12:8and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven.

and they were not STRONG ENOUGH,

There is no doubt that Satan and his army could wage a strong fight. The archangel Michael had to come to fight the 'prince of the kingdom of Persia' (Satan) in Daniel 10:13, after the angelic messenger sent to Daniel had struggled with him 21 days. Now the messenger may have been a 'lower' angel (Daniel 10:21) but that shows, even in the heavenly realm, Satan is very strong and powerful.

and there was NO LONGER a place found for them in HEAVEN.

Satan, at this time, still has access to heavenly places. He continually is accusing the saints before God (Job 1:9-11, Zechariah 3:1). Even today, every time we make a request of God, Satan stands there to say its a lie, or we won't keep our commitment, and so on. Since we still have the privilege of making choices, Satan is the 'politician' trying to swing our vote his way. BUT, Satan is NOT STRONG ENOUGH when we have made our commitment to Christ!

Four Overthrows of Satan


Luke 10:17,18 Jesus saw Satan falling from heaven like lightning as 70 disciples took authority over Devil.
Revelation 12:8-9 Here Satan is removed from heaven entirely and relegated to earth.
Revelation 20:1-3 Satan is removed from earth and jailed in the abyss.
Revelation 20:7-10 Satan is released from the abyss after the 1000 year reign for a short time and then forever cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.

There was a brief moment at the 5th trumpet where Satan (Revelation 9:1, a star) was forced to come down and open the bottomless pit. He was not required to stay in the pit. There is a king over the residents there (Revelation 9:11) who probably is not Satan, but is under Satan's command.

Note the consequence of Satan losing this fight (Revelation 12:12): the tribulation period will be awful!