Revelation 12 continues John’s vision of what is to come. He sees heaven and a Woman with 12 stars representing the 12 Apostles who spoke truth. Satan was there as well along with his angels and “war broke out in heaven”. It seems that Satan will once again try to come and overtake God and the Angels there. “The one who led the whole earth astray – thrown out – thrown down to earth”. Michael and the godly angels kick Satan’s behind again and throw the whole batch out of heaven – back to earth. The overthrow is thwarted and Heaven remains God’s place. We really don’t understand all the spiritual warfare that is happening we can’t see or observe. It is real, not only in the end times, but right now as the enemy of good attempts to destroy all who are His. Since this is a vision of what is to come – we know how the story ends – and our side wins. Great news. But scripture goes on to tell us how: “They defeated him (the enemy) through the blood of the Lamb and the bold word of their witness”. The shed blood of Jesus on the cross brought the victory. His people were “willing to die for Christ”. Are you that committed to your Savior? He did die for you – would you do the same for Him?
Satan in cast to earth and is not a happy camper. He is running out of time – “he hasn’t much time and he knows it”. He seeks to destroy the church but God protects and keeps it safe. He is in the same business in this vision that has been taught in other places in scripture – that even now the enemy has come to “kill, steal and destroy”. He is consistent in his mission and will do the same in the end times. He is after “the children who keep God’s commands and hold firm to the witness of Jesus”. Does that describe you? Are you holding firm to God’s Word – do you even know it? Are you firm in your witness of Jesus – or would you just bail if times got tough? God’s side wins – there is no reason for us to be anything less than bold in our faith. We may suffer persecution, which we are taught is blessed by Him, but we will win in the end. Stand firm. Hang on. Be bold for Jesus!
