The War in Heaven

Rev. 12: 7 "And there was war in heaven…"

I understand this text to be describing a real battle ofviolent dimensions that takes place in the heavenly realm. Without question,there is coming a time of "war" that will be the greatest conflict of allages.

Right now, at this present time, every day of our life, weare in a battle. The Apostle Paul says, "For we wrestle… againstprincipalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of thisworld, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Every time that the Lorddoes something for us, or reveals truth to us, the devil will contend for it. He will attack from every angle and cause you to doubt (if possible) that whichGod is doing. This is especially so in this end - time .

Many are giving up truth in this day because of the battle,the struggle, the conflict, to take the way of least resistance; supposedly theeasy way is the right way. However, I want you to know there is an awfulawakening coming to the Church in the Tribulation Hour. The Church comes tothis awakening after the Bride (the Man-Child; the Overcomer) has been caughtup to God and to His throne, and they have been left behind to go into thefirst three-and-a-half years of the Tribulation.

There have been many battles, but this is war , thelast great conflict, when the devil is cast out of heaven. There was a battlein Eden when the devil deceived Eve and man lost his position with God. Therewas a battle in hell when Christ fought and overcame the hosts of hell. He nowhas "…the keys of hell and of death." This conflict that we are nowcontemplating is not just a battle, but a war. Men, with the help of Michaeland his angels, lay claim to the fullness of redemption, overcome the devil andgain the rights to the throne.

Those that are of a skeptical mind ridicule the idea of aliteral war. They are astonished that reasonable men could believe in such anevent and pass it off as mere fiction. I am personally astonished thatreasonable, thinking men cannot believe the truth as it is recorded in God'sholy, infallible, immutable and eternal Word.

Others believe that this is a mere poetical and exaggeratedaccount of certain moral conflicts in the history of the Church on earth. Again, we must believe the Bible to be the Word of God that is free from errorand exaggeration. Otherwise, if it has even the slightest hint of exaggerationor error, it is not worth the paper upon which it is written.

II Tim. 3: 16 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and isprofitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction inrighteousness:"

The meaning of the word "inspiration"means "Godbreathed."

II Pet. 1: 21 "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

"Phero" -- "Moved" -- not expressing their own thoughts, butexpressing the mind of God

Some believe the dragon to be the Pagan Roman Empire;Michael, the Christian Roman Empire; Heaven, the throne of Roman Emperors; andthe war in heaven, the conflicts between the Pagan and Christian RomanEmperors. You do not have to go too far to prove the falsehood of this theory.

Rev. 12: 9 "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called thedevil, and satan, which deceiveth the whole world:"

There are some that teach we are not to believe this was anactual event, but a sort of a summary of the prolonged battle between good andevil. There are several things that we need to remember in understanding thisgreat event.

First, this is not a record of history. This is a book ofprophecy with events that will take place after the recording of theRevelation. It is a divinely inspired record that John received while he wasin the Spirit on the Lord's Day. "The Lord's Day" has to do withend-time events and the judgment of God. This is not a prolonged battlebetween good and evil. All these events take place in a relatively short periodof time, approximately seven years.

Rev. 22: 18, 19 "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words ofthe prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shalladd unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shalltake away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away hispart out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and from the thingswhich are written in this book."

It is best to take heed to this warning. Remember, this isa divinely inspired revelation that states very clearly, "And there was warin heaven." If the Bible states infallibly, "And there was war inheaven," then we have no choice but to believe it as stated. This is aliteral war fought in the heavenly realm between the dragon (satan; the devil)and the "Man-Child" who is supported by Michael and his angels.

Heb. 1: 14 "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to ministerfor them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

The Cause of this War

The Enthroning of the "Man-Child"

Rev. 12: 5 "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nationswith a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne."

The "Woman" (the Church) is pictured in the preceding verseas travailing in birth to bring forth a "Man-Child" destined to rule allnations. The dragon stood before the "Woman" who was ready to be delivered,for to devour her child. The birth, in which the Woman labors to bring forththe child, is the birth into immortality by both resurrection and translation. The saints of old that died in faith, not having received the promise but werepersuaded of it, will be resurrected and included with the overcomers in thetranslation. The Scripture clearly states that they, without the overcomingcompany, could not be made perfect.

Heb. 11: 39, 40 "And these all, having obtained a good report throughfaith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us,that they without us should not bemade perfect."

This birth is "…the manifestation of the sons of God"which is referred to in Rom. 8: 19.

The devil is determined to stop the "Man-Child" from goingto the throne. Therefore, there is reason to believe that allthe power and strength of the adversary with his angels arepositioned to prevent the "Man-Child" from going to the throne. With thedominion of death broken, and the reign of satan broken, satan loses his"place" (position).

"…And her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne."

The Devil's Place

What was hisplace?

A Place of Light -- Isa. 14: 12

"…O Lucifer, (O day star) son of the morning…"

A Place of Wisdom -- Eze. 28: 12

"…Full of Wisdom…"

A Place of Beauty -- Eze. 28: 12

"…Perfect in Beauty"

A Place of Perfection -- Eze. 28: 15

"Thou wast perfect in thy ways…"

A Place of Power -- Isa. 14: 16; Heb. 2: 14

"…Made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;"

The devil has "the power of death ." Death is an enemy that shall be destroyed.

I Cor. 15: 26 "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."

Lucifer was the highest order of all God's creation,occupying the closest position to God. Though he has defaulted on thisposition, he still occupies this position until someone takes it from him.

Therefore, the "War in Heaven" is over the "Man-Child" goingto the throne to take the position Lucifer had. Rev. 12: 7, 8 says the deviland his angels fought, "…And prevailed not; neither was their place foundany more in heaven." Michael and his angels fought on behalf of the"Man-Child."

Heb. 1: 14 "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to ministerfor them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

Rom. 16: 20 "And the God of peace shall bruise satan under your feetshortly…"

The Forces of This War

Michael and His Angels

Michael is believed by some to be Christ. If this was true,why would Jude 9 be stated as it is?

Jude 9 "Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil hedisputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railingaccusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee."

The Lord Jesus Christ does have His angels, but there isnothing in this fact that proves that an Archangel does not have his angels, aswell. In Dan. 10: 13 Michael is called "…one of the chief princes…"Therefore, there must be others of the same rank.

Michael is referred to by this name in the Holy Scripturefive different times as a proper name, denoting a distinct angel of high rank. According to Jewish teaching, Michael is only one of the seven Archangels; andof the seven he is believed to be chief.

The Dragon and His Angels

Rev. 12: 7 "…And the dragon fought and his angels,"

There stands opposed to God and His people, a greatmalignant kingdom, a vast empire of evil.

Eph. 6: 11, 12 "…The wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against fleshand blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers ofthe darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

The devil's angels are those that kept not their firstestate but followed satan in revolt against God.

Jude 6 "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left theirown habitation…"

These that revolted against God have become the devil'sangels that will one day be cast into the fire prepared for the devil and hisangels.

Matt. 25: 41 "…Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:"

These angels did not abide in the truth. They of their ownfree--will revolted against the authority and rule of heaven, and became theenemies of God and His Kingdom.

The devil himself is referred to in Scripture as "the princeof this world," "the prince and power of the air," and "the god of thisworld." He is called here in Rev. 12 "the great dragon," "that old serpent,""the devil" and "satan."

The "Man-Child" - The Bride - The Overcomers

Rev. 12: 11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by theWord of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."

The War in Heaven is with, and on behalf of, the"Man-Child."

The Overcomers are born again, Holy Ghost baptizedbelievers. Angels do not understand the virtue and redeeming grace of theblood.

I Pet. 1: 12 "…Which things the angels desire to look into."

The "Man-Child" overcomes through the power of the blood and by the Word of their confession. Just as the LordHimself overcame the assaults of the devil by the Word, so the "Man-Child" willovercome by the Word. The defense that the "Man-Child" gives is the "Logos"(the Word), saying the same thing that God says.

God is preparing and training a people for battle, in theselast days. This whole vision revolves around the truth that there is going tobe a war in heaven. The Overcomers which have overcome in this present timewill be the Overcomers that fight and become victorious in this "War."

The Overcomers (the Man-Child; the Bride of Christ) areheaded for the throne. Rev. 3: 21 says they will have to fight with the forcesof darkness that will contend with them in the heavenly realm for this positionon the throne. All those that want to be there (to attain the throne) mustlearn to overcome now so that they will be prepared to "Overcome"in the "War in Heaven." Many in the Church are being overcome in thisLaodicean Age.

Rev. 3: 17 "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, andhave need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable,and poor, and blind, and naked:"

Rev. 3: 20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, andwill sup with him, and he with Me."

It is no longer the message to the whole Church, but toindividuals in the Church that will hear His voice, respond to His call, andopen the door.

The whole Church will not respond; therefore, they will notbe found worthy to escape all these things (the Tribulation Hour).

Lk. 21: 36 "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accountedworthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand beforethe Son of man."

The whole Church will not be numbered with the "Overcomer,"nor will they attain to the rights of the throne.

Rev. 3: 21 "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in Mythrone, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne."

Jesus said:

Matt. 24: 12 "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shallwax cold."

Today, the Church as a whole has, like Adam, gone to sleep. While Adam slept, God performed an operation and took out a rib. From this ribthat was taken out of the body of Adam, God made a bride. God is performing anoperation on the Church while she sleeps and is taking, as it were, a rib andmaking a "Bride" for His Son.

III. TheNature of This War

Spiritual and Not Physical

All the forces on both sides engaged in this "war" arespiritual. Even the "Man-Child" must be changed and dominated by the "Spirit,"not by the "Flesh."

I Cor. 15: 50, 51 "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannotinherit the kingdom of God…we shall all be changed,"

I Cor. 15: 54 "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to passthe saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."

The nature of the "war" is revealed in the weapons used togain the victory. "…They overcame him (the devil) by the blood ofthe Lamb, and by the Word of their testimony…"

There is No Loss of Life

This is a Spiritual "War"

This war is fought in the realm of the Spirit.

Eph. 6: 12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but againstprincipalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of thisworld, against spiritual wickedness in high places ."

There is no bloodshed -- no killing -- no loss of life.

This is a War of Words

The nature of the "war" is seen in the dragon using words ofaccusation against the Overcomer.

Rev. 12: 10 "…Which accused them before our God day and night."

He is the accuser of the brethren. He hurls accusations atthem before God using insults and lies. The substance of these accusationsare: "They are not fit, they are not worthy, they have broken Your laws, theyhave sinned against You."

"Kategoros" -- "Accuser" -- to speak against in a tribunal --to use words of accusation

Rom. 8: 33, 34 "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? Itis God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yearather, that is risen again, Who is even at the right hand of God, Who alsomaketh intercession for us."

The Overcomer, by the use of words, overcomes. "…Theyovercame him (the dragon) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of theirtestimony;"

There is Loss of "Place" or Position

The devil loses his place, or position, by being defeated bythe "Man-Child," with the support of the angels.

II Cor. 10: 4 "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mightythrough God to the pulling down of strong holds;"

Rev. 12: 8 "…Neither was their place found any more in heaven."

It is a War of Faith and Knowledge

Rev. 12: 11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by theWord of their testimony;"

It is the "War" of believing saints who are supportedby angels against a malignant and hellish intellect inflamed with diabolicalhatred and rage. This is the same as the conflict of Christ with the devil inthe wilderness, where the devil attacked His faith and His understanding. "Ifthou be the Son of God."Christ never questioned the fact that He was theSon of God. The Overcomer (the Man-Child) must have knowledge of the truthand exercise faith in the truth without wavering, to defeat thedevil.

The Outcome of This "War"

The Dragon is Defeated

With all his wisdom and power, and all the fury of hishosts, he ends in defeat.

Rev. 12: 7, 8 "…The dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not;"

Rev. 12: 9 "…The great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called thedevil…"

The dragon and all his hosts are no match for the"Overcomer."

I Jn. 4: 4 "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."

In the past the devil has been very successful in deceivingand leading both angels and man astray. However, in this "War"he meets his own rejection and defeat. Every evil charge, which he hurls at"the Man-Child," is overcome. Every accusation is defeated and discovered tobe lies, and to be false. It is impossible for the devil to find a flaw orweakness in God's covenant of eternal life to every true believer.

The Dragon Loses His "Place"

Rev. 12: 8 "…Neither was their place found any more in heaven."

Isaiah the prophet saw in vision the devil's defeat.

Isa. 14: 12 "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of themorning! how art thou cut down to the ground…"

Lk. 10: 18 "I beheld satan as lightning fall from heaven."

Their "place" was not left empty -- their "place" was foundno more. Someone had taken that position and that someone is the "Man-Child"(the Overcomer; the Bride of Christ). The devil and his angels not only failin preventing the "Man-Child" from reaching the throne, but they lose theirplace and power.

The Dragon is Cast Out

Rev. 12: 9, 10 "And the great dragon was cast out… And I heard a loudvoice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom ofour God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is castdown, which accused them before our God day and night."

There is rejoicing in heaven over this glorious event, butit is "…woe to the inhabiters of the earth…"

Rev. 12: 12 "Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woeto the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down untoyou, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."

The record states that the devil and his angels are "…castout into the earth." The devil's place will now be limited "to theearth and the sea." The devil will be allowed freedom on the earth for seven years and it will be "…woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of thesea…"

The "Man-Child" is Enthroned

The Woman (the Church) "…brought forth a Man-Child, who wasto rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God,and to His throne." The "Man-Child" sits on the throne reigning and rulingwith Christ.

Rev. 3: 21 "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in Mythrone, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne."

The Kingdom of God has its chief revelation in the dethroning of the dragon and the enthronement of the Overcomer (the "Man-Child").