Monday, December 29, 2008
Revelation 19:19
Monday, December 29, 2008 |
And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His army.
There is a verse in II Peter 1 that helps us in looking at these two portions of scripture, to understand what will happen at the return of Jesus to the earth. II Peter 1:20 tells us that there is “no prophecy of the scripture of private interpretation”.
This verse is stating that all scripture must “fit like a hand in a glove” as we read the different passages. No one scripture can contradict any other scripture, both passages must develop the same theme. Therefore, these two passages on the “return” of Jesus Christ to the earth must fit together.
But first, please notice that the first six verses of Revelation 19 are what I refer to as the “Halleluiah Chorus”. Verses 7-10 are the details for the “Marriage and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb”. These two events are another discussion at another time.
Starting in verse 11 and going through verse 21, we see the prophecy of the Return of Jesus and the Campaign of Armageddon, which also includes events revealed to the ancient Jewish Prophet Zechariah in his book, chapter 14, verses 1-5.
The events surrounding the Lord’s return actually begin in Zechariah 14, “the armies of the world” gathering at Jerusalem, Zechariah 14:1-2. This is the reason for the term “Campaign of Armageddon”, this final battle ends in the Jezreel Valley, but starts in Jerusalem.
The “armies of the world” gather in Jerusalem where Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet brought them to the city, through the means of “signs, wonders and miracles, Revelation 16:13-16.
Jesus will return to the earth, Zechariah 14:4, to the Mount of Olives, and the “armies of the world” flee to the north of Jerusalem, the Jezreel Valley for the final phase of the “mother of all battles”, the Battle of Armageddon.
This is the time that the “armies which were in heaven” follow Jesus on “white horses” Revelation 19:14. We that are Christians, who had been taken into the heavens at the Rapture, will come with Jesus to join with Him in His “rule and reign” over the earth.
You can read in the extended portion of our devotionals, verses 15-21, to see what happens during this “battle” to come. There are several other passages that will enhance your understanding of how this end times event unfolds, Isaiah 63:1-6 and Ezekiel 43:1-7.
These events will happen at the end of the Tribulation Period, at least seven years after the Rapture. I would call it “devastation before exaltation”. The “stage is set” for these prophecies to be fulfilled.
The world is watching as all the events called for in Revelation 4 through 19 that will take place in the last days are in place. That means we are ever so close to the return of Jesus Christ. Just this reminder, the Rapture is foretold in Revelation 4:1, thus we must be ready for the Rapture to happen at any moment, maybe even today.
PRAYER THOT: Dear Lord, it is amazing as I watch those events foretold in your Word almost at the point of fulfillment, which means that the Rapture, the next event on your agenda, is about to happen. Help me to live my life believing that it will happen at any moment, a life honoring to you.
There is a verse in II Peter 1 that helps us in looking at these two portions of scripture, to understand what will happen at the return of Jesus to the earth. II Peter 1:20 tells us that there is “no prophecy of the scripture of private interpretation”.
This verse is stating that all scripture must “fit like a hand in a glove” as we read the different passages. No one scripture can contradict any other scripture, both passages must develop the same theme. Therefore, these two passages on the “return” of Jesus Christ to the earth must fit together.
But first, please notice that the first six verses of Revelation 19 are what I refer to as the “Halleluiah Chorus”. Verses 7-10 are the details for the “Marriage and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb”. These two events are another discussion at another time.
Starting in verse 11 and going through verse 21, we see the prophecy of the Return of Jesus and the Campaign of Armageddon, which also includes events revealed to the ancient Jewish Prophet Zechariah in his book, chapter 14, verses 1-5.
The events surrounding the Lord’s return actually begin in Zechariah 14, “the armies of the world” gathering at Jerusalem, Zechariah 14:1-2. This is the reason for the term “Campaign of Armageddon”, this final battle ends in the Jezreel Valley, but starts in Jerusalem.
The “armies of the world” gather in Jerusalem where Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet brought them to the city, through the means of “signs, wonders and miracles, Revelation 16:13-16.
Jesus will return to the earth, Zechariah 14:4, to the Mount of Olives, and the “armies of the world” flee to the north of Jerusalem, the Jezreel Valley for the final phase of the “mother of all battles”, the Battle of Armageddon.
This is the time that the “armies which were in heaven” follow Jesus on “white horses” Revelation 19:14. We that are Christians, who had been taken into the heavens at the Rapture, will come with Jesus to join with Him in His “rule and reign” over the earth.
You can read in the extended portion of our devotionals, verses 15-21, to see what happens during this “battle” to come. There are several other passages that will enhance your understanding of how this end times event unfolds, Isaiah 63:1-6 and Ezekiel 43:1-7.
These events will happen at the end of the Tribulation Period, at least seven years after the Rapture. I would call it “devastation before exaltation”. The “stage is set” for these prophecies to be fulfilled.
The world is watching as all the events called for in Revelation 4 through 19 that will take place in the last days are in place. That means we are ever so close to the return of Jesus Christ. Just this reminder, the Rapture is foretold in Revelation 4:1, thus we must be ready for the Rapture to happen at any moment, maybe even today.
PRAYER THOT: Dear Lord, it is amazing as I watch those events foretold in your Word almost at the point of fulfillment, which means that the Rapture, the next event on your agenda, is about to happen. Help me to live my life believing that it will happen at any moment, a life honoring to you.