Revelation 12

Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, "It has happened at last – the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ! For the Accuser has been thrown down to earth – the one who accused our brothers and sisters before our God day and night. – Revelation 12:10 NLT

While the book of Revelation is often thought of as a book of bad news, filled with images of destruction and judgment, it is also has a tremendous amount of good news – for those of us who are followers of Christ. I guess it depends on your perspective when you read it. For instance, this morning I read a story on the Dallas Maverick game that took place last night. I happen to be a Maverick fan, so when I read that they had beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, I was pleased. But if I had been a fan of OKC, I would have read that same story with a great deal of frustration and disappointment. My team would have lost. The same is true when reading the book of Revelation. When I read it as a Christian, I read it with the understanding that my "team" wins. And chapter 12 confirms that message. Once again, John hears a voice from heaven shout, "It has happened at last – the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ! For the Accuser has been thrown down to earth – the one who accused our brothers and sisters before our God day and night" (Revelation 12:10 NLT). As a believer, I hear those words and they are nothing but good news. Sure, chapter 12 is filled with its fair share of bad news. Israel (the woman with child) is going to be persecuted by Satan (the red dragon) during the tribulation time on earth. But God is going to protect Israel during the last half of the tribulation (Revelation 12:6; Revelation 12:14). The Great Tribulation is going to be an extremely difficult time here on earth as the final judgment of God draws closer. This is the last hurrah of Satan and His followers.

That"s why verse 10 is so exciting. John hears it announced that the defeat of our great enemy, Satan, is at hand. It is as good as done. It won't be until chapter 20 that we find out his final destination – the abyss. But the voice from heaven let's everyone know that Satan is defeated. The is "thrown down." The great deceiver and accuser of the brethren has been defeated by God. And he has been overcome by those who came to Christ during the tribulation.

And they have defeated him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of their testimony. And they were not afraid to die. – Revelation 12:11 NLT

Even during the Great Tribulation, long after the church has been removed and the Holy Spirit with it, God will still bring people to a saving knowledge of His Son. Those individuals will place their trust in the blood of Christ shed on the cross – just like we did. And their testimony will overcome the deceiver and accuser. They will be so confident in their salvation that they will willingly face death and martyrdom during those dark days. Which reminds me that I should have that same level of faith right here and now. I should have a confidence in my salvation and in the love and mercy of God that allows me to face whatever comes my way in this life. I should also revel in the fact that my team wins in the end! All because of the the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ (Revelation 12:10).

Father, while I won't be there to hear these words, I am excited to read them – "It has happened at last!" We are all waiting for that day. When Satan is defeated once and for all. We look forward to the day when Your salvation for mankind is complete. When Your kingdom is come in all its glory. But in the meantime may I have a confidence in the salvation of Your Son so that I stand firm in the face of adversity. I want to overcome the enemy through the power available to me in Jesus Christ. I want my testimony to be that I am willing to face even death for the sake of Christ. Because I trust that my team really does win in the end. Amen