ARMAGEDDON—THE BATTLE Part-3
(Subjects in this Section)
32-THE
BATTLE: A SACRIFICE IN BOZRAH, A SLAUGHTER IN IDUMEA
33-THE BATTLE:
PEOPLE AND ANIMALS ATTACK EACH OTHER
34-THE BATTLE: PEOPLE
SMITTEN WITH MADNESS
35-THE
BATTLE: THE HORSES OR VEHICLES ARE STRUCK WITH BLINDNESS
36-THE BATTLE: VOLCANOES WILL
ERUPT
37-THE BATTLE: EARTHQUAKES
38-THE
BATTLE: LIGHTNINGS, THUNDERS, "THE EARTH-QUAKE," AND HAIL
39-AS
THESE THINGS HAPPEN, PEOPLE WILL FLEE FOR THEIR LIVES
40-THE BATTLE:
A GREAT WHIRLWIND SHALL GO FORTH
41-THE BATTLE: THE WINEPRESS
(THE EARTH)
42-THE BATTLE: THE WINEPRESS
(IN ISRAEL)
43-THE
OUTCOME OF THE NATIONS TO WHICH ISRAEL WAS DRIVEN
44-THE OUTCOME OF
MOAB, SHETH, EDOM, AND EGYPT
45-NONE SHALL REMAIN OF
THE HOUSE OF ESAU
46-THE PEOPLE ARE FEARFUL
47-THE EARTH MELTS, THE
EARTH CHANGES
48-GOD’S ENEMIES SUBMIT
49-THEY ARE CONSUMED
50-HE MAKES WARS TO CEASE
51-A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE
ARE DEAD
52-THE
BIRDS GATHER TO EAT THE FLESH OF THE DEAD BODIES
53-THE
NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE LEFT ALIVE ARE JUST A FEW
54-THE NAMES OF THE IDOLS ARE
CUT OFF; THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT
PASSES
OUT OF THE LAND
55-SATAN BOUND FOR 1000 YEARS
56-SPIRITUAL WARFARE: THE MILLENNIUM
57-THE
HOST OF THE HIGH ONES AND KINGS SHALL BE PUNISHED
58-GOD POURS UPON
JERUSALEM THE SPIRIT OF GRACE
59-JESUS GLORIFIED
60-THE
KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD ARE BECOME THE KINGDOMS
OF
JESUS
61-HE THAT ENDURES
TO THE END SHALL BE SAVED
62-THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS
63-I MAKE THINE ENEMIES
THY FOOTSTOOL
The
sword of the Lord comes down upon Idumea. There is a great slaughter there.
The sword of the Lord is filled with blood. The Lord has a sacrifice in Bozrah.
Isa 34:5-7-FOR MY SWORD SHALL BE BATHED IN HEAVEN: BEHOLD,
IT SHALL COME DOWN UPON IDUMEA, AND UPON THE PEOPLE OF MY CURSE, TO JUDGMENT.
THE SWORD OF THE LORD IS FILLED WITH BLOOD, IT IS MADE FAT WITH FATNESS, AND
WITH THE BLOOD OF LAMBS AND GOATS, WITH THE FAT OF THE KIDNEYS OF RAMS: FOR
THE LORD HATH A SACRIFICE IN BOZRAH, AND A GREAT SLAUGHTER IN THE
LAND OF IDUMEA. AND THE UNICORNS SHALL COME DOWN WITH THEM, AND THE BULLOCKS
WITH THE BULLS; AND THEIR LAND SHALL BE SOAKED WITH BLOOD, AND THEIR DUST MADE
FAT WITH FATNESS.
Obad 8-SHALL I NOT IN THAT DAY, SAITH THE LORD, EVEN DESTROY
THE WISE MEN OUT OF EDOM, AND UNDERSTANDING OUT OF THE MOUNT OF ESAU? This was
partially fulfilled in the past, but its final fulfillment should be at the
return of Jesus.
A
great panic will strike people from the Lord. They will seize and attack each
other. The horses, mules, camels, asses, and other animals shall do likewise.
Zech 14:13,15-AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY, THAT
A GREAT TUMULT (or panic) FROM THE LORD SHALL BE AMONG THEM (men); AND THEY
SHALL LAY HOLD (or seize) EVERY ONE ON THE HAND OF HIS NEIGHBOR, AND HIS HAND
SHALL RISE UP AGAINST (or attack) THE HAND OF HIS NEIGHBOR. AND SO SHALL BE
THE (similar) PLAGUE OF THE HORSE, OF THE MULE, OF THE CAMEL, AND OF THE ASS,
AND OF ALL THE BEASTS (or animals) THAT SHALL BE IN THESE TENTS, AS THIS PLAGUE.
In
the day of the Lord, people will go mad; they will go berserk.
Zech 12:4-IN THAT DAY, SAITH THE LORD, I WILL SMITE…
HIS RIDER WITH MADNESS.
Hag 2:22-AND I WILL OVERTHROW THE CHARIOTS, AND THOSE THAT
RIDE IN THEM; AND THE HORSES AND THEIR RIDERS SHALL COME DOWN, EVERY
ONE BY THE SWORD OF HIS BROTHER.
In
the day of the Lord, the horses, or possibly vehicles, may malfunction. They
may just stop dead or become uncontrollable.
Zech 12:4-IN THAT DAY, SAITH THE LORD, I WILL SMITE EVERY
HORSE (which may also denote vehicles) WITH ASTONISHMENT (or panic)…AND (or
but) WILL SMITE EVERY HORSE OF THE PEOPLE (or nations) WITH BLINDNESS.
Smoke
shall arise from the mountains. Volcanoes may erupt in many places.
Ps 144:5-BOW (or part) THY HEAVENS, O LORD, AND COME DOWN:
TOUCH THE MOUNTAINS, AND THEY SHALL SMOKE.
Jesus
shakes the heavens and the earth, both the sea and the dry land. The nations
of the world are shaken. The earth trembles, and the foundations of the hills
move. Mountains plunge into the sea. Earthquakes appear to be everywhere.
The earth shall remove or be shaken out of its place.
Hag 2:6-FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS; YET ONCE, IT IS
A LITTLE WHILE, AND I WILL SHAKE THE HEAVENS, AND THE EARTH, AND THE SEA, AND
THE DRY LAND.
Hag 2:7-AND I WILL SHAKE ALL NATIONS.
Hag 2:20,21-AND AGAIN THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME UNTO HAGGAI
IN THE FOUR AND TWENTIETH DAY OF THE MONTH, SAYING, SPEAK TO ZERUBBABEL, GOVERNOR
OF JUDAH, SAYING, I WILL SHAKE THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH.
Heb 12:26,27-BUT NOW HE HATH PROMISED, SAYING, YET ONCE MORE
I SHAKE NOT THE EARTH ONLY, BUT ALSO HEAVEN. AND THIS WORD, YET
ONCE MORE, SIGNIFIETH THE REMOVING OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE SHAKEN, AS OF THINGS
THAT ARE MADE, THAT THOSE THINGS WHICH CANNOT BE SHAKEN MAY REMAIN.
Isa 13:13-THEREFORE I WILL SHAKE THE HEAVENS (or make the
heavens tremble), AND THE EARTH SHALL REMOVE (or shake, or be shaken)
OUT OF HER PLACE, IN THE WRATH OF THE LORD OF HOSTS, AND IN THE DAY OF HIS
FIERCE ANGER.
Job 9:6-WHICH SHAKETH THE EARTH OUT OF HER PLACE,
AND THE PILLARS THEREOF TREMBLE.
Joel 3:16-AND THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH SHALL SHAKE
(this indicates earthquakes all over the earth): BUT THE LORD WILL BE THE HOPE
OF HIS PEOPLE, AND THE STRENGTH OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
Ps 18:7-THEN THE EARTH SHOOK AND TREMBLED; THE FOUNDATIONS
ALSO OF THE HILLS MOVED AND WERE SHAKEN, BECAUSE HE WAS WROTH.
Ps 46:2,3-THEREFORE WILL NOT WE FEAR, THOUGH THE EARTH BE
REMOVED, AND THOUGH THE MOUNTAINS BE CARRIED INTO THE MIDST OF THE SEA;
THOUGH THE WATERS THEREOF ROAR AND BE TROUBLED, THOUGH THE MOUNTAINS SHAKE
WITH THE SWELLING THEREOF.
Ps 60:2-THOU HAST MADE THE EARTH TO TREMBLE; THOU
HAST BROKEN IT: HEAL THE BREACHES THEREOF; FOR IT SHAKETH.
2 Sam 22:8-THEN THE EARTH SHOOK AND TREMBLED; THE
FOUNDATIONS OF HEAVEN MOVED AND SHOOK, BECAUSE HE WAS WROTH.
(The Cities of the Nations Are Destroyed) (Every Island Fled Away) (The Mountains Are No Longer Found)
Apparently,
the battle begins with the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. The people are
terrified. Then, as Jesus is returning, lightnings enlighten the world. One
can only imagine what it will be like, as huge lightning bolts cover the entire
planet. The noise could be deafening. Some can be expected to die as lightning
strikes buildings, trees, and people, further terrifying the earth’s population.
Jesus goes forth with a great army and many chariots. It
appears He fights from the air. He speaks, and mountains move. The heavens and
earth shake. Earthquakes may shake the entire earth. A fire goes before Him.
People experience sheer terror before they die. Consider
the overwhelming noise of resounding thunder and lightning flashing, the roaring
of fires, winds, and seas, coupled with the devastating earthquakes that will
shake the earth. People will be screaming in horror. The destruction will be
awesome!
Then the greatest earthquake in the history of the world,
since man has existed, occurs. Cities, towns, and homes, all over the earth
crumble. Jerusalem is divided into three parts. Every island fled away. Both
small and great mountains of the world crumble and become plateaus. The mountains,
as we know them, may no longer exist. Great hailstones fall from the sky; each
piece weighs between 70 and 100 pounds. The few things left standing should
now be flattened by these huge hailstones. The people that are still left alive
blaspheme God. Some are speaking against God as they die. The fierceness of
the wrath of God, against rebellion and sin, is now unfolding. It is written,
Ps 5:5-THOU HATEST ALL WORKERS OF INIQUITY.
(Scripture with commentary)
Isa
29:6-THOU SHALT BE VISITED OF THE LORD OF HOSTS WITH THUNDER, AND WITH
EARTHQUAKE, AND GREAT NOISE, WITH STORM AND TEMPEST,
AND THE FLAME OF DEVOURING FIRE.
Rev 16:18-AND THERE WERE VOICES (or rumblings), AND
(peals of) THUNDERS, AND (flashes of) LIGHTNINGS; AND THERE WAS
A GREAT (or massive) EARTHQUAKE, SUCH AS WAS NOT (or has never
occurred) SINCE MEN WERE UPON THE EARTH, SO MIGHTY (or violent, or tremendous)
AN EARTHQUAKE, AND SO GREAT. The intensity of this earthquake is such that the
word "great" is used twice. In addition to this, the word "mighty"
is also used.
The following verses convey clearly that this earthquake
is worldwide. There will be no place to run, hide, or escape it.
It is written, THE LORD...HE ARISETH TO SHAKE TERRIBLY
THE EARTH-Isa 2:19. The earth will be shaken. Isa 2:21-WHEN HE ARISETH TO
SHAKE TERRIBLY THE EARTH.
Rev 16:19-AND THE GREAT CITY (which is believed to be Jerusalem)
WAS DIVIDED (or split) INTO THREE PARTS, AND THE CITIES OF THE NATIONS FELL
(or collapsed). Note the words "cities" and "nations" are
both plural. Job 38:13 tells us, THAT IT MIGHT TAKE HOLD OF THE ENDS OF THE
EARTH, THAT THE WICKED MIGHT BE SHAKEN OUT OF IT. Rev 16:19 continues,
AND GREAT BABYLON CAME IN REMEMBRANCE BEFORE GOD, TO GIVE UNTO HER THE CUP OF
THE WINE OF THE FIERCENESS OF HIS WRATH.
Hag 2:22-God says, AND I WILL OVERTHROW THE THRONE OF KINGDOMS,
AND I WILL DESTROY THE STRENGTH OF THE KINGDOMS OF THE HEATHEN.
Rev 16:20-AND EVERY ISLAND FLED AWAY. Consider the
islands of the world. It appears they will sink into the sea. AND THE MOUNTAINS
WERE NOT (or could not be) FOUND. The mountains of the world are
shaken so violently that they can no longer be found. We may consider that where
vast mountain ranges once stood, there will be plateaus, as the mountains are
leveled. It appears the Himalayan Mountains in Asia, the African mountains,
the Alps in Europe, the Rocky Mountains in North America, and the Andes Mountains
in South America, even all the mountains of the world will no longer exist as
they do today.
Rev
16:21-AND THERE FELL UPON MEN A GREAT HAIL (or huge hailstones) OUT OF
HEAVEN (or the sky), EVERY STONE ABOUT THE WEIGHT OF A TALENT
(or seventy, or a hundred pounds each): AND MEN BLASPHEMED (or cursed)
GOD BECAUSE OF THE PLAGUE OF THE HAIL; FOR (or because) THE PLAGUE THEREOF
WAS EXCEEDING GREAT (or terrible). People continue to curse God, because of
the things that are coming upon them. Many may die, even as they are cursing.
Job 38:22,23-HAST THOU SEEN THE TREASURES OF THE HAIL,
WHICH I HAVE RESERVED AGAINST THE TIME OF TROUBLE, AGAINST THE DAY OF
BATTLE AND WAR?
Isa 28:17-JUDGMENT ALSO WILL I LAY TO THE LINE, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
TO THE PLUMMET: AND THE HAIL SHALL SWEEP AWAY THE REFUGE OF LIES, AND
THE WATERS SHALL OVERFLOW THE HIDING PLACE.
Ps
144:6-CAST FORTH LIGHTNING, AND SCATTER THEM: SHOOT OUT THINE ARROWS,
AND DESTROY THEM.
Ps 97:4-HIS LIGHTNINGS ENLIGHTENED THE WORLD: THE
EARTH SAW, AND TREMBLED.
Ps 18:14-YEA, HE SENT OUT HIS ARROWS, AND SCATTERED THEM;
AND HE SHOT OUT LIGHTNINGS, AND DISCOMFITED THEM.
2 Sam 22:15-AND HE SENT OUT ARROWS, AND SCATTERED THEM; LIGHTNING,
AND DISCOMFITED THEM.
Ps 77:18-THE VOICE OF THY THUNDER WAS IN THE HEAVEN: THE
LIGHTNINGS LIGHTENED THE WORLD: THE EARTH TREMBLED AND SHOOK.
Isa 30:30-AND THE LORD SHALL CAUSE HIS GLORIOUS VOICE
TO BE HEARD, AND SHALL SHOW THE LIGHTING DOWN OF HIS ARM, WITH THE INDIGNATION
OF HIS (raging) ANGER, AND WITH THE FLAME OF A DEVOURING FIRE, WITH SCATTERING
(cloudburst), AND TEMPEST (or thunderstorm), AND HAILSTONES.
(Summary)
It is
done.
There were voices.
There were thunders.
There were lightnings.
There was the greatest earthquake, since man has existed.
The great city was divided into three parts.
The cities of the nations collapsed.
Every island fled away.
The mountains of the world could no longer be found.
After this, huge hailstones (weighing about 70 to 100 pounds)
may flatten anything that remains.
For fear of what is happening, people will seek for a place to hide. They are
afraid of the Lord and will go into the holes of the rocks and the caves of
the earth. They will throw away their idols of gold and silver to the moles
and bats.
Isa 2:19-21-AND THEY SHALL GO INTO THE HOLES
OF THE ROCKS, AND INTO THE CAVES OF THE EARTH, FOR FEAR OF THE LORD, AND FOR
THE GLORY OF HIS MAJESTY, WHEN HE ARISETH TO SHAKE TERRIBLY THE EARTH. IN THAT
DAY A MAN SHALL CAST HIS IDOLS OF SILVER, AND HIS IDOLS OF GOLD, WHICH THEY
MADE EACH ONE FOR HIMSELF TO WORSHIP, TO THE MOLES AND TO THE BATS; TO GO INTO
THE CLEFTS OF THE ROCKS, AND INTO THE TOPS OF THE RAGGED ROCKS, FOR FEAR OF
THE LORD, AND FOR THE GLORY OF HIS MAJESTY, WHEN HE ARISETH TO SHAKE TERRIBLY
THE EARTH.
Isa 31:7-FOR IN THAT DAY EVERY MAN SHALL CAST AWAY HIS IDOLS
OF SILVER, AND HIS IDOLS OF GOLD, WHICH YOUR OWN HANDS HAVE MADE UNTO YOU FOR
A SIN.
Great
whirlwinds go forth all over the earth. They shall also arise from the coasts.
Hurricanes, tornadoes, monsoons, cyclones, and every form of wind storm can
be expected to occur.
Isa 40:24-YEA, THEY SHALL NOT BE PLANTED; YEA, THEY SHALL
NOT BE SOWN: YEA, THEIR STOCK SHALL NOT TAKE ROOT IN THE EARTH: AND HE SHALL
ALSO BLOW UPON THEM, AND THEY SHALL WITHER, AND THE WHIRLWIND SHALL TAKE
THEM AWAY AS STUBBLE.
Jere 23:19-BEHOLD, A WHIRLWIND OF THE LORD IS GONE
FORTH IN FURY, EVEN A GRIEVOUS WHIRLWIND: IT SHALL FALL GRIEVOUSLY
UPON THE HEAD OF THE WICKED.
Jere 25:32-THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, BEHOLD, EVIL SHALL
GO FORTH FROM NATION TO NATION, AND A GREAT WHIRLWIND SHALL BE RAISED UP
FROM THE COASTS OF THE EARTH.
Jere 30:23,24-BEHOLD, THE WHIRLWIND OF THE LORD GOETH
FORTH WITH FURY, A CONTINUING WHIRLWIND: IT SHALL FALL WITH PAIN UPON
THE HEAD OF THE WICKED. THE FIERCE ANGER OF THE LORD SHALL NOT RETURN, UNTIL
HE HAVE DONE IT, AND UNTIL HE HAVE PERFORMED THE INTENTS OF HIS HEART: IN THE
LATTER DAYS YE SHALL CONSIDER IT.
Nah 1:3-THE LORD IS SLOW TO ANGER, AND GREAT IN POWER, AND
WILL NOT AT ALL ACQUIT THE WICKED: THE LORD HATH HIS WAY IN THE WHIRLWIND
AND IN THE STORM, AND THE CLOUDS ARE THE DUST OF HIS FEET.
Two
winepresses are mentioned: one covers the entire earth, the other covers Israel.
Men shall walk as if they are blind, because they have sinned against the Lord.
The wrath of the Lord is upon all nations. The mountains will be saturated with
the blood of the dead. The entire earth becomes a winepress and is harvested.
Their blood shall be poured out as dust and their flesh as the dung.
Jere 25:30,31-THEREFORE PROPHESY THOU AGAINST THEM ALL THESE
WORDS, AND SAY UNTO THEM, THE LORD SHALL ROAR FROM ON HIGH, AND UTTER (or lift)
HIS VOICE FROM HIS HOLY HABITATION; HE SHALL MIGHTILY ROAR UPON HIS HABITATION
(or land); HE SHALL GIVE A SHOUT, AS THEY THAT TREAD THE GRAPES, AGAINST
ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH. A NOISE SHALL COME (or resound) EVEN TO
THE ENDS OF THE EARTH; FOR THE LORD HATH A CONTROVERSY (or will bring
charges-NIV) WITH (or against) THE NATIONS, HE WILL PLEAD (or
bring judgment) WITH ALL FLESH (or mankind); HE WILL GIVE THEM THAT ARE WICKED
TO THE SWORD, SAITH THE LORD.
Jere 25:29-FOR…I WILL CALL FOR A SWORD UPON ALL THE INHABITANTS
OF THE EARTH, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS.
Isa 63:1,2-WHO IS THIS THAT COMETH FROM EDOM, WITH DYED
GARMENTS FROM BOZRAH? THIS THAT IS GLORIOUS IN HIS APPAREL, TRAVELLING IN
THE GREATNESS OF HIS STRENGTH? I THAT SPEAK IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, MIGHTY TO SAVE.
WHEREFORE ART THOU RED IN THINE APPAREL, AND THY GARMENTS LIKE HIM THAT TREADETH
IN THE WINEFAT (or winepress)?
Zeph 1:17-AND I WILL BRING DISTRESS UPON MEN, THAT THEY SHALL
WALK LIKE BLIND MEN, BECAUSE THEY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE LORD: AND THEIR
BLOOD SHALL BE POURED OUT AS DUST, AND THEIR FLESH AS THE DUNG.
Isa 34:2,3-FOR THE INDIGNATION (or anger) OF THE
LORD IS UPON ALL NATIONS, AND HIS FURY (or wrath) UPON ALL THEIR ARMIES:
HE HATH UTTERLY (or totally) DESTROYED THEM, HE HATH DELIVERED THEM TO THE SLAUGHTER.
THEIR SLAIN ALSO SHALL BE CAST OUT, AND THEIR STINK SHALL COME UP OUT OF THEIR
CARCASES, AND THE MOUNTAINS SHALL BE MELTED (or soaked) WITH THEIR BLOOD.
Rev 14:14-AND I LOOKED, AND BEHOLD (before me) A WHITE CLOUD,
AND (sitting) UPON THE CLOUD ONE SAT LIKE UNTO THE SON OF MAN (Jesus), HAVING
ON HIS HEAD A GOLDEN CROWN, AND IN HIS HAND A SHARP SICKLE. This appears to
be Jesus returning at Armageddon. In Matthew's Gospel alone, the "Son of
Man" is mentioned approximately 31 times. The Son of Man is Jesus. He is
coming as King, having on His head a golden crown. He is sitting on a cloud,
ready to reap. The sharp sickle represents judgment. To cut the harvest down,
a sharp instrument is needed.
Rev 14:15-AND ANOTHER ANGEL CAME OUT OF THE TEMPLE, CRYING
WITH A LOUD VOICE TO HIM THAT SAT ON THE CLOUD, THRUST IN THY SICKLE (or start
using your sickle), AND REAP: FOR THE TIME IS COME FOR THEE TO REAP; FOR THE
HARVEST OF THE EARTH IS RIPE. The angel came from the temple with instructions.
These instructions appear to come from God the Father to Jesus. These instructions
seem to be most urgent, as He cries with a loud voice. The message seems to
be that the time is at hand. Do not delay. The reason for no delay is because
the harvest of the earth is ripe. The sin of the people has come to the full.
They are completely wicked. The earth has turned to the Antichrist as their
savior. They have worshiped the Antichrist and Satan. Their thinking has become
totally corrupt. The people of the earth have committed an unforgivable sin:
they have taken the mark and worshiped the beast and his image. The patience
of Jesus has ended. (Note, the root word, from which "ripe" is translated,
seems to mean "over ripe.")
Rev 14:16-AND HE THAT SAT ON THE CLOUD (Jesus) THRUST IN
HIS SICKLE ON THE EARTH (or swung his sickle over the earth-NASB); AND THE
EARTH WAS REAPED (or harvested). The sickle is swung, and the earth is harvested.
From one end of the earth to the other, the people are cut down, even as a field
that is ripe for harvest.
Rev 14:15,16-appear to cover the earth.
The
subject now seems to change to the armies of the world that have gathered in
Israel to make war against Jesus. They are portrayed as grapes gathered into
a great winepress: they shall be trampled and crushed as when making wine. Their
blood shall come out and rise as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance
of about 200 miles.
Zeph 3:8-THEREFORE WAIT YE UPON ME, SAITH THE LORD, UNTIL
THE DAY THAT I RISE UP TO THE PREY: FOR MY DETERMINATION IS TO GATHER THE
NATIONS, THAT I MAY ASSEMBLE THE KINGDOMS, TO POUR UPON THEM MINE INDIGNATION,
EVEN ALL MY FIERCE ANGER.
Zeph 1:7-HOLD THY PEACE AT THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD GOD:
FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD IS AT HAND: FOR THE LORD HATH PREPARED A SACRIFICE,
HE HATH BID HIS GUESTS.
It is written, Rev 16:16-AND HE (or they) GATHERED THEM (the
kings) TOGETHER INTO A PLACE CALLED IN THE HEBREW TONGUE ARMAGEDDON (or
Har Megiddo). Megiddo, today, is a large hill or mound of ruins from ancient
times (also called a "tel"). It sits on the edge of a vast plain,
known as Esdraelon or the Jezreel Valley. In this fertile farmland of northern
Israel, extending through the Jordan Valley, the great armies of the world are
expected to assemble for war. This area covers nearly 200 miles in length-ref
Rev 14:20.
Joel 2:2-AS THE MORNING SPREAD UPON THE MOUNTAINS: A GREAT
PEOPLE AND A STRONG; THERE HATH NOT BEEN EVER THE LIKE, NEITHER SHALL BE ANY
MORE AFTER IT, EVEN TO THE YEARS OF MANY GENERATIONS.
Joel 1:6-FOR A NATION IS COME UP UPON MY LAND, STRONG, AND
WITHOUT NUMBER, WHOSE TEETH ARE THE TEETH OF A LION, AND HE HATH THE CHEEK TEETH
OF A GREAT LION. It is written, Joel 3:2,13,14-I WILL ALSO GATHER ALL NATIONS,
AND WILL BRING THEM DOWN INTO THE VALLEY OF JEHOSHAPHAT, AND WILL PLEAD WITH
THEM THERE FOR MY PEOPLE AND FOR MY HERITAGE ISRAEL, WHOM THEY HAVE SCATTERED
AMONG THE NATIONS, AND PARTED MY LAND. PUT YE IN THE SICKLE, FOR THE HARVEST
IS RIPE: COME, GET YOU DOWN; FOR THE PRESS IS FULL, THE VATS OVERFLOW;
FOR THEIR WICKEDNESS IS GREAT. MULTITUDES, MULTITUDES IN THE VALLEY OF DECISION:
FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD IS NEAR IN THE VALLEY OF DECISION.
Deut 32:42 NIV-I WILL MAKE MY ARROWS DRUNK WITH BLOOD, WHILE
MY SWORD DEVOURS FLESH: THE BLOOD OF THE SLAIN AND THE CAPTIVES, THE
HEADS OF THE ENEMY LEADERS.
Gen 49:11,12-BINDING HIS FOAL UNTO THE VINE, AND HIS ASS'S
COLT UNTO THE CHOICE VINE; HE WASHED HIS GARMENTS IN WINE, AND HIS CLOTHES
IN THE BLOOD OF GRAPES. HIS EYES SHALL BE RED WITH WINE, AND HIS TEETH WHITE
WITH MILK.
Rev 14:17-AND ANOTHER ANGEL CAME OUT OF THE TEMPLE WHICH
IS IN HEAVEN, HE ALSO HAVING A SHARP SICKLE. This angel also comes forth from
the temple; however, he comes with a sharp sickle rather than instructions.
Rev 14:18-AND ANOTHER ANGEL CAME OUT FROM THE ALTAR, WHICH
HAD POWER (or was in charge) OVER FIRE; AND (he) CRIED (or called) WITH A LOUD
CRY (or voice) TO HIM THAT HAD THE SHARP SICKLE, SAYING, THRUST IN (or use)
THY SHARP SICKLE, AND GATHER THE CLUSTERS OF THE VINE (or grapes) OF THE EARTH;
FOR HER GRAPES ARE FULLY RIPE. The root word, from which "ripe"
is translated, appears to mean "the precise time for complete ripeness
or fully ripe." It is slightly different than the word in verse 15. This
angel comes forth from the altar. He has power over fire. He also has brought
instructions. These instructions convey a sense of urgency, as he cries with
a loud cry. He also seems to be saying not to delay. The time is at hand. Then
he gives the reason for not delaying: because the grapes on the vine are fully
ripe. Their sin has come to the full. They are ready to be cut, thrown into
the winepress, and trampled. The angel from the altar tells this to the angel
that came from the temple.
The people gathered in Israel for the Battle of Armageddon
are depicted as grapes on a vine; they are fully ripe and ready to be cut down
and squashed. The patience of Jesus has ended.
Rev 14:19-AND THE ANGEL THRUST (or swung) IN HIS SICKLE (down)
INTO (or onto) THE EARTH, AND GATHERED THE VINE (or grapes) OF THE EARTH, AND
CAST (or threw) IT INTO THE GREAT WINEPRESS OF THE WRATH (or fury) OF
GOD. Note, it is called the "great" winepress. First, the grapes are
cut off the vine. Then, they are cast into the great winepress.
Rev 14:20-AND THE WINEPRESS WAS TRODDEN (or trampled)
WITHOUT (or outside) THE CITY (which is Jerusalem), AND BLOOD CAME OUT
(or flowed) OF THE WINEPRESS, (rising) EVEN UNTO (or as high as)
THE HORSE BRIDLES (estimated to be 4 to 5 1/2 feet), BY THE SPACE OF
A THOUSAND AND SIX HUNDRED FURLONGS (or approximately two hundred miles, or
323 kilometers). The actual distance appears to be from 180 to 200 miles, or
290 to 323 kilometers.
Rev 19:15-AND HE TREADETH THE WINEPRESS OF THE FIERCENESS
AND WRATH OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
The winepress varies slightly in different countries. Generally,
a winepress is a large circular or rectangular structure. The walls may be about
three feet high or built into the ground. Fully ripe grapes are cut from the
vine with a sharp instrument, gathered, and emptied into this enclosure. Barefooted
people then enter in and begin to stamp the grapes, crushing them completely
so that all the juice comes out. No grape survives. In some places, this may
now be done by machines.
The juice is gathered; what remains is discarded.
Multitudes of people are gathered together in Israel for
the Battle of Armageddon to fight against Jesus. They are described as fully
ripe grapes that are gathered and thrown into a winepress. Then this multitude
(perhaps hundreds of millions of people) are squashed as grapes. The winepress
is a place called Armageddon. They are trampled so completely that their blood
will flow approximately 180 miles or 290 kilometers, rising to about four to
six feet deep. It has been suggested that this distance could stretch from Bozrah
(Edom) through the Valley of Jehoshaphat, reaching to Megiddo. The sin and rebellion
of man against God brought the flood. The continued sin and rebellion of man
against God brings the Battle of Armageddon.
The question might be asked, "Who is it that says people
should not fear God?" It is the church of the Laodiceans; neither do they
seem to comprehend God’s fury and His abhorrence of sin. (Spiritual Warfare).
Isa
63:3-6-I HAVE TRODDEN THE WINEPRESS ALONE; AND OF THE PEOPLE THERE WAS
NONE WITH ME: FOR I WILL TREAD THEM IN MINE ANGER, AND TRAMPLE THEM IN MY FURY;
AND THEIR BLOOD SHALL BE SPRINKLED UPON MY GARMENTS, AND I WILL STAIN ALL MY
RAIMENT. FOR THE DAY OF VENGEANCE IS IN MINE HEART, AND THE YEAR OF MY REDEEMED
IS COME....MY FURY, IT UPHELD ME. AND I WILL TREAD DOWN THE PEOPLE IN MINE ANGER,
AND MAKE THEM DRUNK IN MY FURY, AND I WILL BRING DOWN THEIR STRENGTH TO THE
EARTH.
Zech 12:11-IN THAT DAY SHALL THERE BE A GREAT MOURNING IN
JERUSALEM, AS THE MOURNING OF HADADRIMMON IN THE VALLEY OF MEGIDDON.
Rev chapter 14 describes:
In v. 14, 16, one like Jesus sitting on a cloud.
In both v. 15 and 17, an angel come out of the temple.
In v. 18, an angel came from the altar.
In v. 14, one like Jesus.
In v. 15, 17, 18, an angel.
In v. 15, the angel from the temple gives instructions.
In v. 17, the angel from the temple gives no instructions.
In v. 18, the angel from the altar gives instructions.
In v. 14, the one like Jesus had a sickle.
In v. 16, he reaped the earth.
In v. 17, the angel had a sickle.
In v. 19, he gathered the grapes.
There are a total of four beings: one like Jesus and the
other three angels.
Two of them work.
Two give instructions. One angel gave instructions to the
one like Jesus. The other angel gave instructions to another angel.
Three come out of a specific place.
One, where he comes from is not stated.
Two actions are involved: 1) the earth reaped, 2) the grapes
gathered.
A third action is: the winepress was trampled.
Rev
14:15-The harvest of the earth is ripe. The harvest begins.
Rev 14:16-The earth was reaped.
Rev 14:18-Gather the clusters of the vine.
Rev 14:19-Gathered the vine (or grapes) of the earth…into
the great winepress of the wrath of God.
Rev 14:20-The winepress was trodden; blood came out.
Jesus
will destroy all nations to which Israel has been driven. He will not destroy
Israel, but will correct them.
Jere 46:28-FOR I AM WITH THEE; FOR I WILL MAKE A FULL END
OF ALL THE NATIONS WHITHER I HAVE DRIVEN THEE: BUT I WILL NOT MAKE A FULL END
OF THEE, BUT CORRECT THEE IN MEASURE; YET WILL I NOT LEAVE THEE WHOLLY UNPUNISHED.
This is similar to Jere 30:11.
Moab
shall be smitten. All the children of Sheth shall be destroyed. Sheth was a
chief of the Moabites. Edom shall be a desolate wilderness. Egypt shall be smitten.
Num 24:17-I SHALL SEE HIM, BUT NOT NOW: I SHALL BEHOLD HIM,
BUT NOT NIGH: THERE SHALL COME A STAR OUT OF JACOB, AND A SCEPTER SHALL
RISE OUT OF ISRAEL, AND SHALL SMITE THE CORNERS OF MOAB, AND DESTROY ALL
THE CHILDREN OF SHETH. The complete fulfillment of this should be at Armageddon.
Isa 34:6-THE LORD HATH…A GREAT SLAUGHTER IN THE LAND OF IDUMEA
(or Edom).
Isa 34:9-17 NIV-EDOM'S STREAMS WILL BE TURNED INTO PITCH,
HER DUST INTO BURNING SULFUR; HER LAND WILL BECOME BLAZING PITCH! IT WILL NOT
BE QUENCHED NIGHT AND DAY; ITS SMOKE WILL RISE FOREVER. FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION
IT WILL LIE DESOLATE; NO ONE WILL EVER PASS THROUGH IT AGAIN. THE DESERT OWL
AND SCREECH OWL WILL POSSESS IT; THE GREAT OWL AND THE RAVEN WILL NEST THERE.
GOD WILL STRETCH OUT OVER EDOM THE MEASURING LINE OF CHAOS AND THE PLUMB LINE
OF DESOLATION. HER NOBLES WILL HAVE NOTHING THERE TO BE CALLED A KINGDOM, ALL
HER PRINCES WILL VANISH AWAY. THORNS WILL OVERRUN HER CITADELS, NETTLES AND
BRAMBLES HER STRONGHOLDS. SHE WILL BECOME A HAUNT FOR JACKALS, A HOME FOR OWLS.
DESERT CREATURES WILL MEET WITH HYENAS, AND WILD GOATS WILL BLEAT TO EACH OTHER;
THERE THE NIGHT CREATURES WILL ALSO REPOSE AND FIND FOR THEMSELVES PLACES OF
REST. THE OWL WILL NEST THERE AND LAY EGGS, SHE WILL HATCH THEM, AND CARE FOR
HER YOUNG UNDER THE SHADOW OF HER WINGS; THERE ALSO THE FALCONS WILL GATHER,
EACH WITH ITS MATE. LOOK IN THE SCROLL OF THE LORD AND READ: NONE OF THESE WILL
BE MISSING, NOT ONE WILL LACK HER MATE. FOR IT IS HIS MOUTH THAT HAS GIVEN THE
ORDER, AND HIS SPIRIT WILL GATHER THEM TOGETHER. HE ALLOTS THEIR PORTIONS; HIS
HAND DISTRIBUTES THEM BY MEASURE. THEY WILL POSSESS IT FOREVER AND DWELL THERE
FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.
Jere 49:10-BUT I HAVE MADE ESAU BARE, I HAVE UNCOVERED
HIS SECRET PLACES, AND HE SHALL NOT BE ABLE TO HIDE HIMSELF: HIS SEED IS SPOILED,
AND HIS BRETHREN, AND HIS NEIGHBOURS, AND HE IS NOT. Although this verse appears
to have been fulfilled, its final fulfillment seems to come at Armageddon; as
it is written, HE IS NOT.
Isa 19:22-AND THE LORD SHALL SMITE EGYPT.
Obad 18-AND THE HOUSE OF JACOB SHALL BE A FIRE, AND THE HOUSE OF JOSEPH A FLAME, AND THE HOUSE OF ESAU FOR STUBBLE, AND THEY SHALL KINDLE IN THEM, AND DEVOUR THEM; AND THERE SHALL NOT BE ANY REMAINING OF THE HOUSE OF ESAU; FOR THE LORD HATH SPOKEN IT.
The
earth has transgressed the laws of God. They have changed the statutes and broken
the everlasting covenant; therefore, the curse has devoured. The people of the
earth are burned; few are left. All joy is darkened. Fear, terror, and the pit
await the inhabitants of the earth. When a person flees because of (or from)
the noise that frightens them, they shall fall into the pit. They shall move
out of their holes like worms. They shall fear. Egypt shall be afraid.
Isa 19:16-IN THAT DAY SHALL EGYPT BE LIKE UNTO WOMEN:
AND IT SHALL BE AFRAID AND FEAR BECAUSE OF THE SHAKING OF THE HAND OF
THE LORD OF HOSTS, WHICH HE SHAKETH OVER IT.
Isa 24:5-THE EARTH ALSO IS DEFILED (or polluted) UNDER
THE INHABITANTS (or by its people) THEREOF; BECAUSE THEY HAVE TRANSGRESSED (or
disobeyed) THE LAWS, CHANGED THE ORDINANCE (or statutes), BROKEN THE EVERLASTING
COVENANT.
Isa 24:6-THEREFORE HATH THE CURSE DEVOURED (or consumes)
THE EARTH, AND THEY THAT DWELL THEREIN ARE DESOLATE (or must bear their guilt,
or are held guilty): THEREFORE THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH ARE BURNED, AND
FEW MEN (are) LEFT.
Isa 24:11-THERE IS A CRYING FOR WINE IN THE STREETS; ALL
JOY IS DARKENED, THE MIRTH OF THE LAND IS GONE.
Isa 24:13-WHEN THUS IT SHALL BE IN THE MIDST OF THE LAND
(or on the earth) AMONG THE PEOPLE (or among the nations), THERE SHALL BE AS
THE SHAKING OF AN OLIVE TREE, AND AS THE GLEANING GRAPES WHEN THE VINTAGE
IS DONE (or after the grape harvest).
Isa 24:17-FEAR (or terror), AND THE PIT, AND
THE SNARE, ARE UPON THEE (or await you), O INHABITANT (or people) OF THE EARTH.
Isa 24:18-AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, THAT HE WHO FLEETH FROM
THE NOISE (or sound) OF THE FEAR (or terror) SHALL FALL INTO THE PIT;
AND HE THAT COMETH UP OUT OF THE MIDST OF THE PIT SHALL BE TAKEN (or caught)
IN THE SNARE: FOR THE WINDOWS (or floodgates) FROM ON HIGH ARE OPEN, AND THE
FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH DO SHAKE.
Isa 29:5-MOREOVER THE MULTITUDE OF THY STRANGERS SHALL BE
LIKE SMALL DUST, AND THE MULTITUDE OF THE TERRIBLE ONES SHALL BE AS
CHAFF THAT PASSETH AWAY: YEA, IT SHALL BE AT AN INSTANT SUDDENLY.
Mic 7:17-THEY SHALL LICK THE DUST LIKE A SERPENT, THEY SHALL
MOVE OUT OF THEIR HOLES LIKE WORMS OF THE EARTH: THEY SHALL BE AFRAID
OF THE LORD OUR GOD, AND SHALL FEAR BECAUSE OF THEE.
As
the day of the Lord draws to a close, the earth shall be a different place.
The tongue of the Egyptian sea shall be destroyed. First, the mountains are
moved. They are shaken. The mountains melt like wax. Then, mountains of the
world disappear. Where there were mountains, there should be plateaus and rolling
hills. The mountains, as they were, will no longer be found.
There will continue to be hills. Upon every high mountain
and hill there will be rivers and streams of water.
The tall buildings of the world fall. The cities of the world
are destroyed.
Where there were islands in the oceans, there will be nothing.
The foundations of the world will be discovered.
The earth melts.
The earth shall suffer desolations.
The earth shall be utterly broken down.
The earth shall be clean dissolved or split asunder.
The earth shall be emptied and spoiled.
The earth shall be removed or sway like a hut in the wind.
The earth shall be moved exceedingly or completely shaken.
It shall go back and forth like a drunkard.
The earth shall remove or be shaken out of her place.
The earth shall be turned upside down or made a waste.
Every valley shall be filled.
Every mountain and hill shall be brought low.
The crooked shall be made straight.
The rough ways shall be made smooth.
The earth will become desolate.
Ps
97:5-THE HILLS (or mountains) MELTED LIKE WAX AT THE PRESENCE
OF THE LORD, AT THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD OF THE WHOLE EARTH.
Ps 46:6-THE HEATHEN RAGED (or nations are in uproar-NIV),
THE KINGDOMS WERE MOVED: HE UTTERED HIS VOICE, THE EARTH MELTED.
Ps 46:8-COME, BEHOLD THE WORKS OF THE LORD, WHAT DESOLATIONS
HE HATH MADE IN THE EARTH.
Isa 54:10-FOR THE MOUNTAINS SHALL DEPART, AND THE
HILLS BE REMOVED.
Rev 16:20-AND EVERY ISLAND FLED AWAY. Consider the
islands of the world. It appears they will sink into the sea. AND THE MOUNTAINS
WERE NOT (or could not be) FOUND.
2 Sam 22:16-AND THE CHANNELS OF THE SEA APPEARED, THE
FOUNDATIONS OF THE WORLD WERE DISCOVERED, AT THE REBUKING OF THE LORD, AT
THE BLAST OF THE BREATH OF HIS NOSTRILS.
Ps 18:15-THEN THE CHANNELS OF WATERS WERE SEEN, AND THE
FOUNDATIONS OF THE WORLD WERE DISCOVERED AT THY REBUKE, O LORD, AT THE BLAST
OF THE BREATH OF THY NOSTRILS.
Isa 30:25-AND THERE SHALL BE UPON EVERY HIGH MOUNTAIN, AND
UPON EVERY HIGH HILL, RIVERS AND STREAMS OF WATERS IN THE DAY OF THE
GREAT SLAUGHTER, WHEN THE TOWERS FALL.
Isa 10:18-AND SHALL CONSUME THE GLORY OF HIS FOREST, AND
OF HIS FRUITFUL FIELD, BOTH SOUL AND BODY: AND THEY SHALL BE AS WHEN A STANDARDBEARER
FAINTETH.
Isa 11:15-AND THE LORD SHALL UTTERLY DESTROY THE TONGUE
OF THE EGYPTIAN SEA; AND WITH HIS MIGHTY WIND SHALL HE SHAKE HIS HAND OVER
THE RIVER, AND SHALL SMITE IT IN THE SEVEN STREAMS, AND MAKE MEN GO OVER DRYSHOD.
Isa 24:12-IN THE CITY IS LEFT DESOLATION, AND THE
GATE IS SMITTEN WITH DESTRUCTION.
Isa 24:3,4-THE LAND (or earth) SHALL BE UTTERLY
EMPTIED (or laid waste), AND UTTERLY SPOILED (or totally plundered):
FOR THE LORD HATH SPOKEN THIS WORD. THE EARTH MOURNETH AND FADETH AWAY (or dries
up and withers), THE WORLD LANGUISHETH AND FADETH AWAY, THE HAUGHTY (or exalted)
PEOPLE OF THE EARTH DO LANGUISH (or fade away).
Isa 24:19-THE EARTH IS UTTERLY BROKEN DOWN, THE EARTH
IS CLEAN DISSOLVED (or split asunder), THE EARTH IS MOVED EXCEEDINGLY
(or thoroughly shaken).
Isa 24:20-THE EARTH SHALL REEL TO AND FRO LIKE A DRUNKARD,
AND SHALL BE REMOVED (or totters, or sways) LIKE A COTTAGE (or hut in
the wind); AND THE TRANSGRESSION (or guilt of its rebellion) THEREOF SHALL BE
HEAVY UPON IT; AND IT SHALL FALL, AND NOT (or never) RISE AGAIN.
Isa 24:1-BEHOLD, THE LORD MAKETH THE EARTH EMPTY (or devastates
it), AND MAKETH IT (or lays the earth) WASTE, AND TURNETH IT
UPSIDE DOWN (or ruin its face, or distorts its surface), AND SCATTERETH
ABROAD THE INHABITANTS THEREOF.
Isa 13:13-THEREFORE…THE EARTH SHALL REMOVE (or shake,
or be shaken) OUT OF HER PLACE.
Exactly how much the earth shall move is unclear. The Scriptures
seem to suggest the earth may change its orbit. The answer to some of this may
lie in certain verses regarding the sun and moon.
Lk 3:5-EVERY VALLEY SHALL BE FILLED, AND EVERY
MOUNTAIN AND HILL SHALL BE BROUGHT LOW; AND THE CROOKED SHALL BE
MADE STRAIGHT, AND THE ROUGH WAYS SHALL BE MADE SMOOTH.
Mic 7:13 NIV-THE EARTH WILL BECOME DESOLATE BECAUSE
OF ITS INHABITANTS, AS THE RESULT OF THEIR DEEDS.
The
Battle of Armageddon is over. God’s enemies submit, that is, the few that are
left alive.
It is written, Ps 66:3-SAY UNTO GOD, HOW TERRIBLE ART THOU
IN THY WORKS! THROUGH THE GREATNESS OF THY POWER SHALL THINE ENEMIES SUBMIT
THEMSELVES UNTO THEE.
The
wicked are cut off; they are consumed.
It is written, Isa 29:20-FOR THE TERRIBLE ONE IS BROUGHT
TO NOUGHT, AND THE SCORNER IS CONSUMED, AND ALL THAT WATCH FOR INIQUITY
ARE CUT OFF.
Isa 29:21-THAT MAKE A MAN AN OFFENDER FOR A WORD, AND LAY
A SNARE FOR HIM THAT REPROVETH IN THE GATE, AND TURN ASIDE THE JUST FOR A THING
OF NOUGHT.
Ps 9:5,6-THOU HAST REBUKED THE HEATHEN, THOU HAST DESTROYED
THE WICKED, THOU HAST PUT OUT THEIR NAME FOR EVER AND EVER. O THOU ENEMY, DESTRUCTIONS
ARE COME TO A PERPETUAL END: AND THOU HAST DESTROYED CITIES; THEIR MEMORIAL
IS PERISHED WITH THEM.
It is written, Ps 46:9-HE MAKETH WARS TO CEASE UNTO THE END OF THE EARTH.
As
a result of the Battle of Armageddon, the dead shall be from one end of the
earth to the other end. The number of the dead shall be many.
They will not be put in graves, but shall be dung upon the
ground.
It is written, Ps 110:5,6-THE LORD AT THY RIGHT HAND SHALL
STRIKE THROUGH KINGS IN THE DAY OF HIS WRATH.
HE SHALL JUDGE AMONG THE HEATHEN, HE SHALL FILL THE PLACES
WITH THE DEAD BODIES; HE SHALL WOUND THE HEADS OVER MANY COUNTRIES.
Jere 25:33-AND THE SLAIN OF THE LORD SHALL BE
AT THAT DAY FROM ONE END OF THE EARTH EVEN UNTO THE OTHER END OF THE EARTH:
THEY SHALL NOT BE LAMENTED, NEITHER GATHERED, NOR BURIED; THEY SHALL BE DUNG
(or like refuse) UPON THE GROUND.
Isa 66:16-AND THE SLAIN OF THE LORD SHALL BE MANY.
The
number of dead bodies throughout the earth will be catastrophic. The birds are
called to eat the flesh of the dead people and horses.
Rev 19:17,18-AND I SAW AN ANGEL STANDING IN THE SUN; AND
HE CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE, SAYING TO ALL THE FOWLS THAT FLY IN THE MIDST OF
HEAVEN, COME AND GATHER YOURSELVES TOGETHER UNTO THE SUPPER OF THE GREAT GOD;
THAT YE MAY EAT THE FLESH OF KINGS, AND THE FLESH OF CAPTAINS, AND THE FLESH
OF MIGHTY MEN, AND THE FLESH OF HORSES, AND OF THEM THAT SIT ON THEM, AND THE
FLESH OF ALL MEN, BOTH FREE AND BOND, BOTH SMALL AND GREAT.
Mt 24:28-FOR WHERESOEVER THE CARCASE IS, THERE WILL THE EAGLES
BE GATHERED TOGETHER.
The
Battle of Armageddon is over. The war has ceased. There are only a few people
left alive. The number is so small that apparently even a child could write
it. Indeed, if the Lord had not returned when He did, there should be no flesh
left alive at all.
Isa 24:2-AND IT SHALL BE, AS WITH THE PEOPLE, SO WITH THE
PRIEST; AS WITH THE SERVANT, SO WITH HIS MASTER; AS WITH THE MAID, SO WITH HER
MISTRESS; AS WITH THE BUYER, SO WITH THE SELLER; AS WITH THE LENDER, SO WITH
THE BORROWER; AS WITH THE TAKER OF USURY, SO WITH THE GIVER OF USURY TO HIM.
Isa 24:6-THEREFORE THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH ARE BURNED,
AND FEW MEN LEFT.
Isa 10:19-AND THE REST OF THE TREES OF HIS FOREST SHALL
BE FEW, THAT A CHILD MAY WRITE THEM.
Mt 24:22-AND EXCEPT THOSE DAYS SHOULD BE SHORTENED, THERE
SHOULD NO FLESH BE SAVED: BUT FOR THE ELECT'S SAKE THOSE DAYS SHALL BE SHORTENED.
Mk 13:20-AND EXCEPT THAT THE LORD HAD SHORTENED THOSE DAYS,
NO FLESH SHOULD BE SAVED: BUT FOR THE ELECT'S SAKE, WHOM HE HATH CHOSEN,
HE HATH SHORTENED THE DAYS.
Consider this verse which says that NO FLESH (no one) should
be saved. All life on the earth would perish, had the Lord not shortened those
days. He did it for the elect’s sake.
Isa 1:9-EXCEPT THE LORD OF HOSTS HAD LEFT UNTO US A VERY
SMALL REMNANT, WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AS SODOM, AND WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE
UNTO GOMORRAH.
The picture God gives us of the day of Armageddon seems hard
to comprehend. Before the Tribulation began, there may have been six billion,
or more, people on the earth. Now, that number has been reduced to only a few.
The
Lord will cause the names of the idols to be cut off out of the land, and also
the prophets and the unclean spirit shall pass out of the land.
Zech 13:2-AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY, SAITH THE
LORD OF HOSTS, THAT I WILL CUT OFF THE NAMES OF THE IDOLS OUT OF THE LAND, AND
THEY SHALL NO MORE BE REMEMBERED: AND ALSO I WILL CAUSE THE PROPHETS AND THE
UNCLEAN SPIRIT TO PASS OUT OF THE LAND.
An
angel comes from heaven. He catches Satan and binds him for a thousand years.
Satan is cast into the bottomless pit (or the place called hell). He is shut
(or locked) up, and a seal is placed on him, so that he can no longer deceive
the nations till the thousand years be fulfilled.
The exact time that this happens is uncertain. It may possibly
take place as Jesus is returning to the earth; however, the placement of the
scriptures would indicate it may occur around the end of the Battle of Armageddon.
It is written, in Ro 16:20-AND THE GOD OF PEACE SHALL BRUISE
SATAN UNDER YOUR FEET SHORTLY.
Rev 20:1-AND I SAW AN ANGEL COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, HAVING
(1) THE KEY OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT (or Abyss) AND (2) A GREAT CHAIN IN HIS HAND.
Twice, in the Revelation, the key to the bottomless pit is
mentioned; the other is in Rev 9:1.
Rev 20:2-AND HE LAID HOLD ON (or seized) THE DRAGON,
THAT OLD (or ancient) SERPENT, WHICH IS THE DEVIL, AND SATAN, AND
BOUND (or chained) HIM (up) A THOUSAND YEARS.
Satan is caught and bound with a chain. For one thousand
years (during the Millennium), he will remain chained.
Rev 20:3-AND CAST (or threw) HIM INTO THE BOTTOMLESS
PIT (or Abyss), AND SHUT HIM UP (or locked it), AND SET A SEAL
UPON HIM, (so) THAT HE SHOULD DECEIVE THE NATIONS NO MORE, TILL THE
THOUSAND YEARS SHOULD BE FULFILLED (or were over): AND AFTER THAT HE MUST BE
LOOSED (or set free) A LITTLE SEASON (or a little while, or time).
Isa 14:12-15-HOW ART THOU FALLEN FROM HEAVEN, O LUCIFER,
SON OF THE MORNING! HOW ART THOU CUT DOWN TO THE GROUND, WHICH DIDST WEAKEN
THE NATIONS! FOR THOU HAST SAID IN THINE HEART, I WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN,
I WILL EXALT MY THRONE ABOVE THE STARS OF GOD: I WILL SIT ALSO UPON THE MOUNT
OF THE CONGREGATION, IN THE SIDES OF THE NORTH: I WILL ASCEND ABOVE THE HEIGHTS
OF THE CLOUDS; I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH. YET THOU SHALT BE BROUGHT DOWN
TO HELL, TO THE SIDES OF THE PIT.
Isa 14:16,17-THEY THAT SEE THEE SHALL NARROWLY LOOK UPON
THEE, AND CONSIDER THEE, SAYING, IS THIS THE MAN THAT MADE THE EARTH TO TREMBLE,
THAT DID SHAKE KINGDOMS; THAT MADE THE WORLD AS A WILDERNESS, AND DESTROYED
THE CITIES THEREOF; THAT OPENED NOT THE HOUSE OF HIS PRISONERS?
One angel is able to do the following:
AN ANGEL came DOWN FROM HEAVEN
HAVING THE KEY OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT
The angel had A GREAT CHAIN IN HIS HAND
The ANGEL…LAID HOLD ON…SATAN; he captured him
The ANGEL…BOUND HIM A THOUSAND YEARS
The ANGEL…CAST HIM (Satan) INTO THE BOTTOMLESS PIT
The ANGEL…SHUT HIM UP
The ANGEL…SET A SEAL UPON HIM
The seal was upon him, so:
THAT HE SHOULD DECEIVE THE NATIONS NO MORE; Satan will not be able to deceive the nations for 1000 years
Satan will remain bound and shut up for 1000 years; afterward, he MUST BE LOOSED A LITTLE SEASON-Rev 20:3
For the first time since man has existed, Satan will not be able to deceive
people. For one thousand years, he will be unable to place wrong thinking into
anyone's thoughts. He will no longer be able to deceive the nations. For one
thousand years, there will be peace. The world will embrace the Jew. People
will love one another. There may be some small instances of sin, but, overall,
sin and rebellion toward God, as it occurs today, should nearly disappear. Love
will prevail. Hate and mistrust should nearly disappear.
For one thousand years, the judgmental and
wicked thoughts, which people may normally have, will nearly disappear. The
thoughts of rebellion and stubbornness that people have against God will nearly
disappear.
The countless number of wrong thoughts that each of us now
have would disappear, if Satan were now shut up and sealed.
The power of Satan to deceive is emphasized over and over
in Scripture.
Satan deceived Eve, then Eve deceived Adam.
Satan worked through Cain, who killed his brother.
The world, before the flood, showed the working of Satan.
The world, after the flood, again, turned from God because
of the deceptions of Satan.
Jesus was crucified, as a result of the princes of this world-ref
1 Cor 2:8.
Note
the following verses, and be on your guard against Satan. Satan still has great
deceptive powers.
Acts 5:3-PETER SAID, ANANIAS, WHY HATH SATAN FILLED THINE
HEART TO LIE TO THE HOLY GHOST?
2 Cor 2:11-Beware, LEST SATAN SHOULD GET AN ADVANTAGE OF
US.
2 Cor 11:14-AND NO MARVEL; FOR SATAN HIMSELF IS TRANSFORMED
INTO AN ANGEL OF LIGHT.
2 Cor 12:7-THERE WAS GIVEN TO ME A THORN IN THE FLESH, THE
MESSENGER OF SATAN TO BUFFET ME.
1 Pe 5:8-BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT; BECAUSE YOUR ADVERSARY THE
DEVIL, AS A ROARING LION, WALKETH ABOUT, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR.
Do not underestimate your enemy, the devil.
The
Lord will punish the wicked spirits in the heavenly places-ref Eph 6. The kings
upon the earth shall be punished. They shall be shut up in the pit; after many
days, they shall be judged. This appears to go with Rev 20:1-3, where Satan
is bound for a thousand years.
The kings are also mentioned, in Rev 19:19, as they gather
to make war against Jesus and, again, in Ps 2, as they take their stand against
the Lord and His Anointed One.
Isa 24:21,22-AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY, THAT
THE LORD SHALL PUNISH THE HOST (or powers) OF THE HIGH ONES THAT ARE ON HIGH
(or in the heavens), AND THE KINGS OF THE EARTH UPON THE EARTH (below). AND
THEY SHALL BE GATHERED (or herded) TOGETHER, AS PRISONERS ARE GATHERED IN THE
PIT (or dungeon), AND SHALL BE SHUT UP IN THE PRISON, AND AFTER MANY DAYS SHALL
THEY BE VISITED (or punished).
Zech 12:10-AND I WILL POUR UPON THE HOUSE OF DAVID, AND UPON THE INHABITANTS OF JERUSALEM, THE SPIRIT OF GRACE AND OF SUPPLICATIONS: AND THEY SHALL LOOK UPON ME WHOM THEY HAVE PIERCED, AND THEY SHALL MOURN FOR HIM, AS ONE MOURNETH FOR HIS ONLY SON, AND SHALL BE IN BITTERNESS FOR HIM, AS ONE THAT IS IN BITTERNESS FOR HIS FIRSTBORN.
When
Jesus returns, He shall be glorified in His saints. Jesus shall receive glory
from those that believe (as a result of the "Word" being believed)
in that day.
It is written, 2 Thes 1:10-WHEN HE (Jesus) SHALL COME TO
BE GLORIFIED IN HIS SAINTS, AND TO BE ADMIRED (or marveled at) IN ALL THEM THAT
BELIEVE (BECAUSE OUR TESTIMONY AMONG YOU WAS BELIEVED) IN THAT DAY.
Ps 98:1-O SING UNTO THE LORD A NEW SONG; FOR HE HATH DONE
MARVELLOUS THINGS: HIS RIGHT HAND, AND HIS HOLY ARM, HATH GOTTEN HIM THE VICTORY.
Jesus
returns at the time of Armageddon. The earth is cleansed. Few people are left
alive. The kingdoms of this world have now become the kingdoms of Jesus.
It is written, Rev 11:15-THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD ARE BECOME
THE KINGDOMS OF OUR LORD, AND OF HIS CHRIST; AND HE SHALL REIGN FOR EVER AND
EVER.
During
the Tribulation, the people have gone through tremendous hardships. The living
conditions have been exceedingly difficult. The persecutions against the saints
resulted in many being martyred. However, the few saints that endure to the
end and survive shall be saved. They shall enter into the Millennium.
It is written, Mt 24:13-BUT HE THAT SHALL ENDURE UNTO THE
END, THE SAME SHALL BE SAVED.
It is written, Lk 21:32-VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS AWAY, TILL ALL BE FULFILLED. This generation began with Israel’s rebirth. Then many prophecies (that were only recently understood) needed to come to pass before the Rapture. The Rapture itself is followed by the Tribulation; the Battle of Armageddon, which includes the physical return of Jesus Christ to the earth; and the gathering of the elect, which happens right after the Battle of Armageddon.
Jesus
sits at the right hand of God the Father. He will remain there until He returns
at the time of Armageddon. At that time, the Antichrist and the false prophet
will be cast into the lake of fire.
Satan will be bound and cast into the bottomless pit. All
of God’s enemies will be defeated; they will be made His footstool.
Mt 22:44-THE LORD (God, Jehovah) SAID UNTO MY (David’s) LORD
(Master, or Ruler, the Messiah), SIT THOU ON MY RIGHT HAND, TILL I (God, Jehovah)
MAKE THINE ENEMIES (the enemies of the Messiah) THY FOOTSTOOL
(or put them under His feet). This means to put a foot upon the neck of the
defeated foe-ref Jos 10:24. The Messiah is both God and man. As God, the Messiah,
He is David’s Lord. As man, the Messiah is of the lineage of David, thus David’s
son.
As it is written,
Ro 1:3,4-CONCERNING HIS SON JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, WHICH
WAS MADE OF THE SEED OF DAVID ACCORDING TO THE FLESH; AND DECLARED TO BE THE
SON OF GOD WITH POWER, ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS.
Mk 12:36-FOR DAVID HIMSELF SAID BY THE HOLY GHOST, THE LORD
SAID TO MY LORD, SIT THOU ON MY RIGHT HAND, TILL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES THY
FOOTSTOOL.
Lk 20:43-TILL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES THY FOOTSTOOL.
Heb 1:13-BUT TO WHICH OF THE ANGELS SAID HE AT ANY TIME,
SIT ON MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES THY FOOTSTOOL?
Ps 110:1-THE LORD SAID UNTO MY LORD, SIT THOU AT MY RIGHT
HAND, UNTIL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES
THY FOOTSTOOL.
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