Revelation 12:5-9

5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” And her child was snatched up to God and to His throne. 6 The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.

This quote is from Psalms 2:9. The ascension of Jesus is the unquestionable proof that Satan is defeated in that he could not prevent the Messiah from rising from the dead and ascending to His Father. Now He is at the throne of God and implementing God’s plan of restoration for the world. This would appear to be the position that Satan desired in his proud ambition. Jesus came down to save mankind then ascended up to the throne of God. Satan desired to ascend up will instead be ruled over.

As we’ve read before, those who have come to accept Jesus as the Savior will run to the mountains and be protected. The protection is the promise of God that those who believe in Jesus WILL BE SAVED. This is protected and cannot be taken away. God will provide protection and provision so those who know Him can live in spiritual refuge.

7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Once Jesus had ascended the great war broke out as Satan desired to rule. While there was “peace on earth” at the birth of Jesus and great hope at His resurrection, there was an intense war in heaven. However, there is an empty tomb and the fate of Satan is sealed.

Daniel 12:1 confirms this saying, “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.”

It is interesting that the archangel Michael leads the battle. The name Michael means “who is like God?” The very name of the leader against Satan who wants to be like God is a confrontation to his very desire. Isaiah 14:12-15 describes this desire to make himself like the Most High.

12 How you have fallen from heaven,
   morning star, son of the dawn!
   You have been cast down to the earth,
   you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart,
  “I will ascend to the heavens;
   I will raise my throne
   above the stars of God;
   I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
   on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
   I will make myself like the Most High.”
15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead,
   to the depths of the pit.

Every “whosoever” who believes in Jesus will be delivered as Satan is defeated forever. They are banished and denied any access to heaven. They are barred from the Presence of God forevermore.

Verse 9 describes Satan for us. First, he is a red dragon, that is he is a murderous beast that is terrifying. Second, he is described as “the ancient serpent”, that is, the one from the beginning in Genesis who lied to create confusion and separation from God. Third, he is the devil, or accuser and slanderer. Fourth, he is Satan, the adversary or enemy.

We should take note of these characteristics. If someone is adversarial to us with accusations and in so doing creating confusion for all those around us, as opposed to coming to us being against our actions and directing us to the Word of God, we can start to clarify the source. We should always try to reach for the wisdom of the Word of God and how it applies to our actions and relationships. His Word should not be confusing, but clarifying.

We should also notice that he will be able to deceive the whole world. Some believe that he is only able to partially deceive the world today, that is, people don’t whole heartedly buy into the deceptions of the world knowing there is something more. Here we see that there will be a time when people are “all in” to his lies and confusion and they will not be able to be reasoned with. They will lose all rational sense.

Someone has said, “Satan is to be dreaded as a lion; more to be dreaded as a serpent; and most to be dreaded as an angel.” This is where he traps people today. He wants man to think he is big enough to overcome the world, his own flesh, and God’s Word, but man isn’t big enough to overcome ANY of them.