THE CONFLICT

The Conflict in the Heavens vs. 7-9

"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels," "And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven." "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

The Character of the Conflict vs. 7

"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels."

War is a series of engagements lasting over a period of time. So it is possible that this war continues through some period of time. It may extend through the first half of the tribulation week. This war is waged between Michael and his angels and the devil and his angels.

Michael is the prince of Israel (Dan. 12:1). They have been in conflict before (Jude 9).

"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book."

"Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee."

The Occasion for the Conflict

While there is no direct statement of scripture except that the word "war" usually refers to a series of engagements, it seems legitimate to assume that this war had an occasion. The close proximity of Daniel 12:2 with 1 suggests that the rapture of the church through the domain of Satan, the aerial and stellar heavens, arouses Satan to hinder them if possible (1 Thess. 2:18). The angels of God, watching over the saints, rush to the rescue (Heb. 1:7, 14) and the war is on. It lasts for 3¹/₂ years. This may explain "the voice of the archangel" of 1 Thess. 4:16 and why Christ comes in the air.

"And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."

"Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us."

"And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire." "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:"

 

The Outcome of the Conflict vs. 8-9

"And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven." "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

 

The war is won decisively by Michael and his angels. In fact, after the war is over Michael and his angels proceed to mop up. Every nook and cranny of the aerial and stellar regions are searched out and no place is left for Satan and his minions. The devil and all his angels are cast out into the earth.