by
this the Christ, the Head and the Body, the church united to Him in
Glory. What is spoken of the Christ in resurrection is also spoken of
His church. The promise to rule the nations with a rod of iron is not
only to Him but through Him also to those who overcome. "And he shall
rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of a potter shall they be
broken to shivers, even as I received of my Father" (Rev. ii:28). It
is also significant that we do not read of the ascension here of our
Lord. If the word were here that the man-child ascended, I doubt if
then we could say the church is implied, for the word ascension is
never used in connection with the church. But it reads "Caught away,"
and the very same word which is used here is used in 1 Thess. iv.
"Caught up together with them in clouds." What follows next is the war
in heaven and the casting out of Satan. This will not take place till
the complete church, the Body and Bride of Christ, is taken up. Then
Satan will be completely bruised under our feet. In spite of his
malice, in spite of his power and accusations, in spite of his
challenge to God and fearful attacks, there is not one member of that
glorious body missing, all the redeemed are in the presence of the Lord
and then Satan is forced down to the earth by Michael and his angels.
In heaven there is a loud voice which declares: "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 day
and night before our God. And they overcame him by the blood of the
Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their
lives unto death. Therefore rejoice, oh ye heavens, and ye that dwell
in them." Then Satan as the accuser has no more place in heaven and
the advocacy of Christ concerning His own, as He said in His
highpriestly prayer, "I pray for them," has an end. They are all safe
with Him in glory.

The heavenlies are thus cleared of Satan and his hosts when the church
is brought in and the eviction is the redemption of the purchased
possession. It takes place by the power of God through the mighty
Being whose name is "Who is like God," Michael.

Satan the usurper cast out of the heavenly sphere goes down to the
earth having great wrath. How fearful must be the wrath of that Being!
Who of us can imagine it, what it will be? Surely the Lord would never
leave His church, His Bride on the e