When Was the War in Heaven? Stephen Bedard, February 23, 2017March 15, 2024 One of the most intriguing passages in Revelation is the war in heaven found in Revelation 12. Here is the passage: Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 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. (Revelation 12:7-9) What is happening is fairly clear. But where in the timeline of history does this appear? Here are the three main options: Beginning of time (the original fall of Satan). Crucifixion of Jesus. End times (just before Jesus returns). When I teach on Revelation and ask my students, the majority usually choose the first option. They see this as a description of Satan’s fall, his original rebellion with God. This is often because this story is connected with a passage in Isaiah 14. Many see this as describing Satan’s (Lucifer) rebellion from God. However, I’m not convinced that Isaiah 14 has anything to do with Satan. See my post: Is Lucifer the Proper Name for the Devil? What we need to remember is that as late as the time of Job, Satan still had access to heaven. There is no reason to believe his casting out of heaven had to happen at the very beginning. With the victory in heaven, we read this: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah.” (Revelation 12:10) When did that happen? That doesn’t seem to describe events before the Garden of Eden. John also describes for us what happened after the dragon was cast down: “Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.” (Revelation 12:17) The ones that the dragon declares war on are the followers of Jesus. I have come to the conclusion that the war of heaven actually took place when Jesus was on the cross. An ongoing theme throughout Revelation is that there is a spiritual reality in heaven that parallels what is happening on earth. It was on the cross that victory against Satan was achieved. As Jesus was winning that victory on the cross, so was Michael winning in heaven. I am open to other interpretations, but at this point, that is where I am at. I believe that the war in heaven took place when Jesus was on the cross. Liked it? Take a second to support Stephen Bedard on Patreon! Related Posts Is Lucifer the Proper Name for the Devil?Who is the devil? Everyone knows the story. He was an angel named Lucifer who… Is Lucifer the Proper Name for the Devil?Who is the devil? Everyone knows the story. He was an angel named Lucifer who… The Second World War PodcastI have been interested in military history, especially that of the Second World War, for… Apologetics and Theology Blog Bedard on Discipleship archangelDragonLuciferMichaelRevelationSatanWar in Heaven
It could not have been at the time of Crucifixion because the war in Heaven happened after a wondrous sign appeared in Heaven.The sign of a pregnant woman.God’begotten Son.Remember Israel was God’s wife before she rebelled. The sign was preparation of coming salvation. The eventual coming fall of man and Israel.So God’s arm worked out a salvation plan to have a Saviour come out of Israel. The Woman is Israel pregnant with baby Jesus. Salvation comes from Zion. As you read further the passage, it talks of the Woman fleeing to a desert place prepared for her for a time times and half a times. This is the tribulation years. When devil can’t get him (on the cross) he goes off to make war against the woman’s other offsprings- Christians from other nations who bear the testimony of Jesus Christ.They are killed at tribulation. This scripture Jesus shows John about the beginning of the fallout, the current situation and what will come. The Book of Revelation is not written chronologically.For example one need to was Rev 13 and Rev 12 to understand Rev 11 Reply
I have believed the War took place before the fall of Adam and Eve. However after reading it took place in the book of Revelation I’m confused at the timing. But I don’t believe it was when Jesus was on the Cross. Reply
Revelation 12 occurred Sept.23,2017 ….. 1,260 days later great war in Heaven….. it seems to simple but maybe it is supposed to be. So what is the date after 1,260 days…… March 6, 2021 Reply
I agree that this world turning event happened 2000yrs ago. But more specifically, i would say that it occured at the RESURRECTION of Jesus, not his death. Because without the resurrection it is all a sham and waste of time. In Zech 3, Joshua the high Priest is seen in a vision as standing before the angel of the LORD, the scene appears to be at the throne in heaven. Satan is at the right hand of the angel throwing mud at Joshua. I think it is significant that Satan is said to be at the ‘right hand’ in Zech 3:1. He has been displaced from that position. Jesus the Risen Christ is now at the right hand in the heavenly realm. My full explanation here: http://www.deadsoulsyndrome.com/satan's_defeat.htm Reply
jay altieri, I cannot get your link (http://www.deadsoulsyndrome.com/satan's_defeat.htm) to work????? Reply
I’m glad to find support for the idea that (the) Satan’s final rebellion and casting out is a direct result of Christ’s triumph… and more importantly, Christ’s coronation following the Ascension (Rev 5). Victorious Jesus is exalted, takes the 7-sealed scroll,and is given the name above every name (that of “Lord”)… the name at which every knee should bow. But Satan refuses to bow or confess, this causes the rebellion (Rev 12:7) and the casting out. The key seems to be that the war and casting out are a direct result of the Lamb’s triumph by blood. .. which took place at the cross. Reply
Luke 22:31 clearly shows us that Satan was on earth asking to sift Peter. Jesus hadn’t went to the cross yet. Satan had already been hurled to the earth. Jhn14:30 Jesus says the prince of this world is coming he has no hold on me. Satan had come to Jesus in the wilderness (hurled 2 earth) and Satan is coming again personally in death as he holds the power of death (Heb2:14). On the cross when Jesus died he disarmed death and the evil powers (Col2:15) So the war in heaven happened before the Cross, Satan has been hurled 2 earth and is asking to destroy the work and accusing the brothers through those used in scripture before the work of the Cross!!! Please email me. You are open to other interpretations you say. God Bless Reply
Satan’s presence on earth doesn’t require that he had already been hurled to earth. Other angelic beings were able to be active in both heaven and earth. Plus Job had Satan in heaven but reporting to God that he had been travelling on earth. Reply
The war in heaven took time after Jesus was resurrected. Why because the book of Revelation was written when John was jailed in the Patmos island in 96 CE. And the book of revelation starts by saying that these Events am writing have not yet happened. Reply
I feel satan was cast down to earth around 1914 roughly WW1 Spanish flu Great Depression WW2 and many more Just my opinion that’s all Reply
Why doesn’t the war in heaven refer to battles for the 2nd heaven? (I suspect that satan was initially evicted, with his followers, from the 3rd heaven prior to an earth’s ice age. Yes, he continues to be permitted access to the Father’s court room to accuse the elect, but I doubt that he is permitted to bring his followers.) Reply
I believe that the war in heaven is going to happen in the world of Christendom. In Eph 2:6 it says that God raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. We Christians are sitting together in heavenly places right now. In Eph 6:12 says we do not wrestle with flesh and blood but against….spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Michael and his angels will be born here on earth like the sons of God who are the descendants of Seth in Gen 6:2 who were angels 2Pet 2:4. Note that Michael and his angels overcome Satan and his angels by the blood of the lamb (Christ’s Crucifixion) the word of their testimony and did not love their lives unto the death. Well there’s no death in heaven but here on earth. By the way the devil’s name is Lucifer as he possessed the king of Babylon like he did to Judas Iscariot see Lk 22:3. Reply
I actually hold it was at Christ’s birth not crucifixion. The figures of the pregnant woman etc. Reply
Christ’s birth didn’t accomplish anything. Satan and his angels thought if they could kill Jesus prior to him ruling andcsetting up a kingdom then they win. They didn’t know they were playing into God’s hands and God wanted Jesus to be crucified or else Satan and his Angels never would have tempted men into betraying and crucifying Jesus. There would have been no point in tempting Jesus in the wildnerness if just by Jesus being born was enough. No he had to live a sinful life first. It is Jesus’s crucification and, really his resurrection that accomplished the setting up of the kingdom. This is when Jesus says it is finished and takes his place on the throne at the right hand of God. Have you watched the Passion of the Christ and saw how Satan screamed out in despair at Jesus’s death? Reply
Jesus time on earth as man was finish. Satan and his demonic angels was on earth before and after the flood, even Noah’s sons complained about the demonic presence. They were present in the time of Job and they are in full force here today. Reply
The war was worn by Jesus in heaven long after he was crucified on earth and note Satan was hurled to the earth where he will be for a while and will be removed and be imprisoned for a thousand years. Events on the earth shows he is still active on the earth and he is bitter knowing he has a short time. What is happening today shows his short time on earth is almost over. Reply
If you believe the war happened during the time of Jesus Christ on earth, which i believe is the new testament. which serpent is the book of genesis talking about after creation? Reply
Just because Satan is cast out of heaven at one point doesn’t mean that he didn’t have access to earth at an earlier point. Presumably spiritual beings can travel back and forth. Reply
The issue of the war in heaven is one of the great mysteries of the Bible. It has always been assumed that Satan fell from heaven either at the beginning of creation or after the events of the cross. But a proper reading of the book of Revelation will show that Satan still has access into heaven even to this day, and that he will only fall from heaven after the rupture of the 144,000 saints and their arrival in heaven to serve as God’s new team of heavenly priests (Revelation 7 and 14). And the reason for the war is because Satan will reject the elevation of Jesus and his appointment as the High Priest of heaven with the 144,000 as the new priests, in the same way that Korah and his colleagues opposed Moses and and Aaron and sought to take the priesthood away from Aaron. I have explained these issues fully in my book; Assyrian Antichrist Comes to Power as Jerusalem Rides on Satan’s back . Reply
I have always wondered: How do the angels war in heaven? What weapons do they use? Can they kill each other or not because they are immortal? How will the fallen angels and the Dragon be cast out and kept out? Another question unrelated to this: What were the cherubim preventing in the Garden Eden, after Adam & Eve were evicted? Who/what were they keeping in or out of the Garden? Reply
Regarding the last question, my understanding is that the cherubim were preventing the humans from gaining access to the tree of life. Reply
Finally, someone with a rational question. How are the angels fighting in heaven? Are they trying to kill each other???? Reply
When human authors (like John) refer to something that happens in Heaven, he is describing something that takes place in a timeless realm… God, and the heavenly host exist literally *outside* of time… In other words, eternal beings don’t exist for a very very very long time… They exist *without* time. So, ascribing a “before, during, or after” to events in heaven should be very difficult for us. Isn’t that why these questions are hard? Reply
This is not a mystery. A key question to me is this. How many wars were there in heaven? I have only found one. Numerous take place in the heavens and on earth but only one happens in Heaven. Second question. Who is going to question or ignore Jesus who said he “beheld” Satan fall like lightning from heaven. He spoke of this in the past tense and not a future-prophetic tense. It had already happened before he made the declaration to his disciples who were boasting of their exploits in ministry while casting out devils. He simply said, no big deal boys. I watched the big one drop from Heaven. Now let’s move on. Final question. How many shots does Jesus need to defeat the devil in Heaven? One war. One shot. Devil drops. Good night. The heavens are created. Heaven is eternal. There is a distinction not being made by some. After the elements melt here with fervent heat, will Heaven cease to exist or will the heavens (our atmosphere and the constellations) cease to exist? Figure it out because God is not confused about this. The devil is defeated. Period. His place in heaven was no longer found. This is pre-creation – not post. Why is this important? Pretext! Why does God move to create man? Why does God purpose to install a creature that is lower than the angels but highly exalt him above the status of the angels and crown him with glory? Why? It is because the angels rebelled (not all of them) but they rebelled. Their rebellion could not be resolved and their lives could not be redeemed because they were already partakers of eternity. Man partakes of the glory and image of God in his carnality so that in the event of his rebellion, God can exalt him again through the plan of redemption and salvation. Lucifer’s fall is the pretext. The Satanic visit in the garden is the Devil’s attempt to mar what God had so marvelously done. It almost worked. He never saw Calvary. The devil was defeated before that lightning bolt hit him. Reply
Personally i am of the opinion that this is a yet future event. It cannot have happened at creation as a lot of people think, i used to be one of them until i read it for myself, because of the words used: “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.” So here by the time this happens, he is already well known as that ‘old’ serpent, if this had happened at around the creation time, then this wouldnt make much sense as he would not yet have been a serpent in the garden. Also it says that by this point he has already deceived the whole world, if this had happened at creation then not only would he have not had enough time to deceive the whole world but moreover, there wasnt a whole world to deceive because at most it was just Adam and Eve. Next it reads “Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Again by the time he is cast down, he is already known as the accuser of the brethren, this wouldnt make any sense if this event happened at creation as there were no brethren (Christians). It then says that he ‘accused’ them ‘before’ our God ‘day and night’. The word ‘accused’ here is past tense, meaning its something that ‘was’ done, but now no longer is, it no longer is done as he now cannot return to heaven, having lost his place there he is essentialy banned permanently (in Job he is still there). It then says he did this ‘before’ our God day and night, before here means ‘in the immediate presence of’ as in actually being right in front of God, and that he was there in heaven in Gods presence making accusations about Christians day and night, meaning constantly. So not only does this remove the possibility of this happening at creation, it also seems to remove the possibility of this happening at Christs crucifixion and/or assension as the only Christians (though they were not yet called Christians until later) were the disciples, and who are those speaking in heaven saying this? Whoever they are, they are in heaven already, are they refer to the Christians on earth as ‘our’ ‘brethren’, this seems to suggest that those saying this in heaven are in fact other Christians who had already died/ been killed before this happened… There is more but i think i have made the point i wanted to. So to me this event hasn’t yet happened, and only happens just before the tribulation. Reply
I think I liked your response the best, but I have some questions if you don’t mind. You made a good point to it not happening at creation.. but What about the woman? It says she is pregnant with the Messiah and when she gave birth the son was called up to God. After that the war broke out.. does this means it cant be at resurrection either? But it seems it wouldn’t be future either because the Messiah was just born. And now…I am confused all over again. Do you have anymore to add for a little clarity to my thought process? Reply
Hi Candice, hope you are well. Thanks for your response and question. To me, when it says about the woman (probably talking about Israel) giving birth to a man child and him being caught up to God, this is an overview of the birth, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ. The next part about the war in heaven, that, comes some time after this has happened, so after Christs ascension, but it doesnt specify how long after, so just from this part alone we cannot tell. It would seem that Satan is cast down as soon as he and his angels lost the war. But when does this take place? The fact that this event comes after the ‘child was caught up to God and to his throne’ says to me that it must be after Christ has ascended up into heaven. Verse 10 and 11 give some clues: 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. In verse 10 we have a voice talking about ‘our brethren’ – I take it that the brethren are Christians, It ‘could be’ that the voice in heaven are other Christians that have already died in Christ. If the brethren are Christians then the next part of the verse “the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” would suggest that satan was still in heaven when there were Christians on the earth, and that he was there continuously accusing them in the presence of God. I suppose the point is that, for there to be Christians, that would suggest that this event took place after Jesus ascended to heaven and so after the resurrection, as there were no ‘Christians’ until later. To me, verse 11 is the voice in heaven still talking, which says that ‘they’ (the brethren) overcame him (satan) by the blood of the lamb (all their sins were wiped, so satans accusations of them were overcome because they were forgiven), and by the word of their testimony (most likely the preaching of the gospel), and they (the brethren – Christians) loved not their lives unto the death (seems to me to be talking about the killing of Christians who were killed for their faith). Verse 11 from my perspective, is an overview of what was happening to the brethren before satan was cast down; they were being accused by satan (who was in heaven accusing them to God) but were forgiven (so his accusations were void), they preached the gospel and were being killed for their faith. In verse 12, the voice continues, and tells the heavens to rejoice because satan is kicked out and therefore cant return, but then gives the earth a warning because satan has come down to them on the earth. The next part is a big clue, as it states that satan is filled with wrath, why? because he knows the he now has a ‘short time’. So after he is cast down, he only has a short period of time left. If he was cast down at around the time of Christ of just after his death/resurrection or even ascension, then he still would have had a long time left – over 2000 years, but no, the voice in heaven says he only has a ‘short time’ left. Verse 13 says that after he is cast down, satan persecutes the women (Israel). In verse 14, the woman (Israel) is carried away somewhere (protected). The next part is important, she is protected for 3 and a half years (time, times and half a time), which is how long the great tribulation is. Verses 13 to 17, seem to me to be a narrow and very brief overview of the tribulation, which is then expounded upon in chapter 13 onwards. From all this, it is my view that satan is cast down towards the end times when things suddenly get very bad, which is known as the tribulation or great tribulation. It seems too much of a coincidence that immediately after this event in Revelation 12 (the war in heaven and satan being cast down), that in Revelation 13 the anti-christ appears and thing get very bad very quickly – the fact that satan is now cast down on earth and filled with wrath explains why things suddenly get so bad. So again, to me, satan is cast down just before the tribulation, and it is he who brings about the tribulation because he is now cast to the earth and filled with wrath. Sorry for the lengthy response, but hopefully that goes at least some way of explaining things the way I see them. There are other views out there, this just happens to be mine. Kind Regards Reply
What if there was a world before this and the devil got his name stamped as the old serpent? In the beginning of this new world, his reputation would have preceded him as the old serpent. Thereby him being referred to the serpent that deceived eve. I believe they were cast down before creation cos Satan could not have transformed into a serpent while being Lucifer at that time. It’s confusing and it’s a mystery. Only few know the real story. Reply
@Kweku There was no world before this one. There is no mention at all in the Bible of any world before this one, in fact the Bible begins with, In the ‘beginning’ God created the heaven and THE earth, there wasnt another earth. Also Jesus believed Adam and Eve were the beginning when he said that …’in the beginning he created them male and female’, clearly referencing Adam and Eve. Eve was so called because she was the mother of ALL living, and if there was another earth and other people then she was not the mother of all living. Perhaps you believe that Genesis 1 and 2 are two different creation accounts? Again there is no evidence of this in the Bible. Genesis 2 is an overview of what happened in the garden of Eden, not a different account. Also, I have given reasons as to why Satan cannot have been cast down at creation, you must dismiss these to suggest that he was cast down way before Adam and Eve. “Satan could not have transformed into a serpent while being Lucifer at that time.” – Why not, why could he not have transformed himself there and then, what prevented him from doing so, seems the thing to do to deceive Eve by pretending to be one of Gods creatures in the garden. Dont forget that Satan can even now also ‘transform’ himself into an angle of light even though he is now Satan. Another thing, there is some debate over whether or not the name ‘Lucifer’ refers to Satan before his fall into sin/from grace. Another thing, you have made a huge error by saying “I believe they were cast down before creation”. If its before creation itself, then where were they cast down to? Creation must have already taken place for anyone to be cast down to anywhere. “It’s confusing and it’s a mystery.” – I disagree, the plain reading of the text is quite clear and is not a mystery. Even someone with only a basic intelligence would be able to read the text of Genesis 1 and 2 and understand it. If you see something else in there then you must be reading your own ideas into the text rather than just reading what it says, and that is a very dangerous thing to do. “Only few know the real story.” – What do you mean by the ‘REAL’ story? Are you saying that the Biblical account is false/a lie/ some sort of deception? Also are you saying that there are a few people that have some sort of extra knowledge the rest of us dont have? How did they get this knowledge and where from? How can they be sure this ‘knowledge’ is correct/accurate. Are you claiming that you are one of these few people that have this hidden knowledge? The point is, if one part of the Bible cannot be trusted, then thats throws doubt on all of it. If the Bible is the word of God, then therefore it must be true as God is truth, so to cast doubt on the Bible is to either suggest that it is not the word of God, or, that God is not trustworthy. Please be very careful. Reply
Enjoyed the video. I concur this chapter is a vision of what was happening in the spirit realm when Jesus Christ was on the cross. Seems the best of all the answers. The woman has been the target of Satan’s conquest since at least Genesis 3. Reply
What was outside of the Garden of Eden? There were gates to keep out what? The Cherabim to keep Adam out. Reply
To me the war brokeout before God has plan for earth genesis1:1 the earth has already be created by God but it has not be beautify.in genesis1:28 you will see that God gave man control over all things on earth for that satan was not happy at all becus after he was thrown out to heaven to earth he was on earth before God beautify the earth Reply
You are correct, almost. The war started when Jesus ascended jntonheaven 40 days after His resurrection and ends before the second woe, but after the first woe. The war in Heaven is about to end, and satan is going to be cast down. The war will have been avout 2000 years long. Reply
I JUST came across this site, I was looking for a good picture to represent Psalms 68:4 and ended up here. I appreciate the Lord leading me here. My thought is, I wonder how ‘with the Lord, a day is as a 1000 years, 1000 years is as a day’ might tie into these scenarios. Reply
“Then” war arose….Taken in context, this comes straight after the text mentions the birth of Jesus. Anyone familiar with the interesting teachings of Dr Michael Heisser? He also teaches that this event happened at Jesus’ birth, or ascension into heaven. The thing for me is, Jesus told his desciples that he SAW satan fall from heaven like lightning. When was that? Or could it be that Jesus, like God is not bound by time…for him to speak of a future event as if it happened in the past? Reply
I don’t think Stepehen knows his bible that well. Satan and his minions were here during the time of Noah. The fallen angels went into women and created the Nephilim. This is the reason God destroyed the earth with the flood. The war in heaven was way before the flood. One thing we all must think about is that there are 3 levels of heaven. The level that the war broke out is not given. I’m going to put this out there for all the great minds to think about.. In our solar system there is something called the asteroid belt, beyond it there are 4 more planets, could the asteroid belt be a destroyed planet?? If so why was this planet destroyed?? anyway, I can not see the war breaking out at the time Jesus was crucified, Satan was here to possess Judas into betraying him also .. Reply