"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" (Revelation 12:7-11).
Behind the trials, temptations and troubles faced by Christians on earth, we're reminded that we are part of an invisible war in the heavenly realms. John sees the conflict between the angelic and demonic forces. While we're used to the war movie genre and might conjure up spectacular images in our minds about what this looks like, this war seems to be more legal than military in nature. Michael, the archangel, lead the armies of heaven to disbar Satan, the accuser, from access to God's throne to slander the saints. The wicked prosecutor who demands we are convicted and eternally condemned has his case against us thrown out with no right of appeal. The angels are not militarily fighting to protect heaven from Satan, rather they are enforcing the victory that Christ has already won at the Cross - "not guilty" is the verdict for those justified through faith in Christ by His atoning blood. Christ is the one who has defeated Satan and disarmed him of his greatest weapon of accusation. Whatever we face, our greatest enemy who wishes us harm has already been defeated - while things may get worse in this world, that's not a sign of Satan's growing strength but rather his desperation in his death throes. Christ has triumphed, the victory belongs to Him and we, His people, are safe in Him.
Behind the trials, temptations and troubles faced by Christians on earth, we're reminded that we are part of an invisible war in the heavenly realms. John sees the conflict between the angelic and demonic forces. While we're used to the war movie genre and might conjure up spectacular images in our minds about what this looks like, this war seems to be more legal than military in nature. Michael, the archangel, lead the armies of heaven to disbar Satan, the accuser, from access to God's throne to slander the saints. The wicked prosecutor who demands we are convicted and eternally condemned has his case against us thrown out with no right of appeal. The angels are not militarily fighting to protect heaven from Satan, rather they are enforcing the victory that Christ has already won at the Cross - "not guilty" is the verdict for those justified through faith in Christ by His atoning blood. Christ is the one who has defeated Satan and disarmed him of his greatest weapon of accusation. Whatever we face, our greatest enemy who wishes us harm has already been defeated - while things may get worse in this world, that's not a sign of Satan's growing strength but rather his desperation in his death throes. Christ has triumphed, the victory belongs to Him and we, His people, are safe in Him.
Praise God Today: "Before the Throne of God Above"
Pray Today:
- For our childrens and youth ministries investing in the next generation: One Way Club, Exodus, Eklektos, Bible Class and Logos.
- For the outreach ministries over the weekend: Street Outreach and Preaching on Saturday and the Free Breakfast Service on Sunday.
- For those struggling with difficult and distressing family circumstances at this time to know God's comfort and help as they seek to love them well.
