REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 12.7

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

                                                                           

Chapter Twelve

The Great Tribulation

(Parenthesis)

The Seven Trumpets

Trumpet Number 7: Woe Number 3

 (A Parenthesis)

Tribulation Characters

 

 

Overview

Since the fall of man in Genesis to the book of Revelation there has been a mighty conflict between two forces:

1. God and Satan.

2. The seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent

3. Good and evil

This war has been rightly labeled “The Battle of the Ages.”

 

The following six verses of Revelation 12 chronicle a significant turning point resulting in a war in heaven. The outline includes:

1. D-Day – The Battle Begins (verses7-8)

2. V-Day – The Battle Ends (verse 9)

3. Victory Day Celebration (verses 10-12)

 

D-Day

4. Michael the Archangel

(Verse 7)

 

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.

 

The Great Cosmic War in Heaven

In this verse, the scene shifts to Heaven where a war (i.e., warfare, either a single battle or a series of encounters) ensues. This spiritual war ultimately culminates with the casting out of Satan and his cohorts to earth. Two combatants are mentioned:

A. Michael and his angels

B. The Dragon and his angels

 

The unusuality of this event is that both powers fighting is in the spiritual realm. Therefore, their methods of warfare are inconceivable since they are not revealed. However, angelic beings do possess supernatural powers and energies, so their modes of fighting are only left to one’s wildest imagination.

 

During this heavenly conflict, Satan’s battle plan will involve the following stratagem:

1. To kill all devoted to God

2. To destroy their faith

3. To fight viciously to prevent Christ from establishing the Millennial Kingdom

 

Michael

Fourth in the characters of Tribulation is God’s militant - Michael the Archangel. The name Michael (Hebrew: Mîykâ’êl, Greek: Michaēl) is interesting. Combining his three syllables comprises the phrase, “Who (is) like God.” On the other hand, the archangel (Greek: archaggelos) denotes a chief archangel whom Michael is the only one named in Holy Writ, having Satan as his counterpart.  

Note: Extant literature references seven archangels, Michael, being the chief.

 

Archangel Michael is notated as such:

1. As the guardian angel of God’s elect - Israel

Daniel 10:13 - But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me (Daniel); and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

 

For 21 days, Daniel’s prayer was not answered due to Michael engaging in spiritual warfare with the Prince of Persia, either a high-ranking demonic fallen angel that represented the Persian world power, or Satan himself. This demonic power was trying to halt God from carrying out His plan for the future of Israel.

 

Daniel 10:21 - But I will shew thee that which is noted in the Scripture of Truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

As prince (Hebrew: ώar, pronounced sar) Michael was the head person of any rank or class. When world powers went against Israel, it was Michael the Prince of Israel alone who held the office of the protectorate.

 

2. As the voice descending with the Lord for the saints

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

Known as the rapture, or the great catching up, Michael will also shield Christian believers against any confrontations from demonic forces.

 

3.  As a contender with Satan over the body of Moses

Jude 1:9 - Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

 

Lest the Israelites worship the dead body of Moses, the Lord Himself buried Moses’ body in a valley of the land of Moab. Thus, Michael fought the battle with the devil to prevent God's people from committing idolatry.

 

Deuteronomy 34:6 - And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.

 

Beth Peor, incidentally, was the last campsite of the Israelites during their war against Sihon, King of the Amorites, and Og of the Rephaim (the last remnant of giants), King of Bashan (cf. Deuteronomy 3:29). Its location was far beyond the Jordan Valley against the slopes of Ashdoth – Pisgah. Later it became part of the land area bequeathed to Reuben by Moses (cf. Deuteronomy 4:46).

 

The Dragon

Even though the Apostle John is witnessing this cosmic collision in a vision, according to Scripture, Satan (the Great Red Dragon), has already been defeated. Several passages indicate his defeat.

 

Three are presented:

John 12:31 – Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. [Emphasis mine]

Subsequently, the entire future is present in the mind of Christ. Talking about future events, the prince of darkness will be cast out and his kingdom will be destroyed. Jesus said Satan and death were defeated at the Cross and man can be delivered out of spiritual darkness.

 

Romans 16:20 – The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Our assurance is that the great adversary will be overthrown forever. But the struggle is over. Those who were once slaves to sin are now servants of the living God!

 

1 John 4:4 - Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

For ye who are of God, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is thus the secret strength of all victory, especially the events that befall in daily life.

 

 

(Verse 8)

 

And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

 

The length of the ferocious conflict in heaven has not been disclosed. However, the result of the war is the dragon’s complete defeat. Satan and his angels prevailing not against Michael and his angels strongly state the failure of evil and its broken power.

 

The Lord Jesus earlier referred to this incident:

Luke 18:10 - And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

 

May believe this prophetic statement has a dual fulfillment:

A. First, in Revelation 12:8, Satan and his angels are seen falling from Heaven and permanently being cast out, so they are never seen in the third Heaven any longer

 

B. Secondly, Revelation 20:3 describes Satan being permanently removed and sealed into the Bottomless Pit for eternity

 

Note: An explanation as to why Satan and his fallen angels have access to the third Heaven will be detailed in the next study.

 

Closing Thought

Satan has already been defeated because of Christ’s death on the Cross. The war in heaven is a future battle of all battles. So the result continues to be the same. Every attack by Satan will ultimately end in defeat. Consequently, this struggle reveals the failure of the dragon and his satanic army to overthrow the plan and purposes of God.

 

What a blessing and hope to know that our heavenly future is guaranteed if we only trust in Jesus, His death, burial, and Resurrection.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.   Who are the contenders in the war in heaven?

2.   What is the war in heaven about?

3.   Who wins the cosmic battle?

4.   What is Michael’s role in this raging war?

5.   What is Michael’s role in God’s chosen people?

6.   Who is the prince of the air?

7.   Why will good always win over evil?

 

 

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