A War in Heaven

Revelation 12:7-12

“And there was war in heaven.”  That is how the seventh verse of Revelations twelve begins.  War and heaven does not conjure up the same thoughts in my little pea-picking mind, what is taking place?  The story begins to unfold in verses seven through twelve, “And there was war in heaven.  Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.  But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.”  The book of Job gives a clear picture of Satan being given access in heaven, see Job 1:6, “One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.” (Note: that the dragon is one of the many aliases for the devil or Satan, and also take note that Satan once had a place in heaven.  It may be of interest to the reader, why this once great archangel, now called by God, the devil or Satan fell.  Isaiah 14:12-14, tells us in so many words that the devil said in his heart, note; not out loud but in his heart, “I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high” and he goes on to say “I will make myself like the Most High.”)  “The great dragon was hurled down – that ancient serpent called the devil or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.  He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. (Note: the ancient serpent is referring to the serpent that tempted Eve in the garden, and brought about the fall of man.)  “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.  For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.”  In the area of Texas where I grew up, we call this account of what took place in heaven a “good whipping” and Michael the archangel did it, with the angels of God.  Michael is also the prince of Israel and their protector, look at Daniel 10:13-14, “The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days.  For the vision is for days yet to come.” (Note: the prince of Persia refers to the devil or one of his chief angels.) 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice