Armageddon
"And they gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place called Armageddon in Hebrew. Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air. And a mighty shout came from the throne of the Temple in heaven, saying, 'It is finished!'"1
I have read how, "at the end of the 19th century, two French writers went to visit the well-known French scientist, Pierre Berthelot. Berthelot was a kind of scientific prophet. He forecast some of the weapons of mass destruction that would appear in the next century. He said to the writers, 'We have only begun to list the alphabet of destruction.' Silence fell over the meeting. Then the elder of the two writers said quietly, 'I think before that time comes, God will come like a great gatekeeper with his keys dangling at his waist and say, "Gentlemen, it's closing time."'"2
Armageddon, among other things, is a part of God's closing time on mankind's history. Books have been written and films produced about Armageddon, showing it as the world's great closing-time battle of all battles. It is depicted in the Bible as the raging war at the end of this world age when, at some point, God will step into man's history to put down all evil forever, and to stop mankind before we totally destroy ourselves.
I don't claim to be a student of biblical prophecy, especially relating to the specific details of the end of this world age. For me, the important thing is that we are ready because that time will also be marked by Jesus Christ's coming again for all those who have accepted Him as their Savior—and have had their sins forgiven—to take them to be with Him forever in heaven. It is my understanding, however, that Christ's return for His people will precede the Battle of Armageddon.
What a glorious day Christ's return will be for all true Christians—not those in name only—but for those who are truly Christ-ones. And what a tragic day it will be for those who have never accepted God's forgiveness. Also at the end of this world age, to the non-Christ-ones, according to Jesus, God will say, "'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire [hell] prepared for the devil and his angels."3 Whatever and wherever hell is, it is a terrifying thought to be lost there without hope for all eternity—eternally separated from God, the author of all love and life.
The good news is that there is no need for you or me to miss out on God's forgiveness and a home in heaven to be with Him forever—where God Himself will wipe away all tears ... and where there will be no more sickness, sadness, sorrow, or dying. God's gift of forgiveness and eternal life is ours for the asking.
As sure as the prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Christ's first coming have all come true, we can be just as certain that Jesus Christ will come again and that Armageddon will take place. To make sure you are prepared for Christ's return be sure to read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at: http://www.actsweb.org/christian.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that You have given us Your Word to warn us of the 'wrath to come,' and to show us Your plan of salvation so that we can have our sins forgiven, accept Jesus as our Savior, and be prepared to meet you face to face—and be saved from a lost eternity in hell. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."
1. Revelation 16:16-17 (NLT).
2. Source unknown. Cited on eSermons.com.
3. Matthew 25:41 (NIV).
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