are the fallen angels with the leaders of heresy, schism, and persecution.
8, 9. The battle is waged in the Church, the kingdom of heaven, from which the dragon arid his angels are cast out and hurled down to earth. The earth symbolizes the nations hostile to the Church, the world over which Satan rules. By the aid of St. Michael the Church shall purge herself of all heretics, schismatics and apostates. A similar work was accomplished by the Council of Trent in the sixteenth century.
CHAPTER XII
10. And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: because the accuser of our brethren is cast forth, who accused them before our God day and night.
11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of the testimony, and they loved not their lives unto death.
12. Therefore rejoice, O heaven, and you that dwell therein. Woe to the earth, and to the sea, because the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time.
13. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto earth, he persecuted the woman, who brought forth the man child:
