Verses 1-6 introduced the players in this holy war, showing how God overcame the devil through the birth and the saving ministry of Christ. Starting in verse 7, the vision continues by showing the devil’s ongoing warfare against believers. Satan suffered a terrible defeat in the coming of Christ so that his activities are curtailed. Nonetheless, he continues to rage with the resources he has left in the spiritual warfare that marks this age between the first and second comings of Christ.

According to verse 7, not only does spiritual warfare take place on the earth between Christ and His people and Satan and his servants, but there is also warfare in the spiritual realm of angels. Verses 7-8 describe this long-foretold holy war. To understand this passage, we must realize that this battle took place during the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, culminating with His ascension into heaven. Verse 13 reports that after the dragon “had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.” This means that the dragon was cast down just before the church age. Jesus’ victory on the cross, crowned with His ascension to heaven’s throne, defeated Satan and his army, after which “there was no longer any place for them in heaven… and Satan…was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (vv. 8-9).

What does it mean for Satan to be “thrown down” put out of heaven? Verse 10 answers that “the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before God.” Christ has silenced Satan’s attempts to accuse Christians before God. When Jesus completed His redemptive work for sinners and took His place on God’s throne, Satan no longer could come before God to criticize the saints. Jesus is there now, where Satan at one time could walk in and out before God. Jesus is there now as our advocate rather than Satan as our accuser (see Job 1:6-12).

Given the emphasis of this passage, it is important for Christians to understand how Christ defeated our accuser and how we overthrow him today. Verse 11 tells us not only that Christ defeated Satan but that His people routed the dragon: “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Satan’s warfare of accusation against believers has been defeated by the blood of Christ and by our gospel witness.

First it is by Christ’s blood that believers overthrow the accusations of the devil. The reason that Satan appeared in heaven to accuse us was that he was seeking our eternal condemnation under God’s law. Before Jesus’ death, Satan had a good case against God’s people. If you have believed in Jesus Christ, Satan has likewise lost the ability to accuse you in the court of God’s justice. It isn’t that you haven’t sinned, for you have. But as 1 John 1:7 puts it, “the blood of Jesus [God’s] Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Second, Christians conquer by “the word of their testimony (v. 11). Satan wants news of his defeat kept as quiet as possible! But when Christians spread the good news of forgiveness in Christ, Satan’s power is diminished. Satan has a hold over our family members and friends by the accusation in their consciences that they can never be accepted by God. Christians conquer this diabolical warfare by telling the truth of Christ’s saving blood. After Jesus sent out His evangelists, they came back rejoicing that they had cast out demons (Luke 10:17). We, too, wield power against Satan’s kingdom whenever we testify to the good news of Christ’s saving work.

Third, Christians conquer because “they loved not their lives even unto death” (v. 11). Since Christ has saved us by His blood, we not only proclaim the gospel but hold onto it for our salvation even to the point of death. We embrace all manner of suffering for Christ’s sake, including the daily battle with sin to which we are called in our sanctification. It’s not easy to suffer for Christ in this present evil age, but a true believer will endure anything rather than give up his or her faith in Jesus. Without the gospel, when you stand before God, all Satan’s accusations will ring true, and you will be damned with Satan. This points out how important it is that each of us should confess our sin, trust in Jesus, and be cleansed at His cross. Satan wants to accuse you before God, and he has all the evidence he could possibly need. The only way for you to be delivered from the eternal wrath of God is to turn to Jesus, receive in faith His death on the cross for your sins, and then live forever by trusting in His gospel.

The final verses of Revelation 12 explain the situation of Christians and the church after the ascension of Jesus into heaven, showing two results in our present age from Christ’s victory. The first is the eternal rejoicing of heaven and its inhabitants, and the second is the temporary suffering of the church. Christ’s victory causes praise and rejoicing in heaven (vv. 10-12), but Satan’s fall to the earth causes us temporary suffering in this present age (v. 12). The final section of chapter 12 depicts Satan’s attempt to afflict the church on earth, since he can no longer accuse Christians in heaven (v. 13). Satan seeks to harm believers in time because he cannot touch eternity; he seeks to thwart our earthly solicitude because he cannot thwart Christ’s saving of our souls. Satan is livid about his defeat and hates nothing more than believers in Christ who obey God’s Word and witness to the gospel (v. 17).

Satan persecutes the church here on earth not because he thinks he can take away our salvation but because he knows that he cannot. The devil is driven by pure malice in the face of certain defeat. However disturbing it is to contemplate his malice; its futility is still encouraging to suffering Christians when friends or governments unrighteously turn against us, when false accusations hurt us, or when we are treated unfairly because of our faith! Through Christ’s blood and the word of our testimony, we have the victory above, and for this reason we suffer Satan’s attack here on earth. Persecution for Christ’s sake thus shows that we belong to the Savior whom the world crucified so long ago, but who has already conquered.

Finally, John was shown visions drawing from Old Testament imagery that show God’s protection and provision for the woman during the dragon’s persecution (v. 14). The Old Testament often spoke of God’s carrying His people to safety on wings of eagles (Ex. 19:4-6; Deut. 32:10-11). This symbolizes God’s supernatural intervention to deliver the church from danger. As we have seen many times in our studies, “a time, times, and half a time” equals three and half years, which symbolizes the tribulation of the church throughout this present age. God not only brings His people to safety, but causes our faith to be nourished, primarily through the heavenly manna of His Word.

Yet Satan still attempts to rage (v. 16). Satan’s deceits are like a flood that would drown us, just as Pharaoh sought to drown Israel in the Red Sea waters, but God intervenes to save us. Revelation 1:16 spoke of a “sharp two-edged sword” that came from Jesus’ mouth, speaking of His gospel message; in contrast, the flood coming from Satan’s mouth highlights the false teaching by which he wants to sweep away the unsettled and unwary. However, if we will daily embrace the cross-bearing death of Jesus, giving our testimony to His salvation, we will conquer “by the blood of the Lamb” (v. 11).

Revelation 12:7-17 Study Questions:

Who was involved in the war that breaks out in heaven (v. 7)?

What happens to the dragon and his angels after the war (vv. 8-9)?

If the war has taken place in heaven, why are the Lamb’s people on earth given credit for the victory instead of Michael or God himself (v. 11)?

What does the dragon do once he is thrown down to earth (vv. 13, 15)?

What spiritual accusations beset you, your community or God’s people as a whole today?

What hope and strength does this chapter give as we face those challenges?