As the lunar new year just kicked off, one may wonder what this year’s symbol, the year of the snake, may have to do with Christianity and faith. While the world looks at these cycles through cultural and astrological lenses, we seek to understand them through a biblical and spiritual perspective—what is the Lord saying in this season?
Breaking News. Spirit-Filled Stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now!
The Year of the Dragon: A Time of Spiritual Warfare and Holy Fire
Last year, 2024, was the year of the dragon. The dragon, as explained in the book of Revelation, is a symbol of Satan. Revelation 12:3-4 tells us:
There was a great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven, and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as He was born.
Verse 9 then blatantly calls out the dragon by who he actually is: Satan.
The great dragon was cast out, that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.
In 2024 we saw the signs of the dragon pop up all around us, including a giant dragon on the Empire State building in promotion of the “House of Dragon” show and on a banner inside of a church cathedral.
So, if Satan is the one prophesied about who will try to destroy Israel and the world, and is referred to as both the dragon and the serpent, then can we expect similar issues in 2025 to what arose in 2024?
/**/The Year of the Snake: A Year of Deception and Divine Discernment
The year of the snake is now upon us, and biblically the serpent is the deceiver from the Garden (Gen. 3). He is the same foe of mankind as the dragon, Satan himself. Could this signal a time when deception will intensify—whether in global politics, cultural narratives or even within the church? One thing we can be sure of as we near the second coming of Christ is that false teachings, counterfeit movement and spiritual compromise may rise, but those anchored in God’s Word will discern truth from lies.
/**/While the dragon brings overt warfare, the snake operates through subtlety, whispering lies and distorting truth. This means the body of Christ must cultivate deep intimacy with the Holy Spirit to detect and expose the enemy’s schemes. No matter what kinds of things we encounter this year, we must remember that the truth of God’s Word is sharper than a double-edged sword, and there is no lie Satan can spread that is greater than what God has already stated as His absolutely certain and trustworthy Word.
Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
