Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Devotion based on Revelation 12:7-9

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What flies, breathes fire, and goes by names such as Toothless, Smaug, and Puff? Dragons, of course! When we think of dragons, we think of fierce, powerful, and strong creatures. In John’s vision, he sees a dragon battle. “A war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.” This wasn’t make-believe—this battle was real! Satan once led a rebellion against God. God fought back with his angels.

The battle is still real. We are the prize. The war between God and Satan is for our souls. Satan “leads the world astray.” He uses the weapon of accusation, hoping to lay our sins before God. Satan is the reason for our doubts, frustration, and sin. The devil lies to us, trying to convince us that we don’t need a Savior or that our sinful condition is hopeless.

It’s not a battle that we can win on our own. God knows that, so he fights the battle for us. The heavenly rebels were cast out. Michael and his angels won, and Satan and his angels were hurled to earth. Even though the war is won, Satan continues to fight battles. He hopes to gain little victories in our lives: an accusation here, a temptation there, a little pride, a little despair.

Listen again to what the voice from heaven announces: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God, day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb.”

Imagine that! A dragon was defeated by a lamb! But it’s no surprise. This lamb is the Lamb of God, our Savior, Christ Jesus. When Jesus died and rose, he forgave our sins, and Satan lost his power to accuse.

Most of the dragons you know are imaginary, but Satan is real. So is God. In the battle between God and Satan, God wins! As it was in heaven, so it is now and will be eternally: God wins! Dragon loses!

A mighty fortress is our God,

Though devils all the world should fill,

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Questions for Middle School and Above