In the church year, this week marks the celebration of St. Michael and all Angels. It’s a time in the year to remember the spiritual Today we hear the fascinating story of how God used Michael the Archangel and the holy angels to expel Satan and his wicked demons from heaven.

Now war broke out in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world–he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. REVELATION 12:7-10

This is a picturesque way of describing the work of Christ! This is really the story of the gospel! And it’s good news for us! Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, Satan is defeated and his power is destroyed. Jesus crushed Satan’s head by His death on the cross. That defeat is pictured in the Book of Revelation as War in Heaven: Michael the Archangel is sent to lead the army of Holy Angels in expelling Satan and his depraved demons from Heaven. It’s a fantastic image of an Archangel battling a Great Red Dragon. It’s a dramatic image of the Gospel itself: Satan the accuser is cast out of Heaven and forever banished from the presence of God!