The Rebellion in Heaven - The Cosmic Backdrop of Our Earthly Struggles
March 16, 2025
Dr. Bradford Reaves
Crossway Christian Fellowship
Revelation 12:7-12; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Isaiah 14:12-15
Introduction: Understanding the Battle Before the Battle
What if I told you that everything we are witnessing in the world today—wars, deception, gender confusion, moral chaos, hatred of God’s people—is not random? What if I told you it was all part of an ancient war that began long before humanity walked the earth? Before there was a rebellion on earth, there was a rebellion in heaven. And what started in the unseen realm is now playing out in front of us today.
Every earthly battle has its origins in an unseen war. Just as nations prepare for war by understanding the history and strategies of their enemies, we must understand the cosmic rebellion that set the stage for the spiritual warfare we experience today. Before the fall of man, there was a greater fall—the rebellion in heaven—a catastrophic event that fractured the spiritual realm and set in motion the conflict we now face.
When you look at current events and the world around us, you see a lot of evil. It's important to understand where this all came from, the origin of rebellion, the origin of sin. So it's important to understand our adversary where he came from, and his tactics that will be used against you. And what's happening to most people is they don't take this as real and so many Christians are easily deceived.
One of the clearest spiritual battles manifesting today is the war on truth—especially in areas like gender identity, morality, and biblical authority.
• Gender confusion: Our culture is now at a point where basic biology—male and female (Genesis 1:27)—is being called into question. The world says, “You can be whatever you feel like being,” but God says, “I created you with purpose and design.” This is not just social change—it’s spiritual deception at work.
• Moral relativism: The phrase “Live your truth” is preached everywhere, but Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). This is an ancient lie in modern packaging—Satan convinced Eve that she could define good and evil for herself (Genesis 3:5).
• The erosion of biblical authority: Even churches are twisting Scripture to fit cultural trends rather than standing firm on God’s Word. This is exactly how Satan operated in the wilderness when he twisted Psalm 91 to tempt Jesus (Matthew 4:6).
We are living in a time where lies are being accepted as truth—and that’s no accident. The enemy is working to:
• Confuse minds so people can no longer see God’s design
• Divide families and churches by making disagreement over truth personal and hostile
• Make people doubt Scripture so they stop believing in God’s authority
You don’t need to look for demons with pitchforks. You will see Satan’s tactics at work today in news headlines, social media trends, and classroom curriculums. The battle is real, and it is spiritual. If you control truth, you control what people believe, how they live, and ultimately, their eternal destiny. This deception is not about politics or culture wars—it is about Satan trying to remake the world in his image instead of God’s.
I. The Origin of Satan’s Rebellion
We’ve covered the origin of Satan’s rebellion as the first cosmic act of defiance against God. Before he became the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), Lucifer was a high-ranking angel, described as “full of wisdom and perfect in beauty” (Ezekiel 28:12). But instead of worshiping God, he became consumed with pride, declaring:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ (Isaiah 14:14)
This self-exaltation marked the first sin in history—Satan’s attempt to dethrone God and rule the cosmos. The result? He was cast down and began his war against God’s people.
One of the ways we see this influence is in the hatred of the Jews and constant attempts to destroy Israel.
Israel is central to God’s plan. The Messiah came through Israel (Romans 9:4-5), and God’s promises to them still stand (Romans 11:29). Satan hates Israel because they are a prophetic timepiece of God’s unfolding plan.
Antisemitism is not just a political issue—it is a spiritual war. Why does the world rage against Israel? Because behind the scenes, there is a spiritual hatred for God’s chosen people fueling it. These college students and terrorists, and the antisemitic spirit that has run in this world for centuries, ever since the creation of Israel, is fueled by a satanic war. Satan has always tried to annihilate the Jewish people. Pharaoh enslaved them, Haman plotted genocide, Hitler sought their extermination, and today, radical groups and world leaders chant for their destruction.
Zechariah 12:3 tells us, “All the nations of the earth will gather against Jerusalem.”
What we see happening today—the global isolation of Israel—is part of this ancient cosmic war.
What This Means for Believers
If Satan can turn people against Israel, he can distort their understanding of God’s promises, prophecy, and redemption.
Jesus told us in Matthew 24:9 that in the last days, hatred for God’s people would increase—and we are seeing this on a global scale.
II. The Nature of the Heavenly Rebellion
Revelation 12:7-12 describes the war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against Satan and his angels.
Satan and his army were defeated and cast down to earth, where they now operate.
This reveals that spiritual warfare is not just an abstract idea—it is a battle that began in the heavenlies and continues here on earth.
The fall was not the end of Satan’s ambition—it was a shift in his battleground.
Satan’s tactics have not changed since his rebellion in heaven. The same strategies he used to deceive the angels, he now uses to deceive humanity. His methods include:
1. Deception – Twisting truth to lead people astray
2. Division – Turning people against each other
3. Accusation – Bringing guilt, shame, and condemnation
4. Counterfeit Power – Offering fake spirituality, false miracles, and imitation authority
We are going to zero in on counterfeit power because this is where many believers stumble without realizing it.
Satan is not a creator—he is a counterfeiter. His power is always a distortion of God’s truth. This is how we see it play out in day-to-day life. Satan is the master at psychops. He will mess with your mind to get you to think all kinds of crazy stuff, and to believe certain crazy stuff.
Satan’s 3-Part Counterfeit Strategy Today:
1. Substitution – Offering fake spirituality and wisdom
Not all supernatural power comes from God. Many people chase spiritual experiences that feel good but are demonic at their core.
• New Age practices wrapped in Christian language (manifestation, energy healing, angel numbers, and “speaking things into existence”)
• Astrology and horoscopes replacing prayer and the Holy Spirit’s guidance
• Christian mysticism leading believers to seek “hidden knowledge” rather than Scripture
2. Domination – Ultimately leading to enslavement under the Beast system.
Satan’s counterfeit power isn’t just supernatural—it’s the illusion of self-sufficiency. Where we see this today:
• Christians turning to self-help books before turning to the Bible
• Therapy culture that replaces repentance with victimhood
• Churches promoting “Your Best Life Now” rather than dying to self
Ultimately leading to a godless society and a godless church where human achievement are the highest mark of achievement
Beast/Babylonian System of the world
3. Infiltration – Using culture, media, and technology to normalize rebellion.
Satan’s greatest stronghold today is the power of influence—he controls entertainment, politics, and technology to shape how people think.
• The normalization of witchcraft, occultism, and Satanic imagery in TV, movies, and music
• Tech companies using AI to subtly push anti-Christian worldviews
III. The Connection Between the Cosmic Battle and Our Struggles Today
Satan did not abandon his goal—he merely redirected it toward humanity. In Genesis 3, he deceives Eve, leading to the fall of mankind. His method? Twisting God’s Word, appealing to human pride, and offering counterfeit wisdom.
2 Corinthians 4:4 tells us that Satan is “the god of this world,” blinding the minds of unbelievers.
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness.
We are witnessing an unprecedented push toward transhumanism—the merging of humans with AI and technology—under the guise of “human advancement.” Global elites, technocrats, and organizations like the World Economic Forum (WEF) openly discuss their vision of a future where humans are “hackable” and connected to a global data network.
Yuval Noah Harari, a leading voice at the WEF, has declared: “Humans are no longer mysterious souls. They are now hackable animals.”
This is a chilling echo of Satan’s original lie in Eden—the promise that humanity could “be like God” (Genesis 3:5) by taking control of their own destination.
IV. The Believer’s Victory in the Cosmic Battle
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Revelation 12:11)
Our testimony serve as a reminder to us and others of who we are in Christ - Victors and overcomers.
During World War II, many soldiers carried letters from their loved ones. These letters became their lifelines—their testimonies of love and hope. One soldier, when faced with dire circumstances, would clutch a letter that reminded him of his purpose and faith. He would say, 'These words give me strength to fight on, and by their love, I feel victorious.' Just like the soldier, our testimonies, bolstered by the blood of the Lamb, empower us in our struggles and remind us of the eternal victory we have in Christ.
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. (Luke 10:19)
Ephesians 6:13-18 – The full armor of God equips us for victory in this ongoing war.
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (Romans 16:20)
“If you are to have peace with God there must be war with Satan.” (Charles Spurgeon)
The military doesn’t send soldiers into battle without armor or a strategy. Likewise, we cannot engage in spiritual warfare without God’s power, the Word, and the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion: The Call to Stand Firm
This cosmic rebellion is not just history—it’s our present reality.
Church, the rebellion in heaven became the war on earth. But listen carefully—you were not created to be a casualty of war, but a warrior in Christ. The time for passivity is over. Satan’s deception is advancing, but so is the Kingdom of God. Take up your armor, resist the schemes of the enemy, and stand firm in the truth!
• When the world tells you to bow to deception, STAND.
• When the enemy whispers condemnation, SPEAK your testimony.
• When fear grips your heart, REMEMBER the blood of the Lamb has already won the battle!
This war is not won by human might, but by the power of the Living God within you! So rise up, Church! Stand firm, be alert, and walk in the authority Christ has given you!
