Useful Bible Studies > Revelation Commentary > chapter 12
People sometimes ask why the devil chooses to fight against God. Passages like Isaiah 14:13-14 and Ezekiel 28:12-19 seem to show that the original reasons were proud thoughts and jealous attitudes. However, the devil is fighting a war that he will certainly lose. That fact will become clear, even to the devil, as the events in the Book of Revelation happen. So we may ask why he will continue to fight at that time.
Revelation chapter 13 shows that the devil will oppose God even more fiercely just before Christ’s return. The most terrible and wicked things that have ever happened upon earth will happen then (Daniel 12:1).
Revelation 12:12 gives three reasons why the devil will be so active in the world then. Firstly, in the defeat in verse 8, the devil lost his power in heaven to accuse God’s people (verse 10). So, the devil must now concentrate his evil acts upon the earth and sea. Secondly, the devil’s anger is very great. He is behaving like someone who cannot control his temper. Because he cannot defeat God, the devil tries to cause as much damage as possible. Thirdly, the devil knows that his time is short. When Christ returns to rule the world, the devil will lose all his power and authority (20:1-3). So the devil cannot delay. If the devil does not carry out his evil acts now, he will not have another opportunity.
We might compare the devil’s behaviour to the actions of a fierce wild animal, for example a wild dog or a lion. When they are dying, such animals do not become tame - they are extremely dangerous and fierce. Or we might compare him to a wicked ruler who expects to suffer complete defeat soon. The last acts of such rulers are often acts of great cruelty.
Next part: The wings of an eagle (Revelation 12:13-14)
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© 2016, Keith Simons.