In the Power of His Might NEXT SLIDE: Lesson 2

LESSON 3 There was War in Heaven

There is a spiritual war going on in and around us. In this lesson we learn how it began.

In the beginning – even before the six days of creation – God made an army of angels. He breathed them into existence.

Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

“God is a Spirit” (Jo 4:24) and he “maketh his angels spirits” (Ps 104:4).

“The host of heaven cannot be numbered” (Jer 33:22) “The host of heaven cannot be numbered” (Jer 33:22). They are “an innumerable company” (Heb 12:22).

Exodus 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. The angels of God have various duties: They serve as God’s messengers, like the angel who spoke to Moses from the burning bush.

The angels of God have various duties: Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. They shield God’s people from danger.

The angels of God have various duties: Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? They watch over the heirs of salvation.

Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. The angels of God have various duties: They especially watch over children.

The angels of God have various duties: Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. They can be mistaken for ordinary people:

The army of heaven was apparently divided into three parts, each division captained by an archangel.

The army of heaven was apparently divided into three parts, each division captained by an archangel. Michael

The army of heaven was apparently divided into three parts, each division captained by an archangel. Michael Gabriel

The army of heaven was apparently divided into three parts, each division captained by an archangel. Michael Lucifer Gabriel

Lucifer was the most beautiful of the angels.

Ezekiel 28:12b . . . Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

In his vanity, he craved the worship that belongs to God alone.

Isaiah 14:13-14 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride lifted him up, and God cast him down.

Ezekiel 28:15, 17 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

The fall of Lucifer occurs in three stages; only the first has come to pass.

Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

Revelation 12:7-9 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. It is because one-third of the angels fell with Satan, and only three angels are named in the Protestant Bible (Michael, Gabriel and Lucifer) that is seems the army of heaven was divided into three parts).

Ever since Satan’s fall, he has been doomed to wander the earth. Job 1:6-7 6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Revelation 20:1-3 1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

2 Peter 2:4 . . . God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

2 Peter 2:4 . . . God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

Satan is chained to darkness like a lion in a cage Satan is chained to darkness like a lion in a cage. But within that darkness, he is prince.

This lion cannot venture out into the light This lion cannot venture out into the light. He must lure his prey into the darkness.

But he has an amazing way of coaxing people past the bars.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Test Your Understanding of Lesson 3 How did God create the angels of heaven?

Test Your Understanding of Lesson 3 How did God create the angels of heaven? How many angels are there?

Test Your Understanding of Lesson 3 How did God create the angels of heaven? How many angels are there? What was the iniquity found in Lucifer that led to his fall?

Test Your Understanding of Lesson 3 How did God create the angels of heaven? How many angels are there? What was the iniquity found in Lucifer that led to his fall? What are the three stages of Satan’s fall?

Test Your Understanding of Lesson 3 How did God create the angels of heaven? How many angels are there? What was the iniquity found in Lucifer that led to his fall? What are the three stages of Satan’s fall? Where is he chained today?