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Book of Revelation - Chapter 12 - Verse 7

12:7
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

Meaning

The verse 'And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,' from the Book of Revelation in the Bible, describes a cosmic battle between the forces of good and evil. In this passage, the archangel Michael leads a heavenly army against the dragon, who represents Satan or the forces of darkness. The imagery of a war in heaven highlights the ongoing spiritual battle between God and Satan, with Michael and his angels symbolizing the power and righteousness of God, while the dragon and his angels represent the forces of evil. This verse serves as a reminder of the ultimate victory of good over evil, as well as the ongoing struggle for spiritual purity and righteousness in the world.

Theological Overview

One theological interpretation of the verse "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels," is that it depicts a cosmic battle between good and evil forces. The figure of Michael is often associated with being a leader of God's army, and his battle against the dragon symbolizes the ongoing struggle between the forces of light and darkness. The concept of heavenly warfare suggests that even in the spiritual realm, there are conflicts that must be resolved. Additionally, some scholars see this verse as a reflection of the Christian belief in the eventual defeat of evil by God's righteous forces. Word studies on terms like "war" and "dragon" can provide deeper insights into the symbolism and significance of this dramatic depiction.

American Standard Version

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels [going forth] to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels;
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