What does it take to stop you? The War in Heaven: What does it take to stop you?

The War: Michael and angels vs. the Dragon and his angels. The War in Heaven: The War: Michael and angels vs. the Dragon and his angels. Dragon – defeat, cast out Names of the Dragon: Ancient Serpent, Devil, Satan, Deceiver of the World Michael vs. Dragon Not God vs. Dragon – there is no equality, no dualism Michael – on the offensive, Dragon – defensive Michael – Archangel of Daniel 12:1; Jude 9 Archangel – General of armies Cast Out of heaven More on timing in a minute Names Ancient serpent – picture of the Garden of Eden – Gen. 3 Devil – διάβολος – Slanderer, adversarial one – used in the Gospels Satan – from Hebrew – accuser, opponent – Job 1 Deceiver – To lead astray – the great deceiver, father of lies – John 8:44

The War: Thrown Down to Earth – When? The War in Heaven: Keys: Basis of casting down – v.11 What he does when cast down – v.12,13 Thrown down at the Death and Resurrection of Christ A detailed description of v.5,6 Thrown to Earth V.11 – reason Michael defeated him Compare to Jude 9 – not by Michael’s power, but by the Lord’s! Our victory – based on God’s power!!!! When cast down – pursues the woman Pursue – also used for persecute – Acts 9:4,5 V.12 - Woe to the Earth – god of this world – with wrath It will get worse before it is better “Time is Short” - desperation Two major thoughts: Happens at the midpoint of tribulation (dispensationalists) Happens at the resurrection – persecutions ongoing

The War: Salvation and the Kingdom have come The War in Heaven: Based on Christ’s authority Accusations no longer Because of: Blood of the Lamb Word of their Testimony μαρτυρία Salvation and Kingdom Not the final kingdom – Dragon still loose upon the earth Realized, but not consummated Romans 8:31-39 Who is to condemn? Christ now intercedes – our Advocate – 1 John 2:1,2 No more accusation – Rom.8:1 If so, Sin does not reign over us – Rom. 6:12 We give it more space that it has! Blood of the Lamb – Passover allusion What did it do – death passed over, brought release from bondage and price paid for life unto the Lord Word of their Testimony Testimony = μαρτυρία – Martyr. Word of their martyrdom Word of their devotion! Confession of the heart as the confession of the life! Read – Tried by Fire – Saint Lawerence For they loved not their lives even unto death Mark 8:34-38

The War: Dragon pursues the Woman Woman – given wings of eagles The War in Heaven: The War: Dragon pursues the Woman Woman – given wings of eagles Dragon – futile, rages on Dragon – sands of the sea Pursuit = persecution Woman – Wings of Eagles OT Allusion: Ex 19:4 – Exodus Isa. 40:31 – Return from Exile Dragon – rages on Water from the mouth – allusion to Pharoah Ex. 1:22 – cast sons in the nile Eze. 29:3 – application – serpent/pharoah/opposition Earth opens up – Same as opposition to Moses – Num.16:30-34 God will protect His own! Offspring – followers of Christ Sands of the Sea Matt. 7:24-27 The great dragon is futile – but he is desperately deceiving! DON”T BUY WHAT HE IS SELLING!

“O Lord, where, today in this hour of crisis and need and desperation, where are the men of God and the saints in the house of the Lord who devoted unto our great Saviour their lives unto death? Who seal the doctrines with the words of their martyrdom and who have no other trust and no other assurance but to lean on the everlasting arms, looking to the cross of Jesus, trusting in the blood of the crucified One?” W.A. Criswell – Sermons on Revelation, Vol. 4

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I will not, desert to its foes. That soul tho’ all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake. Hymn – How Firm a Foundation

Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered. Takeaway Thought.