PREPARING FOR ARMAGEDDON
The WATCH for Armegeddon
Several definite signs:
- Reuniting of nation of Israel, Jewish exiles returning to their homeland
- Reunification of Europe, no passports needed to travel between countries, common currency (Euro), coalition of nations
- Resolve against Israel among Muslim nations. Many moderate Muslim nations such as Turkey are under pressure to form alliances with radical Muslim nations.
Armageddon is a real geographical location. It is situated in Galilee between Haifa, Jerusalem and Nazareth. Many battles have already been fought there through the ages: Egyptians, Crusaders, Persians, Greeks, Arabs, French, Turks, British etc. The battle will converge in the Jezreel Valley, which is surrounded by the ruins of Megiddo, Mt Tabor, Mt Carmel and Mt Gilboa.
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Jezreel Valley in Israel - where the battle of Armageddon will be fought
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The name "Armageddon" comes from "har" meaning "mountain," and the ancient city of "Megiddo"
The valley encompasses 4500 sq miles and several biblical battles have been recorded there:
Deborah and Barak against Canaanites (Judges 4-5),
Gideon against the Midianites (Judges 6-7),
King Saul against the Philistines (1 Samuel 31)
The battle was prophesied in Zachariah 12, and the Lord's reign in Zechariah 14, the battle in the heavenlies is described in Revelation 12
Place and Event
Looking over the valley in 1799, Napoleon said all the armies of the earth could maneuver their forces there, that there was no place more suited for war, and it was the most natural battleground on earth.
This war will be a series of battles, military campaigns as entire nations come against Israel. Demonic forces are behind the hostilities against God's covenant people.
A current concern: if Iran gets nuclear weapons, there will be a sure coalition against Israel with the nations of Syria and Lebanon. Adding the support of the Turks would strengthen that coalition. If Russia joins them the climate will be right for a battle to be waged from the north against the nation of Israel. God will never allow for her destruction but with the current acquisition of weapons and the constant tensions in the area, a military strike against Israel seems imminent.
(Pastor Bryan outlined this scenario at the beginning of the Tribulation period, before Armageddon: because God will always guard over Israel, a military campaign against her will be thwarted supernaturally by His hand with events such as earthquakes, confusion on the battlefield, atmospheric events, and perhaps disease. The antichrist could rise to power because he takes credit for this miraculous rescue of Israel. The ultimate diplomatic move for him could be to allow the construction of the third Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Many archeologists believe the Dome of the Rock isn't on the exact location of Solomon's Temple, and therefore could remain in place. Allowing the Jewish people to construct a temple nearby would be a sign of cooperation and diplomacy, and could be the foundation of a middle east peace treaty. But it will be short-lived, lasting only three and a half years.)
The WAR of Armageddon
The United States has been involved in 29 military conflicts of all scales and sizes, and there have been a recorded 1,314,971 military deaths. In all of humankind there have been 83 million deaths associated with conflicts.
Rev 14:20 Blood as deep and high as horses bridle for nearly 200 miles (1,600 stadia, full length of Israel) as attacks come from every direction.
General Douglas MacArthur understood that a such war was coming, and in Tokyo made this statement, "We had our last chance... Armageddon will be at our door."
Purpose of the Antichrist starting the war:
Satan, who is the ruler of the air, will empower him to try to destroy Israel and the Jewish people so Christ won't have a seed (nation) to rescue. Because he believes the earth is his domain, he wants to try to stop Jesus' millennial reign.
3 groups will be represented in the war:
- All nations of world, including the nation of Israel and the Jewish people
- Antichrist, false prophet, Satan and demons (powers of evil)
- Jesus, angels and saints
In his book "The End Times, theologian Herman A. Hoyt describes the scope and size of this war:
- The center is Jerusalem
- Kings (governments) from the four corners of the earth will converge with
- 400 million total soldiers
- Demonic forces from the center of the earth will erupt
- From what seems to be outer space (heavenlies), Jesus will return.
- Kings from the east will come with 200 million soldiers.
Seven major events will precede the war:
- Euphrates River dries up (perhaps from Turkish dams along the river)
- Antichrist's Armies gathered (Rev 16;12-16)
- Fall of Jerusalem (Zech 12:1-3, 14:1-2)
- 2nd coming of Christ (Zech 14:4)
- Rescue of Jerusalem (Zech 12:1-9)
- Remnant delivered (Is 34:1-7)
- End of beast (Rev 19:20)
Rev 16:14 talks of men battling on earth as well as demons battling the heavenly hosts
The WINNING of Armageddon
Who wins? Jesus Himself, along with thousands of millions of angels, and all the saints!!
Why does God allow Armageddon?
- Judge the nations that hate Israel
- Judge Israel for rejecting Christ as Messiah
- Demonstrate that Jesus is Lord
- Judge wickedness
According Romans 8:37 - We are more than conquerers
It Is Well With My Soul, by Horatio Spafford
Background of this hymn: Spafford had lost his business in the great Chicago fire and sent his family to Europe. En route, their ship sank and he received a telegram from his wife with two words: "Saved Alone." His 4 children perished at sea. As Spafford sailed to join his wife and they came to the area where the ship sank, the ship's captain alerted him. As he looked over the railing into the water where his children died, he wrote to his sister that he knew his family was safe, folded in the arms of Jesus. He knew he would be there too but in the meantime he would serve and praise the Lord.
He wrote a poem that became a treasured hymn:
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul.
The last verse to this beautiful song:
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Is it WELL with your soul? Click HERE to see how it CAN be!
