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“The Devil’s Defeat (Rev. 12)”
The Devil’s Defeat (Rev. 12)
Wade Webster
The twelfth chapter of Revelation details the devil’s defeat (Rev. 12). Let’s swiftly consider four simple reasons why this is a cause for worship.
First, we worship because the devil didn’t devour the Christ child. We read, “And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days” (Rev. 12:3-6). It is likely that the devil tried in one way and another to stop the Christ child from being born from the time that he first heard about the seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15). Thanks be to God that the devil failed every time, including the attempt through Herod (Mat. 2). Had he been successful any of those times, there would be no reason to worship.
Second, we worship because the devil couldn’t overthrow God. We read, “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Rev. 12:7-9). The last place one would expect war would be heaven. Yet, it occurred there because of the devil . Thanks be to God that the devil lost. Had the devil been successful in his rebellion, then there would be no reason to worship.
Third, we worship because the devil can be overcome. We read, “Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “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. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death” (Rev. 12:10-11). God’s forces in heaven defeated the devil and God’s forces on earth can do the same through the blood of Christ and the word of God. Thanks be to God that He has not left us defenseless against the devil. Let’s worship God for the mighty weapons that He has given us (2 Cor. 10:3-4).
Fourth, we worship because the devil is running out of time. We read, “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of 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” (Rev. 12:12). The devil knows that Jesus is coming back. Furthermore, he knows that when Jesus comes that his deceiving days are done. Thanks be to God that the devil’s days are running out. Let’s hold out a little while longer and worship God for setting a limit to Satan’s work.
As we get ready to worship this week, let’s think of the devil’s defeat. I believe that you will agree that this is a cause for rejoicing.
