December 22 - Revelation 16-19
People have speculated about the end of the world, but I believe this passage gives us the truth about what will happen when the end of the world comes. It will be the culmination of the time of tribulation, and the bowl judgments will be the worst of God's anger poured out on the earth. These judgments will bring down civilization as we know it. Let these things speak to your heart today and prepare you for whatever may come in your life.
Consider what would happen if malignant sores came on all unbelievers, all salt water and fresh water was turned to blood, and the sun scorched people right before darkness fell on the world. This would be the last straw for the Antichrist and his kingdom. This is what is portrayed in chapter 16. The Antichrist will gather his armies to Armageddon to attack Israel in frustration from all of the judgments of God. Then, the time will be prepared for Jesus to come. (v.15) He will be trying to save his kingdom from collapse, but the hand of God is too strong to fight against. The one world system he has created will fall apart just before Jesus comes. It will be a terrible time.
This is the description in chapters 17 and 18. I believe the harlot is the one world church that is a false church. It will be a spiritual influence in the world, but it will lead people away from God and support the one world government for a time. Then, the government of the Antichrist will eliminate the false church. (17:16) This is in line with the symbolism of the Old testament, which uses the word harlot to describe idolatry and spiritual adultery to describe the people who follow idols. However, when the Antichrist takes over, God's judgments destroy the world's economy, so Babylon falls, too. This is what chapter 18 describes. The one world economy falls apart. This is all God's vengeance on sin and the great rebellion of the people who continue to blaspheme Him, even though they know He is God, and He is sending these plagues on them.
Finally, in chapter 19 we see rejoicing in heaven over the end of the false church and the fall of the one world system. There is the marriage feast of the Lamb, which is where all of the believers of all time are presented to Christ as His bride. Then, Christ returns in triumph with His armies, which are made up of these saints all on white horses. They come just as the armies of the Antichrist are gathered against Israel in the valley of Megiddo or Armageddon, and Jesus kills all of them with the Sword of His mouth, the Word of God. This is the end of the earth as we know it. It will not come because of pollution or nuclear disaster. It will come by God's design, when Christ returns. Do you see why we all need to be ready for this? We should want to be a part of the Marriage Feast of the Lamb and not the Supper of the great God. (19:17)
No one knows exactly what will happen or when it will happen, but the Bible tells us over and over to be ready. As believers, we can be ready because of knowing Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and we can be ready because we see the signs of the times. Think of all of the ways that this world is trying to get all religions to be tolerant of each other and to say that all of them are true. Think of all of the ways that a one world government might seem needed or helpful to people, and the ways people are preparing for it. Think of how the mark of the beast to buy and sell is so possible now with computer chips. It is so easy to see how these things are coming together. The world thinks it is man's doing, but we know God is drawing all things to His conclusion.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Revelation 20-22.
Consider what would happen if malignant sores came on all unbelievers, all salt water and fresh water was turned to blood, and the sun scorched people right before darkness fell on the world. This would be the last straw for the Antichrist and his kingdom. This is what is portrayed in chapter 16. The Antichrist will gather his armies to Armageddon to attack Israel in frustration from all of the judgments of God. Then, the time will be prepared for Jesus to come. (v.15) He will be trying to save his kingdom from collapse, but the hand of God is too strong to fight against. The one world system he has created will fall apart just before Jesus comes. It will be a terrible time.
This is the description in chapters 17 and 18. I believe the harlot is the one world church that is a false church. It will be a spiritual influence in the world, but it will lead people away from God and support the one world government for a time. Then, the government of the Antichrist will eliminate the false church. (17:16) This is in line with the symbolism of the Old testament, which uses the word harlot to describe idolatry and spiritual adultery to describe the people who follow idols. However, when the Antichrist takes over, God's judgments destroy the world's economy, so Babylon falls, too. This is what chapter 18 describes. The one world economy falls apart. This is all God's vengeance on sin and the great rebellion of the people who continue to blaspheme Him, even though they know He is God, and He is sending these plagues on them.
Finally, in chapter 19 we see rejoicing in heaven over the end of the false church and the fall of the one world system. There is the marriage feast of the Lamb, which is where all of the believers of all time are presented to Christ as His bride. Then, Christ returns in triumph with His armies, which are made up of these saints all on white horses. They come just as the armies of the Antichrist are gathered against Israel in the valley of Megiddo or Armageddon, and Jesus kills all of them with the Sword of His mouth, the Word of God. This is the end of the earth as we know it. It will not come because of pollution or nuclear disaster. It will come by God's design, when Christ returns. Do you see why we all need to be ready for this? We should want to be a part of the Marriage Feast of the Lamb and not the Supper of the great God. (19:17)
No one knows exactly what will happen or when it will happen, but the Bible tells us over and over to be ready. As believers, we can be ready because of knowing Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and we can be ready because we see the signs of the times. Think of all of the ways that this world is trying to get all religions to be tolerant of each other and to say that all of them are true. Think of all of the ways that a one world government might seem needed or helpful to people, and the ways people are preparing for it. Think of how the mark of the beast to buy and sell is so possible now with computer chips. It is so easy to see how these things are coming together. The world thinks it is man's doing, but we know God is drawing all things to His conclusion.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Revelation 20-22.