War In Heaven...What We Know
We know God exists and that evidence abounds for Biblical authenticity. We know we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We also know that given the challenges before us, particularly in regards to life after death, we need a faithful Creator and Savior. The scriptures provide a wealth of information concerning all aspects of life, including amazing insights into Eternity and it's baring on humanity.
Heaven's Coming Conflict
The Bible was not written linearly by topic. To search out a subject some theological archeology is required. Passages on an area of interest must be found, excavated and assembled without damaging they're meaning. Like viewing fossil bones of dinosaurs in an exhibit we can make educated guesses to complete the picture.
Revelation 12:7 is a colossal find in the world of theological archeology! In fact, in a few passages we may be given as much or more insight into the nature of Heaven as the rest of the Bible combined...
“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon: and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has cone down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
Interestingly unfulfilled Biblical prophecy allows us to uncover glimpses of amazing future events penned millennia ago! In this case, the timeline of Revelation places this event in the future about midway through the tribulation just before the AntiChrist is revealed and prior to the Rapture of the Church. Click here or see the article under Christianity...Advanced Concepts in the sidebar menu to review the Bible's clear teaching on the timing of the Rapture.
Some scriptural forensics turn this passage into a portal into Heaven. Here is just some of what we can glean the following:
- Satan and his fallen angels, all or enough to fight the ultimate battle, are not on Earth but in Heaven!
- They've been there forever or a long time, perhaps since the Ascension of Christ "nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer."
- Up to this point Satan acts as Devil (literally: Accuser or Prosecutor) revealing a trial in Heaven's Supreme Court!
- This and other scriptures suggest that the original Luciferian rebellion has to be completely judged and dealt with!
- Satan, accompanied by his angels accuses mankind and the church day and night while his demonic minions carry out his Earthly deceptions and plans.
- This Heavenly Supreme Court Trial may well have begun with the angelic rebellion and have continued to this day.
- Any such trial would not be a farce but would have real rules and consequences implying an Agreement and perhaps a Wager.
- The trial ends violently with full scale war, likely the first ever in Heaven.
- Only after the Devil's expulsion from Heaven is Christ's kingdom and power announced.
- Heaven rejoices at Satan and his angels being cast to the Earth.
- Earth is warned of the Devil's wrath...
More Resources
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