Written by Adrian Isaacs
A remarkable scene is presented to us in Revelation 12: a war in heaven between the archangel Michael (with his angels) and Satan (and his angels). Satan is defeated and cast down to earth, but he comes down “filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short” (12:12, NIV). Satan then persecutes Israel (the woman of v. 13) and wages war against those “who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (v. 17).
The next chapter presents two diabolical characters – the beast from the sea (often referred to as the Antichrist) and the beast of the earth (also called the false prophet elsewhere in Revelation – e.g., Rev. 19:20). The first beast is given authority over all nations and wages war against God’s people. Those on the earth at this time (the church at this point is already in heaven, having been translated from the earth prior to the start of the tribulation period) will face a most difficult test: worship the beast and receive his mark (Rev. 13:16-18), and in so doing, lose your immortal soul (Rev. 14:9-11); or reject the beast and trust in Jesus, though it involves suffering. Many, who bear witness to Jesus during this time and reject the beast and his mark, will be killed (Rev. 20:4). These will be difficult days for God’s people.
Revelation 15:2-4 reveals that there will be those who are victorious over the beast, as well, one day “all the nations” will worship before the God of heaven (v. 4). But what about today? What about us who live in between Pentecost and the coming of the Lord for His church? We are, even today, in the midst of a battle. The Bible tells us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 6:12, NIV). Yet, we know that God has already triumphed over the forces of evil through the cross of Christ (Col. 2:15). Let us through faith rejoice in His victory, and in dependence on Christ, walk in the victory from day to day as we eagerly watch and wait for the return of Jesus. Maranatha!