War in Heaven
The primeval "war in heaven" (Revelation 12:7) was no
doubt more of an intense debate than a D-day type invasion. The greek
word for "war" used in this text is polemos, from which we get our
English word, "polemic," or argument. While polemos can refer
to a physical battle, it is more likely in this case that references to
a war of words and ideas.
In the original Hebrew, "Satan" means
"accuser." Lucifer became Satan
at the point he "accusingly" attacked the integrity and trustworthiness
of God in an effort to destroy His credibility among His creation.
The charges he brought against God were sufficiently serious and believable
that one third of the angels took his side and were eventually cast out
of heaven with him. Revelation 1:20;
12:3,4,9 On this basis, Jesus said of Satan, "When he speaks
a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father
of it." John 8:44
