SPECIAL TOPIC: WAR IN HEAVEN

SPECIAL TOPIC: WAR IN HEAVEN (from Revelation 12:7-9)

There has been much discussion as to the date of this confrontation. Jesus seems to mention this in Luke 10:18 and John 12:31. But to try to put a chronological dating to the event is tremendously difficult:

1. before Genesis 1:1 (before creation)

2. between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 (gap theory)

3. in the OT after Job 1-2 (Satan in heaven)

4. in OT after 1 Kgs. 22:21 (Satan in heavenly council)

5. in the OT after Zechariah 3 (Satan in heaven)

6. in the OT as in Isa. 14:12; Ezek. 28:15 and II Enoch 29:4-5 (Oriental kings condemned)

7. in the NT after Jesus' temptation (cf. Matthew 4)

8. in the NT during the mission of the seventy (saw Satan fall from heaven, cf. Luke 10:18)

9. in the NT after the triumphal entry into Jerusalem (ruler of this world cast out, cf. John 12:31)

10. in the NT after Jesus' resurrection and ascension (cf. Eph. 4:8; Col. 2:15)

11. at the end-time (cf. Rev. 12:7, possibly as Satan stormed heaven in search of the Child)

We should simply see it as the eternal battle between God and the host of evil; this conflict is going to be consummated in the utter defeat of the dragon and his host. In Revelation 20 they are removed and isolated! See Special Topic: Fall of Satan and His Angels (Rev. 12:4).