Can you imagine the fury of Satan as he knows that he is about to be cast out of the mid-Heaven? He was created as one of the most beautiful of all the angels. From truth in the Word of God, it is believed that he was the Music Director of the heavenly host. The Son of God clearly stated that He beheld him when he was thrust out of the immediate presence of the Father. Since that awesome occasion, he has been the “the prince of the power of the air”(Ephesians 2:2). He directs all evil powers from that location.
The Rapture of the Church will occur immediately before Satan is cast down to the earth. Actually, the two supernatural moments are almost simultaneous. This explains the ferocious attack that Satan is waging against the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. It’s time we labeled the many enemies of the Rapture with clear Biblical facts. Every attack on the Rapture is an attack that is planned by the devil himself. The Word of God could not have said it any more plainly, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also”(John 14:3).
Satan has to be on this earth and limited to this earth for the coming Great Tribulation. He cannot be cast to this earth until the “Restrainer” is removed and the Bride of Christ is caught up to heaven. To even consider anything different is completely unbiblical. How could the Holy Spirit fulfill His great office as the Vicar of Christ on earth at the same time that Satan is reigning as the god of this earth? Presently, Satan is the god of the unholy world system; but, during these seven years, he will be the god of this earth.
Immediately after the Lord Jesus Christ and His host of Angels orchestrate the Rapture and the Saints are safe in the Celestial City, all Hell will break loose in the world between heaven and earth. “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven”(Revelation 12:7-8). This will truly be a “mother of all battles.” It is evident that every fallen angel in Satan’s kingdom (except those consigned to the Abyss) is involved. Every one of these angels will be cast down to the earth with Satan.
I personally believe that Satan and his evil angels have limited control of weather patterns. The Scripture is clear that Satan and his host have made the world like a wilderness, which would clearly include the atmospheric heavens that connect directly to earth. “That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?” (Isaiah 14:17). This was spoken about Satan in his present position.
Once this battle is finished, Holy Angels will begin to preach from the former center of Satan’s domain. “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (Revelation 14:6). All weather patterns from this war forward through the Great Tribulation will be at the Father’s direction and will mostly be judgmental in action.
There is great finality in the description of Satan’s doom, “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. 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” (Revelation 12:9-10). Even in the midst of the Great Tribulation, it will be good news that Satan has lost his throne. As I deal with troubled lives, I often find that the great battle is the “imaginations and accusations” that badger people to the point of insanity. This power to accuse is probably Satan’s greatest scheme, but this ability will be finished.
At this moment Satan will be limited to the earth. He will still have paranormal powers but will be clearly confined to his earthly schemes. This will be the darkest period of human existence. Anyone that is considering that the Bride of Christ will still be on earth should see this picture. It will be Satan’s earth for this very short time. “Therefore rejoice ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them (the Raptured saints). Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time”(Revelation 12:12).
Everything in this Prophetic News Alert is actually good news. It’s an incredible process as we watch God’s judicial rendering of His final judgments of Satan and every fallen angel. Nothing in this action is vicious or in way less than God’s perfect Holiness cleansing our world for His eternal family.
As we await the Trumpet announcing His coming in the heavens, put on the whole armor of God. Especially, “take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”(Ephesians 6:17). The very atmosphere is charged with “imaginations and accusations” against everything pure and holy and against every child of God. Listen to nothing that is not in perfect harmony with the Holy Bible. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psalm 37:4)
Joseph R. Chambers, DD, DSL
jrc@pawcreek.org