WEEK 29
Satan Thrown Out of Heaven
Date: February 19, 2003
Place: Allendale Baptist
Text: Revelation 12: 7-12
Introduction
As we closed last weeks study we were introduced to a few of the main characters in the book of Revelation.
1. The woman- who we said represents the nation of Israel.
2. The man or male child – Is the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Dragon- who is Satan; the devil.
*As we closed with verse 6 and beginning with verse 7 this puts us in the middles of the Tribulation.
* At the mid point of the tribulation, the Antichrist will break his covenant with Israel, he will also put a stop to temple worship, he will set up the abomination of desolation which is described in Daniel 9:27 and Matthew 24:15; he devastates Jerusalem.
* At that time many Jews will flee for their lives; God will preserve them during the last 1,260 days or 42 months or 3 ½ years.
Verse 7 & 8
The next scene in this what some call cosmic drama is a “war in heaven.”
A state of war has existed since the fall of Satan.
Something will intensify that warfare; some suggest the raptured saints passing through the realm of the prince of the power of the air.
Scripture is very clear that Satan has access to heaven even today.
In Job chapter 1-2 Satan stands before God to accuse the blameless and upright.
The devil’s greatest task is to accuse the child of God; to discourage and steal our joy.
But when Jesus died on the cross, it brought about his ultimate defeat.
Satan will one day be cast down out of heaven as seen here in Revelation 12:31-33; and finally cast into hell as we will see in Revelation 20:10.
“Nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer”
No match for Michael and his angels Satan will be permanently dislodged, never to gain access to heaven.
This forceful eviction must be the chief cause of the Great Tribulation, the last 3 ½ years.
Verse 9
The dragon is identified to us as “That serpent of old” or “Devil and Satan”.
Devil comes from the Greek word to “slander” or “falsely accuse”.
It is said that the devil is a malignant, dangerous liar.
I used to have a young man that worked for me and others nicknamed him “Lying” Johnny Smith. (Not his real name)
The story was that you could tell when he was lying because his lips were moving.
That’s the way Satan is; he is constantly lying.
The devil is convincing people today that every religion is a good as the next on.
The Devil is convincing people that this book is not the ennorant, infallible Word of God.
Satan means adversary or enemy.
We have 2 problems with people today
1. Some are over occupied with the devil. They blame the devil for everything.
Verse 10
This is the shout of heaven.
The devil is cast down to earth and heaven rejoices.
Verse 11 & 12
“The blood of the Lamb”
This is the finished the work of Christ
Matthew Henry says these are the tools which defeated Satan
How are we justified? How is the devil defeated? By the blood.
No accusation can stand against those whose sins have been forgiven because of Christ’s atoning, sacrificial death.
“By the word of their testimony”
This speaks of God’s Word believed and lived.
Matthew 10:33 says; “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”
From time to time I give folks the opportunity to stand and share their testimony.
But the greatest opportunity to give your testimony is when you walk out these doors.
The life of the believer is not defenseless. Jesus Christ is at the right hand of the Father. He’s making intercession for his children and He’s says I’m praying for you.
I remember the times when I get cards in the mail from you all and you’ll say pastor, I’m praying for you. You don’t know how much that means to me. And I’ll tell you this, what means even more is that every single second of the day Christ is right there praying for me.
A second line of defense for the believer is to know is the purposes of God on occasion allow us to come under an attack. Were going to have some attacks from Satan. We’ll have some thorns in the flesh. It’s always a primary importance in defeating Satan is to take the proper attitude in relation to him. That is we can’t become over occupied with him but don’t underestimate him. You better know your enemy. You better know who he is and what he’s trying to do. A definite stand against Satan on the part of the believer is essential for victory. I believe James 4:7, I believe that’s an active verse, you’d better resist the devil and he’ll flee from you, resist the devil and then a simple concise formula is our passage verse 12, We overcome him by the blood of the lamb, the word of our testimony and the dedication of our lives.
Here’s the last one. Victory over Satan requires the constant use of the armor God has provided. When God said I’ve given you some armor to wear, He didn’t give us anything to protect the backside because we don’t run from the devil we resist the devil by sending him away but we’re to stand up and face him with the truth, the girdle of truth. I always like to say the girdle because it holds everything together, that’s why it’s the truth. The girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, because it’s near your heart, have righteousness in your heart. The feet shod in preparation (tape when blank) and your helmet of salvation, I like that helmet of salvation because that means you ain’t gonna change my mind, I know I’m saved. You can tell me all night long I’m not, but you’re wrong. I have the helmet of salvation, I’ve got salvation right here. I’ve got the righteousness of Christ in my heart.
