Satan Thrown Down

The Defeated Dragon

V.7

This continues the previous visions of vv.1-6. Michael is mentioned in Daniel, and he is portrayed as the great angel appointed to represent God’s people (see Dan.10:13, 21; 12:1). He is also closely related to the Son of man, a subordinate helper who is also set apart as Israel’s heavenly representative. Here, the idea is expanding and he represents the entire believing community, all of Israel, fighting on behalf of God’s people in heaven even as Christ fought for them on earth. This scene provides a heavenly counterpoint to what Christ accomplished through His death and resurrection. This picture here uncovers truth contained in Eph.6:12 and the fact that the believer wrestles against spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. Daniel (10:13) again provides a backdrop for Revelation. There, Michael is called one of the chief princes, and the passage as a whole portrayed the angelic conflict behind earthly happenings. Before moving on, note that the conflict occurs between Michael and the dragon, not God and the dragon. Is this significant? It does provide opportunity to pause and remember that there is no true dualism in Scripture with two equally matched foes. Bear that in mind whenever we wrestle against Satan’s schemes.

V.8

What becomes clear, however, is the result of the angelic conflict: the dragon is kicked out of heaven, along with his angels. The question that lingers, though, is when did this happen? It is assumed he was kicked out before the events of Gen.3:1-15. And, some view Jesus’ words in Lk.10:18, when He says He saw Satan fall like a star after the apostles cast out demons, as another victory/expulsion during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Finally, this record could be another casting out that occurs shortly before the end of it all. However, this does seem to be better informed by the OT teaching that the Leviathan/serpent was defeated at creation, and that idea was expanded upon in Jewish thought. In this vein, Jesus’ words in Luke 10:18 isn’t a reference to victory during His ministry, but back to the original fall. And, the context of chapter 12 lends toward this understanding, especially if verses 7-12 expound upon what occurred in the first six verses of the chapter (which scholars seem to believe they do, only from a heavenly and not earthly perspective).

V.9

The name of the believer’s enemy is expanded here in regards to chapter 12 to include four new titles (rather than just dragon):

The ancient serpent associates him with the events of Gen.3:1-15. Devil communicates the idea of a slanderer, which is exactly what the ancient serpent does in Genesis 3, introducing doubt about the true character of God. Satan is a title transliterated from Hebrew and means “adversary or accuser.” This title is fleshed out in the dragon’s actions in verse 10. Finally, he is called the deceiver. Is this not Satan’s chief function and aim throughout Scripture, to lead God’s people astray? So it was with his first temptation, and so his work has continued on. The slandering and adversarial nature of the dragon are seen in Genesis 3. He slanders God by “questioning His motives in giving His command,” and he then deceives Adam and Eve through temptation, leading them to think that their disobedience will actually have a positive result.

One of the beautiful things John does for the believer is reinforces just who the enemy is. One of the keys to any victory is knowing your enemy well.

The Singing Saints

V.10

Often in Revelation hymns interpret or summarize a vision, and vv.10-12 are no different. These verses interpret Michael’s victory and show them to be a reflection of what Christ accomplished on earth. The salvation belongs to Christ because the victory is His. Salvation in a strict Greek sense can also communicate deliverance and rescue in a military sense, which seems fitting given the war that has just been communicated. The power and the kingdom that the dragon made false claims to are revealed to belong solely to Christ. Remember how the dragon had faux-crowns and a pretend rule? Here Christ has the actual reign. The authority belongs to Christ — it is His right to rule and His alone. Remember that the Son of Man is given authority in Dan.7:14, and along with it, an everlasting dominion and kingdom that will not be destroyed. Constantly Satan was a courtroom adversary of humanity, accusing the saints day and night.

Satan has lost his place in the “heavenly courtroom” and is no longer able to “prosecute” and bring accusations against the saints of God. Consider the instruction of Romans 8:1, 33-34, 38. What an interesting parallel that just as the prayers of the saints (and even Christ and His Spirit as our Great High Priest and Intercessor) rise to the throne of God continually, so too the accusations of the enemy constantly berate mankind.

V.11

As verse 11 unfolds the saints victory, it’s important to remember that what is first proclaimed is the power and authority of God’s kingdom. Everything rests on God’s work. Do not forget this, especially in the midst of spiritual battle.

First, just as the angels operate and carry out their war against the enemy through God’s strength, so must we carry out spiritual warfare in the weapons He has provided.

Second, the battle is already won. The enemy is already defeated. Eternity is already settled. The victory is ours!

The tools of the battle are the blood of the Lamb and…the word of…testimony.

The blood speaks a better word (Heb.12:24)! The blood of Abel cried out for justice, the blood of Christ declares mercy and forgiveness. Consider the words of Matt Redman’s “Nothing but the Blood”: “Your blood speaks a better word / than all the empty claims / I’ve heard upon this earth / speaks righteousness for me / and stands in my defense / Jesus it’s Your blood”

The declaration of the gospel and the encouragement of the saints. To give testimony is the give witness to the facts of the matter. Don’t think for one moment that Satan, though defeated, will be silent. His anger becomes furious, as vs.12 states. How do we live faithfully? We cannot love our lives even unto death. The truth…the testimony…the facts must be settled at the core of who we are, so that all of life becomes lived in light of this glorious truth: Christ died. I am His. He is mine. Nothing can separate us.

Knowing your enemy is great, but using your weapons to fight is even better. How do we fight well? I want to encourage you with this one truth this morning, rooted in the blood of the Lamb, as a firm and secure weapon to use against the Father of Lies: If you are in Christ, you are redeemed, forgiven, claimed…He is gentle and lowly toward you…you have a righteousness not your own…your debt is paid, and there’s nothing you can do to change it, add to it, or decrease it! Consider the testimony of Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” and Romans 8:33–34 “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” and Romans 8:38–39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The World’s Woe

His defeat enrages the dragon, and he sets off in great wrath, but above it all, he does so because he knows his time is short. His defeat is sure to come.

The heavens have cause to rejoice, for the enemy has been expelled. But, woe is coming on the earth. Just as we are spurred on to good deeds by the soon and certain coming of Christ, so the enemy is provoked to evil by the soon and certain coming of his defeat. The defeat of the devil is cause for rejoicing in heaven, because it means that history is one step closer to the end of evil and the restoration of righteousness.

What is my encouragement to you on this last portion? Expect the fight to come. If you are Christ’s, the enemy is coming, which makes everything else we’ve talked about this morning…all the more important.