Tuesday, December 23, 2014

BIBLE ANSWERS...with PASTOR DOUG BATCHELOR "Armageddon"

Thanks Pastor Doug from "Inside Report," 3rd Quarter 2014, for your lessons.


Q. IS the battle of Armageddon only a Spiritual idea?

A.  Revelation 16:16  "And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue                                                           Armageddon."
      The word Armageddon, is something of a mystery, appearing only in this verse and not yet found in any Greek literature. It likely refers to the many battles in Israel's history centering around the mountain of Megiddo  {meaning 'meeting place or market square' j.b.]. This is the location where Elijah had his famous showdown with the prophets of Baal. [1 Kings 18:1-46]

   Contrary to what most believe, [and are wrongly taught JB] the Battle of Armageddon is not the typical battle or war, between political powers... such as Russia, China , and or Israel. Instead, it is the final battle between Christ and Satan, and each's followers.

Note: (J.B.) There shall be two phases of confrontations, and both shall be upon this very same Earth! Both "battles,"
           shall be between the the just and unjust, between the people who follow and obey God's laws, through Jesus Christ, and the Unjust who have been fully deceived to follow man's laws. The first "Battle," has begun a long time ago, a battle of doctrines which God's Word put forth, and the doctrines which men have put forth for near 1900 years! This battle will reach its climax just before Christ's Return, but during and after the tribulations, all the Living of mankind shall see, but only the unjust non-believers shall endure! The SECOND "battle" shall be after the 1,000 year time frame, when Satan is released for a short season  ...
   Revelation 20:3  "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 be loosed a little season."
   Sadly many a "Pastor" will not teach from Revelation, but they lose because of this: Revelation 1:3  "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."

   The first phase of this final battle is detailed in revelation 12:17..

         Revelation 12:17  "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

The Dragon?  is Satan, the devil [Rev.12:7-9] 
The Woman [in White = Purity is God's Obedient church members....the remnant.

     The ultimate conclusion, of this battle, though never in doubts about to whom is the victory..God's..  is when Satan once more, has humans to deceive, all those unjust ones, who now have come forth with the SECOND RESURRECTION, but unlike the just, they come out in the very same shape and age as they they went into the graves....
   
    Revelation 20:7-10 " And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."

      I believe that Satan, some day soon, shall impersonate Christ, and encourage the world to worship the beast. [ Beastly Powers is a designation God uses to show the Civil government (s) and the church to act as one single power, in which persecutions, have always been the  result! Note the Dark Ages of Europe, and present day Islam, wherein there is no separation of church and state.] Revelation reveals several ways in which he will deceive the world through false representations.
    The Bible warned us all about these deceptions, for Jesus Himself said " For false christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to deceive." [Matthew 24:24]  The apostle Paul warned us many times not to be deceived ...

1 Corinthians 3:17-18  "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.  Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise."

     1 Corinthians 3:23  "And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's."

   Such preparations for these battles, to learn God's truth, so that a deception will look to you exactly what it is...a deception, thus be able with Christ's  power, be able to stand and withstand Satan allure,. We all need to do this now, and NOT when the final events are at full swing in full power!

    Thoughts of Armageddon should really focus our vision on a closer relationship with with The savior. Tanks, guns or a bunker stocked with food, will offer zero protection. We need but to be clothed in the armor of Jesus' righteousness. Then we will prevail even in face of a death decree, given to those who keep God's commandments because they love Him!

     Isaiah 33:16 " He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure."

God's promises have never failed, Mans????  Well, . . . man can't even save himself, now can he?

Next: What is the, "Abomination of Desolation"?

Thanking YOU for your time. Questions?  Comments?   John at www.servant@frontier.com

Want more learning? Visit your Seventh day Adventist Church, any Saturday?Sabbath at 9-10 AM. You just may be very glad that you did, as finding true peace of mind in Jesus.

Other sites:  www.blbn.org  www.amazingfacts.org   www.itiswritten.com  www.servantsite@wordpresscom

   

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