Revelation 12:10; The Accuser of Our Brethren

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Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 

John reports that he heard a loud voice in heaven, but he fails to identify the speaker or singer, indicating that it is not a matter of importance. Even though angels often sing hymns of praise, the use of the possessive pronoun our together with the noun brethren (brothers and sisters) rules out the angels.

The voice represents a group of singers, possibly the saints in heaven who sing this song of victory (compare 11:15).

Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdomsof our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 

What does John wish to convey with the time reference now? Revelation stresses not chronological time, which is of fleeting consequence, but the governing principle of time. Here the adverb points to the dividing line in human history, Christ’s death and resurrection, which resulted in his victory over Satan. The words of the song anticipate the final overthrow of Satan (20:10).

Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 

“Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ.” The words of the song honour God by ascribing to Him the salvation of His people accomplished in Christ, the power Jesus received to overcome Satan, and the kingdom which the Lord handed over to him (1 Cor. 15:24–28).

1 Corinthians 15:24-28 Then comeththe end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy thatshall be destroyed isdeath. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it ismanifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. 

God is supreme in his kingdom. Although Jesus has been given full authority, it is God who rules his kingdom through his Son (Rev. 11:15).

Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdomsof our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 

Jesus told the disciples: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18).

“Because the accuser of our brethren has been cast out; which accused them before our God day and night.” It is not Michael and his angels who receive praise for the overthrow of Satan, but Christ, who exercises supremacy in his kingdom. When Jesus ascended to the throne with full authority to rule, Satan was cast out of heaven. The phrase the accuser of our brothers [and sisters] characterizes the devil’s activity in the presence of God (Job 1:6–12; 2:1–5).

Job 1:6-12 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there isnone like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath isin thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. 

Job 2:1-5 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there isnone like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 

This activity has now come to an end, because Jesus is the intercessor for the saints, and that precludes anyone from bringing a charge against them (Rom. 8:33–34).

Romans 8:33-34 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It isChrist that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 

 Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, pp. 363–364). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.