Tuesday: Armageddon
Though most people, including many Christians, don’t know much about the book of Revelation, one image or word from it has reached popular culture: Armageddon (see Rev. 16:16). Even in secular culture the word has come to stand for a final struggle in which the fate of the earth hangs in the balance. Hollywood produced a movie called Armageddon about a giant asteroid poised to destroy the planet. To some degree, the idea of the world’s end is in the minds of secular people, as well.
Image © Lars Justinen Goodsalt.com
Many Christians who are familiar with the book of Revelation and believe in it see the battle of Armageddon as a literal military conflict in the Middle East near the end of the world. One version has a 200 million-man army from Asia sweeping into Northern Israel. Others are fixated on the various military and political conflicts in that part of the world that will, in their understanding, set the stage for the final military battle of Armageddon in the area of Megiddo.
However, the Bible gives a totally different picture. Scripture presents Armageddon as the ultimate climax, not between squabbling nations, but between the two sides of the cosmic controversy. It’s a religious struggle, not economic or political, however much economic and political factors might come into play.
Read Revelation 16:12-16. From these texts alone, what can we learn about Armageddon?
First, notice just how symbolic the language is here. Spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, the mouth of the false prophet, and the mouth of the beast (references to the powers of Revelation 13; the “false prophet” here must be a reference to the land beast of Revelation 13:11). The great controversy is seen here, too, as the “spirits of demons” (Rev. 16:14, NKJV) go out to battle on the “great day of God Almighty” (Rev. 16:14). In whatever manner Armageddon will unfold, it’s a worldwide conflict between the forces of Christ and Satan. It is not a local battle in the area of Megiddo any more than Babylon in Revelation is talking about events in a corner of modern-day Iraq.
| Read Revelation 16:15. How fascinating that in the midst of these events, Jesus encourages us with the gospel message, both with the promise of His coming and the need to be covered in His righteousness. How does this help us understand the spiritual nature of the battle that we are in? |
(46)
Sin exposes our nakedness.
I was afraid
I was naked
I hid
These demonic spirits are performing signs and wonder to gather people for battle against God.
Behold I come like thief
Gideon had to weed out the people who were not vigilant in their watch for battle
Stay awake
"Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak"
Remains clothed
17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Stay awake all the time
Remain clothed in his righteousness
Much as the Armageddon addressed here is more of spiritual than any other aspects, I want to believe the Armageddon also points to other factors like politics, social and economy that the counterfeit trinity uses as its most perfect tools to achieve global unity. The three aspects above are preparing the ground for the grand spiritual Armageddon. Rev16:13
We do need to be aware that a final fight will take place between good and evil! God against the enemy. Thank God because He does not keep His children in total darkness regarding the future! But the warning is clear, "keep the garments"! The clothing that only Christ can give, because our sins expose our shame! Jesus is the only one that can give us pardon and new minds and hearts! He is the only One who can cover us with His love and care, while presenting us to the Father in His mercy! In a world that is falling apart, may we keep the garments of Christ until the end! More than worried about the end of the world, may we care about being close to our Saviour!
Some believe that the valley of Megiddo is linked to Mount Carmel - where Elijah said to the people - choose - follow God or Baal.
Most of God's people - Israel - were worshiping Baal - Revelation tells us that there will come a time that those who are "called" God's people will be worshiping a man made god - Babylon - a mix of the dragon, 1st beast and false prophet!. Satanism, false Christians, Secularism.
1Ki 18:19-22 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. (20) So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. (21) And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. (22) Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
1Ki 19:18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
Keep in mind, the last conflict will be after the 1000 years when the dragon/beast is loosed from the abyss to deceive the nations(this time ALL OF THEM) for the last time, resulting in the final destruction of those who rejected God's offer of mercy in the death of His only begotten Son. This final destruction will be the only means to end their own personal torment of being wicked and unrepentant(Rev 14:11). God is merciful and gracious to all His creatures, and each one will at last be given the desire of their heart.
So this deceiving(Rev 16:13-16) will be gathering[collecting] the unrepentant for that last conflict when every soul on both sides of the controversy will be present for the first and final time, with all the other worlds watching. It is at this gathering that all will acknowledge God as just.
Keep in mind that the battle of Armageddon is a spiritial one, and physicial one in the sense that we will be saught out to be killed for remaining faithful to the whole truth. I don't believe we could imply that the battle of Armageddon is after the thousand years. It is before Christ second coming. I don't believe It is nation against nation deploying nuclear weapons, nor an astriod destroying the wole earth.
Armageddon is the whole world fallen to Babylon against those few who have the whole truth. The the powers of evil will be against the powers of truth. There is a lot of activity in heaven at this time, Christ will lead the host of Gods angels to raise His banner SOON, possibly NOW. The host of heavenly angels are working for Christ under His commission to save to the uttermost those who look to Him and believe in Him. We are shinning lights of His character, soldiers if you will, of the Cross standing up for Christ lifting high His banner, backed by the power of all heaven.
After the millennium in heaven, then there will only be a showing of Gods justice, it won't be a time to save to the uttermost. Armageddon is over at Christ coming to take us to Heaven for a thousand years, then to our final home on this earth with the Holy City descending out of heaven to rest on the earth. That will be the space trip of all space trips, riding in the space ship Holy City, landing on earth.
Those thursters cushioning the decent to earth will be more powerful then a billion of Elon Musk's thrusters cushioning the landing of his recycling 1st stage rockets. I pray we remain faithful , and to stand firm. Phillipians 4:1. And DO the things we have learned, received, and heard from Paul. Phillipians 4:9.
Good Day.
John
Very interesting comments in all posts. I just like to add a christocentric remark: The Battle of Armageddon has already been decided at the cross as Jesus cried out: "It is finished!" Even just before His crucifiction He said: "Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the ruler of this world be cast out." (John 12:31) For this very reason of victory over the ruler of this world, Christ appears at the Battle of Armageddon on a white horse symbolizing the already gained victory at the cross. (Revelation 19:11) The so called Battle of Armageddon is the execution of judgement before the Millenium (Revelation 19:19-21) with the final stage afer the Millenium. (Revelation 20:7-0)
Finally, it can be said, that this Battle, having begun in heaven (Revelation 12:7-8)--- to take a wider cosmological scope - has come to a glorious end with sin and death no more in operation. (Revelation 21:4) This is good news worth to be proclaimed and testified.
Winfried Stolpmann
Armageddon, or more correctly Har-Magedon, appears in Revelation between the sixth and seventh plague, which would seem to have to be before the 1000 years.
Another idea I hadn't seen before is that several times in this narrative (Rev 13 - 18) the kings of the earth turn on Babylon. We tend to think of Babylon leading the charge all the way to the second coming, but it sounds like before then chaos breaks loose as people figure out they've been deceived and taken for a ride and Babylon loses its power and control.
Wilton, consider that this is the point of "gathering", which will culminate at the 2nd resurrection when and where ALL who have been gathered for this time will meet, and attempt to attack the city of God which they will surround for battle. So the gathering of those alive during the plagues will not be complete until after the resurrection, since the wicked will be destroyed at the appearance of Jesus, and their attempt to destroy the commandment keepers will be arrested without warning(like a thief in the night). At least there will be another, larger and final gathering after the 1000 years and 2nd resurrection, when Satan is loosed for a time to deceive the wicked(every one of them since Cain) into thinking they can attack and take over the glorious city now resting upon the earth. It's not finished until the redeemed with Christ, God, and all the angels return to cleanse and restore the earth, and THEN all the wicked finally destroyed.
At least it seems a valid possibility.
Robert read every bit on Armageddon from the book, ‘Last Day Events’. It is illuminating. I was led somehow to believe as you do until I read LDE.
I've read the book 3 times, and just now looked at all 29 references where Ellen mentions Armageddon as found in all her writings, and there are only 2 or 3 different references which are repeated in different publications, including LDE, and they are brief. Nothing in them would discount what I am finding in scripture. (none of which is firm, but seems to be more evident as I study it)
Whenever it begins, it seems as if it will end with the final eradication of sin and sinners. That will be the final outcome, since it does not end with the 2nd coming of Christ according to Revelation 20.
If Armageddon is only the issue of the mark or the seal for the living, then I would accept that as well. It's just not clear to me either way just yet, and is not a vital issue to settle at this time. What I'm sharing is more of a question than an answer.
Also, Ellen would discourage the use of her writings for interpreting scripture, and has stated this clearly. So I keep that always in mind.
In the end, scripture is our only source of truth, and all other sources must be found in harmony with it, and it is always advancing(Pr 4:18).
Thanks Robert for your understanding of the scriptures, and opinions. Looks like I have my opinion on the topic and you have yours. We are still friends both looking for the return of our Lord, daily preparing(repenting, asking for forgiveness, and rejoicing in the Lord, allowing the Holy Spirit to baptize us), fulfilling our yearning to be with Him. So we are brothers unifying in Christ through our differences of opinion and even our understanding of the scriptures.
Praise the Lord Brother Robert
John
Hi Robert, Yes the Bible tells of the final conflict but why MUST that also be called Armageddon? Have we so picked up on Hollywood's representations on what they call Armageddon?
Yes the Bible and even Revelation has so called 'repeats' like many of the trumpets and plagues have similarities so I can see the conflict at the place called Armageddon in the 6th plague can be seen as a foretaste of the final gathering together after the 1000 years. However why do you believe the FINAL conflict will be at the place called Armageddon??
In regard to the last question in today's lesson, what do the authors actually mean by the term "covered in His righteousness"?
Clothed, as with a garment. From Zech 3 we see that the old garment must first be given up and removed completely. Christ's robe does not cover/hide sin, it replaces it. Without repentance, there is no justification/sanctification.
Studying for this week`s lesson the following findings confronted me:
Armageddon (the mountain of Megiddo) is connected with the apokalyptic endtime battle where the forces of evil are destroyed in a setting of judgement. (Revelation 16:14.16) In geography there does not exist such a place as "Armageddon" (mountain of Megiddo). We know only the town of Megiddo (Joshua 12:21; 17:11) and the plain of Megiddo (Zechariah 12:11), where battles have been fought (Judges Chapter 4-5; 2 Chronicles 35:22). Battles were not fought on mountain tops like the Har hacarmel (Mount Carmel) where Elijah had his showdown with the priests of Baal. (1 Kings 18:19)
I wonder, whether "Armageddon" has a cryptic meaning. The name is called such in the hebrew tongue (Revelation. 16:16) The angel of the bottomless pit is called Abaddon in the hebrew language and translated in greek as Apollyon: destroyer. (Revelation 9:11) The hebrews are the ones who know their mother tongue the best. So they have translated in the LXX the term "Megiddo" as follows: "In that day there will be a great lamentation in Jerusalem as the lamentation for the pomegranate (grove) being cut down. (Zechariah 12:11) "Megiddo" is translated as "being cut down". The mountain being cut down --- makes sense in understanding "mountain" as a symbolic designation of a kingdom or some kind of power --- in this case "Babylon" (Revelation 17:9; Jeremia 51:25; Revelation Chapter 18). This terminology, taken in its context, would amount to explaining "Babylon being cut down" as the endtime enemy of God and his people, as being destroyed in the seventh plage --- the sixth plage setting the stage to that final judgement, furthermore in detail depicted: (Revelation 16:17-21; 17:14; 19:11-21; 20:7-10) For he usage of cryptic language see Revelation 13:18; 1 Peter 5:13.
The good knews is the aim-directed course of history leading to a new creation of heaven and earth. Otherwise there is no hope in the course of history marked by continual corruption, bloodshed, war and expliotation of man and creation.
Nevertheless, the current lesson comes to the same conclusion as to the outcome of salvation history.
Winfried Stolpmann
Good question, Phil. Is not the “righteousness of Christ” to become the very “fabric” of our being, by daily surrender of our life to His will, living each moment through the power of the Holy Spirit, rather than a “covering” that hides an unchanged character. “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this MYSTERY among the Gentiles, which is Christ IN you, the hope of glory.” (Col. 1:27) Jesus showed us HOW to live each day, moment by moment communicating with the Father, through prayer and study, developing a character fit for eternity. The changes need to happen from this day forward.
Hmm. Pairing the Zechariah 3 illustration with Ellen White's quote that the robe of Christ's righteousness has not one thread of human devising, I see a perplexity. Ah, but I also see a solution. The "you" in Col 1:27 is plural. Some Greek scholars point out that the Greek "en" (in), when used with a plural object takes on the meaning of "in the midst of" or "among". So maybe what Paul really said was "To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this MYSTERY among the Gentiles, which is CHRIST, among you the hope of glory".
The mystery was Christ, but it was no mystery to the Christians, to them Christ was the hope of glory--the promise of salvation. That was the understanding "among them". Suddenly this becomes about Christ, not about me, which is as it should be.
This lesson reminds me of the seriousness of this cosmic spiritual battle. At the same time I can see and experience the deep wonderful love and comfort I find in Christ alone. He sacrificed Himself in a way I can't understand just for us. He constantly reminds me that He's already won the war. He understands my little battles with sin and He will rescue us from the many distractions in this world.
I'm so glad He is our High Priest, and that as Hebrews states He's been touched with the feeling of our infirmities yet without sin...What a wonderful Savior!
Having followed the lessons for this quarter so far, titled "End Times. As we proceeded through Revelations, and the comments with regard to timely application, I supposed there are always some that predict the end time as imminent. Do we ever learn? The beginning of the Advent movement in 1843 by a Methodist minister by the name of William Miller, the son of a sea captain in New York, predicted the second coming in 1843 twice. When the first prediction failed a second prediction was made by correcting the method of dating as an error. This is why we refer to it as the great disappointment. The point being when we refer to the end time, we need to think in terms of how finite we are. How should we wait to get ready for the end time ? To apply the signs, metaphors, and examples as urgent, is true, but the time to get ready is now. William Miller had it precise. A day and hour that thousands believed was going to take place. Matt 24:44, at an hour that you think not, is a good text to keep in mind.
Paul, you ask, "Will we ever learn?" regarding the imminence of "the end." In that, I believe you are arguing like Peter when Christ had to rebuke him by saying, "Get thee behind me, Satan!" It seems to me that Christ intended His followers, including us, to see "the end" as imminent, rather than putting it off to some distant future. That's because he knows humanity's proclivity to procrastinate. Jesus taught that He wants us to maintain a state of readiness because "we know not the hour" that He will come.
Unfortunately I am currently seeing an alarming trend among educated Adventists to argue that we should not regard "the end" as imminent - at the very time that it is clear to me that the end-time scenario outlined in The Great Controversy is being precisely fulfilled.
May God help us to see that we are standing on the very brink of eternity, thus inspiring us to surrender ourselves more fully to Christ for the remaking of our character to reflect His character of self-renouncing love.
Inge, I may have missed the comment about the great disappointment, 1844 message. We as SDA have been exposed to many sermons and seminars on the subject of beast, and horns etc., and each time urgency is for-most in the mind, At least temporarily. The news media uses the popes activity quite often, and when anything appears, it grabs our attention because we may want to check the application of signs in Revelation. That way we can be ready! God gave all 66 books to enlighten us. My prayers are for guidance, and I trust those prayers will be answered.
Ah, thanks for the reply, Paul. So you are not disagreeing with the sense of the imminence of Christ's coming but the sign-watching that ultimately takes the focus off the work Christ gave us to do. I'm with you on that. Christ counseled us to be always ready by being engaged in the work He gave us to do. A focus on politics and signs isn't part of the commission.
Yes Paul is some times hard to understand, but he did say, “but the time to get ready is now”. And, “at an hour ye think not”, I do believe has an imminent ring. Matthew 24:44. I drive to work every morning on a two lane highway with 18 wheeler grain, cattle, and freight trucks coming at me. I from time to time think, am I ready for Jesus to come, Am I faithful in all that I do? Have I fought a good fight? Have I stood for the right? Have others seen Jesus in me? Can I look up and say, “this is my God? My answer is yes, I prayed, studied, and meditated on Him this am. I send up another prayer any way. Psalms 91 comes to mind, especially verse 14, 15, and 16. Psalms 91:14-16.
God is good!
Good day.
Paul: When you consider that our lives could be snuffed out at any instant, the end is imminent, because the next second after our death is the return of Jesus, so it behooves us to be ever ready and not to be so caught up with how many signs have to appear.