Revelation
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What was the War in Heaven?
Literal interpretation by Christians leads to confusion!
By Nab B. May 6, 2022
Updated Oct 2, 2023
"And There Was War in Heaven."
(Rev 12:7)
In the Book of Revelation, the war in heaven was a cosmic spiritual war or a great conflict. I hope you can see that nothing whatsoever can literally war against God and His angels in the literal sense.
It is important also to understand that the word "heaven" in Revelation does not refer to a physical heavenly place. It is the spiritual realm of God. In such a realm (dominion or kingdom), God and Jesus Christ dwell with all true believers.
The Garden of Eden Connection
In this war "the accuser of our brethren is cast down." This "accuser" is called by many figurative names and does not refer to some monstrous creature. Note the meaning behind various his names in the list below:
Dragon: From the Greek drákōn or derkomai which means "to see" or properly the "seeing one".
Serpent: From the Greek ophis or optánomai: which means "to become seen" or "sharpness of vision."
Devil: From the Greek diabolos or diabállō which means "to slander, accuse, defame."
Satan: From the Hebrew word 'satan' which means the adversary or the opponent.
The meanings behind the words above clearly describe the "accuser", pointing all the way to the Garden of Eden, where man first sinned against God through the cunning and deceiving suggestions of the serpent (Satan was the entity behind the lie!)
After sinning, both Adam and Eve became wise in their "own eyes," knowing good and evil without the need for God.
"And the EYES of them both were OPENED. (Genesis 3:7)
This does not refer to eyesight improvement. Rather, it pointed to the sinful nature entering their mind through the "Lust of the eye" by Satanic suggestion. Keep in mind that although the entity Satan made the suggestion to disobey, it was within the full power and will of Adam and Eve to refuse the offer.
Man was deceived by sin's lure. Instead of offering them freedom, it separated them from God and were under wrath until Christ's death removed: (1) Man's sinful nature, and (2) God's wrath.
Christ's death is the reason why man's sinful nature and its main advocate, Satan the devil, was disarmed and cast down:
"The accuser of our brothers who accuses them day and night has been cast down." (Rev 12:10)
How was the War in Heaven Won?
Revelation tells us clearly what this "war in Heaven" was, how it was won, and how can anyone still win it. Note carefully the next verse:
"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death." (Rev 12:11)
The war in heaven was won through Christ's death. His followers also win and overcome "By the Blood of the Lamb". Christ's death is the deadly weapon that disarmed the enemy.
To win "the war in heaven" (overcome sin and the devil) is not automatic! A believer needs to do the things listed in verse 11:
The blood of the Lamb.
The word of one's testimony (witness).
Not loving the old life unto death.
The Real Accuser!
The powerful entity called Satan the Devil was used to deceive humans to keep them in the condition called sin which he perpetuated:
It was SIN that caused man's fall.
It was SIN that distanced humans from God.
It was SIN that ruled over humans.
The price of SIN was death to all humans.
Sin is the real problem which accuses us of guilt before God "day and night". Satan is the main powerful entity that pushes sin to work against us, deceive us, and separate us from God.
Jesus' death targeted the stronghold of sin, death and Satan the devil. Jesus was offered as a "sin offering" mainly to remove sin. His death crushed sin (and with it the serpent's head). With sin being crushed, death was also gone forever.
"That through death he [Christ] might destroy him [satan, the adversary] that had the power of death, that is, the devil [slanderer]." (Heb 2:14)
These spiritual realities cannot be realized unless one is born of the spirit of God, being transferred to the spiritual realm (heaven) where sin and death are conquered. But for a short season, sin and death still lurk in the natural, carnal LOWER spiritual realms (earth and sea) where deceived believers and unbelievers live!
Note how the verses show that Satan the deceiver and his messengers are cast to the spiritual realm of earth and sea, mainly to deceive those who do not love God's truth:
"Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea [lower realm of the flesh]! for the devil is come down unto you." (Rev 12:12)
"And the great dragon [the deceiver] was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world, he was cast out into the earth [lower soulish, carnal realm of deceived believers], and his angels [messengers of deception] cast out with him." (Rev 12:9)
What Christ has been Doing!
The battle against sin and death has been won through Christ's death. It was the pivotal point in the history of man! Nothing comes close! Ever since, Christ has been gathering and lifting those who truly believe, transferring them from the lower realm of the earth and sea to the higher realm of spiritual heaven (not a location), free from sin and death.
"And I, if I be lifted up [his death and resurrection] from the earth [lower realm], will draw all men unto me [to the upper realm of the spirit]." (John 12:32)
We have the power to not allow Satan to deceive us with powerful doctrines and subtle methods which keep us in the lower realm of the flesh (where sin and death exist). I pray many will respond to Christ's work on the cross and be lifted up to where He dwells—in the light.