We know from the Bible that there is a spirit world.And it is plain in the Bible that there are many wicked spirits in that world. Is anyone in charge there? We also know that there is a lot of mythology connected with the subject, and the only reliable source of information is the Bible. And in this series, we have been looking to the Bible for a basic understanding of the dark side of the spirit world.

One of the most striking biblical passages about this world is in the mysterious book of Revelation. I say mysterious—actually, the name of the book, Revelation, means that it is supposed to reveal things. The problem is that the things are revealed in vision which is rich in symbolism and iconography. The passage in question is chapter 12:

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 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 before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.