11:7-15) to try to divert the nominal believer. The parable of the sower explained in Matthew 13:18-23 indicates this takes place where the seed is sown. Today, "seed sowing" is done in or is left up to the church.
The deception goes all the way to humanism which says God is not the ultimate reality, but that the universe, science, and knowledge are the only lasting reality. When the absolutes of God and His Word are denied, only a humanistic process is left. Humanists ought to look closely at the results of the deception. The list is given in Revelation 21:8; if the GREAT DRAGON can deceive you into being on this list, he has accomplished his plan.
he was THROWN DOWN to the earth; and his angels were THROWN DOWN with him.
If the devil believes he will become greater than God by mastering the earth, then that is where he should be confined to. Sad to say, the devil believes that destroying the earth has an impact on the spiritual life of the believer. And he does if the believer is laying up treasures HERE ON EARTH (Matthew 6:19-21).
Note: the phrase "THROWN DOWN" is used three times in this verse. There is no doubt this event will take place forceably by Michael and his angels (verse 7).