Revelation 12:7-11 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,… I. THE CHARACTER OF THE WAR OF REBEL ANGELS IN HEAVEN. 1. Wilful. They brought it on themselves. 2. Irreconcilable. (1) On the part of God. (2) This war is irreconcilable on the tart of rebel angels also, for when they sinned that moment their natures were changed. The passions of the soul, and the affections of the heart, which once so sweetly harmonised, were thrown into disorder and became as jarring elements, or as the troubled sea that cannot rest. 3. Unreasonable. It was a war of ingratitude, of folly, of madness — was a war against duty, against interest, against happiness itself; a war, in short, for which not only the justice of God must for ever condemn them, but the voice of reason, and the voice of the whole intelligent creation. 4. It was to rebel angels a most fatal and disastrous war. They gained nothing, but lost much. (1) They lost the favour of God, even that favour which is life, and that lovingkindness which is better than life. (2) They lost their own moral loveliness. (3) They lost their seats in heaven. II. COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE WAR OF REBEL ANGELS IN HEAVEN WITH THE WAR OF REBEL MEN ON EARTH. 1. Was the war of rebel angels a wilful war? So also is the war of rebel men. 2. Was the war of rebel angels an irreconcilable war? Thank God, here we can drop the comparison, and take up the contrast. Yes, on this theatre of war, in the midst of heaven-daring rebels, our blessed Redeemer has, by the shedding of His most precious blood, made the great atonement. 3. Was the war of rebel angels an unreasonable war? And what shall we say of the war of rebel men? Angels sinned against creating goodness — man against redeeming love. Angels warred under black despair — man under hope of heavenly grace. The sword of justice pursued revolting angels — the wings of mercy were outstretched to shelter revolting man. And yet man rebels! 4. Was the war of rebel angels fatal and disastrous? So, also, most assuredly, will be the continued war of rebel men. Millions have already fallen in the impious contest, and shall rise no more. (D. Baker, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, |
    |