When Was Satan Cast Out of Heaven?
Though we have discussed this some during our study of angels, one theory of when Satan and his demons were cast out of heaven that we haven’t discussed is presented below. I choose this to complete our study because it impresses urgency. Is this theory accurate? I’m not sure, but it is formulated scripturally.
After His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus triumphantly ascended into heaven. It was about this time that a great war took place in heaven (Revelation 12:7-9). As a result of this heavenly war, Satan was permanently cast out of heaven (Revelation
12:10).
Even after Satan was cursed in the Garden of Eden, he still had access to the courts of heaven (see Job 1:6). But all that changed as a result of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus foretold to His disciples in John 12:31-32 that in the judgment of this world the prince of this world will be cast out, and Jesus, if he be lifted up
from the earth, will draw all men unto Him. Jesus also said he would not talk much longer with his disciples for the prince of this world cometh (John 14:30; also see 16:11). Was Jesus saying that the devil would be cast out of heaven when He (Jesus) ascended to heaven?
Ever since Jesus’ victory, the devil and his fallen angels do not have access to the throne room of God. Where are they now? Here, on earth! “For this reason, rejoice O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short
time” (Revelation 12:12). Peter and the other apostles referred to the time after Christ as the “last days” (see Acts 2:17; Hebrews1:2; I John 2:18), because Jesus’ second coming could happen at any time. Therefore, Satan wages war with the children of God in great rage, knowing that his time is short.