Chapter 7

Introduction

The last chapter concluded with the question "WHO IS ABLE TO STAND?" Chapter seven is a brief interlude between the sixth and seventh seals to answer the questions concerning the condition of the saints under the alter and those on the Earth. The vision comes in two parts. It reveals that the saints on the Earth are sealed. "They are under God's protection and are delivered not from it (suffering) but through it." The dead are in Heaven praising God continually.

1-3 After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."

The angels restrain the destruction and judgement of the sixth seal. This destruction will not be unleashed until the Christians are first sealed. ANOTHER ANGEL ASCEND FROM THE EAST. In the Old Testament hope came from the East. When the glory of the Lord returned to Jerusalem after its destruction in 586 B. C. it, "Came from the way of the East (Ezek. 43:2). The judgement and persecutions of the world will be endured by the Christians but God will help Christians through persecutions, for their good (Rom. 8:28). Note that the sealed are on the Earth. This seal would be the opposite of the Seal received later by those who worshipped the beast. The seal is on the FOREHEAD this is an obvious location precluding any compromise with the forces of the world. One can easily see how this message would have given comfort to those who refused to worship the emperor and yet would have warned those thinking of compromising with emperor worship while trying to maintain status as a child of God.

4-8 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: 5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; 6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; 7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; 8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.

John HEARD the number of the sealed. Twelve is the number representing organized religion. Thus 144,000 represents the faithful church on the Earth at any given time.

9-10 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

A GREAT MULTITUDE, The saints in Heaven vastly outnumber the Christians on Earth at any given time. In fact they are innumerable by mortal man. Some have supposed that the 144,000 were Jewish Christians and the great multitude Gentile Christians. This is not correct because the Great Multitude is itself composed of souls from EVERY NATION which would include Jewish Christians. It seems unreasonable to believe that God would only seal Jewish Christians. Verse two indicates that all of God's servants on the earth were to be sealed the number of which was 144,000. PALMS indicates a festive occasion such as the feast of the Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:26-32, 39-44). It was a time of rejoicing after the harvest was done.

11-14 And all the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen." 13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" 14 And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

GREAT TRIBULATION Four popular views summarized:

• Jesus had told His disciples of "great tribulation" which would befall the people of Jerusalem in its destruction (Matt. 24:21,29). However, that tribulation had already occurred some twenty or thirty years before John wrote, and these saints are said to "come" out of the tribulation as though it were continuing.

• Some religious groups teach that "the great tribulation" spoken of here is to take place at the end of the present age between what they call "the rapture" and "the revelation" of Jesus. At this time, according to the theory, the saints are caught up (for three and one half to seven years) to the marriage supper of the Lamb. This idea or assumption has no foundation in Scripture.

• Speaking of afflictions that would come upon His disciples, Jesus had forewarned them that in the world they would have tribulation (John 16:33). Paul foretold "that through many (note: not one only [D.E.P.]) tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22), and "all that would live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (II Tim. 3:12). The saints were passing through tribulation at the time John wrote and they have continued to pass through tribulations since. This position makes "the great tribulation" the sum of all tribulations from Pentecost to the coming of the Lord.

• A fourth view is that "the great tribulation" took place in the Roman period through which the saints contemporary with John were passing, beginning with Nero's persecution (A.D. 64) and continuing until the edict of Constantine (313). Those saints are now beyond this life, before the throne of God, having gained the victory. Word of such victory offered tremendous assurance and encouragement to men and women facing trials and death. Their example continues to encourage all who have since then faced similar tests of faith. The great persecution of this passage was thus confined to the period covering 249 years of Roman and Christian conflict. This view is preferred, since it is in harmony with the theme of the book(Hailey pp. 209-210).

Chapter 8

Introduction

The Seven Trumpets

We now approach the sounding of the seven trumpets. We do great injustice to the purpose of the book if we apply the continuous historical approach to this section. John was writing to lend courage and strength to saints persecuted by the Roman empire. The continuous historical approach fails to do this. Then too, those commentators who use such an approach have to do so much "bendin' and twistin'" to make Revelation fit the history of the world that it all seems contrived. In fact, the commentators have to reach so far and use so much imagination to get the major characters and events of history to fit the symbols of Revelation that virtually no two commentators who use the continuous historical approach are able to agree as to just what symbols represent what rulers or events (Cf. Hinds p. 122 and Dixon p. 34).

As we view the seven trumpets, we will view them as Simply a picture of God's warning judgments sent upon wicked men. This is not final judgement: only one third of everything touched is destroyed. It is partial judgement to warn wicked men. "A THIRD" was a conventional way of expressing a large part. These terrible afflictions were not to be universal; if they were universal, no flesh could be saved and they were sent for the very purpose of giving those who escape them warnings of so forcible a character that no vestige of excuse for refusal to repent would be left. No opportunity of inducing men to repentance was to be neglected. See again Revelation 9:20-21 (Ray Summers p. 155).

For these reasons, as we view these trumpets we will try to avoid the complex and contradictory tendency of many to define specific symbols as representing this emperor or that historical event. The three great things that overthrew Rome were (1) natural calamity, (2) internal rottenness and (3) external invasions. This (along with the fact that evil men brought retribution on themselves by their refusal to repent) we believe to be the point communicated by the trumpets.

1 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

SILENCE...HALF AN HOUR. The silence is for dramatic affect. All of Heaven waits breathlessly to see what is to happen next.

2-4 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. And he was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand.

The prayers of the saints along with the intercessory prayers of Christ (the much incense). God then heard the prayers (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:24).

5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.

A CENSER is a golden dish or pan on which coals from the alter were placed. On these coals were placed grains of INCENSE which represented prayers. Thus God avenges the persecution of His saints (Luke 18:7-9). Since these are the prayers of all saints it applies to every age in which there is persecution.

FIRST TRUMPET

6-7 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

Destructive judgement is rained down upon the Earth. It comes from above. However it is limited to vegetation.

SECOND TRUMPET

8-9 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood; 9 and a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

Now the calamities begin to effect animal life and ships at sea (men's material possessions).

THIRD TRUMPET

10-11 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water; 11 and the name of the star is Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood; and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.

Now the judgement spreads to fresh water and man.

FOURTH TRUMPET

12 Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened; and a third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.

Darkness over the third part of the Earth.

13 And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!"

ANGEL (NKJV) is actually an EAGLE (ASV). It is a swift bird of prey.

Chapter 9

FIFTH TRUMPET.

1 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

FALLEN. John saw Satan as a fallen angel (Luke 10:18), who would be in contrast to the bright and morning star. BOTTOMLESS PIT may be that same as tartarus.

2-12 And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. And the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. And their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6 In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them. 7 And the shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle; and on their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. 8 They had hair like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. 9 And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. 10 They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. And their power was to hurt men five months. 11 And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon. 12 One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.

The LOCUST are not real because they do not eat vegetation. Perhaps it is a picture of the pagan Romans being punished by their own sin and corruption. The sin and corruption eventually make life so miserable that men lose their desire to live. The king of this underworld from which this torment flows is called ABADDON which is Hebrew for destruction and APOLLYON which is Greek for destroyer.

SIXTH TRUMPET.

13-19 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." 15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million, and I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed; by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.

Parthian Cavalry may be pictured here. 200,000,000 strong. Such a formation would be one mile wide and 85 miles long. This is a picture of irresistible external invasion.

20-21 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; 21 and they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

So we see that the purpose of the first six plagues was punishment of the wicked in order to move them to repentance. It must always be remembered that men who perish eternally will not do so because of God's capricious judgement. God desires that all men be saved (1 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4).

Chapter 10

Just as there was a break between the sixth and seventh seal, there is now a break between the sixth and seventh trumpets.

1-4 And I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. 2 And he had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. And when he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them."

LITTLE BOOK compared to the book of the seven seals. HIS RIGHT FOOT UPON THE SEA, AND HIS LEFT FOOT ON THE EARTH indicates either that the message of the little book pertains to the whole world or that the angel is stronger than the whole world. Since THUNDER usually indicates impending storm, the thunder indicates that the little book would reveal even more judgments.

5 And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his hand to heaven

LIFTED UP HIS RIGHT HAND to swear a solemn oath with an appeal to God as witness of the oath (Gen. 14:22; Duet. 32:40; Dan. 12:7).

6-7 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, 7 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.

DELAY NO LONGER. The final trumpet will come with no delay. The events that will unfold in it refer to the destruction of Rome. The OT PROPHETS never prophesied the end of the world. The last thing they prophesied was the destruction of Rome (Dan. 2:7).

8-11 Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, "Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth." 9 And I went to the angel and said to him, "Give me the little book." And he said to me, "Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth." 10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. 11 And he said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings."

EAT, master or comprehend the message. There is sweetness in the privilege of mastering the message but the book is full of woes and brings pain. The message of the little book is the message John begins to prophecy in verse 11.

Chapter 11

Introduction

We are still in the interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets. This interlude, like the last one (chapter 7) was to assure the readers that the church would be delivered from the wrath of God which was to be sent on the Roman Empire, and the proclamation of the truth would continue.

We now come to one of the most controversial passages in this controversial book. The futurists usually identify the two witnesses as Moses and Elijah. They teach that there will be a secret rapture followed by a seven year tribulation. During the first three and one half years Moses & Elijah will be resurrected to preach to those left behind.

After 3 and one half years, the "Anti Christ" will murder them. Their bodies will be left in the street for three days, after which they will be resurrected and returned to Heaven. This literal coming of Elijah is said to be a fulfillment of Malachi 4:5-6.

Although there is no "easy explanation" for this passage, the futurist position is clearly indefensible. First, the futurist violates a cardinal rule of interpretation. That rule states that any time a prophecy is given and is later interpreted by inspiration, the inspired interpretation is the correct one. According to the Lord, John the Baptist was the fulfillment of Malachi 4.

In Luke 1:15-17, an angel of the Lord quotes part of Malachi's prophecy and applies it to John's work of preparing Israel for the Lord's first appearance. Given the choice between accepting the explanation of a futurist or an angel from the Lord, we must accept that of the angel.

Second, the question of historical context once again rises to vex the futurist. What possible comfort could have been offered to the first century suffering saints by the knowledge that thousands of years later, Moses and Elijah would be resurrected, murdered and resurrected again. Although such a fanciful interpretation would certainly make for exciting revival preaching in the twentieth century, it would have given no comfort or help to those for whom it was written.

The Continuous Historical School applies the vision to the apostasy of the church during the dark ages from the third century to the reformation

1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.

TEMPLE is a reference to the sanctuary (naos) not the entire structure (hieron). MEASURE God measures to keep or preserve (Zech. 2:5; 40-42). The action is equivalent to sealing the 144,000 of chapter 7. He is to measure (1) the TEMPLE is the church (2) ALTER suggest prayers (3) THOSE WHO WORSHIP THERE are the members.

2 "But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months.

LEAVE OUT THE COURT WHICH IS OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE . To be literally "cast out" (ekballo) (leave out NKJV). The court of the Gentiles signifies (1) the unfaithful members of the church or (2) that while the Christian can be outwardly tormented and persecuted, his inner spiritual man is given peace. Probably the first is indicated because of the use of the word EKBALLO. This may be a reference to those who, when tested, compromised or denied the faith. The only ones that God will measure and protect are those who are steadfast to the end (2:10). Such an interpretation would agree with that of the sealing on the forehead in chapter 7. There the forehead was sealed to indicate that those who compromised and were not clearly on the Lord's side would not be protected from the Lord's wrath. THE HOLY CITY SHALL BE TREAD UNDERFOOT either signifies that the church will be persecuted throughout history or that the wicked (see v. 8) are to be punished. The latter seems more likely since the picture seems to progress from the faithful church (the sanctuary) to the unfaithful church (outer court) to the world (holy city). Remember that the first holy city Jerusalem had already been destroyed for its rejection of Christ.

3 "And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."

1,260 DAYS is 42 months (12:6). It is the same as Daniel's time, times and half a time (Dan. 12:14). As half of the perfect number seven it represents a broken or indefinite time of trial and persecution. This number is the same as Daniel's times and If the number TWO is taken literally, it would represent the apostles and the Holy Spirit (John 15:26ff). If taken figuratively, it would refer to the apostles, the Holy Spirit and all of the Lord's faithful in every age who defend and proclaim the truth in difficult times. If this view is taken, then the number two indicates not the literal number of witnesses but the fact that the messengers are strong (Eccl. 4:9-11) and the message is confirmed to be true (Deut. 19:15; Mt. 18:16).

4-6 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

The LAMPSTANDS hold up the light of the word to be seen. The OLIVE TREE supplies the oil for the lamp. This is a picture of the church holding forth the light of the word supplied by the Holy Spirit. in spite of opposition. The two witnesses clothing indicate their mourning over the sin in the world and the treading of the court of the Gentiles by wicked men.

7-10 Now when they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three and a half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

BEAST must be the Roman Empire for this is only the second WOE; one yet remains.

11-13 Now after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand men were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

But the church revives its vitality and Rome dies. For a time, appeared to the world that the empire had won.

14-19 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly. 15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned. 18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth." 19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

As this section of Revelation comes to an end we are reminded that through it all, God's covenant with his people is still in place.

Chapter 12

Introduction

Many commentators divide Revelation into two parts, or books with the first containing chapters one through eleven and the second section containing chapters 12 through 22. Many theories as to the extent of the differences and the reasons for them have been set forth. In both sections the characters are the same. But, there are differences. the presentation of the message is not as neatly organized. In the first section, we have the seven seals, seven horns, three woes. In this section the action is much faster and carries us farther into the future. Rome is followed by judgement of all evil. Finally the conflict culminates in the complete victory of god and the forces of righteousness over the forces of evil.

The Woman, the Dragon, and The Man Child.

the Reference to the woman the dragon and the man child can be perplexing. Perhaps it be easier to understand this section if we begin by setting forth our thesis. The woman represents the people of God who bring forth the Son of God as the solution for our sin problem. Satan tries to kill the child at birth. failing that, he attacks again at the cross. Failing at the cross he then turns his anger and frustration toward the church established by the victorious blood of Jesus only to again.

1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.

The WOMAN is often viewed as the Jewish nation, but such cannot be the case. Others have seen the virgin Mary in the passage, but she does not fit the imagery well enough. Rather the Woman is best viewed as the, "faithful remnant" (one of whom was Mary) from whom the Messiah was to come (Micah 4:10). However this faithful remnant is more than just the faithful of the Old Covenant (verse 17).

2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.

The promised Messiah (Genesis 3:15) is finally delivered.

3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.

the RED color indicates the murderous nature of the child's opponent who was a murderer from the beginning (John 8:4). He is intelligent and devious--SEVEN HEADS--and has great power--TEN HORNS. He is the ruler of all evil--TEN CROWNS. These crown are not the stephannos (victors crowns found else where. The are diadems or crowns of kings. This world is found only three times in the New Testament (Revelation 12:3; 13:1; 19:12).

4 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. 5 And 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 to His throne.

Here we see the rage and fury of the Dragon at the birth of Christ.

6 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.

The woman is now set forth in her fuller meaning as God's spiritual Israel.

7-8 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.

In Ezekiel chapter 28, Satan and his fall is used as a type of the King of Tyre and his predicted fall. In similar fashion, the great warfare that took place at the fall of Satan is used as a figure for the great spiritual battle that took place at the cross of Christ. John 12:31 "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out."

9-10 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. 10 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.

The name DEVIL means the accuser. Because of the cross, faithful men no longer need fear Satan's accusations "Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies" (Romans 8:33).

11 "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.

Because of the realization that they had overcome the Devils accusations through the blood of the lamb, they will willing to be faithful even into death.

12 "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."

Here we see the reason for the Devil's ratings on the Earth in general and his opposition to the church specifically. He is Angry and frustrated by his defeat at the cross and he knows his time on earth is limited.