{"id":45429,"date":"2021-03-17T00:05:13","date_gmt":"2021-03-16T21:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=45429"},"modified":"2025-05-11T22:02:37","modified_gmt":"2025-05-11T19:02:37","slug":"45429","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2021\/03\/17\/45429\/","title":{"rendered":"When Did the War in Revelation 12 Happen?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Understanding the Timing and Nature of the War in Revelation 12:7\u201312<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Revelation 12:7\u20139 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cNow 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.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This dramatic passage depicts a celestial conflict. But when did this war take place?<\/strong> And what does it mean for believers today?<\/p>\n

The Bible teaches that two major spiritual battles<\/strong> involving Satan have occurred (or will occur):<\/p>\n

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1. The First War: Before the Creation of Humankind<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This war took place in heaven before Adam and Eve were created<\/strong>. It involved Lucifer (Satan) rebelling against God, aspiring to be like the Most High (Isaiah 14:12\u201315; Ezekiel 28:12\u201317).<\/p>\n

Isaiah 14:13\u201314 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cYou said in your heart, \u2018I will ascend to heaven… I will make myself like the Most High.\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Because of this prideful rebellion, Lucifer and the angels who followed him were cast out of their position of authority.<\/p>\n

Luke 10:18 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cAnd he said to them, \u2018I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Though Satan lost his dwelling among the holy angels, he still had limited access to God\u2019s throne<\/strong> to bring accusations against God’s people \u2014 just like a disgraced official still has the legal right to argue a case in court.<\/p>\n

Job 1:6 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cNow there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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2. The Second War: Between Christ\u2019s Resurrection and the End Times<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The second war \u2014 the one specifically referenced in Revelation 12:7\u201312<\/strong> \u2014 began after Jesus\u2019 death and resurrection, and it continues into the present spiritual realm. It culminates in Satan\u2019s total exclusion from heaven.<\/p>\n

Revelation 12:10 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cAnd I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, \u2018Now 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.\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In this spiritual courtroom, Satan constantly accuses believers, while Jesus serves as their advocate.<\/p>\n

1 John 2:1 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cBut if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This phase of the battle focuses on Satan\u2019s accusations versus the intercession of Christ<\/strong> and the testimony of God\u2019s people.<\/p>\n

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How Believers Overcome Satan<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Revelation reveals how God\u2019s people conquer:<\/p>\n

Revelation 12:11 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cAnd 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.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Victory is not by personal merit, but:<\/p>\n