Revelation Part 56

Revelation 12:10-12 records a loud voice in heaven proclaiming, 

“Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.” 

Satan is described as the one who accuses God's people before Him day and night.

Can you imagine the relief and joy experienced throughout the heavenly realm when Satan is finally expelled? The one who has continually opposed God's people and brought accusations against them no longer has a place in heaven. The heavenly response is praise to God because His purpose is moving forward and Satan's ability to accuse is ending.

Verse 11 explains how God's people overcome him:

“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.” 

Their victory does not come from their own strength or from the ability to avoid every form of suffering. Their victory rests on Christ's sacrifice, their faithful testimony, and their willingness to remain loyal to God even when that loyalty costs them their lives.

This is an important distinction. Satan may persecute God's people physically, and some may even be killed, but he cannot overturn what Christ has accomplished for them. Their faithfulness demonstrates that their allegiance belongs to God rather than to the beast or the systems of this world.

The response in heaven is joyful, but the proclamation also contains a warning: 

"Woe to the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (verse 12). 

Satan's expulsion from heaven brings relief to the heavenly realm, but it intensifies the danger for those on earth.

Satan knows his time is short. His anger, frustration, and determination to destroy as many as possible will become increasingly evident. His attacks will affect the earth and the sea, and he will direct his remaining efforts toward God's people and everything associated with God's purpose.

When the dragon sees that he has been cast down to the earth, he persecutes the woman who gave birth to the male Child (verse 13). His heavenly defeat does not lead him to surrender. Instead, he turns his hostility toward God's people.

The word persecute conveys the idea of pursuing someone with hostile intent. Satan is enraged and determined to destroy those who belong to God. His opposition is directed toward the people whom God has blessed and those who remain loyal to His authority. The conflict involves both Israel and the Church, understood in the context of the chapter as God's people.

Does this pattern sound familiar? Throughout biblical history, we see oppression followed by miraculous deliverance. Pharaoh oppressed Israel in Egypt, but God delivered His people and brought them into the wilderness. In Exodus 19:4, God reminded Israel, 

"You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself."

God then explained the covenant relationship He was offering them: if they would obey His voice and keep His covenant, they would be His special treasure above all people. Although the whole earth belonged to Him, Israel was called to be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

This imagery becomes especially meaningful when we consider our own identity as God's people. Through Christ, those who belong to Him are counted as Abraham's seed according to the promise. Galatians 3:26-29 explains that those who belong to Christ are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. Philippians 3:20 likewise reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly await our Savior, Jesus Christ.

We are therefore not simply identifying ourselves with the present world's systems and expectations. We belong to the Kingdom of God and are waiting for Christ to return. The future deliverance of God's people in Revelation echoes the earlier deliverance of Israel from Egypt, demonstrating God's continuing faithfulness to His promises.

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.