Revelation: The Dragon Falls

Revelation 12:7-17

We are in a section of Revelation where John is describing several people and situations that will take place during the Great Tribulation. This section began in Revelation 11:15 when the final trumpet sounded, proclaiming Jesus’ Second Coming, and will resume in Revelation 16. In the meantime, there are seven people and situations that John describes. Last time we considered a woman—who we believe represents the nation of Israel, a dragon—Satan who opposes all of God’s people, and Jesus as a child who, after His work on earth, ascended into heaven.

Today, we will consider the dragon—Satan—again as he engages in a decisive battle. John begins Revelation 12 by describing a war in heaven.

Revelation 12:7-9
Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

It seems strange that “war arose in heaven,” but we quickly learn this was no ordinary battle. The archangel Michael (see Jude 9) and his angels led the charge against Satan and his demons. Before we go further, we have to ask the question, “What was Satan doing in heaven?”

Satan forfeited residence in heaven after his great rebellion recorded in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28.[1] More than likely, Jesus spoke about that original revolt when He told His disciples, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18). However, we know from our study in Job that Satan had access to heaven, where he went to accuse God of buying Job’s love (Job 1:6–12). John tells us that Satan is the “accuser of the brothers… who accuses them day and night before our God” (Rev. 12:10).

But Satan’s access came to an end. He was soundly defeated, “and there was no longer any place for [Satan and his demons] in heaven.” He was thrown down to the earth, “and his angels were thrown down with him” (Rev. 12:9). The victory was led by Michael, but the basis for the victory and the power behind the conquest was “the blood of the Lamb” and the powerful testimony of martyrs, who “loved not their lives even unto death” (Rev. 12:11).

Following the victory, there was great rejoicing in heaven. John heard a loud voice say, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come… Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them” (Rev. 12:10, 12).

But there is no rejoicing on earth. Satan has been barred from heaven. He “knows his time is short” (Rev. 12:12), and he is ready to act with “great wrath” (Rev. 12:12b). Remember from last time the woman who had given birth to the male child—who we believe represents the believing remnant of Israel? We believe this remnant would be the 144,000 and those who have trusted in Jesus during the tribulation. Satan goes after that group with vengeance (Rev. 12:13).

But God protected His people. John says, “the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time” (Rev. 12:14). The two wings are not the wings of aircraft but represent the power and speed that God will give His people to escape. The place is not given. Some have suggested the place of safety could be Petra, an ancient city south of the Dead Sea. To get to the city, you must walk a distance through a narrow passage that could easily be blocked. Inside, there is a large canyon where many thousands could stay. Again, this is only speculation.

The serpent went after this group relentlessly. He tried to “sweep her away with a flood” (Rev. 12:15). But God protected them (Rev. 12:16). Satan “became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (Rev. 12:17). Satan knows his time is short, and the last days of the Great Tribulation will be catastrophic beyond words.

While we are not in the Great Tribulation, and we believe that at that time all believers will be caught up (raptured) to experience safety in heaven, today’s passage reminds us that we are in a spiritual battle today. The apostle Peter reminds us that our “adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). The apostle Paul tells us to “put on the whole armor of God” in order to “stand against the schemes of the devil” (Eph. 6:11). Jesus says that Satan “was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

But here’s the good news!

One day, Satan will be destroyed forever! (Rev. 20:7-10)

And for today we know:

• Jesus—through his death and resurrection—disarmed Satan and put him to shame (Col. 2:15).
  
  
• Jesus—through his death and resurrection—delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to his kingdom (Col. 1:13).
  
  
• Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God made us alive together with Christ, raised us up with him, and seated us with him in heavenly places (Eph. 2:5-6).
  
  
• We always fight our battles from the high ground.
  
  
• Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, greater is he who is in us than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Revelation 12:7-17. Focus on Satan’s defeat!!

Talking to God: In what areas of your life is Satan trying to discourage, deceive, or intimidate you? How can you stand firm in the truth of God’s protection?

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