Wednesday: Armageddon and Mt. Carmel – Part 1
What, though, is this great battle of Armageddon? First, the name seems to mean “Mountain of Megiddo”. However, there is no mountain in the area known as Megiddo, but Mount Carmel was located in the vicinity, and scholars have seen the phrase Mountain of Megiddo as a reference to Mount Carmel.
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More to the point, Bible students have seen the story of Elijah and false prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel as a symbol, a type to what is going to unfold in Revelation 13.
As seen yesterday, Revelation 16:13, with its reference to the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, points back to events in Revelation 13, the counterfeit trinity that we saw in week nine.
Issues in Revelation 13 start to come to a climax in verses 13 and 14, when the second beast performs supernatural acts, even making “fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men” (Rev. 13:13) . These events then lead to the direct confrontation between God and Satan, between those worshiping the true God and those worshiping the “image to the beast” (Rev. 13:14).
Read 1 Kings 18:1-18. What is happening in this story that reflects some of the issues that will unfold in the final events, as seen in the book of Revelation?
In many ways, what we see here is a stark portrayal of the great controversy. Elijah states the issue very plainly in verse 18: people have forsaken God’s law and are worshiping and following false gods. Has not this always been the issue, regardless of the endless forms and ways in which this evil has been manifested throughout history? We are either worshiping “Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water” (Rev. 14:7, NKJV), or we are worshiping someone or something else. In the case of Revelation 13 and the events that unfold there, instead of worshiping the Lord, people are worshiping the beast and his image. There is no middle ground. We are either on the side of God or on the side of Satan. That’s how important the issues at stake are, now and especially in the battle of Armageddon, where, as we will see in the story on Mount Carmel, the distinction becomes very clear.
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He was granted to - a very significant phrase for the people living in the end time.
In a culture when we are connected to a feel good religion, God is going to allow a test that would shake the foundations of our belief.
Do you want a feel good religion or a religion where the unshakable faith of God is the moral plumb line?
From Eden to Eden the ability to choose will not be removed from us.
God is preparing a people who would not alter their faith based on circumstances.
Dear Father, help us to be ready for your second coming to stay sober and vigilant. Help us to daily have the whole armour of God so that we are able to with stand all the trickeries, schemes and plots of our enemy. Help us dear Father to study our bibles and the Spirit of Prophecy so we are not drawn into the deceptions and lies of the powers of Satan. We will have no excuse, Jesus has done all that he could for us to be an example by his life, baptism, death and resurrection. "How shall we stand in that great day"? Shall we be found wanting? Or with our sins washed away? May we all strive to be in the latter...
Praise the Lord for given us a glimpse into the future! It is only thru obedience that we can worship God! Total surrender of self it require to please God. May the Lord give us the strength and the willing spirit to please him!
Esther Moran
That's why it is necessary to cling on God's arms every day. If we are not used to do so, we will go to the side that seems more suitable! God does permit that we go through difficulties in our lives to prepare us and strengthen our faith! Without trials, it is impossible for us to grow! Let the Lord shape us to His will and to a form that can take us back to our original design! We were created to be blessings! A reflection of God's love!
The Mount Carmel parallels are instructive. But a lot more happened at or around Megiddo that also could be seen as relevant. For example, the death of Ahaziah of Judah was a result of that young king befriending the Baal-worshiping king of Israel (his nephew, I think). Jehu was on a rampage to destroy the house of Ahab. Ahaziah was at the wrong place in that moment. Cozying up to the culture and values of the enemy is dangerous territory. Another analogy might be found in the overthrow of Jezebel, a preview of the scarlet woman of Revelation in her desires, her power, her ruthlessness, her use of religion to further her ambitions. The ultimate destruction of evil is also foreshadowed. Truly, the words of scripture are profitable for reproof as well as instruction in righteousness!