◄ Revelation 12:8 ►
But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels.
Study Bible
But they were not strong enough
This phrase signifies the ultimate defeat of the forces of evil, represented by the dragon and his angels. The Greek word for "strong" here is "ischuō," which implies having power or ability. In the context of Revelation, this defeat is not just a physical overpowering but a spiritual and moral victory. The forces of evil, despite their attempts, lack the divine authority and righteousness that characterize God's kingdom. This serves as a reminder of the supremacy of God's power and the futility of opposing His will. Historically, this reflects the Christian belief in the inevitable triumph of good over evil, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible.

and there was no longer a place for them
The phrase "no longer a place" indicates a complete and irrevocable expulsion. The Greek word "topos" for "place" suggests a specific location or position. In the heavenly realm, this signifies the removal of any authority or influence that the dragon and his angels once held. This expulsion is not just a physical displacement but a spiritual cleansing of heaven, ensuring that nothing impure remains in God's presence. This echoes the biblical theme of God's holiness and the ultimate purification of His creation. It reassures believers of the finality of God's judgment against evil.

in heaven
Heaven, in this context, represents the divine realm where God's presence is fully manifest. The expulsion of the dragon and his angels from heaven symbolizes the restoration of divine order and the establishment of God's unchallenged sovereignty. In biblical theology, heaven is often depicted as a place of perfect peace and righteousness, free from the corruption and rebellion found on earth. This phrase underscores the hope of believers for a future where God's kingdom is fully realized, and His will is done "on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). It serves as an encouragement to remain steadfast in faith, knowing that God's ultimate plan is one of victory and restoration.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Dragon
Symbolic of Satan, the adversary of God and His people. The dragon is depicted as a powerful and malevolent force opposing God's purposes.

2. Michael and His Angels
Michael is an archangel, often seen as a warrior angel who leads the heavenly host in battle against the forces of evil. His name means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew, emphasizing his role as a defender of God's sovereignty.

3. Heaven
The spiritual realm where God resides, and where the battle between good and evil takes place. In this context, it represents the domain of divine authority and purity.

4. The War in Heaven
A cosmic battle between the forces of good, led by Michael, and the forces of evil, led by the dragon. This event signifies the ultimate defeat of evil in the heavenly realm.

5. The Defeat of the Dragon
The dragon's failure to prevail signifies the triumph of God's power and the establishment of His kingdom. The dragon's expulsion from heaven marks a pivotal moment in the spiritual conflict.
Teaching Points
The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Believers must recognize that spiritual warfare is a real and ongoing battle. Understanding the nature of this conflict helps Christians remain vigilant and prayerful.

The Assurance of Victory
The defeat of the dragon assures believers of God's ultimate victory over evil. This encourages Christians to stand firm in their faith, knowing that God is in control.

The Role of Angels
Angels, like Michael, play a significant role in God's plan, serving as protectors and warriors. This reminds believers of the unseen support they have in their spiritual journey.

The Importance of Spiritual Readiness
Just as Michael and his angels were prepared for battle, Christians must be spiritually ready, equipped with the armor of God, to face challenges and temptations.

The Consequences of Rebellion
The dragon's expulsion from heaven serves as a warning against rebellion and pride. Believers are called to humility and submission to God's will.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the depiction of the dragon in Revelation 12:8 help us understand the nature of spiritual opposition in our lives today?

2. In what ways can we draw strength from the assurance of victory over evil as demonstrated in this passage?

3. How does the role of Michael and his angels in this heavenly battle inspire us to engage in spiritual warfare on earth?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are spiritually ready to face the challenges and temptations of life?

5. How can the consequences faced by the dragon serve as a warning and guide for our own spiritual walk and relationship with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Daniel 10:13, 21 and 12:1
These passages introduce Michael as a protector of God's people, reinforcing his role as a warrior against evil forces.

Ephesians 6:12
This verse highlights the spiritual nature of the battle, reminding believers that their struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.

Luke 10:18
Jesus speaks of seeing Satan fall like lightning from heaven, which parallels the dragon's expulsion in Revelation.

Isaiah 14:12-15
This passage describes the fall of Lucifer, often associated with Satan, and provides a backdrop for understanding the dragon's defeat.
Sermons
Hope of the Final Triumph of GoodJohn Congreve, M. A.Revelation 12:7-11
St. Michael and All AngelsH. Melvill, B. D.Revelation 12:7-11
The Great CampaignD. Thomas Revelation 12:7-11
The Heavenly and the Earthly ConflictEdwin Hatch, D. D.Revelation 12:7-11
War in HeavenD. Baker, D. D.Revelation 12:7-11
Who is MichaelW. Milligan, D. D.Revelation 12:7-11
War and TriumphR. Green Revelation 12:7-12
People
John, Michael
Places
Patmos
Topics
Angels, Defeated, Didn't, Dragon, Fought, Heaven, Longer, Lost, Overcome, Prevail, Prevailed, Room, Strong
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Revelation 12:3-9

     4654   horn

Revelation 12:7-9

     4116   angels, opposed to God
     4627   creatures

Revelation 12:7-10

     1130   God, sovereignty

Library
Prevailing Prayer.
Text.--The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.--James v. 16. THE last lecture referred principally to the confession of sin. To-night my remarks will be chiefly confined to the subject of intercession, or prayer. There are two kinds of means requisite to promote a revival; one to influence men, the other to influence God. The truth is employed to influence men, and prayer to move God. When I speak of moving God, I do not mean that God's mind is changed by prayer, or that his …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Third
refers to Exodus. The promise is, "I will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it" (ii. 17). It is in this third Epistle, which refers to the wilderness period and Balaam's counsel, that we have a special reference to the manna, the wilderness sustenance, of which Exodus contains the record. "Bread from Heaven" and "Angels' food" (Ps. lxxviii. 24,25) are set over against the lusts of the …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

The Glory of Jesus and Mary.
Before entering upon the contemplation of the excellent glory which surrounds the blessed in heaven, we must endeavor to form a correct idea of God's grace, which enabled them to perform the great and noble actions we are now to consider. They were all, except Jesus and Mary, conceived in sin, and, therefore, subject to the same temptations that daily assail us. They never could have triumphed and reached the supernatural glory which now surrounds them, had they been left to their own natural strength, …
F. J. Boudreaux—The Happiness of Heaven

The Work of Christ.
The great work which the Lord Jesus Christ, God's well beloved Son, came to do was to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. This finished work of the cross is the basis of His present work and His future work. What mind can estimate the value and preciousness of that work in which the Holy One offered Himself through the eternal Spirit without spot unto God! He procured redemption by His death on the cross. In His present work and much more in the future work, He works out this great redemption …
A. C. Gaebelein—The Work Of Christ

A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Voluntary Suffering
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. T hat which often passes amongst men for resolution, and the proof of a noble, courageous spirit, is, in reality, the effect of a weak and little mind. At least, it is chiefly owing to the presence of certain circumstances, which have a greater influence upon the conduct, than any inherent principle. Thus may persons who appear to set death and danger at defiance in the hour …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Fourth vision "In Heaven"
H^4, chap. xii. 1-12. A Great Sign. We now come, not only to the great central subject of the whole Book, but to the central pair of the seven Visions, and to the actual literary centre of the Book. All this shows us that we are on the threshold of an important part of Scripture which relates to the actual Revelation or Unveiling of the glorious Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. The whole section (chaps. xii.--) is not only Episodal in subject and Parenthetical in form, but is a good example of historical, …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

Apostles To-Day?
"Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are ye not my work in the Lord?"--1 Cor. ix. 1. We may not take leave of the apostolate without a last look at the circle of its members. It is a closed circle; and every effort to reopen it tends to efface a characteristic of the New Covenant. And yet the effort is being made again and again. We see it in Rome's apostolic succession; in the Ethical view gradually effacing the boundary-line between the apostles and believers; …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 Here is high preferment for the saints. They shall be advanced to a kingdom. There are some who, aspiring after earthly greatness, talk of a temporal reign here, but then God's church on earth would not be militant but triumphant. But sure it is the saints shall reign in a glorious manner: Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.' A kingdom is held the acme and top of all worldly felicity, and this honour have all the saints'; so says our Saviour, Theirs is the …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished; …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Protevangelium.
As the mission of Christ was rendered necessary by the fall of man, so the first dark intimation of Him was given immediately after the fall. It is found in the sentence of punishment which was passed upon the tempter. Gen. iii. 14, 15. A correct understanding of it, however, can be obtained only after we have ascertained who the tempter was. It is, in the first place, unquestionable that a real serpent was engaged in the temptation; so that the opinion of those who maintain that the serpent is only …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher, …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Love
The rule of obedience being the moral law, comprehended in the Ten Commandments, the next question is: What is the sum of the Ten Commandments? The sum of the Ten Commandments is, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind, and our neighbour as ourselves. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.' Deut 6: 5. The duty called for is love, yea, the strength of love, with all …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness.
^A Matt. IV. 1-11; ^B Mark I. 12, 13; ^C Luke IV. 1-13. ^c 1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, ^b 12 And straightway the Spirit driveth him forth ^c and ^a 1 Then [Just after his baptism, with the glow of the descended Spirit still upon him, and the commending voice of the Father still ringing in his ears, Jesus is rushed into the suffering of temptation. Thus abrupt and violent are the changes of life. The spiritually exalted may expect these sharp contrasts. After being …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

A Preliminary Discourse to Catechising
'If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled.' - Col 1:23. Intending next Lord's day to enter upon the work of catechising, it will not be amiss to give you a preliminary discourse, to show you how needful it is for Christians to be well instructed in the grounds of religion. If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled.' I. It is the duty of Christians to be settled in the doctrine of faith. II. The best way for Christians to be settled is to be well grounded. I. It is the duty of Christians …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Its Meaning
Deliverance from the condemning sentence of the Divine Law is the fundamental blessing in Divine salvation: so long as we continue under the curse, we can neither be holy nor happy. But as to the precise nature of that deliverance, as to exactly what it consists of, as to the ground on which it is obtained, and as to the means whereby it is secured, much confusion now obtains. Most of the errors which have been prevalent on this subject arose from the lack of a clear view of the thing itself, and …
Arthur W. Pink—The Doctrine of Justification

An Appendix to the Beatitudes
His commandments are not grievous 1 John 5:3 You have seen what Christ calls for poverty of spirit, pureness of heart, meekness, mercifulness, cheerfulness in suffering persecution, etc. Now that none may hesitate or be troubled at these commands of Christ, I thought good (as a closure to the former discourse) to take off the surmises and prejudices in men's spirits by this sweet, mollifying Scripture, His commandments are not grievous.' The censuring world objects against religion that it is difficult …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

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