Alpha and Omega, Part 37, Revelation Part 14
Satan Wages a War in Heaven
Revelation 12:7-17
Introduction
- Been studying Revelation together, to understand God’s plan for creation
-- This is the continuation of our Alpha and Omega series since January
-- REM: Redemption of sin has been provided through Jesus; we have a choice
- Last week, we discussed: The Woman, The Dragon, and The Child
-- These 3 represent: Israel, Satan, and Jesus Christ
-- A great battle and war over Israel will be fought in Heaven
-- RE: The struggle for all souls occurs in the spiritual realm
- KEY: The fight for Israel is one that God is willing to fight
-- He has provided a place of safety for Gentiles - found in Jesus, the Messiah
-- He has also provided safety for His people, the children of Israel
- Here is God's promise to do this: Romans 11:25-26, "I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say, "The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness."
- Today we will uncover more of Satan’s motive and his reactions (teaching)
-- It is important to know so we are united in the truth vs. man-made assumptions
- Read Revelation 12:7-17 / Pray for understanding
- TR: BIG: When we speak of spiritual matters, we must use the bible to validate:
Point 1 – We must “Know thy enemy”!
- Let's ensure we refresh ourselves on who the enemy is ... lots of scrip. references
• He is the “god of this world”, 2 Corinthians 4:4
• He is the evil one, Matt 6:13
• He is the tempter, Matt 4:3
• He is called a lying spirit, 1 Kings 22:22
• He is the father of lies, John 8:44
• He is called the enemy, Matt 13:39
• He is called a murderer, John 8:44
• He is called Apollyon (destroyer), Rev 9:11
• He is called the wicked one, Matt 13:19
- Know this: Satan has two reasons for waging war against God:
1. His desire is to be worshiped (pride) – especially worshiped above God
- APP: He does this in three very specific, and very sinful, ways:
• He opposes and disturbs God's work
• He discourages believers through wicked strategies
• He provokes God's judgment by leading mankind to desire sinful things
2. His purpose is to attack and hurt God … through God's creation!
- Why? Because God has condemned him and cast him out of Heaven
-- His reactions/motives are simple to diagnose: Anger and Revenge
-- These things are not of God - they are sinful, they focus on "you"
-- APP: Carrying these around? Need to get rid of them before they control you!
- In God, we see the eternal deliverance of God's people through His Messiah
-- Jesus never once gave into the devil's temptations (rem: 3 of them)
• Satisfy personal need (hunger) - turn stones into bread
• Test God by forcing Him to act - jump off a cliff and be rescued
• Worship anyone but God - bow down and receive glory
- Also, Jesus destroyed the devil's power over death - He was not captive to it
-- How? By resurrecting, He defeated what Satan previously held dominion over
- APP: Because Jesus' victory was complete, in Him we can find the same
-- 1 John 4:4, "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world."
- TR: So, if we know why Satan does these things, we can explain Chap. 12
-- Satan’s motives are why there is a war waged in the spiritual realm …
Point 2 – The Spiritual War in Heaven
- RE: The great war over Israel will be fought in Heaven (v7)
-- It is in the spiritual realm that the battle for souls takes place (not physical)
-- Israel will have to flee in order to survive, a place provided by God (v6)
- IMP: This war will be fought in a way that forever bars Satan from Heaven (v8)
-- Did you know scripture teaches God has assigned angels to look after believers?
-- Hebrews 1:14, "Therefore, angels are only servants - spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation."
- The bible also teaches there are ranks of angels, a hierarchy to their roles
-- Gabriel is one of the principal messengers of God, name means "hero of God"
-- He was entrusted with key messages; those delivered to Daniel, Zech., Mary
- Most holy angels are not named but they are described as "elect angels"
-- Some angels are designated as "Cherubim"
-- Living creatures who defend God’s holiness from the defilement of sin
-- "Seraphim" are another class of angels, mentioned only once in Isaiah 6
-- They are described as having three pairs of wings, have the function of praise
- Michael is a strong one, a leader amongst those who defend God’s holiness
-- His name means "Who is like unto God?"; he is likely head of the holy angels
-- Michael serves God at His command - appears like an administrator of angels
-- Daniel 10:21, "Meanwhile, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. No one helps me against these spirit princes except Michael, your spirit prince."
-- (v7) Michael struggles against fallen angels who seek control over humanity
- Satan and his angels will do whatever they can to destroy Israel and believers
-- It is why the war is so necessary; God’s holiness will be defended by these
-- RE: Satan knows that every unbeliever he kills will never know Christ
- The war’s result is simple: Satan is thrown out of Heaven
-- APP: But there’s more, he loses his access to God heavenly throne!
-- He knows that he won’t win, so in rage he acts viciously against God’s people
-- He also knows there is a time crunch: v12 tells us he knows he has a short time
- BIG: He has been there since he was judged in Gen 3:14 … He knows outcome
-- Consider this: All this time, Satan has known ending & still he will not repent!
- TR: So when the war truly begins for the souls of mankind, what can we expect?
-- There are three things to see, and it is our last point ...
Point 3 – Heaven’s praise and Satan’s reaction
- First, there will be a heavenly praise - a glorious victory won by God (v10)
-- A loud voice will shout in total victory that salvation is now won
-- There will be praise in Heaven for the victory that Satan is cast out
-- This voice will be all those who have won the victory – the Heavenly host
- FACT: Every time a believer sins, Satan is there to remind God of it
-- He is there to remind God that his Son died in vain: “look at how terrible…”
-- Do we have proof of this? Zechariah 3:1, "Then the angel showed me Jeshua (Heb: Joshua) the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua."
-- APP: This is his purpose; it is all he has - to accuse and insult God's people
- Satan will be barred from access into God’s inner courts, to His Throne – AND!
-- He will no longer be the accuser of the Saints, unable to hurl lies about us!
-- So what is the praise? Because there is a victory (v11) to be celebrated!
• Those in Heaven will overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus)
• They’ll overcome by the word of their testimony (sharing the gospel, etc.)
-- 1 Peter 3:15, "Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it."
• They’ve overcome by being loyal to Jesus - even to the point of death!
-- Luke 9:23, “Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”
- Second, during this war, there will be a warning given to the Earth
-- Satan will be cast down to the Earth - given an opportunity to destroy mankind
-- Get This: The rise of the Antichrist is a judgment of God on His creation
-- Why? Because of our needless, senseless, and continued desires for:
--- Ungodliness, evil, idolatry, murder, sorcery, immorality, and thievery
- Think of it this way: Humanity is receiving the leader it deserves for our sin!
-- IMP: The Antichrist is only allowed to take power because God allows it!
- In the end, we will turn their hearts towards wickedness, and God will allow it
-- So much so, that He allows the Antichrist to take power over His creation!
-- This world leader promises a utopia on Earth, and humanity buys it
- RE: During the great tribulation, Satan is already a defeated adversary of God
-- He is cast out of Heaven, so his only rage is directed at those God loves
-- Plus, he knows his time is short, so he makes the most of it … ruthlessly
- Third, because of this there will be the horrifying war launched against the Earth
-- Satan will severely persecute the woman (Israel) and all of God’s believers
-- Think of it: Humanity will be witness to a worldwide slaughter and approve it
- However, the woman will be delivered on wings of an eagle (v14)
-- This does not mean that no believer will die – it’s quite the opposite actually
-- Remember Rev 6:9, those souls seen under the altar who are martyred?
-- Those are those who died during the Tribulation – all the saints who are killed
- The eagle represents God’s safety for Israel – and some will be delivered “home”
-- Isaiah 40:31, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” APP: God gives rescue to those who are His, to those who follow
-- How long is this battle? 3.5 years, 1,260 days, time, times, and a half (v6 / v14)
- The devil will even try to “drown” those running away from him (metaphor)
-- This is not with a deluge of water – but with persecution after persecution
-- This is an attempt to ruin those who follow God, to destroy their ability to live
-- Additionally, it’s an attempt to prepare for ultimate obedience (mark / worship)
- This “position by the sea” is a metaphor: meaning, he will attack elsewhere
-- He will not be able to continue attacking what God protects (Israel’s people)
-- So, he will take another position, and attack those who are unprotected
- RE: His position is now Earthbound; he is no longer “in the supernatural”
-- Also, all the catastrophes of the 7 seals/trumpets have left vast wastelands
-- These areas will be ripe for war having no infrastructure or protection
- What this leads us into is the most pivotal chapter of Revelation: Chap. 13
-- Chapter 13 covers the Antichrist and the leader of a new world religion
-- Both are venomous in their purposes, and we’ll pick up here next week
- Let’s pray together … for determination to know, and rcv. rescue in Jesus
