REVELATION 19: THE OMINOUS SHADOW OF ARMAGEDDON By

Mark Creech, Opinion Contributor Tuesday, January 9, 2024, Unsplash/Javier Miranda

Most people are surprised when they read or hear the word Armageddon and are afraid. This is mainly due to its connection with the apocalyptic images found in the Book of Revelation. Additionally, popular culture and film have influenced the strong emotional response this word evokes.

"Armageddon," Michael Bay's blockbuster film in 1998, grossed more than $553 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of that year. The film tells the story of a group of oil drillers hired by NASA to carry out a space mission aimed at avoiding an asteroid the size of Texas colliding with Earth. To keep humanity from complete destruction, they will have to drill a hole in the asteroid and insert a nuclear bomb into it.

The Alkaline Trio's song "Armageddon "was included on their 2008 albumAgony & & Irony."With emotional and often dark lyrics, the Alkaline Trio is a famous American punk rock band. The lyric "Armageddon" is one such example.

Midway Games and later NetherRealm Studios created the well-known video game "Mortal Kombat: Armageddon." It indicates an impending catastrophe and puts the world on the verge of collapse.

"Armageddon" is sometimes used metaphorically in political debates to emphasize the dire consequences that certain policies or actions can produce. Politicians and commentators often use the term to warn of dire and unfavorable outcomes.

In 1945, at the end of World War 2, the commander-in-chief of the Allied forces in the Pacific, General Douglas MacArthur, stood with other high-ranking officials aboard the USS Missouri to declare the formal surrender of the Empire of Japan, which was perhaps the most important event in American history. That day, General MacArthur issued a shocking statement:

People have been looking for peace for a long time. We don't have another chance. In the end, the military alliance, the balance of power, and the league of nations failed, leaving the only way to produce war. The devastation of the war as a whole has now eliminated this alternative. Armageddon will come soon if we do not create a greater and more just system.

The frequency of large-scale interstate wars has indeed decreased compared to the past. Fewer international wars have occurred since the Cold War ended, and conflicts among the superpowers have diminished. However, intranational conflicts, civil wars, and regional conflicts continue to occur, causing a lot of damage and death around the world.

In addition, growing tensions between the world's largest powers, such as the United States, Russia, and China, as well as other hot spots, such as the Hamas and Israeli wars in the Middle East, have raised concerns about a possible World War 3. Regional conflicts, failing economies, trade, resources, and international influence are major causes of uncertainty. The fear of Armageddon is growing, and the fact is that it may well be before us today.

What does "Armageddon" mean? The Bible uses the term "Armageddon" to describe the final battle between the forces of good and evil (Revelation 14:14–20; Revelation 16:12–16; Revelation 19:17–21). This marks the high point of the apocalyptic events described in the Book of Revelation, which resulted in the establishment of Christ's Millennial Kingdom on Earth.

Chapter 19 of the revelation gives a clear and glorious picture of the Savior's return. It shows him as the victorious king of the heavens with divine power, riding a white horse and accompanied by the armies of heaven. He wore a robe with the blood of his enemies on it. He is referred to as" the word of God "and is referred to as" the King of Kings and Lord of Lords."

According to the Scriptures, in his mouth was a sharp sword. The Holy Scripture, or Word of God, which has tremendous power, is represented by that sword.

All creation came into being through the word of Christ. He performed miracles of healing, cast out demons, conquered nature, increased supplies, and literally raised people from the dead with his words. He will completely defeat all who oppose God's will and formalize perfect justice with his word.

In verses 11–16 of Chapter 19 of the Revelation, John relates what he saw of the Second Coming of Christ, and the subsequent verses 17–21 foretell the events to come:

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun and shouting to the vultures, "Come on!" Gather together to attend the great feast that the Lord has planned. Come and eat the flesh of Mighty Warriors, Kings, and generals; of horses and riders; and of all men, free and slave, small and great.

Then I saw the Beast, along with the Kings of the Earth and their armies, gathered together to fight against him. And the animal was caught, and with it came a false prophet who did great things in the name of the animal. He deceived everyone who received the mark of the animal and worshiped his image. The Beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the lake of Brimstone. People on white horses pulled out sharp swords that killed their entire army. Moreover, all the vultures ate the corpses.

John says he saw an angel standing in the sunlight. When you first read this text, it seems that what is depicted is an angel standing in front of the sun with a fireball behind him. However, in the account of Revelation, Henry Morris states:

It is quite possible that the angel really existed under the light. In the Holy Scriptures, many angels are depicted with stars. It is absurd to assume that this angel has its own role above the sun, thanks to the incredible power of God. Since the sun's energy maintains physical and biological processes on Earth, it will be very attentive to the Earth. Perhaps the same angel (see Revelation 16:8–9) was responsible for making the sun very hot during the last days of the Tribulation.

This angel's call is very loud. With a voice echoing in the sky, this herald of heaven calls winged birds, eagles, roosters, hawks, seagulls, roosters, and vultures to gather for a magnificent and mysterious feast. Before founding the Church, the Saints of God were invited to participate in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. However, those who reject the promise of peace and reconciliation of the benevolent Lord, whose heart is at war with him, will become a banquet of winged necrophages.

Despite the fact that certain types of birds, such as the previously mentioned scavengers and vultures, have been seen eating human flesh, this is still a rare event. However, this usually only happens in exceptional situations, such as seeing a corpse in a remote place, extreme environmental conditions, or when typical food sources for birds are not available. All of these situations are part of what will most likely happen during Armageddon.

One of the bad predictions is a developing scene. The hubris of mankind reached its peak as famous rulers around the world, great military leaders, formidable warriors, equestrian cavalrymen, and people from every walk of life, regardless of social status and standing, They gather together with the anti-Christ and his false prophets to battle the coming Christ and his heavenly armies.

They gathered in Megiddo, which some experts call the epicenter of this global conflict. The geography of this plain is accessible from all points of the compass.

Megiddo was also the site of many historic battles for the Israelites. Deborah and Barak defeated the Canaanites (judges 4-5). This is where Gideon defeated Midian (Judges 7). In this place, Saul died in battle against the Philistines (I Samuel 31:8). At this location, Jehu killed Ahaziah (2 Kings 9:27). In this place, the Egyptian invasion killed Josiah (2 Kings 23:29–30; 2 Chronicles 35:22).

In this place, there were great battles between Egyptians and Assyrians, Babylonians and Greeks, Seleucids and Ptolemies, Romans and Arabs, and Crusaders and Turks.

Due to its ideal terrain for maneuverable armies, Napoleon, certainly one of the greatest military geniuses of all time, called this region "the largest natural battlefield in the world.".

This is a place where all of humanity will unite with their best military force to challenge Almighty God. Above them, however, the sky begins to darken, the branches of the trees become downcast, and the hills are thickly dotted as far as the eye can see, with birds everywhere waiting for an unforgettable death show and a chance to descend into the feast of countless carcasses left in its wake.

Regarding this day, then, the Psalmist wrote: "Why are the nations so angry?" Why do they spend time on useless plans? The Kings of the Earth prepare for war; the Kings conspire against God and his chosen people. They shouted, "Let us break their chains and free ourselves from slavery to God." However, the kings in heaven laughed. God mocked them in Psalm 2:1–4. Is there anything so useless against God? That's for sure not!

The late W., one of the most famous Southern Baptist preachers,. In connection with these passages, Criswell writes:

They are beasts, along with false prophets and deceivers who follow them. They are the result of godless religions and governments. They stood together in that place. You just said this as an example in human history: when a nation abandons the truth and follows the commandments of God, they go through the most terrible oppression. They did not turn from the word of God and the word of God and the Blessed Christ into truth and other wonderful moral and spiritual obedience. They turn to slavery, oppression, and everything terrible, evil, and burdensome. History shows that the axiom is true. Look at it now. Wherever you find governments that oppose God and people who say "no" to our Lord, there is a swamp and a poison of misery. Wars and revolutions originate there. These bad things come from evil spirits that enter the hearts of those who oppose God. This is a beast and a false prophet.

To wage war with God and his Christ personally or collectively, human industry symbols such as ingenuity, inclusion, initiative, innovation, insight, and engagement are no match. He can only say "a word" from his mouth, and the conflict is over, unless a protracted engagement is not necessary to achieve his higher goals. The criminal leader and their group were eventually thrown into Hellfire, where vultures ate many corpses after the evaluation was announced.

The late John Phillips concluded in his book Exploring Revelation:

Thus, the Battle of Armageddon ended! After that, the Earth will be safe for a thousand years. People would turn their swords into plowshares, their spears into trimmers, their tanks into tractors, and their missiles into silos for grain. The words of war will become an ancient part of the language that dies for humanity in the end.

One can imagine a schoolboy reading an old book in the second half of the millennium. He asked his father, "What is an intercontinental ballistic missile? Then the father said, "Go and ask your mother." When asked, the mother replied, "I expected such a cabbage." Go and ask your father. The day will come.

The word "armageddon" clearly causes a feeling of fear. However, this is not a bad thing.

Guards were placed at key points in the Bible, such as city walls or towers, to watch over the surrounding territory. Keeping an eye on approaching threats, such as enemy soldiers, invaders, or other dangers, is their primary task. Every faithful guard shows attention.

The sacred calling to defend civilization is to be a guardian. The watchman stood as a guard of salvation with a steadfast gaze and unwavering devotion. From above, he will carefully look at the most subtle changes in fate. His tireless vigilance is a testament to his steadfast loyalty to the preservation of his nation's vital existence, a beacon of hope in the face of uncertainty, and a reminder that there is a guard who will not tire even in the worst of times.

In almost every place where most people live, there are now Christian guards and messengers on the walls. These guards, who come from every social position in human life, warn people to avoid impending anger. They testify of Jesus Christ and share the Gospel story with sincere hope and prayer that they may persuade some to be saved before it is too late, before their rebellion against God is permanently fixed by a powerful delusion (2 Thessalonians 2:11), and there is no hope left.

Jesus Christ will rule over this earth and everything that is on it and under it—this is the truth of the promise of God, the Eternal Father. No one can oppose his sincere sovereignty. We may have to choose to take legal action when God finally declares that "every knee shall bow in the name of Jesus, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaims that Jesus Christ is Lord, for the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10–11). If we don't, we will be punished.

Elder Mark H. Creech served as Executive Director of the North Carolina Christian Action League, Inc. Prior to serving as the current pastor, he served as pastor at five Southern Baptist churches in North Carolina and one Independent Baptist Church in upstate New York.

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