1. Satan Depicted as the Red Dragon
Satan is symbolized as a red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, representing his dominant power and the empires he ruled. As previously mentioned, the seven heads signify the evil archangels governing Babylon, Persia, Greece, and the Roman Empire, while the ten horns represent the angels ruling over the ten kingdoms formed after the Roman Empire's division.

2. The Symbolism of the Red Dragon: A High-Ranking Angel
The depiction of Satan as a red dragon highlights his former exalted status. In the Bible, clothing in radiant or red hues is often associated with high-ranking authorities. For example, in Daniel 5, King Belshazzar of Babylon defiled the holy vessels of God’s temple by using them for drinking and idol worship. When mysterious writing appeared on the wall, he promised to clothe the interpreter in purple (a royal color) and make them the third ruler of his kingdom, underscoring the association of purple garments with authority.

[Daniel 5:7]
"The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to be brought and said to these wise men of Babylon, ‘Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain placed around their neck, and be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.’"

3. Scarlet Clothing and Authority in Revelation
Similarly, in Revelation 17, the woman symbolizing Babylon is described as wearing purple and scarlet and adorned with gold and precious stones. This imagery suggests that the woman occupies a position of high status.

[Revelation 17:4]
"The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries."

The red dragon’s description in Revelation thus emphasizes Satan’s high rank, signifying that he was once a prominent angel in heaven.

4. Conclusion: The Red Dragon and Satan’s High Rank
The depiction of Satan as a red dragon underscores his former status as a high-ranking angel in heaven. The seven heads and ten horns represent the empires and kingdoms under his dominion. The imagery of scarlet clothing, historically associated with rulers and authority, further highlights Satan’s exalted position before his fall. This symbolic portrayal reveals Satan’s prominence as a celestial authority and the breadth of his influence on earthly kingdoms.