Thrown Down - Revelation 12:7-12

Revelation 12:7-12 ESV
Satan Thrown Down to Earth
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. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

Here we revisit the expulsion of Satan from heaven, but this time we are told what this means. Rebellion grew into war. Satan and his followers in heaven are defeated by Michael and his angels. Christ does not sacrifice Himself for those that sin in heaven, and they are ejected from heaven like Adam and Eve were turned out of the Garden of Eden. While Adam and Eve had not chosen the tree of life, neither had they rejected it. They have indeed sinned, but are redeemable. The devil and his angels have utterly rejected The Lord and will face destruction.

Satan's defeat is accomplished on two fronts. First, Jesus defeats sin and death on earth through His sacrifice and obedience to God. Michael and his angels do battle on the second front. Jesus rises to assume His throne. The devil is thrown down to the earth, but a different earth. A great light has dawned and the darkness is compromised, but grows in the hearts of men.

The latter and final days have begun.

“Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God."

The reign of Christ begins. The battle for our souls continues, with deception the main weapon on one side and the sword of truth on the other. The main battleground is in the heart. This is where Satan can work his mischief to best effect. It is in this darkness where his deceptive words can best be heard, but there is someone Who stands at the door and knocks. Truth and love will prevail over lies and hate. Satan and those who follow him will be cast out one more time, and this time from earth. He and those who take his mark will be removed from the world.

The kingdom of God is established. Its completion is yet to come as God's mercy hold's out for all that would be saved. The blood of His Son has been spilled to satisfy the law. The testimony of His word has become their own testimony, for they share in His Spirit. All in heaven and the kingdom rejoice at this gift of grace and love.

The object of the dragon's wrath is the earth and sea, the people of the world. Satan knows his time is short, but these people have no idea how short time is and that it is running out.