What About Armageddon and the Return of Jesus Christ?
“We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount. The world has achieved brilliance without conscience. Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants.” —Gen. Omar Bradley, Armistice Day Speech 1948
The Problem with World Peace
As we enter into a new millennium it would be a wonderful thing to think that humankind, with all our rapid advances in technology, would usher in a new era of peace and global harmony.
But humankind cannot bring about peace. The Bible tells us that, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). The human heart is sinful and will never bring about world peace.
Though many seek and hope for world peace, Jesus said, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come” (Matthew 24:6).
A Time of War
World War I was called the “War to End All Wars.” However, it taught us further strategies of war by introducing air forces and bombing techniques. World War II brought the world to the brink of nuclear destruction, introducing the atomic bomb. Today there are 13 countries with nuclear capability and 23 countries with Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles.
Rather than world peace, the Bible reveals that in the last days there will be hard times for the planet Earth.
The Great Tribulation Period
Revelation 19 is a description of the war to end all wars. The Great Tribulation Period will be the hardest and most devastating time this planet has ever seen. In fact, Jesus told us that if He didn’t return to end this tribulation period there wouldn’t be anyone left alive!
“It will be a time of nuclear conflagrations. Biological holocausts and chemical apocalypses rolling over the earth, bringing man to the edge of the precipice. History will bottom out in the battle of Armageddon—we will see it’s shadow creeping over the earth.” —Billy Graham
The Beginning of the End
Read Revelation 19:11-21
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse In Revelation 6, Jesus shows the Apostle John the beginning of the end by describing the planet’s coming horrors through descriptive pictures of four successive horses and their riders.
1. The White Horse
The White Horse symbolizes the coming Antichrist, who masquerading as the messiah, will:
However, 3 1/2 years into the tribulation the Antichrist will show his true colors.
2. The Red Horse
The Red Horse takes peace from the earth and carries a great sword, symbolizing the massive out break of war—and very possibly Nuclear war. The book of Revelation tells us:
1/3 of trees, green grass, and human life will be destroyed instantaneously!
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There will be a great mountain burning with fire!
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1/3 part of the sea will become blood!
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Rebuilt city of Babylon will be destroyed in one hour!
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Kings will stand at a great distance for fear of torment!
Are these descriptions of a nuclear holocaust? Remember, John is describing 20th century phenomena in 1st century terms!
3. Black Horse
4. Pale Horse
The Black and Pale Horses symbolize famine and plagues. This certainly fits with the scenario our scientists give us of the results of a nuclear war (called Nuclear Winter).
Proclaiming the Gospel
Though the tribulation will be a destructive and dark time, the light of God will still shine throughout the world. Many people will believe in Christ after the rapture of the church but they will have to avoid taking the mark of the beast—which means many will die for their faith.
The gospel will be preached throughout the earth by an angel, “flying in the midst of heaven proclaiming the everlasting gospel to every nation and language” (Revelation 14:6).
This also fulfills the statement of Jesus, “The gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world for a witness unto all the nations...then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14).
Jewish Revival
During the Great Tribulation God will bring about a tremendous revival among the Jewish people. 144,000 Jews, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, will be under divine protection with the mandate to proclaim the gospel throughout the world.
Two Prophets
In the last days God will raise up two prophets who will have a ministry of miracles, including calling down fire from heaven on those who attempt to hurt them! They will also have power over the waters, turning them to blood. But, as the whole world watches, they will be assassinated and left on the street as dead. Suddenly, they will be resurrected and ascend to heaven.
Yet, even though the world will witness their resurrection, there will be those who remain hardened in their unbelief!
“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).
The Battle of Armageddon
“I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves . . . And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son” (Zechariah 12:2-3,10).
Those engaged in the Battle of Armageddon are the united ten nations of the Antichrist, a force identified as the Kings of the East. This massive army will be demonically inspired to attack Israel. “The spirits of demons shall go forth into the Kings of the East and of the whole earth and gather them into the battle of the great day of the Almighty and he gathered them together in a place called in the Hebrew, ‘Armageddon’” (Revelation 16:14,16).
The Bible also gives us insight into the strength of the army. “The number of the army was 200 million and they killed 1/3 part of men” (Revelation 9:15,16).
But who is this mysterious army and what nation on earth could field a fighting force this large?
According to Newsweek, “Chinese leaders believe they cannot be defeated by long range nuclear weapons (such as U.S. Missiles) and if they were invaded they would rely on their vast military power . . . In April 1961 it was estimated that there were 200 million armed and organized military men.”
At this point, China is the only nation with the capability of boasting an army of some 200 million. Keep in mind, when the Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation there was not yet 200 million people on the whole earth!
The Church and the Tribulation Period
Will believers experience the Great Tribulation?
In any instance where God’s wrath was poured out He delivered His people. Noah and Lot are good examples. Noah and his family were rescued from world judgment while Lot and his family were rescued from the destruction of a city.
“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth” (Revelation 3:10).
“For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober...For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thessalonians 5:3-6,9).
The Rapture
There are three specific elements of the Rapture:
It comes before judgment
It only involves true believers
It will happen as a thief in the night
Remember, there will be those who will be left out of the Rapture. “And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds” (Revelation 2:21-22).
Are you ready for the rapture?
Are you waiting for Him?
“And he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28).
The Second Coming of Christ
Like the rapture, there are specific elements to Christ’s Second Coming. But, unlike the Rapture:
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He will come with judgment
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He will come back with His people
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Everyone will see His return
A Joyous Time for God’s People
As the disciples watched Jesus ascend two angels appeared to encourage them, “You men of Galilee, why are you standing looking into the sky? This same Jesus who was taken in the sky will return in the same way”(Acts 1:11).
This event, and this event only, will bring an end to the senseless killing, wars, and unrighteousness of humankind!
“The Government will be upon His shoulders and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever!” (Isaiah 9:6-7)
The return of Christ upon the earth is what every believer yearns and awaits.
A Time of Reckoning and Judgment
As far as the inhabitant of the earth are concerned, the Second Coming of Christ will not be a joyous event but one of terrible judgment. “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his saints to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him” (Jude 14-15).
This is the day when Jesus is finally vindicated before everyone. Every eye shall see him, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord!
Even at this time, the hearts of men and women will be hard and they will curse and blaspheme God though He has given them warning of His impending judgment. In the eyes of the non-believer, God is never fair in what He does. When people suffer the consequences of flaunting God’s grace and breaking His commandments, they blame God and call Him unjust!
Believers Will Share in the Lord’s Glory
If you are walking with the Lord, rejoice! Not only will you escape judgment, but you will share in God’s glorious return!
When Christ, who is our life shall appear, then we shall appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).
Part V
