Spiritual warfare has its origin in a rebellion of many angels against God. Satan is seen as the prince of this world, leading an array of forces opposed to God. Although disarmed by Jesus Christ on the cross, they remain a powerful threat to the church and to individual believers.
Satan and his angels fall
2 Peter 2:4 See also Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:12–19 Some believe the kings of Babylon and Tyre to be types of Satan; 1 Timothy 3:6; Jude 1:6
For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
Satan and his angels comprise a well-organised army
Ephesians 6:12 See also Colossians 1:13
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Satan and his angels will ultimately be fully disarmed by Jesus Christ
Colossians 2:15; Revelation 12:7–9 See also Mark 3:27 parallel Matthew 12:29; Luke 10:18; John 12:31; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels. And the great dragon was hurled down — that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Satan persecutes the church
Revelation 12:13 The woman is here thought to be symbolic of the church. See also Revelation 2:10, Revelation 13:7 The dragon is here thought to be symbolic of the world's persecution (empowered by Satan) of the church.
And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.
Satan opposes the gospel
2 Corinthians 4:4 See also Matthew 13:19 parallels Mark 4:15, Luke 8:12; Matthew 13:38–39; 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 1 Thessalonians 2:18
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Examples of opposition to the first Christians
Acts 6:8–14, Acts 7:54–58 Stephen stoned to death; Acts 8:1–3 Saul causes havoc in Jerusalem.; Acts 13:6–12, Acts 13:44–45, Acts 17:13, Acts 18:6, Acts 18:12; Acts 9:23, Acts 14:5, Acts 14:19, Acts 16:16–24, Acts 17:5–6, Acts 19:23–29, Acts 20:3, Acts 21:27–36; Acts 23:12–15, Acts 25:3
Satan attacks individual believers
Revelation 12:17 See also Job 2:7; Luke 22:31–32; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 5:8
And the dragon was enraged at the woman and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.