Currently, Satan has access to heaven. He does not reside there, but often he appears before God to accuse believers, The book of Job tells a story of Satan appearing before the throne of God to accuse Job, and to seek permission to attack his body.

However in the midst of the tribulation, Satan will lose his access to heaven. Bible scholars differ on whether this is a reference to Satan's work of corrupting one third of the angels of heaven, or if it points to his immense earthly power at this time. Either way, Satan and all rebelling demons will be cast down and barred from their normal access and communication with God.

So there is a sudden change of scene. We are no longer looking at the events on Earth but looking into heaven, and seeing a scene of conflict, invisible to earth but taking place in heaven.