What an interesting week from the political stage!  Last night the House of Representatives approved a war-spending bill that also included a time-table for the exit of US forces from Iraq.  And today, the Senate followed suit.  President Bush has promised to veto the bill, and there is not enough votes to over-ride his veto.  Basically, everyone goes back to square one.  The purpose of the bills was to send a message to the White House that funding for the war effort in Iraq will not continue ad infinitum.  The military leadership seems intent to see the war through to a victory.  And, one report I heard this evening on a radio program stated that many of the Iraqi people want to see a victory as well so that the bloodshed will stop.  For those of us old enough to remember the turbulent days of the late 60s and early 70s, this smacks of a repeat of what happened in Vietnam.  Let's hope there is not a repeat.

 

Also this past week the nation of Israel celebrated their 59th Independence Day.  Yes, I know it is still April and the office date is May 14, but according to the Jewish calendar, which constantly changes from year to year, this past week was that celebration.  It followed the Jewish Memorial Day when those Jewish men and women and children who gave their lives in service to their country or were victims of terrorist attacks were honored.  The Hamas leadership has threatened to renew the violence targeted toward Israel, especially the launching of rockets from the Gaza Strip.  Some were fired this week into the nearby village of Sderot.  Israeli leadership is now pondering how Israel should retaliate.  And so the situation there continues to get more complex.  Will peace come to the Middle East?  Will the people of Israel finally recognize that Jesus is their Messiah?  The answer is the above is a resounding yes.  We began our look at the solution to the Middle East crisis two weeks ago with the proclamation that Jesus Christ will return to claim His throne in Jerusalem and to reign for 1000 years.  When He comes, the nation of Israel will look upon Him, whom they have pierced, and mourn for Him as for an only child.  And, Israel shall be saved. 

 

But what is the reason that brings the Son of God back to the earth to claim His throne?  It is the final event recorded for us in Revelation 19 - known as the Battle of Armageddon.  So, let's open the Word together and see if we can understand what God is saying to us.

 

I.  Meaning of the Name

 

    A.  Har - "mountain"; Megiddo - "to crush, to kill, to strike, to massacre"

    B.  The Plain of Megiddo is twenty miles long and fifteen and a half miles wide.  It is the strategic key of the country.

 

II.  All nations of the world will be present

 

    A.  The Roman block, under the Antichrist - Daniel 11:41-45; Revelation 19:19

    B.  The Africans - Daniel 11:42-43

    C.  The Eastern powers - Revelation 16:12, 16

    D.  The Northern powers - Daniel 11:44

    E.  But it is God who will do the gathering - Zechariah 12:3, 9; Zechariah 14:2-3; Micah 4:11-12

 

III.  Means God will use to complete the judgment

 

    A.  He will cause it to rain fire from heaven as on Sodom and with hail - Revelation 16:21; Zechariah 14:12

    B.  Seized with madness, the enemies of God destroy themselves - Zechariah 14:13

 

IV.  Victory is achieved by the coming of Jesus Christ - Revelation 19:11-21; Zechariah 14:3-5

 

V.  Effects of the battle - world wide carnage - Psalm 110:5-6; Isaiah 13:9, 12; Jeremiah 25:30-33

 

VI.  Terms used to describe the battle

 

    A.  Fury and wrath of the eternal - Isaiah 26:20-21; Psalm 2:1-5

    B.  Terror of the Lord - Isaiah 2:10, 21

    C.  Vengeance of God - Isaiah 35:4; Psalm 94:1-2

    D.  Strange work of the Lord - Isaiah 28:21

    E.  Sieve of destruction - Isaiah 30:27-28

    F.  Ravage of the Almighty - Joel 1:15

    G.  Great carnage - Isaiah 34:2-3; Deuteronomy 32:41-43

    H.  Vat of wrath - Isaiah 63:1-6; Revelation 14:18-20; Revelation 19:15

 

VII.  Judgments rendered at this battle

 

    A.  Devil is defeated and chained for one thousand years - Revelation 20:1-3

    B.  Antichrist is thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone - Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10

    C.  False prophet is thrown into the lake of fire

 

Thoughts to Ponder:  This is one of the most exciting chapters in the Bible.  It is the fulfillment of that blessed hope which we have.  The coming of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, is cause for celebrating with great shouts of "hallelujah."  And His victory is a complete one.  The destruction of evil is final.  Jesus Christ reigns on the throne as sovereign.  Isn't it exciting to think of being part of that victorious army?  There are some exciting days ahead for the believer.  I can't wait!

 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Nothing is as useless as the right answer to the wrong question.

 

 

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