The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 1301-B, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 4."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©1976. All Rights Reserved.

Question

Does Satan have access to heaven?

Answer

That’s an important question.  There are three heavens.  The third heaven Paul talked about, didn’t he?  That’s the abode of God.  The second heaven is the terrestrial heaven of the stars and everything.  The first heaven would be the atmosphere of the earth.  And Satan has access to the first heaven, we know; he is moving in the atmosphere of the earth.  He probably has real good access to the second area, the second heaven.  Somebody asked the question, “What about UFO’s?”  I think if you check carefully into Satan’s strategy, you’ll find that probably 99% of all UFO appearances is Satan fooling around in the terrestrial atmosphere—and we’ve talked about that in the past.  But does he have access to the third heaven?  Yes, he does: read the book of Job.  He entered right into the presence of God.  You say, “I thought he was kicked out of heaven.”  He was, but once in a while, the Lord lets him back just for His own purposes…  The Lord’s purposes. 

But you want to hear something interesting?  Job 1, incidentally, gives you the conversation between God and Satan in heaven—so he does have access there.  And it also says in Revelation that he’s night and day accusing the saints before God, isn’t he?  So, somehow he has access.  But you know what’s really exciting?  You read Revelation 12 and there’s a war in heaven during the tribulation and guess who gets booted out?  Satan!  He gets kicked out of heaven and he winds up on earth and when he’s got nowhere to go but the earth, that’s what sets the tribulation loose on earth.  He wars with Michael and the angels in heaven—it’s the holy angels and Michael (who is Superangel, as you know)—fighting against Satan and all of his demons, and Michael prevails!  You didn’t know?  Right, he’s God’s champion angel!  Whenever there’s a great war, Michael’s out front, leading the troops.  So, the battle in Revelation 12 winds up with Satan being cast to the earth and when he’s left to the earth, all of heaven is closed to him until such a time as then he is cast into the pit.

Yes, he does have access at this particular time.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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