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.  …

War in heaven, yes, in heaven.  So those of you who have thought war was an earthly evil only, now you know.  We must realize that the battle between God and Satan takes place in both heaven and on earth.  

Satan was in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve.  His attack on mankind was to create confusion between man and God.  In an attempt to draw them away from God and to himself.  Evil has ever since existed in this world.  So, then we draw that Satan had the ability to be in both earth and heaven at that time.  His actions in Genesis 3 to deceive Eve and Adam were a complete betrayal of God, the Father.

We see Satan in the heavenly realm in Job 1:6-12, discussing with God about the loyalty of Job, a follower of God, the Father.  God allows Satan to test Job.  Even here, we see that Satan is subject to God, the Father’s, authority and sovereignty.  But, we draw from this that the war between God and Satan (good and evil) is an enduring battle that has always been and will continue through the end days.

Isaiah 14:12 and Luke 10:18  also reference imagery that represents Lucifer (Satan, Morning Star) falling from heaven.  In a prophetic statement, they are also referring to Satan being removed from the heavenly realms, just as John sees in his vision.  The reign of Satan is on the earth for a time.  That time is finite, and only God knows the day on which it will end.

The red dragon pursued the child to devour it, then pursued the women (nation of Israel), and finally the followers of Jesus Christ (referenced in Revelation 12:16).  We are in this window of time now, but there will come a day when Satan and his evil will be cast completely from heaven forever.  This will come at the end of time, when Jesus Christ will return for one last battle on earth.

We see his evil surrounding us today, and know that it is getting worse with the passing of more and more time.  God is patient, though that more may come to know Him.  But I fear, time is short, and soon we will see these things roll out before us, just as John has said.