The Raptured Bride Will Return With Christ at Armageddon - Joseph Chambers - http://www.raptureready.com/featured/chambers/jc180.html
The Battle of Armageddon is more than a Battle, it is when we come back with Christ to reign a thousand years. This earth will be a kingdom of righteousness ruled by the King of Kings from His capital of Jerusalem. It is wonderful to read of Jerusalem becoming a metropolitan city stretching for many miles and becoming the richest city on earth. His glorified saints that earned the right to rule the cities of the earth will be His kings and priests. They will be shouting about this as soon as they arrive for the Marriage Celebration. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10) The Battle of Armageddon has been discussed, used as a type of some great battle, or dismissed as fantasy for the history of the Book of Revelation. Satan would certainly love to see it removed from possibility. Can you imagine Satan’s face when he sees the hated multitude of Saints that he watched go up with Christ right up in the sky coming back with Him. This Battle will occur and it will be the end of the seven years of Satan’s final reign on earth. The Antichrist and the False Prophet will prepare to destroy Jerusalem but will watch their massive army go down in defeat. It will be months in preparation but only minutes in thier destruction. The term Armageddon appears in the Bible only one time (Revelation 16:16). It has reference to the concluding battle of the seven-year tribulation period. It is a mistake if we fail to see that this battle actually represents the entire period that prepares the world for this concluding act of God’s judgment. In other words, Armageddon is better represented as the entire “End Time Cataclysmic Period” which will end in the valley of Megiddo (Har-Megiddon, Strong’s Concordance). Please note the Holy Scripture that describes the preparation for this event. “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” (Revelation 16:13-16) I believe the preparation for this final judgment is already in progress. Satan’s crowd must prepare and John the Revelator clearly described that fact. “For they are the spirits of devils working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of the great day of God Almighty.” (Revelation 16:14) Of course, this unholy trinity (Satan, Antichrist, and Anti-spirit) believes that they can win against the great God Jehovah. We have interpreted a statement in Revelation 12:12, “he knoweth that he hath but a short time,” to suggest he expects defeat. Instead it should be understood that he knows he has only a short time to win before God will conclude his last chance to take control of the world. The entire “One World Government” and “One World Religion” that Satan will promote and control is his grand scheme to create such a world power and spiritual (evil) force that he can finally succeed in defeating God and take his seat as the “Supreme Authority.” You may say it is crazy to believe that Satan is expecting to win. How can you read his grand design for world control, economic mastery (by his controlling all buying and selling), and the entire religious harlotry of Biblical prophecy, and not believe Satan plans to win? Satan is preparing the ultimate effort to remove God from His throne, to defeat the Lord Jesus as the Savior of men and to defile the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit of Holiness. Believe the Word of God; Satan will lose. The Satanists Are Preparing Their Followers A noted author of pyramidology occultic materials wrote the following in his book, The Armageddon Script: “Their script is now written, subject only to last minute editing and stage direction. The stage itself, albeit as yet in darkness, is almost ready. Down in the pit, the subterranean orchestra is already tuning up. The last minute, walk-on parts are even now being filled. Most of the main actors, one suspects, have already taken up their roles. Soon it will be time for them to come on stage, ready for the curtain to rise. The time for action will have come.” (Peter LeMesurier, The Armageddon Script.) Biblical terminology literally fills the writings and language of the New Agers and occultic leaders. They talk about the number 666, about saving the world (not souls), and about a harmonious, peace-loving age when everybody lives happily ever after. Read the following statements by these “spirits of devils” going forth to “the whole world to gather them” (world population) to this awesome hour of the final conflict between the true God and the idiot god, Satan. “The blueprint for a peaceful, loving and harmonious world has been drawn. Prayer, meditation, positive affirmations, spiritual families and global healing events such as Live Aid and the December 31st World Peace Event all contribute to this blueprint.” (Harmonic Convergence Brochure.) “I have come to believe firmly today that our future, peace, justice, and fulfillment, happiness and harmony on this planet will not depend on world government but on divine or cosmic government…my great personal dream is to get a tremendous alliance between all major religions and the U.N.” (Robert Muller, former director of the United Nations and now president of “Peace University.”) “Humanity is on the verge of something entirely new, a further evolutionary step unlike any other: the emergence of the first global civilization.” (Thomas Berry, Catholic theologian.) “I (see) images of a new heaven and a new earth…THIS WORLD will be saved. The planet will be healed and harmonized. We can let the kingdom come…which means that THIS WORLD can be transformed into a heaven right now…This is no fantasy. This is not scientific or religious fiction. This is the main event of our individual lives.” (John Randolph Price, Organizer of the World Instant of Cooperation.) “…Every major religion of the world has similar ideals of love, the same goal of benefiting humanity through spiritual practice…The most important thing is to look at details of theology or metaphysics…I believe that all the major religions of the world can contribute to world peace and work together for the benefit of humanity if we put aside subtle metaphysical differences, which are really the internal business of each religion…The undying faith in religion clearly demonstrates the potency of religion as such. This spiritual energy and power can be purposefully used to bring about the spiritual conditions necessary for world peace.” (Dalai Lama.) “All human institutions, professions, programs and activities must be judged primarily according to the extent they either obstruct and ignore or foster a mutually enhancing human-earth relationship. That is how good and evil will be judged in the coming years.” (Donald Keys, President of Planetary Citizens.) A noted New Ager, Jose ’Arguelles, presented a 25-year plan to set up the New World Order. His plan began in 1987 at an event called “Harmonic Convergence.” They have promoted two World Prayer Days the last being on December 31st, 1991. Every religious thought or faith was invited to participate. Their basic philosophy is an idea called “Global Consciousness” in which they teach we all must help make changes. God, to the New Ager like Arguelles, is not personal but the global community of consciousness. If we can change our thought patterns to peace, harmony, and goodwill to everybody (except those religious maniacs called Jesus followers) we can evolve to the next round on the evolutionary scale, so they teach. It’s called a “paradigm shift in consciousness.” It is nothing but Satanic delusion. The word “paradigm” is the biggest new word in the language of the liberals. Beware of anyone who uses it. Spiritual Warfare While Satan is preparing his agents on a worldwide scale in a visible and religious political manner, there is a subtle, but deadly warfare going on in the spirit world. It has always been a spiritual battle to obey the Holy Scripture and serve Jesus Christ as Lord. Scriptures are extremely clear that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12) If this has been true in the past, how much greater is this warfare presently. Jesus clearly stated that, “As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matthew 24:36) There were demons (sons of God) who appeared in visible form during Noah’s day, who even cohabited with women producing giants and clearly terrorizing the last inhabitants before the terrible judgment of the flood. I believe we are in for a flood of filth and wickedness that will be overwhelming to any man or woman that is not covered by the blood of Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Ghost. Fear and torment is already the scourge of this generation. Don’t think that the “Bride of Christ” will escape seeing the horrible prelude to the tribulation period. I’m expecting Jesus to return any moment, but I know that until He returns there will be an ever increasing activity of Satanism and his dark beguiling demons. Any believer who expects to escape deception and confusion must submerge himself or herself in the Holy Scripture and learn to lean on the abiding presence of God’s Holy Spirit. Christians must refuse to listen or entertain “the counsel of the ungodly.” (Psalm 1:1-6) Don’t spend a moment in any atmosphere where Jesus Christ is not Lord or the infallible Bible is not the final authority. Increasing Demonic Activity: Warning To The Church The prophecy of Revelation clearly describes this increasing tide of Satanic powers. While this prophecy places the time period in the tribulation after the Rapture has occurred, it certainly suggests that the early stages will be visible before the actual seven-year period begins. Notice chapter 16 and the verses I presented at the beginning of this article. In verse 12 the activity begins in the Euphrates River (Babylon sits on its original banks) and proceeds to show “unclean spirits, like frogs,” which proceed from the mouths of Satan, the Antichrist, and the false prophet. They go forth to deceive and prepare the world for this forthcoming war between heaven and hell. Then, suddenly, the Holy Spirit inspires John to speak to the church. “Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garment (wedding attire) lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” (Revelation 16:15) There is only one reason He placed this great warning in the midst of such a clear description of Satan’s evil power that will reign in the dark period before the final battle of Armageddon. We in the church waiting for the “Rapture” are now witnessing the rise of these evil forces. They will continue to increase until the Rapture and then explode after the church Bride is gone. Paul was clear to state that the Bride of Christ filled with the Holy Ghost is the only restraining power on this earth. “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8) This Scripture does not suggest that Satan cannot do anything toward his goal of world control before the Bride of Christ is gone, but rather that he is limited. History will certainly confirm that he has had great power to destroy; but, also, that he has never been able to create world domination like he will do when the restraints are lifted. Here’s how Apostle Paul describes what will happen when the Bride has escaped. “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12) Whatever wickedness we can now identify, it will be many times worse after the “First Resurrection out from among the dead.” “If by any means I might attain unto the Resurrection of the dead (out from among the dead).” (Philippians 3:11) No wonder Paul constantly labored to be ready to escape the things coming to pass and to stand before the Lord. Revelation Chapters 8 and 9 These two chapters describe in detail the flood of demons and their activity during the end. The entire picture is preceded by an explanation of the power of prayer. “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censor; and there was given him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. And the angel took the censor, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.” (Revelation 8:3-5) It is evident that the seven trumpets that were mentioned in verse two before the scene of prayer/power were held in check until the church was safe and her prayers remembered. We are always at the heart of His action. The Seven Trumpets all suggest great consternation upon the earth. The first four deal with the earth’s resources and the Heavenlies. Then follows the unleashing of the inhabitants of the damned and the spirits bound in their prisons. Jude stated, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” (Jude 6) These are very likely the sons of God who invaded Noah’s world (Notice Jude said, “left their habitation.”) and were shut up until the present to protect the earth from their utter destructive powers. Whoever they represent, they are to be released in the end to receive their justice in judgment. The fifth and sixth trumpets deal with this region of the darkness and opens up their prison doors to the earth. The entire physical earth comes under siege from hell’s inhabitants. Seal five describes an undisclosed number who are under the kingship of the angel of the bottomless pit. His name is Abaddon in Hebrew or Apollyon in the Greek tongue. These “damned creatures” take on the appearance of locusts who look like horses with destructive powers so great that the men they attack seek death as escape. John said, “And they had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails, and their power was to hurt men five months.” (Revelation 9:10) The sixth seal is worse. This second company of fallen creatures is connected with Ancient Babylon and the deception of the ages. They are numbered at 200,000,000 and are charged to kill the third part (l/3) of mankind. The entire picture is of an invasion out of the subterranean shadows of the earth where the wicked dead and fallen angels have festered with hatred, vileness and anger at everything within their reach. They will scourge the earth to torment and wreak havoc on all living beings. Preparing For The Final Battle No question but that Satan is preparing for the end time drama with the expectation of winning. It’s evident that he will use all of his resources. The wicked living will serve him. The apostate church will offer their worship as he presents himself as their god. The Antichrist and false prophet will succeed in blinding and convincing the world for the new false “trinity.” Joining these will be the fallen angels, the wicked dead turned loose for a short period, and the army of demon spirits under Satan’s control. It will be a dreadful company of the vilest creatures ever assembled. No wonder the name “Armageddon” holds such ominous vibrations. Even Satan’s present followers on earth are anticipating this occasion. Jesus Christ Returns To Fight The mighty Redeemer becomes the Warrior King. He appears out of the Heavenlies like a God/Man with celestial attire. He rides an awesome stallion of spotless white and leads an army of triumphant saints. He is no longer the broken reed of Calvary, bleeding for sin’s cleansing. He is now the judge of all who spurned His reconciling sacrifice. He comes to set right the rebellions of all creatures. It’s time for righteousness to show its transcending authority. While He does tread the winepress of wrath and experience the bloodstain of battle, it’s a quick victory and all rebellion is brought to judgment. Satan’s well planned schemes and multitude of support has been of no avail. He is defeated and the King of Kings begins His triumphant takeover. “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must loosed a little season.” Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:1-3, 6) |
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