Chapter 8:
Armageddon
ARMAGEDDON! That is a word which strikes terror into the hearts of many. It means the end of the world! Many think it will come by means of a World War III, fought with nuclear weapons, nation against nation. They feel it will leave the earth incinerated, a lifeless wasteland.
The word Armageddon is found in the Bible only once, at Revelation 16.16. There it says: "And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon." (AV)
But who gathers whom to this "Armageddon"? What happens there? The answer is in verses 13 and 14: "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, 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." (AV)
The dragon is Satan the Devil (Rev 12.9). We will explain the Beast and the False Prophet later in this chapter. These utter "spirits" (words that seem or claim to be inspired) that move the leaders of this world (the "kings of the earth") to gather their forces to fight. Do they fight each other?
No. The Revelation gets back to this scene in chapter 19. There, verse 19 says: "I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage the war with the one seated on the horse and with his army." So the kings of the earth are gathered into a united opposition, against "the one seated on the horse." Who is that?
He is described in detail in verses 11-16. After reading that, can you tell who he is? Yes, this is none other than Jesus Christ, leading the armies of heaven, mighty spirit angels, against the assembled strength of earthly nations. Who do you think will lose that confrontation?
In this vision, John sees an angel invite the birds to gather, to clean up after the battle. They are to eat the corpses of "kings, military commanders, strong men, horses, freemen, slaves, small and great." Everyone taking the losing side becomes carrion! —verses 17-21.
We get a closer look at what happens during the battle in chapter 6, verses 12 through 17. What an awe-inspiring day that will be!
This description of Armageddon should give us pause. It means that if we align ourselves with any military power of this world, we will someday— soon— be "gathered" into battle formation against God. That is definitely not a position we want to be in.
How does it come to that? How do the nations let themselves be so led by Satan that they try to fight God?
Perhaps the second Psalm explains it the most simply. Please read that. In verse 3 the kings say, "Let us tear their bands apart and cast their cords away from us!" The thought of submitting to God’s rulership is unbearable to them. They regard obedience to God as too much restraint on their freedom, like bands or cords that must be struggled against. But God’s law is actually good for us; as it says (verse 12) "Happy are all those taking refuge in him."
The world today is already well along on this path of defiance against God. Traditional morality is all but dead; a "new morality", which is nothing but the old immorality, has taken its place. God’s word says homosexuality is a disgusting perversion; today such ones have honored positions in government. The most prestigious colleges laugh condescendingly at those who believe in creation by God; they insist that brute beasts are our forefathers, through a mindless "evolution." Millions of mothers have killed their children merely for their own convenience, by legal abortion. Those who try to teach Bible morality are labelled as bigots and are ridiculed. Government bureaucrats insist that debauchery and degeneracy are "art". We could go on and on, but if you follow current events, you are probably already painfully aware of the situation. —compare Romans 1.18-32.
These things have happened before. Long ago, the nation of Israel was doing similar things. Jehovah sent prophets to warn them. Because their day foreshadows, in a way, our time, we can learn by studying their words. Here is a selection: Jeremiah 5.7-9, 29-31, 6.13, 14, Isa 5.20-23, 30.9-11. Do you notice the resemblance to our time?
So let us not feel sorry for those who will die at Armageddon. By that time, they will have had abundant opportunities to turn around, but they will have refused. Jehovah does not want anyone to die, and he is having the Kingdom preached now so that no one need die simply for lack of knowing right from wrong. But he will not call off the war. It will come. Which side will we be standing on at that time? —Compare 2 Chronicles 36.15, 16, Prov 1.24-33, Ezek 18.30-32, Jer 25.31-33, 2 Thess 1.6-10.
Despite all the signs that allow us to be sure the end is near, the actual outbreak of the destruction will be startling, a sudden turn of events. Jesus said as much at Matt 24:42-44: "Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know one thing, that if the householder had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have kept awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. On this account you too prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming." The "you" he was speaking to were his disciples, not unbelievers. The destruction catches the world completely off guard. But even those diligently on the watch will not successfully predict the moment the great tribulation is to begin.
As for the world, Paul says: "Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying: "Peace and security!" then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape." The world’s rulers will be saying Peace! Peace! when there is no peace. This has happened before: remember, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Neville Chamberlain, brought back a signed paper from Hitler and proclaimed, "Peace in our time!" Then World War II broke out. —1 Thess 5:2, 3; compare Jer 8.9, 11.
The book of Revelation reveals more fascinating details about the great tribulation to come. It is presented in enigmatic symbols which can be deciphered by using other parts of the Bible.
First, what is the "wild beast"? It is described in the 13th chapter of Revelation as coming out of the sea, having seven heads, ten horns and ten crowns. It is a composite beast, with body parts like a leopard, a bear, and a lion, with horns. The "dragon" (Satan) gives this beast "great authority" over this world. Many people admire it with awe. It blasphemes God and persecutes God’s people.
The book of Daniel, in the Hebrew Scriptures, is remarkably similar to the Revelation. There we find the key to understanding what this symbolizes. In chapter 7, Daniel sees a series of four beasts: one like a lion, another like a bear, then a leopard with four heads, and the last simply described as "fearsome and strong." It had ten horns. It made war against the "holy ones", but God gave rulership to his Chosen One, and the beasts were defeated and God’s people reigned over the whole world. Obviously, that last part has not yet come true.
But what are these beasts? Daniel asks an angel in the vision. Listen to the reply: "As for these huge beasts, because they are four, there are four kings that will stand up from the earth....As for the fourth beast, there is a fourth kingdom that will come to be on the earth, that will be different from all the other kingdoms; and it will devour all the earth and will trample it down and crush it." —Dan 7:17, 23.
So the beasts mean kingdoms, human empires! The Beast of Revelation 13 is, in fact, a composite of the four beasts that Daniel saw. So, it personifies mankind’s domination of the earth in defiance of God. Men in power, believing their ideas are superior to God’s law, harass God’s people (compare Acts 4:18-27, 5:27-30). It is because they believe in human rule that the kings of the earth are finally gathered to Armageddon in opposition to God. That is how the "wild beast" utters "spirits" (convincing words) to gather them there.
What is the False Prophet? We find it described in verses 11-18 of Revelation 13. It appears to correspond with what Daniel saw as a "little horn with a big mouth." (Dan 7.8, 9, 24, 25) Its main job is to advocate worship of the Beast and harass those who refuse to bow before it. In other words, it is the biggest advocate of human rule during the last days. Daniel’s helpful angel calls it a "king" or a kingdom. From further details in both the Revelation and Daniel, we feel that it is the leading World Power of our time, namely, the British-American empire.
Revelation 13.14, 15 says the False Prophet has an "image" of the Beast made, and it gives life to that image. In fulfillment, the British-American world power is the leading animator of the United Nations, which represents the united rule of man, such as it is. According to the prophecy, this world body will yet play a major role in the last days.*
Ostensibly established to prevent conflict and solve international disputes, and hailed by clergy as "mankind's only hope for peace" and "the expression of the Kingdom of God on earth", the UN is actually a complete failure in those respects. Some of its subsidiary programs may accomplish some good (as is true of most governments), but it also reflects the increasing moral corruption of the world it represents. As columnist Mark Steyn recently commented, "the UN is a shamefully squalid organization whose corruption is almost impossible to exaggerate." Besides top leaders enriching themselves from the Irag Oil-for-Food program (at the expense of Iraqis oppressed by the tyrant Saddam), Steyn notes there is "a UN pedophile network operating from Africa to southeast Asia . . . systemic child sex in at least 50 percent of its missions." As for ending conflict and establishing real peace, look at the present genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Steyn writes sarcastically: "The good people of Darfur have been fortunate enough not to attract the attention of arrogant cowboy unilateralist [US president] Bush [who has been content to let the UN 'manage' this problem] and have instead fallen under the care of the UN . . . So, after months of expressing deep, grave concern over whether the graves were deep enough, [UN Secretary] Kofi Annan managed to persuade the UN to set up a committee to look into what's going on in Darfur. Eventually, they reported back that it's not genocide. . . Instead, it's just 100,000 corpses who all happen to be from the same ethnic group— which means the UN can go on tolerating it until everyone's dead."
This is just a sampling of the facts that should have the world outraged. Yet so many "follow the beast with admiration", even worship (devotedly serve) it. True Christians see it as God does. We exhort all others who decry the beast's corruption to learn faith in the heavenly Kingdom. Neither the beast nor its image can be reformed. —Rev 13:3, 12.
You may protest, "but the United States is the greatest advocate of religious freedom in the world today!" That has been true, and we are grateful for that. But did you know that it was not true during the world wars? Christians who would not join the beastly fighting were severely persecuted. And soon, when the final showdown is under way, it will happen again.
According to the prophecy, those who believe in (forehead) or support (right hand) what the beast stands for receive the "mark" of the beast. This mark of approval allows them to carry on the normal business of buying and selling. Christians would find life difficult, because they have to refuse the mark. This has already occurred to some extent. Communist countries were particularly intense at harassing those who did not toe the party line. As the confrontation of Armageddon nears, the pressure will intensify against those who refuse to pledge allegiance to human government. Many think a pledge of allegiance is just an act of respect. But a pledge is a sworn oath before God— a very serious thing. Allegiance means devotion, an obligation of unquestioning loyalty and complete support. Christians are commanded by God to respect and obey, within limits, whatever human government they find themselves under. But a Christian can only pledge allegiance to God’s Kingdom. (More on this in Chapter 11, Loyalty to the Kingdom.) —Rom 13.1-7, Acts 5.29, Eccl 5.4-6, Rev 13.16-18.
The last element of the picture is the most interesting of all. In the Revelation, chapters 17 and 18, John sees a "great harlot." Her name is Babylon the Great; she rides the image of the Beast and commits fornication with the kings of the earth, and drinks the blood of holy ones. Indeed, "in her was found the blood of all those slaughtered on the earth." But the kings turn on the old whore and kill her. God himself puts the idea into their mind. After that (chapter 19) the battle of Armageddon is fought, and the kings themselves meet their end. (Please read Rev 17.1-18.24 now.) What is the meaning of all this?
Just as the Beast is a symbol, so is this immoral woman. Here, John also has a helpful angel to give him some clues: "the woman whom you saw means the great city that has a kingdom over the kings of the earth." "the waters that you saw, where the harlot is sitting, mean peoples and crowds and nations and tongues." (verses 18, 15) The woman, then, is not another of the kingdoms of the world, but is something that has power over all the kingdoms. Yet it is like a woman, exercising its influence by charms, sweet words, and subtle pressure. But this woman is a prostitute. She may say she’ll be true, but her real interest is herself. In verse 4 she is shown to be very richly dressed, gifts given to her by kings who enjoyed her charms. She says: "I sit a queen, and I am no widow, and I shall never see mourning." (18:7)
One more clue: her name, Babylon the Great. There was a great city named Babylon in ancient times, but it is a desolate ruin today. The Iraqis thought to rebuild it as a tourist attraction, but the first Gulf War put a damper on that. Certainly it has no power now over all the kingdoms of earth. Besides, the "great harlot" sits, not on real water like ancient Babylon did, but on symbolic waters, "crowds and nations." So she is like ancient Babylon in some way, but she is not that city itself. The name is the clue: "Babylon" comes from "Babel", meaning "confusion." (Gen 11.1-9) Hence her name really means "the great confusion"!
From all these clues, we must say: this great harlot represents worldly religion. Religion is supposed to be like a faithful wife to God, upholding his name and being true to Him, bearing "children" in the form of loyal, loving worshippers. (compare Isa 54.5-7,11-13; 1 John 3.10, Matt 5.44, 45) But worldly religion goes off a-whoring to anyone with a little cash. (compare Hosea 9.1 (AV), Ezek 23) The "kings," political leaders, have the most to offer, so she makes herself a handmaiden to them, supporting their corrupt political campaigns, covering for their crimes, justifying their wars. She makes the people "drunk" with falsehoods, confused as to truth, unable to see straight spiritually or stand up approved before God. Worldly religion is so reprehensible before God that he calls her "the mother of all harlots."
But look at what happens to this great harlot: "the ten horns that you saw, and the wild beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her devastated and naked, and will eat up her fleshy parts and will completely burn her with fire...in one day her plagues will come, death and mourning and famine, and she will be completely burned with fire, because Jehovah God, who judged her, is strong." —Rev 17:16, 18:8.
How do the worldly nations destroy worldly religion? It is hard to imagine that they could eliminate all superstition and religious belief from the minds of the people. The communists tried that and failed. But it is possible to destroy the organizational structures and property of established religion, and that is what the prophecy describes. (18.11-19) Of course, this will not occur without heavy loss of life. It will truly be a Great Tribulation.
We do not know now what will induce secular powers to devastate this corrupt religious realm. Many have already noticed that religion is very often the cause of stubborn conflicts, rather than preventing or solving them. Perhaps when the "kings" finally "give their power and authority to the wild beast" (in the form of its image, the United Nations) religion will be seen as an interference to this secular plan for world peace. Or, in the face of disintegrating world order due to religiously-driven conflict, the nations will in desperation yield their sovereignties to the UN, which will then turn to "solving" the problem by at last attacking its roots. In any case, so much of this prophecy has already come true, we should not imagine that this part will somehow fail. Worldly religion may be powerful and popular now, but it will be destroyed. —17.13,17.
Early in the 21st century we are seeing a gathering storm of opposition to all forms of religion, for a variety of agendas. Homosexuals have organized a relentless and slanderous onslaught in entertainment and journalism to discredit and demonize anyone who would dare speak the truth, that God condemns homosexuality in His Word. To this end they have co-opted so-called "mainstream" churches as their defenders and advocates. Yet these are just prostitutes for them, who will be promptly discarded when their purpose is served. This agenda is well-funded by powerful corporations and has penetrated to the highest levels of the judiciary, who have begun to put out outrageous rulings diametrically opposed to traditional (and scriptural) morality. Up until recently this was a stealth campaign, now becoming open and bold.*
For much more detail see the book
The Homosexual Agenda by Alan Sears and Craig Osten (while it is still available).
On the other side, there is a religion on the warpath: Islam. To an extent in a counter-reaction to these secular developments, but also because it is a militant religion at its core with fantasies of world domination, Muslims worldwide are being exhorted to destroy the infidel wherever they are (such as lower Manhattan). Terrorism motivated by such fanaticism will be a very difficult snake to kill; only by finally deciding to go for its head will the governments make any progress.
Knowing this, where do you think we should stand? What do you think Jehovah would want us to do? He does not leave us in doubt: "Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues." (Rev 18:4) Yes, there are people in worldly religion that God claims as his own. They are sighing and groaning over all the detestable things being done in her. Rather than sit there and feel sad, we should get out! She is past reform. The man named Lot was urged by the angels to flee Sodom, because it was about to be destroyed by fire from heaven. In their compassion, they almost dragged him out! But his wife did not really want to leave. She lingered, looking back longingly, and was destroyed. If we want to survive the coming great tribulation, we cannot linger; we must heed this compassionate call by God now! Further, we should help others to heed it as well. —see Gen 19.12-17, 23-26, Luke 17.28-33; compare Ezek 9.4-6.
How do we know if we are in Babylon the Great, so as to get out? First, we must learn the truth about God and his standards. We may be blissfully unaware that we are not pleasing to him, or we may be confused about some spiritual things. Has this book helped you to gain better understanding? Then you are on your way out of Babylon. Have you seen anything that would cause you to change your course in life? Remember, getting out involves more than knowing the truth in our minds; we must act on it. If we do not, we are not really out of the danger zone. —John 8.32, James 2.14.
Are you still attending a church that teaches things you now know to be untrue according to God’s word? Then you are still in Babylon the Great. Or is that church involved in supporting the politics of this world? Does it make excuses for or treat lightly things that God says is bad? If we keep our name on their registry as a member, we say before God: "I support what they are doing." If so, our name will not be found in another book: God’s Book of Life. —see Rev 13.8.
Many people sense that a time of great trouble is coming. They can also detect a growing animosity toward religion. To prepare, they stockpile food, take training in the use of weapons, move to remote places, and fortify their homes. None of these things will be of any benefit in the great tribulation. To survive, we must take refuge in Jehovah God. Notice what Psalm 91:1, 7-10, 14 says: "Anyone dwelling in the secret place of the Most High will procure himself lodging under the shadow of the Almighty One...A thousand will fall at your very side, and ten thousand at your right hand; to you it will not come near. Only with your eyes will you look on and see the retribution of the wicked ones. Because you said: ‘Jehovah is my refuge,’ you have made the Most High himself your dwelling, no calamity will befall you... Because on me he has set his affection, I shall also provide him with escape. I shall protect him because he has come to know my name." —see also Ps 37.37-40.
A mighty storm is about to arrive
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Armageddon is likened in the Bible to a terrible storm. Jeremiah 25:31-33 says: "A noise will certainly come clear to the farthest part of the earth, for there is a controversy that Jehovah has with the nations. He must personally put himself in judgment with all flesh. As regards the wicked ones, he must give them to the sword . . . This is what Jehovah of armies has said, 'Look! A calamity is going forth from nation to nation, and a great tempest itself will be roused up from the remotest parts of the earth. And those slain by Jehovah will certainly come to be in that day from one end of the earth clear to the other end of the earth. They will not be bewailed, neither will they be gathered up or be buried. As manure on the surface of the ground they will become.'" The recent hurricane Katrina (a natural event, not caused by God) that hit the Gulf Coast of the US showed us what one storm can do. The storm Armageddon (hurled by God) will be many times more destructive. Yet we need not fear it at all, IF we are properly prepared, IF we have "evacuated" to the place of safety. Proverbs 3:25, 26 assures us, "You will not need to be afraid of any sudden dreadful thing, nor of the storm upon the wicked ones, because it is coming. For Jehovah himself will prove to be, in effect, your confidence, and he will certainly keep your foot against capture." How can Jehovah be our confidence? The writer had earlier advised (in verses 5-7): "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight. Do not become wise in your own eyes. Fear Jehovah and turn away from bad." Or as Zephaniah 1:14—2:3 says, "The great day of Jehovah is near . . . That day is a day of fury, a day of distress and of anguish, a day of storm and of desolation, a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick gloom, a day of horn and of alarm signal, against the fortified cities and against the high corner towers. And I will cause distress to mankind, and they will certainly walk like blind men; because it is against Jehovah that they have sinned . . . Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them in the day of Jehovah's fury; by the fire of his zeal the whole earth will be devoured, because he will make an extermination, indeed a terrible one, of all the inhabitants of the earth. . . Before the statute gives birth, before the day has passed by just like chaff [blown by the wind], before there comes upon you people the burning anger of Jehovah, . . . seek Jehovah, all you meek of the earth, who have obeyed his legal decisions. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. [Then] you will likely be concealed in the day of Jehovah's anger." —see also Nahum 1.5-7.
Revelation 21:1 says, "I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more." Many believe that this earth will be burned up, completely destroyed. They take 2 Pet 3:10 literally when it says (AV), "the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." —see 2 Pet 3.7-13.
Such vivid expressions are actually rather common in the Bible. By comparing them, we can understand what they mean. In Isaiah chapter 13, we read of God’s day of destruction against the ancient land of Babylon. This was fulfilled when the Medes overthrew Babylon in 539 B.C.E. At that time, it says, "the stars of the heavens [did] not flash forth their light" and "the earth [did] rock out of its place." If that was literal, then where are we now? Similar words were used to describe the day of judgment against ancient Jerusalem (Jeremiah 4.23-28 and Joel 2.1, 10; also Zeph 1.14-18 given above), against the land of Edom (Isaiah 34.1-17), and against Nineveh (Nahum 1.5-6 cited above). All of these were fulfilled long ago, yet earth and sky are still here. How, then, did these come true?
When Babylon fell, the stars that they worshipped as astrologers seemed to have failed them. Their solid "earth", their powerful empire, was suddenly removed. It was likewise a dark day for the wicked Jews when Jerusalem fell. Their "whole earth", their land, was laid desolate for 70 years. Edom was a mountainous country; its cities were "in the heavens." Jehovah’s avenging sword became drenched with blood in those lofty cities. As a kingdom, their land was "burned up". To this day it is inhabited mostly by animals of the desert. Nineveh was destroyed so utterly that it was lost; its ruins were finally rediscovered in the 19th century.
These ancient examples parallel the great destruction immediately in front of us. They help us to understand how "the heavens and earth that are now" come to their end, and how "the stars fall from heaven" at Armageddon. —Matt 24.29, 30, Rev 6.12-15.
Men have navigated by the stars since ancient times, and guided their lives by astrology. They also follow "stars" or leading lights in this world: people of prominence in politics, science and society. But they remain lost, unless they turn to God through his Christ. There is no need for new literal stars or galaxies; God created them to his satisfaction, and they still bring glory to him. (Ps 19.1) But the rulers of this world, like "stars with no set course", are misleading mankind (compare Jude 13). Armageddon will remove them; in that way the "old heavens" perish. Behind human rulers stand Satan and his demons, which Paul calls "the world rulers of this darkness, the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places." (Eph 6.12) These too will be put out of their position of control. The old "heavens" are replaced entirely by the new heavens, a new government, the Kingdom of God.
So the "stars" that are cast to the earth at Armageddon are symbolic stars. After all, literal stars are thousands of times larger than the entire earth. If even one "fell" to the earth, there would be no one left to remark on it! Of course, possibly a tremendous meteor shower will also occur at Armageddon. That would look like the stars were falling.
Likewise, the "earth" that is removed is the seemingly solid, unremovable system of things of this world, its empire. Armageddon will shake it to its foundations and destroy it. Then God will establish a "new earth", a new system of things, a new world, a new society of righteousness and peace. Of course, it is likely that a tremendous literal earthquake will also occur at Armageddon. It would feel like the mountains were being removed.
Some have said that because the Bible uses the expression "new earth", it must mean another planet entirely. Actually, previous prophecies of a "new" earth, already fulfilled*, prove that to be incorrect interpretation. As for something being "made new", remember that we ourselves become a "new man" as Christians. To do this, we put our body to death symbolically, not literally. Likewise, for the earth to be made new, the old earth is removed, or dies, when the wicked world is destroyed. The ground under our feet then becomes blessed instead of cursed, clean instead of unclean. But it’s the same literal dirt the whole time. —see Eph 4.20-24, Col 3.5-10, Gal 5.24; Mal 4.1-3.
For example, the first fulfillment of
Isaiah 65:17-18 occurred in the restoration of the Jewish people to their homeland from out of their exile in Babylon. Compare Isaiah 49:8 and 51:16. Their recovered land was their "new earth", and their regained freedom to worship in a rebuilt temple and to govern themselves (within limits) was their "new heavens."
In his great prophecy of the last days, Jesus said that the good news of the kingdom would be preached in all the earth. Those who are responding to this preaching are no longer confused about God. They are being separated, set apart from this world, and are becoming friends of God. They are coming out of Babylon the Great, and are being gathered together into spiritual unity. No longer are they divided by the confusing Babylonish doctrines of worldly religion. By now, millions have responded in this way. They have come to be truly a "great crowd, which no man could number." Are you among them? —see James 4.4, 7, 8, John 17.16-21, Rev 7.9.
At the same time, another prophecy by Jesus is being fulfilled. Notice Matthew 13:40, 41: "in the conclusion of the system of things, the Son of man will send forth his angels, and they will collect out from his kingdom all things that cause stumbling and persons who are doing lawlessness." So those who are gathered are also sifted and cleansed. They become a united holy people. Anyone who insists on bringing ungodliness into the Christian organization is removed.
The success of the preaching work and the growing prosperity of this spiritual organization angers Satan. Despite all his efforts, he cannot seduce them into disloyalty to God. Although he has worldly governments and clergy "frame trouble by decree" against them, Jehovah protects His people, thwarting or limiting the persecution. —Ps 94.20-23.
Does this mean that we who are gathered to God’s side will be immune from attack in the great tribulation? No. At Ezekiel 38.8-12 we read: "in the final part of the years [Satan and his armies] will come to the land of a people brought back, collected together, dwelling in security. Like a storm [he] will come in...to do much plundering." This is part of God’s plan, for Satan to make this final attack. It is no secret, but Satan cannot help himself. He sees this opportunity opened up before him, he has to know it’s a trap, but he lunges anyway. (Ezek 38.14-16) It is this moment that begins the war of Armageddon. It is with this act that the nations finally begin to, in effect, attack God. Ezekiel provides a graphic description of Jehovah’s response:
"‘And it must occur in that day, in the day when Gog [Satan] comes in upon the soil of Israel,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, ‘that my rage will come up into my nose. And in my ardor, in the fire of my fury, I shall have to speak. Surely in that day a great quaking will occur in the soil of Israel. And because of me the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the wild beasts of the field and all the creeping things that are creeping on the ground and all mankind that are upon the surface of the ground will be bound to shiver, and the mountains will actually be thrown down and the steep ways will have to fall, and to the earth even every wall will fall. And I will call forth against him throughout all my mountainous region a sword,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. ‘Against his own brother the sword of each one will come to be. And I will bring myself into judgment with him, with pestilence and with blood; and a flooding downpour and hailstones, fire and sulphur I shall rain down upon him and upon his bands and upon the many peoples that will be with him. And I shall certainly magnify myself and sanctify myself and make myself known before the eyes of many nations; and they will have to know that I am Jehovah.’" —Ezek 38:18-23.
Proving that this is the same war that is described in Revelation 19.17-21, Ezekiel goes on to say, "On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your bands and the peoples that will be with you. To birds of prey, birds of every sort of wing, and the wild beasts of the field I will give you for food."’ —see 39:1-7, 17-20.
We who are "dwelling in the secret place of the Most High" will not need to defend ourselves (as if we could!). Only with our eyes we will look on and see the retribution against the wicked ones. An event in the days of King Jehoshaphat of Judah prefigures this time. An overwhelming crowd of enemies was gathering to attack. The people prayed and Jehovah answered: "Do not be afraid because of this large crowd; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. You will not need to fight in this instance. Take your position, stand still and see the salvation of Jehovah in your behalf." —see 2 Chron 20:11-13, 15, 17.
Are you afraid? Do not be. If you are sincerely seeking to draw close to Jehovah by active faith in his Son Jesus Christ, you are assured protection. But do not be complacent. This is certainly no time to take it easy, to be trying to carve out a comfortable position in this world for yourself. Paul counsels: "This I say, brothers, the time left is reduced. Henceforth let those who have wives be as though they had none, and also those who weep be as those who do not weep, and those who rejoice as those who do not rejoice, and those who buy as those not possessing, and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full; for the scene of this world is changing." (1 Cor 7:29-31) We cannot expect to live ordinary lives; these are not ordinary times. In all we do, in all the choices we make, we have to keep the nearness of the end in mind. Has this knowledge begun to affect your course in life?
Imagine, now, that the terrible war is over. Imagine yourself, going out on the first morning after....
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Revelation 12:9
So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.
Revelation 19:11-16
I saw the heaven opened, and, look! a white horse! The one seated upon it is called Faithful and True, and he judges and carries on war in righteousness. His eyes are a fiery flame, and upon his head are many diadems. He has a name written that no one knows but he himself, and he is arrayed with an outer garment sprinkled with blood, and the name he is called is The Word of God. Also, the armies that were in heaven were following him on white horses, and they were clothed in white, clean, fine linen. Out of his mouth there projects a sharp long sword, that he may strike the nations with it, and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron. He treads too the winepress of the anger of the wrath of God the Almighty. And upon his outer garment, even upon his thigh, he has a name written, "King of kings and Lord of lords."
Revelation 19:17-21
I saw also an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice to all the birds that fly in the sky: "Come here, be gathered together to the great evening meal of God, that you may eat the flesh of kings and military commanders and strong men, the flesh of horses and of those seated upon them, even the flesh of all, of freemen as well as of slaves, of small ones and great." And I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage the war with the one seated on the horse and with his army. And the wild beast was caught, and along with it the false prophet that performed in front of it the signs with which he misled those who received the mark of the wild beast and those who render worship to its image. While still alive, they both were hurled into the fiery lake that burns with sulphur. But the rest were killed off with the long sword of the one seated on the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth. And all the birds were filled with the flesh of them.
Revelation 6:12-17
I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and a great earthquake occurred; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the entire moon became as blood, and the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as when a fig tree shaken by a high wind casts its unripe figs. And the heaven departed as a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island were removed from their places. And the kings of the earth and the top-ranking ones and the military commanders and the rich and the strong ones and every slave and free person hid themselves in the caves and in the rock-masses of the mountains. And they keep saying to the mountains and to the rock-masses: "Fall over us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"
Psalm 2
Why have the nations been in tumult
And the national groups themselves kept muttering an empty thing?
The kings of earth take their stand
And high officials themselves have massed together as one
Against Jehovah and against his anointed one,
Saying: "Let us tear their bands apart
And cast their cords away from us!"
The very One sitting in the heavens will laugh;
Jehovah himself will hold them in derision.
At that time he will speak to them in his anger
And in his hot displeasure he will disturb them,
Saying: "I, even I, have installed my king
Upon Zion, my holy mountain."
Let me refer to the decree of Jehovah;
He has said to me: "You are my son;
I, today, I have become your father.
Ask of me, that I may give nations as your inheritance
And the ends of the earth as your own possession.
You will break them with an iron scepter,
As though a potter’s vessel you will dash them to pieces."
And now, O kings, exercise insight;
Let yourselves be corrected, O judges of the earth.
Serve Jehovah with fear
And be joyful with trembling.
Kiss the son, that He may not become incensed
And you may not perish from the way,
For his anger flares up easily.
Happy are all those taking refuge in him.
Romans 1:18-32
For God’s wrath is being revealed from heaven against all irreverence and wickedness of men who are [deliberately] suppressing the truth, because what may be known about God is clearly visible to them, for God made it manifest to them. For the unseen things of God are clearly perceptible from the world’s creation onward; his eternal power and Godship are manifest by the things [he has] made, so that they are inexcusable. Although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God nor did they thank him, but they became empty-headed in their reasonings and their unintelligent heart became darkened. Although asserting they were wise, they became foolish and turned the glory of the incorruptible God into something like the image of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed creatures and creeping things. Therefore God, in keeping with the desires of their hearts, gave them up to uncleanness, that their bodies might be dishonored among them, even those who exchanged the truth of God for the lie and venerated and rendered sacred service to the creation rather than the One who created, who is blessed forever. Amen. That is why God gave them up to disgraceful sexual appetites, for both their females changed the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature, and likewise the males left the natural use of the female and became violently inflamed in their lust toward one another, males with males, working what is obscene and receiving in themselves the full recompense, which was due for their error. And just as they did not approve of holding God in accurate knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mental state, to do the things not fitting, filled as they were with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, badness, being full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malicious disposition, being [hateful] whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, insolent, haughty, self-assuming, inventors of injurious things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, false to agreements, having no natural affection, merciless. Although these know full well the righteous decree of God, that those practicing such things are deserving of death, they not only keep on doing them but also consent with those practicing them.
Jeremiah 5.7-9
How can I forgive you for this very thing? Your own sons have left me, and they keep swearing by what is no God. And I kept satisfying them, but they continued committing adultery, and to the house of a prostitute woman they go in troops. Horses seized with sexual heat, having strong testicles, they have become. They neigh each one to the wife of his companion. "Should I not take an accounting because of these very things?" is the utterance of Jehovah. "Or upon a nation that is like this should not my soul avenge itself?"
Jeremiah 5:29-31
"Should I not hold an accounting because of these very things," is the utterance of Jehovah, "or on a nation that is like this should not my soul avenge itself? An astonishing situation, even a horrible thing, has been brought to be in the land: The prophets themselves actually prophesy in falsehood; and as for the priests, they go subduing according to their powers. And my own people have loved it that way; and what will you men do in the finale of it?"
Jeremiah 6:13-14
"For from the least one of them even to the greatest one of them, every one is making for himself unjust gain; and from the prophet even to the priest, each one is acting falsely. And they try to heal the breakdown of my people lightly, saying, ‘There is peace! There is peace!’ when there is no peace."
Isaiah 5.20-23,
Woe to those who are saying that good is bad and bad is good, those who are putting darkness for light and light for darkness, those who are putting bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those wise in their own eyes and discreet even in front of their own faces! Woe to those who are mighty in drinking wine, and to the men with vital energy for mixing intoxicating liquor, those who are pronouncing the wicked one righteous in consideration of a bribe, and who take away even the righteousness of the righteous one from him!
Isa 30.9-11
For it is a rebellious people, untruthful sons, sons who have been unwilling to hear the law of Jehovah; who have said to the ones seeing, "you must not see," and to the ones having visions, "you must not envision for us any straightforward things. Speak to us smooth things; envision deceptive things. Turn aside from the way; deviate from the path. Cause the Holy One of Israel to cease just on account of us."
2 Chronicles 36.15, 16
And Jehovah the God of their forefathers kept sending against them by means of his messengers, sending again and again, because he felt compassion for his people and for his dwelling. But they were continually making jest at the messengers of the true God and despising his words and mocking at his prophets, until the rage of Jehovah came up against his people, until there was no healing.
Proverbs 1.24-33
Because I have called out but you keep refusing, I have stretched out my hand but there is no one paying attention, and you keep neglecting all my counsel, and my reproof you have not accepted, I also, for my part, shall laugh at your own disaster, I shall mock when what you dread comes, when what you dread comes just like a storm, and your own disaster gets here just like a storm wind, when distress and hard times come upon you. At that time they will keep calling me, but I shall not answer; they will keep looking for me, but they will not find me, for the reason that they hated knowledge, and the fear of Jehovah they did not choose. They did not consent to my counsel; they disrespected all my reproof. So they will eat from the fruitage of their way, and they will be glutted with their own counsels. For the renegading of the inexperienced ones is what will kill them, and the easygoingness of the stupid is what will destroy them. As for the one listening to me, he will reside in security and be undisturbed from dread of calamity.
Ezek 18.30-32
Therefore each one according to his ways is how I shall judge you, O house of Israel, is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. Turn back, yes, cause a turning back from all your transgressions, and let nothing prove to be for you people a stumbling block causing error. Throw off from yourselves all your transgressions and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit, for why should you die, O house of Israel? For I do not take any delight in the death of someone dying, is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. So cause a turning back and keep living, O you people.
Jer 25.31-33
A noise will certainly come clear to the farthest part of the earth, for there is a controversy that Jehovah has with the nations. He must personally put himself in judgment with all flesh. As regards the wicked ones, he must give them to the sword: this is the utterance of Jehovah. This is what Jehovah of armies has said, "Look! A calamity is going forth from nation to nation, and a great tempest itself will be roused up from the remotest parts of the earth. And those slain by Jehovah will certainly come to be in that day from one end of the earth clear to the other end of the earth. They will not be bewailed, neither will they be gathered up or be buried. As manure on the surface of the ground they will become."
2 Thess 1.6-10
It is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you, but, to you who suffer tribulation, relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance upon those who do not know God* and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength, at the time he comes to be glorified in connection with his holy ones and to be regarded in that day with wonder in connection with all those who exercised faith, because the witness we gave met with faith among you."
*not a case of being innocently unaware, this means those who refuse to learn, who stubbornly cling to misinformation, and whose behavior betrays that they do not respect God . Compare Jeremiah 10:25: "pour out your rage on the nations that have ignored you." and 1 John 4:8: "He that does not love has not come to know God, because God is love." and Titus 1:16: "They publicly declare they know God, but they disown him by their works."
Jeremiah 8:9, 11
The wise ones have become ashamed. They have become terrified and will be caught. Look! They have rejected the very word of Jehovah, and what wisdom do they have? . . . And they try to heal the breakdown of the daughter of my people lightly, saying: "There is peace! There is peace!" when there is no peace.
Revelation chapter 13:
It stood still upon the sand of the sea: I saw a wild beast ascending out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, and upon its horns ten diadems, but upon its heads blasphemous names. Now the wild beast that I saw was like a leopard, but its feet were as those of a bear, and its mouth was as a lion’s mouth. And the dragon gave it its power and its throne and great authority. And I saw one of its heads as though slaughtered to death, but its death-stroke got healed, and all the earth followed the wild beast with admiration. They worshiped the dragon because it gave the authority to the wild beast, and they worshiped the wild beast with the words: "Who is like the wild beast, and who can do battle with it?" A mouth speaking great things and blasphemies was given it, and authority to act forty-two months was given it.
And it opened its mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name and his residence, even those residing in heaven. It was allowed to wage war with the holy ones and conquer them, and authority was given it over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. All those who dwell on the earth will worship it; the name of not one of them stands written in the scroll of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered, from the founding of the world. If anyone has an ear, let him hear. If anyone [is meant] for captivity, he goes away into captivity. If anyone will kill with the sword, he must be killed with the sword. Here is the endurance and faith of the holy ones.
11 And I saw another wild beast ascending out of the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb, but it began speaking as a dragon, and it exercises all the authority of the first wild beast in its sight. It makes the earth and those who dwell in it worship the first wild beast, whose death-stroke got healed, and it performs great signs, so that it should even make fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the sight of mankind. It misleads those who dwell on the earth, because of the signs that were given it to perform in the sight of the wild beast, while it tells those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the wild beast that had the sword-stroke and yet revived. It was given [power] to give breath to the image of the wild beast, so that the image of the wild beast should both speak and cause to be killed all those who would not in any way worship the image of the wild beast. 16 And it compels all persons, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the slaves, that there should be given to these a mark in their right hand or upon their forehead, so that nobody would be able to buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name. Here is where wisdom comes in: Let the one that has intelligence calculate the number of the wild beast, for it is a man’s number; and its number is six hundred and sixty-six.
Daniel chapter 7:
I happened to be seeing in my visions during the night, and, see there! the four winds of the heavens were stirring up the vast sea. Four huge beasts were coming up out of the sea, each one being different from the others. The first one was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I kept on seeing until its wings were plucked out, and it was lifted up from the earth and was made to stand up on two feet just like a man, and there was given to it the heart of a man. And, see there! another beast, a second one, it being like a bear. And on one side it was raised up, and there were three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and this is what they were saying to it, ‘Get up, eat much flesh.’ After this I kept on seeing, and, see there! another [beast], one like a leopard, but it had four wings of a flying creature on its back. And the beast had four heads, and there was given to it rulership indeed. After this I kept on seeing in the visions of the night, and, see there! a fourth beast, fearsome and terrible and unusually strong. It had teeth of iron, big ones. It was devouring and crushing, and what was left it was treading down with its feet. It was something different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I kept on considering the horns, and, look! another horn, a small one, came up in among them, and there were three of the first horns that were plucked up from before it. Look! there were eyes like the eyes of a man in this horn, and there was a mouth speaking grandiose things. I kept on seeing until there were thrones placed and the Ancient of Days sat down. His clothing was white just like snow, and the hair of his head was like clean [white] wool. His throne was flames of fire; its wheels were a burning fire. There was a stream of fire flowing and going out from before him. There were a thousand thousands that kept ministering to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand that kept standing right before him. The Court took its seat, and there were books that were opened. I kept on seeing at that time because of the sound of the grandiose words that the horn was speaking; I kept on seeing until the beast was killed and its body was destroyed and it was given to the burning fire. But as for the rest of the beasts, their rulerships were [or, had been] taken away, and there was [or, had been] a lengthening in life given to them for a time and a season.
I kept on seeing in the visions of the night, and, see there! with the clouds of the heavens someone like a son of man was coming; to the Ancient of Days he gained access, and they brought him up close even before that One. To him were given rulership and dignity and kingdom, that the peoples, national groups and languages should all serve even him. His rulership is an indefinitely lasting rulership that will not pass away, and his kingdom one that will never be ruined.
As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within on account of it, and the visions of my head began to frighten me. [So] I went up close to one of those who were standing, that I might request from him reliable information on all this. And he said to me, as he went on to make known to me the interpretation of the matters, 17 "As for these huge beasts, because they are four, there are four kings that will stand up from the earth. But the holy ones of the Supreme One will receive the kingdom, and they will take possession of the kingdom for time indefinite, even for time indefinite upon times indefinite."
Then I asked about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, extraordinarily fearsome, its teeth being of iron and its claws being of bronze, which was devouring and crushing, and which was treading down even what was left with its feet; and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three fell, even that horn that had eyes and a mouth speaking grandiose things and the appearance of which was bigger than that of its fellows. And I had kept on seeing when that horn made war upon the holy ones, and it was prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came and judgment itself was given in favor of the holy ones of the Supreme One, and the definite time arrived that the holy ones took possession of the kingdom itself.
23 This is what he answered: "As for the fourth beast, there is a fourth kingdom that will come to be on the earth that will be different from all the other kingdoms; and it will devour all the earth and will trample it down and crush it. As for the ten horns, out of that kingdom there are ten kings that will rise up; and still another one will rise up after them. He will be different from the first ones, and three kings he will humiliate. He will speak words even against the Most High, and he will harass continually the holy ones of the Supreme One. He will intend to change times and law, and they will be given into his hand for a time, and times and half a time.* And the Court itself proceeded to sit, and his rulership they finally took away, in order to annihilate him and to destroy him totally. And the kingdom and the rulership and the grandeur of the kingdoms under all the heavens were given to the people who are the holy ones of the Supreme One. Their kingdom is an indefinitely lasting kingdom, and all the rulerships will serve and obey even them."
Up to this point is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my own thoughts kept frightening me a great deal, so that my very complexion changed in me; but the matter itself I kept in my own heart.
*This is the same as the "42 months" of Rev 13; this is 3-1/2 years, or one year ('time') plus 2 years ('times') plus half a year ('half a time'). Perhaps symbolic, or possibly a literal 42 months.
Acts 4:18-27
With that they called them and charged them, nowhere to say anything or to teach about the name of Jesus. But in reply Peter and John said to them: "Whether it is righteous in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves. But as for us, we cannot stop speaking about the things we have seen and heard." So, when they had further threatened them, they released them, since they did not find any ground on which to punish them and on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God over what had occurred; for the man upon whom this sign of healing had occurred was more than forty years old.
After being released they went to their own people and reported what things the chief priests and the older men had said to them. Upon hearing this they with one accord raised their voices to God and said: "Sovereign Lord, you are the One who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them, and who through holy spirit said by the mouth of our forefather David, your servant, ‘Why did nations become tumultuous and peoples meditate upon empty things? The kings of the earth took their stand and the rulers massed together as one against Jehovah and against his anointed one.’ It has come true: both Herod and Pontius Pilate with [men of] nations and with peoples of Israel were in actuality gathered together in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed."
Acts 5:27-30
So they brought them and stood them in the Sanhedrin hall. And the high priest questioned them and said: "We positively ordered you not to keep teaching upon the basis of this name, and yet, look! you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring the blood of this man upon us." In answer Peter and the other apostles said: "We must obey God as ruler rather than men. The God of our forefathers has raised up Jesus, the very one you killed by hanging him upon a post."
Rom 13.1-7
Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative position by God. Therefore he who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will receive judgment to themselves. For those ruling are an object of fear, not to the good deed, but to the bad. Do you, then, want to have no fear of the authority? Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it; for it is God’s minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear: for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword; for it is God’s minister, an avenger to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad. There is therefore compelling reason for you people to be in subjection, not only on account of that wrath but also on account of conscience. For that is why you are also paying taxes; for they are God’s public servants constantly serving this very purpose. Render to all their dues, to him who calls for the tax, the tax; to him who calls for the tribute [a form of tax], the tribute; to him who calls for fear, [due] fear; to him who calls for honor, [due] honor.
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Eccl 5.4-6
Whenever you vow a vow to God, do not hesitate to pay it, for there is no delight in the stupid ones. What you vow, pay. Better is it that you vow not than that you vow and do not pay. Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin, neither say before the angel that it was a mistake. Why should the true God become indignant on account of your voice and have to wreck the work of your hands?
Rev 13.16-18: also presented previously.
Revelation Chapters 17 and 18:
And one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls came and spoke to me, saying: "Come, I will show you the judgment upon the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, while those who inhabit the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication." And he carried me away by spirit into a wilderness, and I saw there a woman, sitting upon a scarlet-colored wild beast full of blasphemous names, which had seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was adorned with gold and jewels and pearls and she had in her hand a golden cup full of disgusting things and the unclean things of her fornication. Upon her forehead was written a name, a mystery: "Babylon the Great, the mother of the harlots and of the disgusting things of the earth." And I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the holy ones and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. Well, on seeing her I wondered very much. So the angel said to me: "Why is it you wondered? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the wild beast that is carrying her, which has the seven heads and ten horns: The wild beast that you saw was, but is not, and yet is about to ascend out of the abyss, and it is to go off into destruction. And when they see how the wild beast was, but is not, and yet will be present, those who dwell on the earth will wonder admiringly, but their names have not been written upon the scroll of life from the founding of the world. Here is where intelligent wisdom comes in: The seven heads mean seven mountains, where the woman sits on top. And there are seven kings: five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet arrived, but when he does arrive he must remain a short while. And the wild beast that was but is not, it is also itself an eighth [king], which springs from the seven, and it goes off into destruction. The ten horns that you saw mean ten kings, who have not yet received a kingdom, but they do receive authority as kings one hour with the wild beast. These come to agree to give their power and authority to the wild beast. They will battle with the Lamb, but, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, the Lamb will conquer them. Also, those called and chosen and faithful with him [will do so]." Then he said to me: "The waters you saw, where the harlot is sitting, mean peoples and crowds and nations and tongues. And the ten horns you saw, and the wild beast, these will hate the harlot and will devastate and strip her and eat up her flesh and completely burn her with fire. For God put it into their hearts to do this, even to agree to give their kingdom to the wild beast, until the words of God will have been accomplished. And the woman whom you saw means the great city that has a kingdom over the kings of the earth."
Revelation 18
After these things I saw another angel descending from heaven, with great authority; the earth was lit up by his glory. With a strong voice he proclaimed "She has fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen, and she has become a dwelling place of demons and a lurking place of every unclean spirit and of every unclean and hated fowl! For all the nations have become drunk because of the wine of the ardor of her fornication, and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the traveling merchants of the earth became rich due to the power of her shameless luxury."
Then I heard another voice out of heaven say: "Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, if you do not want to receive part of her plagues. For her sins have added up all the way to heaven, and her unjust deeds God has remembered. Do to her just as she herself did [to others], yes, do to her twice as much, twice the number of the things she did; in the cup in which she put a mixture put twice as much of the mixture for her. To the extent that she glorified herself and lived in unlimited luxury, to that extent give her torment and mourning. For in her heart she keeps saying, ‘I sit a queen, and I am no widow, and I shall never see mourning.’ That is why in one day her plagues will come, death and mourning and famine, and she will be completely burned with fire, because Jehovah God, who judged her, is strong.
And the kings of the earth who fornicated with her and lived in unlimited luxury will weep and beat themselves in grief over her, when they look at the smoke of her burning, while they stand at a distance because of their fear of her torment* and say, ‘Too bad, too bad, you great city, Babylon you strong city, because in one hour your judgment has arrived!’
Also, the traveling merchants of the earth are weeping and mourning over her, because there is no one to buy their full stock anymore, a full stock of gold and silver and jewels and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet; and everything in scented wood and every sort of ivory object and every sort of object out of most precious wood and of copper and of iron and of marble; also cinnamon and Indian spice, incense and perfumed oil and frankincense, wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep and horses and coaches, and bodies and souls of men. Yes, the fine fruit that your soul desired has departed from you, and all the dainty things and the gorgeous things have perished from you, and never again will people find them. The traveling merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of [their] fear of her torment and will weep and mourn, saying, ‘Too bad, too bad—the great city, clothed with fine linen and purple and scarlet, and richly adorned with gold ornament and precious stone and pearl, because in one hour so much wealth has been devastated!’2
And every ship captain and every man that voyages anywhere, and sailors and all those who make a living by the sea, stood at a distance and cried out as they looked at the smoke of her burning and said, ‘What city is like the great city?’ And they threw dust upon their heads and cried out, weeping and mourning, and said, ‘Too bad, too bad—the great city, in which all those having boats at sea became rich by her costliness, because in one hour she has been devastated!’
Be glad over her, O heaven, also you holy ones and you apostles and you prophets, because God has exacted punishment from her for you!"
And a strong angel lifted up a stone like a great millstone and hurled it into the sea, saying: "Just like this, with violent speed Babylon the great city will be thrown down, and she will never be found again. The sound of singers with harps, of musicians and flutists and trumpeters will never be heard in you again, and no craftsman of any trade will ever be found in you again, and no sound of a millstone will ever be heard in you again; no light of a lamp will ever shine in you again, and no voice of a bridegroom and bride will ever be heard in you again; because those who sold your wares were the foremost men of the earth, and by your spells3 [lit, pharmakia] all the nations were led astray. Yes, in her was found the blood of prophets and of holy ones, even of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth."
*This refers to the horrifyingly violent destruction; it is not an eternal experience of one who cannot perish.
2Notice what hurts the merchants' hearts: all that merchandise burnt up.
3that is, her employment of psychoactive potions. In those days inseparably linked to incantations and spells and appeals to spirit powers. So this can also be translated "spiritism".
Gen 11.1-9
Now all the earth was of one language and of one set of words. And it came about that as they explored eastward they discovered a valley plain in the land of Shinar [now southern Iraq], and they took up dwelling there. And they began to say, each one to the other: "Come on! Let us make bricks and bake them with a burning process." So brick served as stone for them, and bitumen served as mortar for them. They now said: "Come on! Let us build ourselves a city and also a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a celebrated name for ourselves, for fear we may be scattered over all the surface of the earth." Then Jehovah looked down on the city and the tower that the sons of men had built, and Jehovah said: "See this, that they are one people and there is one language for them all, and this is what they start to do. Why, now there is nothing that they may have in mind to do that will be unattainable for them. Come now! Let us go down and confuse their language, that they may not understand one another." With that Jehovah scattered them from there over all the surface of the earth, and they gradually left off building the city. That is why its name was called Babel, because there Jehovah had confused the language of all the earth, and Jehovah had scattered them from there over all the surface of the earth.
Note, this does not mean God is the author of all confusion, religious, political, social or otherwise. This was simply a practical means of preventing mankind from developing modern destructive technology far too soon (we do not know what they were able to do before the Flood, but that four men could build that ark makes one wonder). In some ways, having many languages is a blessing, in that it creates a variety of cultures and music. That it also makes prejudice, xenophobia, discrimination and war easier is man's fault, not God's.
Isa 54.5-7
Your Grand Maker is your husbandly owner, Jehovah of armies being his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Repurchaser. The God of the whole earth he will be called. For Jehovah called you as if you were a wife left entirely and hurt in spirit, and as a wife of the time of youth who was then rejected, your God has said. For a little moment I left you entirely, but with great mercies I shall collect you together.
Isaiah 54:11-13
O woman afflicted, tempest-tossed, uncomforted, here I am laying with hard mortar your stones, and I will lay your foundation with sapphires. And I will make your battlements of rubies, and your gates of fiery glowing stones, and all your boundaries of delightsome stones. And all your sons will be persons taught by Jehovah, and the peace of your sons will be abundant.
1 John 3:10
The children of God and the children of the Devil are evident by this fact: Everyone who does not carry on righteousness does not originate with God, neither does he who does not love his brother.
Matthew 5:44, 45
I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you, that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens . . .
Hosea 9:1
"Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou has gone a-whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor."
Genesis 19:12-17
Then the men [the angels who appeared as men] said to Lot: "Do you have anyone else here? Son-in-law and your sons and your daughters and all who are yours in the city, bring out of the place! For we are bringing this place to ruin, because the outcry against them has grown loud before Jehovah, so that Jehovah sent us to bring the city to ruin." So Lot went out and began to speak to his [engaged] sons-in-law who were to take his daughters, and he kept on saying: "Get up! Get out of this place, because Jehovah is bringing the city to ruin!" But in their eyes he seemed like a man who was joking. Then as the dawn came up, the angels became urgent with Lot, saying: "Get up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are found here, for fear you may be swept away in the error of the city!" When he kept lingering, in the compassion of Jehovah upon him they seized hold of his hand and of the hand of his wife and of the hands of his two daughters and they proceeded to bring him out and station him outside the city. And it came about that, as soon as they had brought them forth to the outskirts, one began to say: "Escape for your soul! Do not look behind you and do not stand still in all the District! Escape to the mountainous region for fear you may be swept away!" . . . . vss 23-26: The sun had gone forth over the land when Lot arrived at Zoar. Then Jehovah made it rain sulphur and fire from Jehovah, from the heavens, upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah. So he went ahead overthrowing these cities, even the entire District: all the inhabitants of the cities, and devastating the vegetation as well. And Lot's wife began to look around from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Luke 17.28-33
Likewise, just as it occurred in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building. But on the day that Lot came out of Sodom it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed them all. The same way it will be on that day when the Son of man is to be revealed. On that day let the person that is on the housetop but whose movable things are in the house not come down to pick these up, and the person out in the field, let him likewise not return to the things behind. REMEMBER the wife of Lot! Whoever seeks to keep his soul safe for himself will lose it, but whoever loses it will preserve it alive.
What action Jesus is here recommending? Where indeed would a person run, with or without baggage, if the whole sky was falling? In truth, the correct application is spiritual and immediate, not for a future day: do not let anything in this world slow you down or cause a delay, act now to listen to God and obey him, for at any moment it may be too late. Do not linger and do not look back. Today that doesn't have to mean physical relocation, as in Lot's case. But you may have to "move" quite a way to change who you have been to who you should be. And there may be places you used to frequent that you must abandon. In our discussion, that includes "Babylon the Great", corrupt, idolatrous, self-indulgent, spellbinding false religion.
Ezek 9.4-6
Jehovah went on to say to him: "Pass through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and you must put a mark on the foreheads of the men that are sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done in the midst of it." And to these [others] I heard him say: "Pass through the city after him and strike. Let not your eye feel sorry, and do not feel any compassion. Old man, young man and virgin and little child and women you should kill off— to a ruination. But to any man upon whom there is the mark do not go near, and from my sanctuary you should start." So they started with the old men that were before the house.
John 8.32
You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
James 2.14
Of what benefit is it, my brothers, if a certain one says he has faith but he does not have works? That faith cannot save him, can it?
Rev 13.8
All those who dwell on the earth will worship it [the wild beast that rules the world]; the name of not one of them stands written in the scroll of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered, from the founding of the world.
Ps 37.37-40
Watch the blameless one and keep the upright one in sight,
For the future of that man will be peaceful.
But the transgressors themselves will certainly be annihilated together;
The future of wicked people will indeed be cut off.
The salvation of the righteous ones is from Jehovah;
He is their fortress in the time of distress.
Jehovah will help them and provide them with escape.
He will provide them with escape from wicked people and save them,
Because they have taken refuge in him.
Nahum 1.5-7
Mountains themselves have rocked because of him, and the very hills found themselves melting. And the earth will be upheaved because of his face; the productive land also, and all those dwelling in it. In the face of his denunciation who can stand? And who can rise up against the heat of his anger? His own rage will certainly be poured out like fire, and the very rocks will actually be pulled down because of him. Jehovah is good, a stronghold in the day of distress. And he is cognizant of those seeking refuge in him.
2 Pet 3.7-13
But by the same word the heavens and the earth that are now, are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men. However, let this one fact not be escaping your notice, beloved ones, that one day is with Jehovah as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. So Jehovah is not slow respecting his promise, as some people see it; rather, he is patient with you because he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance. Even so, the day of Jehovah will come like a thief, and in that day the heavens will pass away with a hissing noise, and the component parts [of this world] being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be laid bare [by the fire].
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, awaiting and anticipating the presence of the day of Jehovah, by which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved and the component parts being intensely hot will melt! But we are waiting for a new heavens and a new earth, according to his promise; in these, righteousness is to dwell.
Isaiah chapter 13
The pronouncement against Babylon that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw in vision: ". . . 4 Listen! A crowd in the mountains, something like a numerous people! Listen! The uproar of kingdoms, of nations gathered together! Jehovah of armies is mustering the army of war. 5 They are coming from the land far away, from the extremity of the heavens, Jehovah and the weapons of his denunciation, to wreck all the earth. 6 Howl, you people, for the day of Jehovah is near! As a despoiling from the Almighty it will come. 7 That is why all hands themselves will drop down, and the whole heart itself of mortal man will melt. 8 . . . 9 Look! The day of Jehovah itself is coming, cruel both with fury and with burning anger, in order to make the land an object of astonishment, that it may annihilate the sinners out of it. 10 For the very stars of the heavens and their constellations of Kesil will not flash forth their light; the sun will actually grow dark at its going forth, and the moon itself will not cause its light to shine. 11 And I shall certainly bring home [its own] badness upon the land, and their own error upon the wicked themselves. And I shall actually cause the pride of the presumptuous ones to cease, and the haughtiness of the tyrants I shall abase. 12 I shall make mortal man rarer than refined gold, and earthling man [rarer] than the gold of Ophir. 13 That is why I shall cause heaven itself to become agitated, and the earth will rock out of its place at the fury of Jehovah of armies and at the day of his burning anger. 14 And it must occur that, like a gazelle chased away and like a flock without anyone to collect them together, they will turn, each one to his own people; and they will flee, each one to his own land. 15 Every one that is found will be pierced through, and every one that is caught in the sweep will fall by the sword; 16 and their very children will be dashed to pieces before their eyes. Their houses will be pillaged, and their own wives will be raped. 17 Here I am arousing against them [the Babylonians] the Medes, who account silver itself as nothing and who take no delight in gold. 18 And [their] bows will dash even young men to pieces. And the fruitage of the belly they will not pity; for sons their eye will not feel sorry. 19 And Babylon, the decoration of kingdoms, the beauty of the pride of the Chaldeans, must become as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20 She will never be inhabited, nor will she reside for generation after generation. There the Arab will not pitch his tent, and no shepherds will let their flocks lie down there. 21 And there the haunters of waterless regions will lie down, and their houses must be filled with eagle owls. And there the ostriches must reside . . . 22 And jackals must howl in her dwelling towers, and the big snake will be in the palaces of exquisite delight. And the season for her is near to come, and her days themselves will not be postponed."
Jeremiah 4.23-28
I saw the land, and, look! it was empty and waste; and into the heavens, and their light was no more. 24 I saw the mountains, and, look! they were rocking, and the hills themselves were all given a shaking. 25 I saw, and, look! there was not an earthling man, and the flying creatures of the heavens had all fled. 26 I saw, and, look! the orchard itself was a wilderness, and the very cities of it had all been torn down. It was because of Jehovah, because of his burning anger. 27 For this is what Jehovah has said: "A desolate waste is what the whole land will become, and shall I not carry out a sheer extermination? 28 On this account the land will mourn, and the heavens above will certainly become dark. It is because I have spoken, I have considered, and I have not felt regret, nor shall I turn back from it."
Joel 2.1, 10
Blow a horn in Zion, O men, and shout a war cry in my holy mountain. Let all the inhabitants of the land get agitated; for the day of Jehovah is coming, for it is near! . . . 10 Before it the land has become agitated, the heavens have rocked. Sun and moon themselves have become dark, and the very stars have withdrawn their brightness.
Isaiah 34.1-17
Come up close, you nations, to hear; and you national groups, pay attention. Let the earth and that which fills it listen, the productive land and all its produce. 2 For Jehovah has indignation against all the nations, and rage against all their army. He must devote them to destruction; he must give them to the slaughter. 3 And their slain ones will be thrown out; and as for their carcasses, their stink will ascend; and the mountains must melt because of their blood. 4 And all those of the army of the heavens must rot away. And the heavens must be rolled up, just like a book scroll; and their army will all shrivel away, just as the leafage shrivels off the vine and like a shriveled fig off the fig tree. 5 For in the heavens my sword will certainly be drenched. Look! Upon Edom it will descend, and upon the people devoted by me to destruction in justice. 6 Jehovah has a sword; it must be filled with blood; it must be made greasy with the fat, with the blood of young rams and he-goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For Jehovah has a sacrifice in Bozrah [an Edomite city], and a great slaughtering in the land of Edom. 7 And the wild bulls must come down with them, and young bulls with the powerful ones; and their land must be drenched with blood, and their very dust will be made greasy with the fat. 8 For Jehovah has a day of vengeance, a year of retributions for the legal case over Zion. 9 And her streams must be changed into pitch, and her dust into sulphur; and her land must become as burning pitch. 10 By night or by day it will not be extinguished; to time indefinite its smoke will keep ascending. From generation to generation she will be parched; forever and ever no one will be passing across her. 11 And the pelican and the porcupine must take possession of her, and long-eared owls and ravens themselves will reside in her; and he must stretch out over her the measuring line of emptiness and the stones of wasteness. 12 Her nobles—there are none there they will call to the kingship, and her very princes will all become nothing. 13 On her dwelling towers thorns must come up, nettles and thorny weeds in her fortified places; and she must become an abiding place of jackals, the courtyard for the ostriches. 14 And haunters of waterless regions must meet up with howling animals, and even the goat-shaped "demon" [an animal] will call to its companion. Yes, there the nightjar will certainly take its ease and find for itself a resting-place. . . 17 . . . To time indefinite they will take possession of it; for generation after generation they will reside in it."
Matt 24.29, 30
(Matthew 24:29-30) Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Rev 6.12-15
I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and a great earthquake occurred; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the entire moon became as blood, 13 and the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as when a fig tree shaken by a high wind casts its unripe figs. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and every island were removed from their places. 15 And the kings of the earth and the top-ranking ones and the military commanders and the rich and the strong ones and every slave and every free person hid themselves in the caves and in the rock-masses of the mountains.
Ps 19.1
The heavens are declaring the glory of God;
of the work of his hands the expanse is telling.
Jude 13
[Referring to wicked men who slipped covertly into the congregation to corrupt it] they are like "wild waves of the sea that foam up their own causes for shame; stars with no set course, for which the blackness of darkness stands reserved forever."
Isaiah 65:17-18
For here I am creating new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart. But exult, you people, and be joyful forever in what I am creating. For here I am creating Jerusalem a cause for joyfulness and her people a cause for exultation.
Isaiah 49:8
This is what Jehovah has said: "In a time of goodwill I have answered you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you; and I kept safeguarding you that I might give you as a covenant for the people, to rehabilitate the land, to bring about the repossessing of the desolated hereditary possessions."
Isaiah 51:16
I shall put my words in your mouth, and with the shadow of my hand I shall certainly cover you, in order to plant the heavens and lay the foundation of the earth and say to Zion, "You are my people."
Eph 4.20-24
. . . You heard [Christ] and were taught by him . . . that you should put off your old self [lit, old man], according to your former course of conduct, which was corrupt with seductive desires; and you should be made new in the spirit motivating your mind, and should put on the new self [lit, new man] according to God's will, which is created in true righteousness and loyalty.
Col 3.5-10
Deaden, therefore, your earthly flesh as to fornication, uncleanness, lust, hurtful desire, and greed, which is idolatry. On account of such things the wrath of God is coming. In those very things you too once walked when you used to live in them. But now really put them all away from you: remove wrath, anger, badness, blasphemy, and vulgar speech from your mouth. Do not be lying to one another. Strip off the old person with its behavior, and clothe yourselves with the new, which with [accurate] knowledge is being made new in the the image of the One who created it.
Gal 5.24
Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and desires.
Mal 4.1-3
For, look! the day is coming that is burning like the furnace, and all the presumptuous ones and all those doing wickedness must become as stubble. And the day that is coming will certainly devour them, Jehovah of armies has said, So that it will not leave to them either root or bough. And to you who are in fear of my name the sun of righteousness will certainly shine forth, with healing in its wings; and you will actually go forth and paw the ground like fattened calves. And you people will certainly tread down the wicked ones, for they will become as powder under the soles of your feet in the day on which I am acting, Jehovah of armies has said.
Note here that the fire consumes the wicked, not the ground.
James 4.4, 7, 8
Adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, would be a friend of the world is making himself an enemy of God. . . 7 Therefore subject yourselves to God, but oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you indecisive ones.
John 17.16-21
[Jesus prayed:] "They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world. Make them holy by means of the truth; your word is truth. Just as you sent me forth into the world, I also sent them forth into the world. . . . I make request, not only for these, but also for those who will put faith in me through their word; in order that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are one with me and I am one with you, that they also may be one with us, in order that the world may believe that you sent me forth.
Rev 7.9
After these things I saw, look! a great crowd which no man was able to count, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were dressed in white robes, and they had palm branches in their hands.
Ps 94.20-23
Will the throne causing adversities be allied with you
While it is framing trouble by decree?
They make sharp attacks on the soul of the righteous one
And pronounce wicked even the blood of the innocent one.
But Jehovah will become a secure height for me,
And my God the rock of my refuge.
And he will turn back upon them their hurtfulness
And will silence them with their own calamity.
Jehovah our God will silence them.
Ezek 38.8-16
After many days you [Gog, a leader representing Satan] will be given attention. In the final part of the years you will come to the land brought back from the sword, collected together out of many peoples, onto the mountains of Israel, a land that had been a constantly devastated place but has been brought forth from the peoples, where they will be dwellin in security, all of them. And you will be bound to come up. Like a storm you will come in. Like clouds to cover the land you will become, you and all your bands and many peoples with you. This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, "It must occur in that day that things will come up into your heart, and you will certainly think up an injurious scheme, and you must say: 'I shall go up against the land of open rural country. I shall come in upon those having no disturbance, dwelling in security, all of them dwelling without wall, and they do not have even bar and doors.' It will be to get a big spoil and to do much plundering, in order to seize the reinhabited devastated places and the people gathered together out of the nations, who are accumulating wealth and property, who are dwelling in the center of the earth. . . . Therefore prophesy, O son of man, and you must say to Gog, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said: "Will it not be in that day when my people Israel are dwelling in security that you will know it? And you will certainly come from your place, from the remotest parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great congregation, even a numerous military force. And you will be bound to come up against my people Israel, like clouds to cover the land. In the final part of the days it will occur, and I shall certainly bring you against my land, for the purpose that the nations may know me when I glorify myself in you before their eyes, O Gog."'"
Ezekiel 39:1-7, 17-20
This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said: "Here I am against you, O Gog, you head chieftain of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you and lead you on and induce you to come up from the remotest parts of the north and bring you in upon the mountains of Israel. Then I will strike your bow out of your left hand, and your arrows I shall cause to fall out of your right hand. On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your bands and the peoples that will be with you. To birds of prey, birds of every sort of wing, and the wild beasts of the field I will give you for food. Upon the surface of the field you will fall, for I myself have spoken," is the saying of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. "And I will send fire upon Magog and upon those who are inhabiting the islands in security; and people will have to know that I am Jehovah. And my holy name I shall make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I shall no more let my holy name be profaned; and the nations will have to know that I am Jehovah, the Holy One in Israel." . . . 17 And as for you, O son of man [Ezekiel], this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, "Say to the birds of every sort of wing and to all the wild beasts of the field: 'Collect yourselves together and come. Gather yourselves together all around to my sacrifice, which I am sacrificing for you, a great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. You will certainly eat flesh and drink blood; the flesh of mighty ones you will eat, and the blood of the chieftains of the earth you will drink, rams, young male sheep, and he-goats, young bulls, the fatlings of Bashan all of them. You will be certain to eat fat to satiation and to drink blood to drunkenness, from my sacrifice that I will sacrifice for you. And you must get satisfied at my table on horses and charioteers, mighty persons and all sorts of warriors,"’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.
2 Chron 20:11-13, 15, 17
"Here they are rewarding us by coming in to drive us out from the land that you gave us. O our God, will you not execute judgment upon them? For in us there is no power before this large crowd that is coming against us; and we ourselves do not know what we ought to do, but our eyes are toward you." All the while all those of Judah were standing before Jehovah, even their little ones, their wives and their sons. . . 15 Then [Jahaziel the prophet] said: "Pay attention, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat! Here is what Jehovah has said to you, 'Do not you be afraid or be terrified because of this large crowd; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. . . 17 you will not need to fight in this instance. Take your position, stand still and see the salvation of Jehovah in your behalf. O Judah and Jerusalem, do not be afraid or be terrified. Tomorrow go out against them, and Jehovah will be with you.'"
Review for Chapter 8
Who fights whom at Armageddon?
Why should we not feel sorry for those who will perish in that war?
What is the "wild beast"?
What is the image of the beast, and what is its primary life-giver?
How can one get the mark of the beast and not realize it?
What is the great harlot, Babylon the Great?
How has this worldly element prostituted herself with the kings of the earth?
How is she responsible for the deaths of millions of innocents?
How has she persecuted true Christians?
Where does the destruction begin, and why?
What does it mean to be "in" Babylon, and how do we get out?
How can we prepare for the coming war?
How shall heaven pass away?
How shall earth pass away?
What are the new heavens? the new earth?
How will the stars fall from the sky?
What specific action initiates the war of Armageddon itself?
Who will survive Armageddon?
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