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Is the war in heaven in Revelation 12 describing Satan's original fall or an end times angelic battle?



      

Revelation 12:1 - 17

ESV - 1 And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth.

Clarify Share Report Asked July 01 2013 Mini Anonymous (via GotQuestions)

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Shea S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries
The last great angelic battle and Satan's ultimate expulsion from heaven are described in Revelation 12:7-12. In this passage, John sees a great war between Michael and the angels of God and the dr...

July 01 2013 5 responses Vote Up Share Report


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05a00e36 4298 4314 84c7 d5f047bb0a9a Rotimi EWEDEMI Supporter Very keen Bible Researcher
The war in heaven described in Revelation 12 was actually as a result of the successful delivery and enthronement of the "man child" who is to "rule all nations with an iron rod", Revelation 12:5. 

But who is that child or what does the child represent? This is an important question because we are told in verse 1 that the revelation was presented in signs or symbols to John. 

Revelation 2:26,27 help us to know what the child represents. "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father (Revelation 2:26 -27 KJV). 

Jesus' words here correlate beautifully with other scriptures as Daniel 7:13,14,18,21,22,27; 1Corinthians 6:1-4; Luke 12:32; John 14:1-4; as well as others quoted below:

1. "Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Luke 22:28-30 KJV).

2. "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:9 -10 KJV)

3. "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years". (Revelation 20:6 KJV).

4. "And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven...and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song...and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God" (Revelation 14:1 -5 KJV).

Our conclusion? 

The male child that was born and that God put on his throne represents the rulership of God's Kingdom, that is Jesus Christ plus the saints of God! That kingdom according to Daniel 2:44, will eventually crush or break in pieces human rulership. 

The very first action that the kingdom took was to fight a war with the "ruler of the world", Satan (see John 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:4). This understanding is reinforced by Revelation 12:10, which says:
" And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night" (KJV)

Clearly, then, it was the establishment of the Kingdom or Government under Jesus (Isaiah 9:6,7) that necessitated the war in heaven. That war in heaven and its resultant effect marked the beginning of the "time of the end". How so? 

" Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time (Revelation 12:12 KJV)". 

That short time extends from the time of the enthronement of God's Kingdom in heaven up to the time that the Kingdom will take over rulership of the earth.

However, we do not know when that time, that is, the end will be (Matt 24:36). 

Jesus said his followers should to pray for it to come (Matthew 6:9,10).

That prayer will be answered when the prophesy in Revelation 21:2-3 fulfills.

February 17 2015 1 response Vote Up Share Report


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