.
Revelation 12:7, “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going forth to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels” This reveals the fact that the initiative will be taken by Michael, and not by the Dragon: a very important point in the interpretation. The time has come in the Divine counsels for this great event of the ages. Satan, who has hitherto had access to the heavens is at length to be cast out.
We are not to think of Heaven as consisting of one place. The word is so often used in the plural, yet we are to think of many (it may be) different spheres. As the heavens are "higher than the earth," so we may look on them as being larger than the earth. And as the earth is divided into various countries and states, so may heaven have its various divisions. In one of them these mighty spiritual forces set themselves in battle array.
On the one side we have Michael, who is elsewhere described as "one of the chief princes" (Daniel 10:13); "your prince," of Israel (Daniel 10:21); "the great prince which standeth for thy (Daniel's) people" (Daniel 12:1); "the archangel" (Jude 9). He it is, with his heavenly hosts, who makes war against the dragon, and NOT the dragon who makes war against the man-child (as is so often misinterpreted). He does not do this at all, but makes war against the woman (Revelation 12:13); and that war is made on EARTH and not in heaven. So that the interpretation of this, as meaning Satan's opposing The Rapture of the church, falls to the ground. The Body of Christ will be removed long before these judgment scenes commence; and is therefore not to be looked for in any place in this chapter.
On the other side we have the Beast of Revelation 13, and Revelation 17. In Daniel 2, we have these powers in their earthly, human, mortal, successive and historical form. But in Daniel 7, and in the Apocalypse, we have the superhuman revival and concentration of them in the Beast.
The Dragon's dominion covers all the powers and governments of the world, which are here seen included in and controlled by one being, the Dragon. The sovereignty of the world is about to become the sovereignty of The LORD Jesus Christ, as we have just heard it announced "in heaven" (Revelation 11:15). We are here shown the source and the embodiment of his sovereignty. This is why the prophecy is suspended just at this point. It is in order to explain to us what this sovereignty is, whence it comes, and whither it goes. All is here gathered up into ONE head.
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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry
Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)
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