A Short Time for the Devil

“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (Revelation 12:12, NKJV).

The above passage from Revelation tells us Satan has declared all-out war on God's saints. It also mentions that the devil has a deadline to complete his work. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to constantly be aware that the devil is out to destroy us. Therefore, Paul says, we need to know as much as we can about the enemy’s tactics and plans: “…lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11).

Peter gives us this warning: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). This does not mean the devil is hovering in the cosmos somewhere, giving orders to his demonic hosts. We know that Satan was cast down to earth. Thus, the devil’s kingdom is limited to the here and now (see Revelation 12:12).

Contrary to the thinking of some Christians, Satan does not possess omnipotent power. He has been defeated by Jesus and stripped of all authority. Nor is Satan omniscient, meaning that he cannot read minds. He is not omnipresent; he cannot be everywhere at one time. He is limited to being in one place at any time.

However, Satan does have principalities and powers stationed throughout the earth, and his host of demons feed him intelligence at his beck and call. They hear you when you pray, and they see your obedience to God. That is what stirs up Satan’s wrath against you!

The reference in Revelation 12:12 that says the devil knows he has only a short time is not about the time Satan has left before the return of Christ. Rather, it is about continual deadlines, a series of short times the devil has in which to accomplish his work. It is all about the brief times he has to make war against God’s saints. We ought to be wise about his schemes and pursue Christ with even more passion!