Reading: The Accuser’s Downfall (The Video Slides)

The Accuser's Downfall
by David Feddes

Revelation 12:7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 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.

Revelation 12:10 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. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Courtroom conflict

• Defendant: Christian

• Judge: God the Almighty

• Defender: Jesus the Messiah

• Prosecutor: Satan the accuser

• Officer: Michael the archangel

Earthly and heavenly courts

Earthly: Roman courts killed Jesus' followers based on accusations of:

• Rebellion and treason

• Atheism

• Cannibalism

• Incest

• Arson

Heavenly: "The accuser of our brothers  has been thrown down.” (Rev 12:10).

Six titles for the chief evil angel

• "the great dragon”: mass murderer

• "that ancient serpent”: sly god-player

• "the devil”:  diabolos = slanderer

• "Satan”: adversary, prosecutor

• "the deceiver of the whole world”

• "the accuser of our brothers”

Accuser/Slanderer

• Satan said God lied and didn't want what was best for humanity. (Gen 3)

• Satan said Job worshiped God only to get health and wealth. (Job 1-2)

• Satan claimed Moses' body. (Jude 1:9)

• Satan wanted God to condemn Joshua the high priest in filthy robes. (Zech 3) 

• Satan demanded Peter. (Luke 22:31)

Accusing the innocent

• Jezebel hired slanderers to get Naboth convicted and killed. (1 Kings 21:13)

• Judas accused Mary of wasting money on Jesus. (John 12:1-8)

• False witnesses in rigged court accused Jesus of sin. (Matt 26:60)

• Stephen's enemies recruited and set up false witnesses (Acts 6:11-14)

Condemning saved sinners

"The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?” Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments... And to him he said, "Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” (Zechariah 3:2-3)

Canceling the record

And you, who were dead in your trespasses...  God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (Colossians 2:14-15)

Worldly grief vs. godly grief

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

• The Spirit's conviction moves you to give up on yourself, to seek salvation in Jesus, and to live by the Spirit.

• Satan's accusation moves you to give up on God's mercy and love.

Conquering the accuser

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. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Rev. 12:10-11)

Sore loser

12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

Don't be an accuser.

• You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people. (Leviticus 19:16)

• There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18)

• The tongue is a fire... set on fire by hell. (James 3:6)

• Judge not, that you be not judged. (Matthew 7:1)

Don't despair when accused.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus... If God is for us, who can be against us? ... Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Romans 8:1, 31-34)