Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1941-09-18
OVERCOMING THE ADVERSARY


LESSON TExT-Revelation l2:7-l2;
1924.
GOLDEN TExT-And they overcame
him by the blood of the Lamb. and by
the word Of their testimony; and they
loved not their lives unto the DEATH
Revelation 1911.
War! What q familiar world
Men are saying we should put an
end to war. We wish It were pos
sible, but as long as sin rules in
the hearts of men. there viii be
wars; in fact. our lesson tells us Of
a greater war which is to take place
in the heavens. The devil is busy
not only on earth. but in the heaven
ly places, and wherever he is there
is war. Only when Christ. the
Prince Of Peace, comes to reign win
peace come to all the earth.
Our lesson presents three scenes:
Conflict in heaven, rejoicing over
victory there, and a victory on earth
which brought Joy in heaven.
I. War in Heaven (12:7-9).
A clear, succinct, and helpful
word on these verses is quoted from
DR.. John R. Bradbury:
THE dispensational Interpretation
of this passage is that during the
period of tribulation, which follows
the rapture of the saints, as
described in l Thessalonians 4:15-
IS; Corinthians 1851, So, and other
passages, there will be a war in
heaven between Michael and his an
gels and the devil and his. Satan is
not in hell now. 1t is wrong to teach
that he is there He is the prince Of
the power of the air. He rules the
darkness Of this world. He inspires
wickedness in his domain and on
earth. Against these conditions the
Christian is solemnly warned to pre-
pare (Eph. 6:10-18). When we say
that Satan is in heaven, we do not
mean the heaven Of the immediate
presence Of God. The Bible speaks Of
different heavens and there is even
a heaven Of heavens Il Kings 8:2D.
From whence come all the cross
currents of wickedness now sweep
ing over the world-many of them
contrary to the wishes Of the vast
majority of the people? That there
is a malevolent genius directing sim
lister operations to hinder and battle
God and to destroy mankind Is easy
to understand. Many people ask.
Why does not God destroy him?'
The answer to that is in this lesson.
His hour Is coming. He will be ex-
PEELED from his domain by Michael
and his angels. Then. because the
people Of this world have co-operat-
ed with Satan so willingly, he win
be allowed to take refuge in the
earth. He will come down ". I'D in
great wrath, because he knoweth
that he hath but q short time. /"
II. Rejoicing in Heaven tl2:iO-
~.
II we accept what seems to be the
correct view: namely that the wom-
an Of Revelation 1918 Ii Israel. the
nation in which the child ". 81, who
Is Christ. was born. then it would
appear that those who here rejoice
in the victory over the dragon
(Satan) would be the Jewish believ-
ers who win have come through
great tribulation. At the same time
it is quite appropriate to apply the
truth Of the passage to US who now
find ourselves In conflict with Satan
ic powers.
The accuser does not hesitate to
appear even in the presence of God
to bring charges against US (see Job
1:6-12). But we need not fear him,
for he is already judged Il John
16:1D and will Gas we see in our
lesson one day be cast down to
earth, and Gas other Scripture re-
veals) will ultimately be cast into
the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10.
But he is here now, supernatural
(but not divine) being. plaguing us.
tempting us, accusing us. What
shall we do about it? AS to his
accusation, we know we have just
and loving God and also have an
Advocate to plead our causes before
Him Il John 2:2). For his present
attacks. our lesson gives the secret
Of spiritual victory in verse II.
III. Victory on Earth (Rev IS:
2N.
The scene Of victorious rejoicing
which we see here is evidently in
heaven. but it is because Of victory
on earth. Here are those that have
come through the horrible conditions
described in Revelation Is, and have
been victorious over the beast. in
spite of his great powers.
They sing; that is the token Of
real victory, Of a heart victory.
Whatever loss they may have SUI
fered, and whatever trials they may
have gone through. they have got
ten the victory" ". D.. They sing
the song Of Moses and the Lamb (cf.
Exod. 1921 and Rev. 5:9-14).
1t is right that the redeemed of
the Lord should sing. clarifying the
name Of God Nv a and magnifying
His great and marvellous works
". 81. Let US remind ourselves
again that if we are C'Ir'~t'ens we
are on the victoriou, ae Ta