6ο Μέρος
Greetings EVERYONE! It’s very good to be here with you once again! Welcome our friends in Malaysia; here in the States, Evansville, Indiana; Owensboro, Kentucky, and all around this world. Welcome to the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and this sixth part of a series on the Book of Revelation – the revelation of Jesus Christ! And I want to give a shout-out to all our brethren around the world – the congregations that are out there and our brethren that work every week to set up a place where God’s holy name is, a place to meet and observe the Sabbath day. Sometimes it is sort of like a thankless job to have to set up and make a place for everyone to meet for Sabbath day – even if you are watching the sermons online. Our dear brethren like Don Everly who Sabbath after Sabbath makes sure that Minister Garrett is ready to go without any hiccups. Or our dear brother Erick Odhiambo in the Republic of Kenya of Eastern Africa who is making certain that all our brethren there have access to God’s living Word, Truth, and Plan for the redemption of all mankind! I just want to extend a warm THANK YOU and great appreciation for all of you – because we don’t get to talk to all our brethren and friends that are out there, and we often get asked, “When are we going to come to Owensboro again or to Kenya and speak with us!?” And most time our financial situation doesn’t allow us to go and visit all the places that we need to go. And I know that we surely need to. And we read in the writings of the apostle Paul how he had a great desire to go to many places, and a great many of them he didn’t make it to. But he always wanted to go and he had a fond place in his heart for all of them – as we do here.
Well, here we are in the Book of Revelation! In the last of this series we left off at verse 13 of the 8th chapter – “And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven [the atmosphere], saying with a loud voice, ‘Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!’”
So, everything up to here has been most horrible! But now this angelic being is announcing, “You haven’t seen anything yet!” The last three are going to shake the world to the core!
So here we are reading what the apostle John wrote in which our Lord Jesus Christ had informed him to write. He was seeing in vision (s) – a vivid dream, and even possibly some nightmares upon reading some of the portions of the Book of Revelation. That the apostle John actually saw – in vivid color – with our Lord Jesus instructing him, “’ I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, … who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’” With no doubt that it was JESUS CHRIST – the Revelator. He was instructing John to write down just what he saw and to distribute these writings to all the seven churches which were in Asia Minor at that time. Throughout this series, we have identified Him as the Lamb of God, and in these early chapters, we went over Him beginning to open these seals – the first being a WHITE HORSE. And if we compare this with the Book of Matthew chapter 24 – we believe this has a DOUBLE MEANING. We think it may partially be referring to our Lord Jesus Christ in unleashing the end-time ‘great tribulation’ upon the peoples of the world. But, it also is talking about FALSE RELIGION. The false religion in the guise of the Mother Church of Europe helping to plunge this world into another world war! We know that our Lord Jesus revealed just what those seals picture.
The second seal was a RED HORSE. And we don’t think there’s any question about what this represents. It’s talking about war! And in the Book of Matthew, our Lord describes this very seal – “’ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.’”
The third seal was a BLACK HORSE. Referring to famine. Which in vision the apostle John saw ‘he who sat upon this horse having a pair of scales in his hand measuring a quart of wheat for a penny and three quarts of barley for a penny – and to be careful not to harm the oil or the wine.’ Of course, these are major food items. Items which we need to live.
And then the fourth seal which was a PALE HORSE. Emblematic of pestilences and death – which often occurs after wars and famine.
And, something which does need to be understood. This FOURTH SEAL begins just prior to the Day of the LORD – what the prophet Jeremiah calls ‘Jacob’s trouble’ – Jeremiah 30:7. The majority of the Anglo-Saxon nations – the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and her Commonwealth Nations – Australia, Canada, and New Zealand will be affected.
Now, the fifth seal is the martyrdom of the saints. Throughout history, many people were martyred doing God’s work. In the very near future, there will be even more. There are people out there who have a little of God’s Spirit, but are not doing much with it – it’s sort of just sitting there on a shelf, spoiling. And these people will be thrust into a severe tribulation in this end-time. A group of end-time prophets (of which I spoke of in the latest sermon “Just Where Are We Headed?”) – which is not a biblical term. In great likelihood (cf. Ecclesiastes 1:9) since the New Testament Church began with twelve apostles, the end of this age may end with twelve end-time prophets!? Though God’s living word does not directly say. Twelve individuals hand-picked by Jesus Christ to go into ‘all the world as a witness to all nations’ and preach the gospel message of the soon-coming kingdom of God. – Matthew 24:14. Taking this message to legislative branches, world leaders, presidents, and even the European civil leader. So, this fifth seal is talking about the martyrdom of God’s true servants - what we have dubbed “the end-time prophets.”
Moving onto the sixth seal is a major earthquake which is prophesied to occur – the likes of which the world has never witnessed before!
And picking back up where we left off – we come to the SEVENTH SEAL. “When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2) And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.”
So the seventh seal is equivalent to the beginning of the SEVEN TRUMPETS.
Again, let’s focus a moment on the word “silence.” This word silence is used here poetically and is akin to something which the prophet Job writes – “ … A form was before my eyes; There was silence; Then I heard a voice …” – Job 4:16. A hush, a whisper, a calm comes over God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Also poetically used to indicate respectful attention – even a kind of melancholy. A sadness which befalls God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, because They know what is about to occur to the world They love.
Now, this is a prophetic statement – “silence in heaven for about half an hour” – the wrath of God is about to completely fall upon all mankind! “ … a memorial of blowing of trumpets, …” – Leviticus 23:24. That has a most prophetic meaning even back then, and this is the meaning right here!
We have previously gone through the opening of this seventh seal - each one of these corresponding to one of the angels that as he blows his trumpet these plagues are falling upon the earth.
Now, as we and our affiliated churches teach, we have a theory – though we can’t prove it; but we can’t disprove it – that we believe the Two Witnesses have a direct hand in some of these early trumpet problems.
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Revelation chapter 8 –
Verse 7 – “The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.”
This is natural catastrophes around the world intensifying!
Verse 8 – “Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood.”
Massive volcanoes spewing forth lava into the oceans!
Verse 9 – “And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, …”
Verse 10 – “Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11) The name of the star is Wormwood [meaning bitter]. A third of the waters became wormwood [bitter], and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.”
According to Dr. Natalie Starkey, cosmochemist and author, “If we fail in the future to protect the planet from space threats, then we could expect a large asteroid or comet impact to wreak havoc on the Earth’s surface, resulting in major global changes and high death tolls.” Since 70% of Earth is covered in water, there’s a huge chance that an asteroid impact would happen in the ocean instead of on land. Starkey noted that the effect of an asteroid strike in the ocean can be compared to a pebble causing ripples as it hits a pond. In an actual impact scenario, mega-tsunamis will act like ripples as they travel across several miles and wipe out coastal areas. [1]
Verse 12 – “Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, …” – surely indicating that there is a lot of smoke and pollution in the atmosphere blocking out the sun during the day and the moon at night.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said that there would be a major outbreak of evil just prior to His second coming! He described a time of ‘great tribulation.’ He says – “’ And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken [Satan and his demons being thrown down to the earth from the atmosphere].’” – Luke 21:25-26. He even describes this grave time as of ‘little faith.’ Asking the question “’ Will He Really Find Faith?’”
And as stated earlier – the prophet Jeremiah describes this end-time as a time of ‘Jacob’s trouble.’ And we know just who Jacob is in this generation. It’s imperative to know just who Jacob is and how his name was changed to Israel – and that his descendants became nations and not just the tiny nation of Israel which is in the Middle East today – but is rather a multitude of nations that is scattered around the world. A time which will be great trouble for Jacob – or rather Israel as we understand them and the identity of them.
The prophet Daniel calls it a “time of trouble, such as never was.” Unprecedented in all of history! And often it’s difficult to imagine this, especially when you read back in our history concerning the Inquisitions back in the Dark Ages, and World War I in which some estimated 4 MILLION civilians died! World War II along with many of the global events which have taken place - of city-states that had overthrown the known world!? The Sumerians, the Elamites, the Amorites, the Chaldeans, the Babylonians, the Assyrians, the Persians, the Roman Empire, and just how brutal they were to civilizations! This is speaking of a time that is going to surpass all of that! Unimaginable to think of! “The end of the age”!
Chapter 9 –
Verse 1 – “Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. …” – Again, Satan and his demons being thrown down to the earth from the atmosphere. “ … To him was given the key to the bottomless pit, 2) And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit.” – as I mentioned in “A ‘Secret Rapture’?” certainly an indication that the atmosphere will be thick with volcanic ash towers or even radioactive dust and ash! And, as I have witnessed there is grave trouble with America’s disaster response. [2]
Verse 3 – “Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4) They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal [the glorious Spirit of God] on their foreheads.”
Now, we and our affiliated churches teach, we have a theory – though we can’t prove it; but we can’t disprove it – that we believe there’s a very good chance that they may be using nuclear electromagnetic pulse weapons. This great army of radical Islamic soldiers 200 million strong ( cf. Revelation 9:16) will go forth swarming like locusts and as ferocious as lions. But they don’t ‘harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree’ like we see in the Book of Joel – they destroy men with different types of weapons which destroy not the buildings, trees, or grass. It’s interesting in knowing that many nations have this technology and what damage these types of weapons can indeed do.
We know that God has a seal for His true servants.
Let’s turn to the Book of Ezekiel the 9th chapter. It’s IMPORTANT that we take this in light of what we’re reading here in the Book of Revelation and of what is being prophesied here.
Verse 1 – “Then He called out in my hearing with a loud voice, saying, ‘Let those who have charge over the city draw near, each with a deadly weapon in his hand.’ … 3) … And He called to the man clothed with linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn at his side; 4) and the LORD said to him, ‘Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.’”
Verse 5 – “To the others He said in my hearing, ‘Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. 6) Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.’”
What an absolutely remarkable statement! A hard to imagine event! Where the LORD God would command the slaughtering and the utter destruction of every living person except for those who possess the mark that God has placed upon them!
So, if we have God’s mark and seal upon us we will be protected from such a hideous and troubling time!
In the Book of Revelation chapter 7, it says –
Verse 2 – “Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom was granted to harm [or to damage the earth, as my margin says] ... and the sea, 3) saying, ‘Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.’” Certainly, the implication is, ‘Don’t do any of this stuff until we make sure God’s true servants are sealed with God’s Spirit.’
Our Lord Jesus Christ says “’ Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man’” – Luke 21:36.
And we believe this and we stand upon this promise of the LORD our God! That is our hope! That even in the midst of a world gone completely insane to where it will completely annihilate itself – we have hope that we will survive and that our families will be protected. And, I want you to understand – to not necessarily survive being alive – but more akin to what the apostle Paul writes at the end of his life – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day [again, speaking of the Day of the LORD], and not to me only but also to ALL who have loved His appearing” – 2 Timothy 4:7-8. Recall, our Lord Jesus says, “’ He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life IN THIS WORLD will keep it for eternal life’” – John 12:25.
Going back to the Book of Revelation chapter 9 –
Verse 11 – “And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.”
Now, hold your place here in chapter 9, and turn to the 13th chapter. Verse 4 – “So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
Here is Minister Michael C. Garrett writing of this ‘beast’ power:
Early on in Revelation 13, verse 2 we read about a concept which is called “the beast,” … That refers to a reorganized and revitalized concept of the “Holy” Roman Empire. Countries in Europe unify in the end-times. And Revelation 13:15 – “He [referring to a great religious leader here. It’s not referring to a political leader here] …” Well, look at verse 11 – “Then I saw another beast [speaking of this great religious leader] coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.” This is referring to a great religious leader who has its roots of power in the continent of Europe – and has had for almost two-thousand years. Verse 12 – “And he [this second beast] exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” – now, what’s that “deadly wound”!? Well, the Roman Empire – the greatest world Empire ever in the ancient world – had its height of power and completely controlled most parts of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. And yet, that great Empire eventually struggled and crumbled and disappeared. And then there were revivals of the concept of the “Holy” Roman Empire. Up to this point in history, we’ve had six revivals. The last one being Hitler’s Germany and Mussolini’s Italy. The Bible says there will be seven revivals altogether. We haven’t gotten to the seventh revival yet. But the seventh revitalization of the “Holy” Roman Empire is what chapter 13 is talking about early on. And so this second beast is a great religious movement.(Garrett, M.C. The Mark of the BEAST, 2019, pp. 11-12).
So, this end-time final European ‘beast’ is directly controlled by Satan the devil.
Parenthetical -
In Luke 21:22 the Lord Jesus says of these days – “’ For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.’” – meaning all of the prophecies may be fulfilled. And we are on the edge of that time. Are we there right now!? No, I don’t think so, because world conditions do not yet comply with the things we read of in the Bible. Jesus was very specific – when you see armies surrounding Jerusalem. And then we’re told when you see that great false religious leader stands in the temple of God in Jerusalem, proclaiming that he is God. That’s when you know! The ‘abomination of desolation’ has taken place, and that’s really the big explosion that starts everything rolling! Now, to note, in our latest The WatchMan Report I briefly speak of this prophesied “temple” being built in Jerusalem in this end-time, and the fact that it doesn’t necessarily need to be a physical temple, but could very well be a “tent,” a “home” or even an “altar.”
In the Book of Daniel, there is a two-fold prophecy in which he speaks about ‘bringing an end to sacrifice and offering.’ Daniel 9:24-27.
Sadly, a great many of the churches of God badly bungle the truth concerning this two-fold prophecy. And I openly admit that in my early years of preaching, I too was following their misunderstanding of this amazing living two-fold prophecy – until the LORD our God showed me His living truth in regards to this SEVENTY WEEKS PROPHECY – vs. 27. In verse 25 God’s living word is specific that the prophet Daniel is speaking of our living Jesus Christ! – “Until Messiah.” That is who he is speaking of here. “He [our Lord Jesus Christ] shall confirm a covenant with many for ONE WEEK.” Which is biblical language meaning one day for every year – SEVEN YEARS. “But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” Certainly, we know just who was the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind! Jesus Christ! And when did He die!? He was executed in the MIDDLE OF THE WEEK – WEDNESDAY. His human life ended after 3½ years of His public ministry. Now, according to this living two-fold prophecy, He was supposed to make a covenant with many for ONE WEEK – for SEVEN YEARS! What became of the remaining 3½ years!? Well, it will be fulfilled in those events upon His glorious and powerful return. His Millennial reign actually doesn’t begin until after the first 3½ years – in which He is remolding and reshaping the earth – the people of the earth. Of getting their attitudes right. “As a Rod of Iron.” He will wield a club. He uses the physical people of the house of Israel as part of His club.
In short: The physical children of Israel, the relatively few, who have survived the end-time ‘great tribulation,’ – recall our Lord’s words, “’ but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened’” – will be gathered together from around the world in order to form the new and the revised nation of Israel. This newly formed nation of Israel, people of God, under the leadership of the recently resurrected King David, and led by Jesus Christ, will become an army that will fight and destroy the ungodly nations and people of the region. Think radical Arab and radical Islamic nations.
Revelation chapter 9 –
Verse 12 “One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.”
Verse 13 - “Then the sixth angel [or rather, messenger] sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, [ – remember you have the seven seals, the seventh seal being seven trumpets!]. 14) saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, ‘Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.’ 15) So the four angels [or, FOUR COUNTRIES - Back in the Book of Daniel we read about that - these angelic beings or demonic beings were in charge of certain states], who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind.’”
Verse 16 – “Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; …”
We believe that this as well as the prophesied ‘kings of the east’ is referring to a collection of Islamic people from the eastern countries – including Indonesia, which is the most populist Islamic country in the world – with an estimated millions upon millions of Moslems in India, Pakistan – all of these countries of the east. [3] Another bloc of nations – ‘kings of the east.’ And logically we believe them to be China, Korea, and Japan. A spirit of war is spread by Satan the devil, the final “beast” power of Europe, and the final “false prophet.”
Brethren and friends – this living prophecy is not difficult to understand when you allow God’s Spirit to teach you God’s living truth in regards to His prophecies – to grow in His grace and knowledge. Surely, much of His prophecies are indeed as the apostle Paul says – “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” – 1 Corinthians 13:12.
But here we see God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ had been holding back – restraining – this massing, this assembling into one body – of a radical Islamic confederation of armies that long ago could have caused worldwide devastation the likes of which this world has never witnessed before (with the very real possibility of having obtained nuclear and or biological weapons). But here God releases the four angels (and these radical Islamic COUNTRIES would certainly be under the charge of demons) who are bound at the great river Euphrates. A terrible and bloody battle! And this Islamic army will end up being comprised of 200 million soldiers! And it appears in this generation that we have Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Moslem people of India on a counter-attack! They desire Jerusalem as well. Yet, in the end, this mighty army is destroyed!
Now, I hope and pray that I’m not losing you with all of this – it is a deep subject.
Now, we can ask ourselves the question – is our living God justified in the utter destruction of these radical Islamic confederations of armies – 200 million strong!? Why all the bloodshed!? Why all of the destruction!? The LORD God is adamant, ‘IF you will not obey Me, then I will destroy you!’ That is His judgment! He is a God of love and mercy. But His living word STANDS FIRM!
And here is a grave description of our peoples that will be destroyed –
Verse 20 – “But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols …”
Now, this may come as a shock to you, but true Christians and Moslems DO NOT worship the same God! To Note: as proof that I speak the truth, we need only turn to their Koran itself –
“The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was no more than God’s apostle and His Word which He cast to Mary: a spirit from Him. … God forbid that He should have a son! His is all that the heavens and the earth contain.” – Women, 4.171.
Clearly, the Koran (written about 600 A.D.) DENIES the Son of God, Jesus Christ!
“ … of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21) And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”
Almighty God, so full of grace and mercy, gives them a chance to repent after each trumpet blast – to change. But they DO NOT REPENT!
Over in the Book of Isaiah the 13th chapter – the prophet Isaiah speaks of this end-time ‘great tribulation,’ this end-time ‘Jacob’s trouble’ – the Day of the LORD!
Verse 6 – “WAIL, for the day of the LORD is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty. 7) Therefore all hands will be limp, Every man’s heart will melt, 8) And they will be afraid. Pangs and sorrows will take hold of them; They will be in pain as a woman in childbirth; They will be amazed at one another; Their faces will be like flames.”
God says He won’t do anything unless it is declared from His prophets! Not only has He declared it through His prophets, but He’s also declared it through His WORD!
Verse 9 – “Behold, the day of the LORD comes, Cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, To lay the land desolate; And He will destroy its sinners from it.”
Verse 10 – “For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not give their light; …”
Note the LORD our God Jesus Christ mentions this very thing, “’ Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; …’” – Matthew 24:29.
“ … The sun will be darkened in its going forth, And the moon will not cause its light to shine.”
Verse 11 – “’ I will punish the world for its evil, And the wicked for their iniquity; …’”
So, if you’ve ever wondered just what is going to happen to all of the utterly wicked – here it is! Some of these terribly evil and wicked nations along with their leaders richly and absolutely deserve justice and judgment from God!
Now, earlier in the parenthetical I had briefly mentioned the physical children of Israel, the relatively few, who have survived the end-time ‘great tribulation,’ will be gathered together from around the world. In the Book of Joel the prophet Joel speaks of this –
Book of Joel chapter 3 –
Verse 1 – “’ For behold, in those days and at that time, When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem.’”
Here speaking about a two-fold prophetic statement at the time of the end when these nations are going to be in a type of subjugation. Now, do we ever hear this talked about in our news media!? That we here in the great United States of America could be someday in a state of subjugation by a foreign power!? Absolutely prostate on the ground in front of our enemies!?
Verse 2 – “’ I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.’”
There in this region where a great battle is going to take place – “They gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew Armageddon” – Tel-Megiddo.
Down in verse 9 – “Proclaim this among the nations [the Gentile nations]: ‘Prepare for war! Wake up the mighty men, Let all the men of war draw near, Let them come up. 10) Beat your plowshares into swords And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’”
The nations who used to be afraid of the United States of America and all of our allies, are now standing up, burning our flag, and saying “DEATH TO AMERICA!” “Allah is great, Death to America, death to Israel, A curse upon the Jews, Victory to Islam!” They are saying, ‘I am strong.’
Our great and mighty God is saying to them, ‘go ahead, stand up, be strong, grab your weapon, meet Me down here in the Valley of Jehoshaphat.’
Verse 11 – “’ Assemble and come, all you nations [Gentile nations], And gather together all around. Cause Your mighty ones to go down there, O LORD. 12) Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.’”
Every one of these nations that want to cast the tiny nation of Israel into the sea and destroy the multitude of the nations of Israel, they are going to meet Almighty God down here on this plain – and throughout history, Tel-Megiddo was the site of many great battles!
Verse 13 – “Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. …” – and in my margin, I have written, “see Revelation, chapter 14.”
“ … ‘Come, go down; For the winepress is full, The vats overflow – For their wickedness is great.’” – this is the reason why.
Verse 14 – “’ Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 15) The sun and moon will diminish their brightness.’” – again cf. Matthew 24:29-30.
Verse 16 – “’ The LORD also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the LORD will be a shelter for His people, …’”
Again, the thread – the hope – that runs through this terrible Message today. And surely this utter destruction of the nations doesn’t have to happen! If our nations as a whole would turn their hearts unto the LORD God and turn from their evil ways – as the Lord GOD lives, ‘Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’ REPENT!
This is the Message of the Gospel!
Verse 17 – “’ So you shall know that I AM the LORD your God, …’”
In the Book of Romans, it says, “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: ‘As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.’”
At the very name of Jesus Christ every knee shall bow. They certainly are not bowing now, they don’t want to bow down, they don’t want to hear about our Lord Jesus Christ, they don’t want to know about the Gospel Message, they don’t want to hear this Message!
But there is coming a day when they are going to bow before Him! – or die. □
Bibliography:
[1] Monzon, I., Asteroid Impact In The Ocean Will Cause High Death Toll, Scientist Warns, International Business Times, 10/12/2019. Retrieved 09 May 2022.
[2] Atkin, E., “The Troubling Failure of America’s Disaster Response” The New Republic, 17 July 2018. Retrieved 09 May 2022. https://newrepublic.com/article/149899/troubling-failure-americas-disaster-response.
3 “Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world by population, with over 200 million (88.2% of the total population) …” Praying For Indonesia. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
ADDITIONAL ARTICLES OF THE SERIES:
