Question:
How did Satan and his angels have war in heaven against Michael and his angels? Do spirit beings really attack one another? Did Satan’s angels suffer physically from wounds or injury? And if they did, how could this be possible, since they are spirit beings?
Answer:
Revelation 12:7-10 says, “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.”
This battle in heaven takes place during the Tribulation Period, so it is a future battle. As of this time, Satan still roams between heaven and earth, and accuses the brethren, just like he was doing in Job’s day. Job 1:6-11 says, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.”
Satan will be cast out at the mid-point of the Tribulation Period. That is why it is said at that point that he knows he only has a short time. Revelation 12:12 says, “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.” Those last 3 1/2 years are called the “Great Tribulation,” because it will be such a terrible time. Satan will especially go after God’s people during that time (the Jews, because through them was brought forth the Messiah, and after Christians). Revelation 12:13-17 says, “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
As to your other questions, “Do spirit beings really attack one another? Did Satan’s angels suffer physically from wounds or injury? And if they did, how could this be possible, since they are spirit beings?”
The Bible says, “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.” The Bible says that they “fought.” The Bible does not tell us what kind of injuries they sustain when they fight. Obviously, they are not physical injuries, because they are spirit beings. Luke 24:39 says, “A spirit hath not flesh and bones.” But we must also remember that Satan and his angels will be cast into the lake of fire, and will be tormented for ever and ever. So even spirit beings can feel pain and torment. Revelation 19:20 says, “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” Revelation 20:10 says, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be TORMENTED day and night for ever and ever.” The lake of fire will be such that it will cause spirit beings torment, too.