Until recently it had been our point of view that Revelation 12:4 (above) refers to a third of the angels of God being cast down from the heavens to the earth because of their participation in Satan's rebellion.

However, two facts are causing us to revise our understanding of this verse. First, it was God, not Satan, who cast the rebellious angels into Hell (not into the earth), to be kept there until the Day of Judgment (II Peter 2:4). As far as we know, there is no passage of Scripture (other than Revelation 12:4) that could be interpreted to mean Satan will cast the rebellious angels to the earth (except for Daniel 8:10, which we have discussed and our objections to this viewpoint stated).

It would be foolish of Satan to cast a large part of his army to the earth when the conflict of the ages is at hand.

Second, there are the several passages in the Book of Daniel that we already have examined, statements signifying that Antichrist will overcome the saints, hurling to the earth some of the army of Heaven. One of the themes of Daniel is the conquering of the holy people of God, causing them to be removed from their place as the light of the world.

The Overthrowing of the Divine Witness in the Earth

It is clear God's plan is to permit His witness in the earth to be overthrown, the purpose being to perfect the members of the Body of Christ, and also to take out of the way that which is hindering the full expression of Satan in the earth (II Thessalonians 2:7).

We are suggesting that the "stars" are God's saints, His holy ones, and the dragging down from the heavens of a third of the stars and flinging them to the earth symbolizes the spiritual fall of those who had been part of God's witness in the earth.

The overthrowing of the Christian witness, which is the casting to the earth of the stars of the heaven, as we understand it, will make possible the maturing of evil in the earth. The Day of Judgment will not come until both good and evil, righteousness and unrighteousness, the wheat and the tares, have been defined clearly.

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3)

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (Revelation 3:15)

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. (Revelation 22:11)

The sifting of the Lord is beginning in the present hour as numerous Christians, who at one time had been shining lights, have entered deception. In former days they were bearing witness to the Lord Jesus. Now they are living in adultery, fornication, covetousness, drunkenness, violence, unfaithfulness, and every other evil work.

The Light and the Glory of God had been on them but now they are spiritually, mentally, and emotionally weak. They know the joy of the Lord has departed from them and they are wretched, looking for someone who can help them.

In some instances we are able to do little other than suggest they seek God and serve Him even though they have no joy or sense of the Divine Presence.

To be continued.