When Man Fights God
Revelation 19:17-21
Message #35
For those who are listening between now and the Rapture (or even after the Rapture), it is April 14, 2024. Yesterday, man fought God. Yesterday, the Nation of Iran launched over three hundred air attacks. I meant to check for certain, but I think it was one hundred and seventy ballistic missiles. That’s hyper-sonic – they leave the atmosphere. Phenomenal, phenomenal video footage of God through the wisdom and the perseverance of Israel taking down those ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere. That is so big. Well over one hundred and something ballistic missiles. Well over a hundred and something cruise missiles, which are no joke either, and a hundred and something suicide drones. All launched kind of in waves. Ninety-nine percent of them were taken out by God using Israel and Israel’s allies and halfway allies (that’s our current President because he can’t remember if he’s an ally of Israel or of Iran – It’s kind of back and forth). Today, he’s an ally of Iran. But yesterday he was an ally of Israel, and so we thank God for that. And our military, along with a number of other nations, all stepped in.
Listen, if you’re listening to any kind of “mainstream” news, they are lying to you. I should start every single message with this. If you’re listening to mainstream media, you’re listening to lies – fabrications, manipulation. It’s just awful. Yesterday, around 10 p.m., I just scanned the news on Google – just the headlines. And it is phenomenal how the headlines refabricate the truth. Most of the headlines – you Google this and check it – are “Iran retaliates for Israel’s horrible, unbelievable, unspeakable act of violence toward them.”
So, Israel took out two generals. One of which was the Iranian mastermind for the October 7th massacre, which IS the second Holocaust. Israel took him out. And Iran launched three hundred air strikes against the Nation of Israel, including somewhere in the neighborhood of one hundred and fifty ballistic missiles. That’s World War stuff. There’s only one step above that, and that is nuclear war. So, it’s phenomenal how the news wants to convince you of the facts that are not true.
So, please, please, for the love of God and for the love of Israel, go to Telegram. Get “Telegram” on your phone. Download this app. I see a lot of people that are here in the church and Word By Mail with this app now. Download this app from your app store. And then, go to @BeholdIsraelchannel. Amir Tsarfati. Be really careful because there are a whole bunch of fake people out there; it’s terrible; they’re all criminals. And they just want your money. Go here to BeholdIsrael.org; then you’ll get a link to the correct Telegram channel.
If you were on the Telegram channel last night, like I was, it’s real-time news from inside the actual Israeli military. Amir is a little more than a citizen of Israel. And so he is super well connected, and he’s putting stuff out in real time. It is phenomenal. To watch it on the street through Telegram on Amir’s channel – Amir Tsarfati – and Amir says, “Just please don’t call me Tsar-fart-i.” Amir has led two of our trips to Israel as our guide back in his young days before he became a celebrity of the world. Go there. Get your news there.
If not there, go to NewsMax. NewsMax is your only other choice. Go to NewsMax, pay their five-dollar-per-month fee for their NewsMax Plus. Even Fox, guys, I’m sorry, but Rupurt Murdock’s son is a woke liberal, and he’s running Fox now. That’s why all the good Fox people have gone to NewsMax.
There’s my little commentary about the war. Listen, it’s important. It’s important because our culture is absolutely puppetized, is that a good word? Puppetized? The media has made us their puppets. The government has made us their puppets. And somebody needs to say there’s a difference between truth and lies. So, that’s what’s happening on the war front.
Israel withstood the single greatest air attack in the history of Mankind yesterday. There has never been that much simultaneous air attack on any country, from any country, in the history of Man. As far as I know, as of late last night – early this morning – there was one death in Israel. It was a ten-year-old Muslim boy that was a Bedouin shepherd. That’s it. Very little damage. Most of these missiles taken out before they even reach Israel.
And in Iran, and on the news, if you’re watching mainstream media, it’s fake video after fake video after fake video. And Amir just calls them out and says, “This is from an earthquake in Syria in 1982.” “This video is from a fire in 1978.” I mean, he just tells you where these videos are from that are being spread on the news all over the world, showing Iran doing this phenomenal damage to Israel and somehow saying that they deserve it. It’s just not true. Israel withstood the single greatest air attack in the history of Man, and not one Israelite died. It’s unfortunate that a ten-year-old boy died. But over a hundred ballistic missiles! That’s like you could take out big portions of cities. And God just said – Nah. I don’t think so.
So, if you go on the Telegram channel, you’ll see these swarms of drones coming toward Israel. And you’ll see them being shot down one after another. It was phenomenal to watch.
Man fights God, and Man loses. I almost showed you a video today of the Iranian Parliament, their government screaming, “Death to Israel! Death to the United States! Death to Britain!” Because Great Britain helped us. They’re in the Parliament building, and they’re screaming, “Death to Israel! Death to the United States! Death to Britain!” They want you dead. So, there’s a pro-Hamas rally later if you want to get your green flag and go out there. Listen, the colleges are indoctrinating the youth. Anyway, that’s what’s happening in the world. Let’s pray for Israel.
I want to talk to you today about Man fighting God. We’re going to look at the final battle of the armies of this world – against God. And we’re going to see Jesus Christ decimate his enemies with a Word. The armies of the world will gather together to fight God, and with a Word from the mouth of Jesus Christ, they will all become vulture treats in the Valley of Armageddon.
As all Bible texts, this text makes me think about us and about how we can fight against God in so many ways. And so, here’s what I’d like to ask us today if this is how all battles against God are going to end, then is it a good idea for me to be fighting God today?
The Battle of Armageddon might be a powerful encouragement for us to reconsider our own going “toe to toe” with God.
We are going to talk about the prophetic side of the final battle of Armageddon. But what is really most important is not only that I do not “tickle your ears” with things you want to hear but also that we take the prophetic side of the Battle of Armageddon and apply it to our lives personally today.
You are probably familiar with the word Armageddon. Armageddon is used frequently to describe the “end of the world” “cataclysmic” events.
But (Biblically), the word Armageddon does not refer to a specific battle. Instead, it refers to a specific place.
The word Armageddon is a transliteration of two Hebrew words HAR-MEGGIDO.
HAR means Mount
MEGGIDO comes from the root word that means Slaughter
But MEGIDDO is also a place. HAR MEGIDDO is the Mount of Megiddo, and it is one of the most awesome places to stand in Israel. If you are watching Amir Tsarfati on Telegram, you see him do quick updates from his back porch. Behind him is the Jezreel Valley, also known as the Valley of Armageddon.
Har Megiddo is situated perfectly in the Jezreel Valley. And it is one of the most beautiful places in Israel with fertile farmland of any place I have ever seen. And the Mount of Meggido is situated right at a narrow pass on the western side of the Jezreel Valley and is perfect for armies to be able to guard that narrow pass of the most important trade route in that part of the world – The Via Maris.
Because of that, there have been so many battles fought here that archeologists have found twenty-six layers of cities built on Mount Megiddo from the destruction and rebuilding of battle after battle. In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte stood here at Megiddo, and he said, “All the armies of the world could maneuver their forces on this vast plain . . . There is no place in the whole world more suited for war than this . . .”
This is a picture I took in 2002 or 2003 of the Valley of Armageddon (Jezreel Valley) taken from Har-Megiddo. Notice the rainbow. I’m telling you, something happened to me on that first trip that made me want to go back to Israel every chance I got. To stand there and look at where this battle is going to occur and have God place a rainbow there for me (and the few other people that were with us) it was so awesome!
And here is a picture of current-day Megiddo and the Valley of Armageddon that it protects. You see the city on top of that mound. That mound is the result of twenty-six cities being built and destroyed. It’s looking east across the Jezreel Valley. And you can just see how that Mount is just situated to protect the pass. In fact, you can see a current highway there to the left side. (I don’t think that’s the main highway – the main highway is just past that.) That’s where it’s situated. That’s what it looks like. And you should go there and stand there with us.
So, let’s be reminded how the armies of the world get gathered here. Turn back to Revelation 16, verses 12-16.
Revelation 16:12–16 (NLT)
12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it dried up so that the kings from the east (read China) could march their armies toward the west without hindrance.
13 And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon (Satan), the beast (Antichrist), and the false prophet.
14 They are demonic spirits who work miracles and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God the Almighty.
(Let’s SKIP v.15 for 1 minute) . . .
16 And the demonic spirits gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon.
This is the beginning of the armies of the world assembling at Armageddon. Notice it’s the entire unholy trinity sending demonic spirits to gather the armies of the world together in one place. These demons are using all the tools of hell to draw these armies to this battle.
And the armies of the world think they are coming to destroy Jerusalem and the Jews once and for all.
But just as it is, when we fight God . . . the armies of the world have their plan, but God has a different plan.
And so, we have got to pay attention to the warning by the Holy Spirit inserted right in the middle of these verses.
Jesus says this in Revelation 16, verse 15.
Revelation 16:15 (NLT)
15 “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”
In other words, don’t get caught on the wrong side of a battle with God with your pants down. And personally, I don’t want to get caught on the wrong side of any battle with God.
And so, AS these armies are all gathering and preparing (I could explain why with more time why they are gathering to attack Jerusalem – but they are) in the Valley of Armageddon, the Jezreel Valley, Jesus is going to crack the sky, and all the world will see him! He literally cracks the sky, rends the heavens, and comes down! And all the armies of the world are going to turn to fight their ultimate common enemy – which is God. Even though they didn’t come there with the expectation to fight God, that’s what’s going to happen when Jesus shows up in the heavens.
Satan has played right into God’s hand as the Antichrist has prepared the armies of the world for the final battle of Armageddon.
At that moment, in an instant, Jesus will come, and those who have gathered to fight God will be decimated, in an instant.
Psalm 2:1–6 (NLT)
1 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one.
3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury.
6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”
And guys, when we talk about us fighting against God in our own lives, I don’t want to give you examples of how we fight God because I want the Holy Spirit to bring it up to you – your own personal fight. The question is, have we placed God’s chosen King on the throne of our lives, or are we angry at God and preparing for battle with him?
Are you getting the idea? Do you think it’s time (finally) to actually look at the battle of Armageddon in Revelation 19? It’s a very small amount of scripture because how much scripture can there be? The world gathers to fight God, Jesus speaks a Word, everyone dies, vultures come – what else is left? The Millennium! That’s what’s left, and we’ll get to that as we continue – not today. We’ve done all the background. Now, we can just focus on the end result for those who choose to go toe to toe with the Almighty God. The application today is, should we be doing that in our own lives right now?Remember, the verses leading into our text today are about the return of Jesus Christ! And we pick it up today, right at the Second Coming.
And today’s text starts with a dinner bell!
Revelation 19:17 (NLT)
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: “Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared.
Two messages ago, we talked about the Marriage banquet of the Lamb. In the Marriage Banquet, those who belong to Christ are the guests. But at this great banquet, the enemies of Christ become the banquet, and the invited guests are the vultures.
And what is it they will be feasting on? And then the Angel says this to the vultures.
Revelation 19:18 (NLT)
18 Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great.”
Jesus Christ showed up at this battle in our last message, and all the Saints, and all the angels behind him! But then God says No! . . .Wait . . . There’s one more thing . . . I’m going to need all the vultures to clean up the mess I’m about to make.
Then, John sees those who are about to become vulture treats.
Revelation 19:19 (NLT)
19 Then I saw the beast (Antichrist) and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. (that’s Jesus, with US).
The Kings of the Earth are preparing to fight against God, and I’m saying, what in the world are you thinking? Jesus has cracked the sky, and he’s coming with all the angels of Heaven and with all the Saints, and you’re going to puff out your chest??
But, sometimes, when I’m fighting against God, aren’t I standing against the Lord of Glory and all the angels of Heaven and puffing out my chest and saying, I’m going to do it my way? I’m sure God is saying the exact same thing to me. But he says my mercy is new every morning. But there is a time coming when those who puff out their chest against God will receive what they rightfully justly deserve.
Listen, God is perfect, holy, just, righteous. He’s merciful. His grace is unending. But he must ultimately judge the evil and sin in the world. He must or he cannot be God. This happens to be the judging part.
So, the clean-up crew is on standby, and the world’s feeble armies are ready to take on God. But before the vulture banquet begins, there are two in this army that God has a very special place reserved for.
Revelation 19:20 (NLT)
20 And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet (Notice the Dragon – Satan – is not there) who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
The Antichrist and the False Prophet are snatched up by God, and they are thrown alive into the Lake of Fire. They get to bypass physical death and head straight to eternal death and they are the first two occupants of the eternal Lake of Fire (talked about in Chapter 20).
But, 1,000 years later, when Satan is thrown in with them, Chapter 20 says they will all be tormented day and night, forever and ever.
So – Jesus Christ is in the air over the armies of the world
We are with him, along with all the angels
The vultures are ready to begin the clean up
The Antichrist and False Prophet have entered eternal judgment
And now it’s all over but one final Word.
This world has been at war with God for such a long time, since Genesis Chapter 3, when Adam turned over the world to the prince of the power of the air, this little “g” god. And since then the world has been at war with God. God has been so merciful for so many thousands of years. God, in his mercy, has made a way through so much mercy and grace that he took upon the sin of the world and paid the full penalty for it so that we could escape this moment. But then judgment day must come. And when this day finally comes, the enemies of God will be judged with a Word from the Lord Jesus.
Revelation 19:21 (NLT)
21 Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.
We talked last week about the sword that is the Word spoken by Jesus. It is the long sword that cuts down everything in its path, and with a Word, the enemies of God are slain, and the vultures of the earth are gorged with their flesh.
Lord, why would you put that in there? It’s so brutal.
We need to know when Armageddon does come, when God’s judgment must come, there is going to be a very clear line drawn with no gray area. Every single person will either be fighting against God or on God’s side. But that is not just true for the final battle of Armageddon.
That’s just as true for us fighting our battles today. When it comes to the battles, we are fighting in our own lives today, we are either fighting against God or fighting on God’s side. Why not fight your battles with God instead of against God? In that battle you’re in today, run to God for protection, for strength, and for victory because, ultimately, GOD WINS!! And in Christ, your ultimate victory is guaranteed.
Jesus said this in John Chapter 6.
John 6:37 (ESV)
37 . . . whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
So, you can either fight against him or you can come to him and join him.
When man fights with God and man loses, that is especially true in the final battle of Armageddon.
But (in a lesser sense) it is also true for us today. When man fights with God, man loses. And whether it’s the battle of Armageddon or it’s something you are fighting with God about today, ultimately God is going to win, and you can either fight against him, or join him.
Do you know why we raise our hands to God? Because it is an act of surrender.
I surrender to the Lord
I surrender my way to YAWEH
I surrender my will to your will.
You are the sovereign, omnipotent God, and I want to be ready when you return. I surrender to you today so that I will be with you and not against you, both for today and for that day when you return for the final battle on earth.
Listen, if you’re listening to any kind of “mainstream” news, they are lying to you. I should start every single message with this. If you’re listening to mainstream media, you’re listening to lies – fabrications, manipulation. It’s just awful. Yesterday, around 10 p.m., I just scanned the news on Google – just the headlines. And it is phenomenal how the headlines refabricate the truth. Most of the headlines – you Google this and check it – are “Iran retaliates for Israel’s horrible, unbelievable, unspeakable act of violence toward them.”
So, Israel took out two generals. One of which was the Iranian mastermind for the October 7th massacre, which IS the second Holocaust. Israel took him out. And Iran launched three hundred air strikes against the Nation of Israel, including somewhere in the neighborhood of one hundred and fifty ballistic missiles. That’s World War stuff. There’s only one step above that, and that is nuclear war. So, it’s phenomenal how the news wants to convince you of the facts that are not true.
So, please, please, for the love of God and for the love of Israel, go to Telegram. Get “Telegram” on your phone. Download this app. I see a lot of people that are here in the church and Word By Mail with this app now. Download this app from your app store. And then, go to @BeholdIsraelchannel. Amir Tsarfati. Be really careful because there are a whole bunch of fake people out there; it’s terrible; they’re all criminals. And they just want your money. Go here to BeholdIsrael.org; then you’ll get a link to the correct Telegram channel.
If you were on the Telegram channel last night, like I was, it’s real-time news from inside the actual Israeli military. Amir is a little more than a citizen of Israel. And so he is super well connected, and he’s putting stuff out in real time. It is phenomenal. To watch it on the street through Telegram on Amir’s channel – Amir Tsarfati – and Amir says, “Just please don’t call me Tsar-fart-i.” Amir has led two of our trips to Israel as our guide back in his young days before he became a celebrity of the world. Go there. Get your news there.
If not there, go to NewsMax. NewsMax is your only other choice. Go to NewsMax, pay their five-dollar-per-month fee for their NewsMax Plus. Even Fox, guys, I’m sorry, but Rupurt Murdock’s son is a woke liberal, and he’s running Fox now. That’s why all the good Fox people have gone to NewsMax.
There’s my little commentary about the war. Listen, it’s important. It’s important because our culture is absolutely puppetized, is that a good word? Puppetized? The media has made us their puppets. The government has made us their puppets. And somebody needs to say there’s a difference between truth and lies. So, that’s what’s happening on the war front.
Israel withstood the single greatest air attack in the history of Mankind yesterday. There has never been that much simultaneous air attack on any country, from any country, in the history of Man. As far as I know, as of late last night – early this morning – there was one death in Israel. It was a ten-year-old Muslim boy that was a Bedouin shepherd. That’s it. Very little damage. Most of these missiles taken out before they even reach Israel.
And in Iran, and on the news, if you’re watching mainstream media, it’s fake video after fake video after fake video. And Amir just calls them out and says, “This is from an earthquake in Syria in 1982.” “This video is from a fire in 1978.” I mean, he just tells you where these videos are from that are being spread on the news all over the world, showing Iran doing this phenomenal damage to Israel and somehow saying that they deserve it. It’s just not true. Israel withstood the single greatest air attack in the history of Man, and not one Israelite died. It’s unfortunate that a ten-year-old boy died. But over a hundred ballistic missiles! That’s like you could take out big portions of cities. And God just said – Nah. I don’t think so.
So, if you go on the Telegram channel, you’ll see these swarms of drones coming toward Israel. And you’ll see them being shot down one after another. It was phenomenal to watch.
Man fights God, and Man loses. I almost showed you a video today of the Iranian Parliament, their government screaming, “Death to Israel! Death to the United States! Death to Britain!” Because Great Britain helped us. They’re in the Parliament building, and they’re screaming, “Death to Israel! Death to the United States! Death to Britain!” They want you dead. So, there’s a pro-Hamas rally later if you want to get your green flag and go out there. Listen, the colleges are indoctrinating the youth. Anyway, that’s what’s happening in the world. Let’s pray for Israel.
I want to talk to you today about Man fighting God. We’re going to look at the final battle of the armies of this world – against God. And we’re going to see Jesus Christ decimate his enemies with a Word. The armies of the world will gather together to fight God, and with a Word from the mouth of Jesus Christ, they will all become vulture treats in the Valley of Armageddon.
As all Bible texts, this text makes me think about us and about how we can fight against God in so many ways. And so, here’s what I’d like to ask us today if this is how all battles against God are going to end, then is it a good idea for me to be fighting God today?
The Battle of Armageddon might be a powerful encouragement for us to reconsider our own going “toe to toe” with God.
We are going to talk about the prophetic side of the final battle of Armageddon. But what is really most important is not only that I do not “tickle your ears” with things you want to hear but also that we take the prophetic side of the Battle of Armageddon and apply it to our lives personally today.
You are probably familiar with the word Armageddon. Armageddon is used frequently to describe the “end of the world” “cataclysmic” events.
But (Biblically), the word Armageddon does not refer to a specific battle. Instead, it refers to a specific place.
The word Armageddon is a transliteration of two Hebrew words HAR-MEGGIDO.
HAR means Mount
MEGGIDO comes from the root word that means Slaughter
But MEGIDDO is also a place. HAR MEGIDDO is the Mount of Megiddo, and it is one of the most awesome places to stand in Israel. If you are watching Amir Tsarfati on Telegram, you see him do quick updates from his back porch. Behind him is the Jezreel Valley, also known as the Valley of Armageddon.
Har Megiddo is situated perfectly in the Jezreel Valley. And it is one of the most beautiful places in Israel with fertile farmland of any place I have ever seen. And the Mount of Meggido is situated right at a narrow pass on the western side of the Jezreel Valley and is perfect for armies to be able to guard that narrow pass of the most important trade route in that part of the world – The Via Maris.
Because of that, there have been so many battles fought here that archeologists have found twenty-six layers of cities built on Mount Megiddo from the destruction and rebuilding of battle after battle. In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte stood here at Megiddo, and he said, “All the armies of the world could maneuver their forces on this vast plain . . . There is no place in the whole world more suited for war than this . . .”
This is a picture I took in 2002 or 2003 of the Valley of Armageddon (Jezreel Valley) taken from Har-Megiddo. Notice the rainbow. I’m telling you, something happened to me on that first trip that made me want to go back to Israel every chance I got. To stand there and look at where this battle is going to occur and have God place a rainbow there for me (and the few other people that were with us) it was so awesome!
And here is a picture of current-day Megiddo and the Valley of Armageddon that it protects. You see the city on top of that mound. That mound is the result of twenty-six cities being built and destroyed. It’s looking east across the Jezreel Valley. And you can just see how that Mount is just situated to protect the pass. In fact, you can see a current highway there to the left side. (I don’t think that’s the main highway – the main highway is just past that.) That’s where it’s situated. That’s what it looks like. And you should go there and stand there with us.
So, let’s be reminded how the armies of the world get gathered here. Turn back to Revelation 16, verses 12-16.
Revelation 16:12–16 (NLT)
12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it dried up so that the kings from the east (read China) could march their armies toward the west without hindrance.
13 And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon (Satan), the beast (Antichrist), and the false prophet.
14 They are demonic spirits who work miracles and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God the Almighty.
(Let’s SKIP v.15 for 1 minute) . . .
16 And the demonic spirits gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon.
This is the beginning of the armies of the world assembling at Armageddon. Notice it’s the entire unholy trinity sending demonic spirits to gather the armies of the world together in one place. These demons are using all the tools of hell to draw these armies to this battle.
And the armies of the world think they are coming to destroy Jerusalem and the Jews once and for all.
But just as it is, when we fight God . . . the armies of the world have their plan, but God has a different plan.
And so, we have got to pay attention to the warning by the Holy Spirit inserted right in the middle of these verses.
Jesus says this in Revelation 16, verse 15.
Revelation 16:15 (NLT)
15 “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”
In other words, don’t get caught on the wrong side of a battle with God with your pants down. And personally, I don’t want to get caught on the wrong side of any battle with God.
And so, AS these armies are all gathering and preparing (I could explain why with more time why they are gathering to attack Jerusalem – but they are) in the Valley of Armageddon, the Jezreel Valley, Jesus is going to crack the sky, and all the world will see him! He literally cracks the sky, rends the heavens, and comes down! And all the armies of the world are going to turn to fight their ultimate common enemy – which is God. Even though they didn’t come there with the expectation to fight God, that’s what’s going to happen when Jesus shows up in the heavens.
Satan has played right into God’s hand as the Antichrist has prepared the armies of the world for the final battle of Armageddon.
At that moment, in an instant, Jesus will come, and those who have gathered to fight God will be decimated, in an instant.
Psalm 2:1–6 (NLT)
1 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one.
3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury.
6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”
And guys, when we talk about us fighting against God in our own lives, I don’t want to give you examples of how we fight God because I want the Holy Spirit to bring it up to you – your own personal fight. The question is, have we placed God’s chosen King on the throne of our lives, or are we angry at God and preparing for battle with him?
Are you getting the idea? Do you think it’s time (finally) to actually look at the battle of Armageddon in Revelation 19? It’s a very small amount of scripture because how much scripture can there be? The world gathers to fight God, Jesus speaks a Word, everyone dies, vultures come – what else is left? The Millennium! That’s what’s left, and we’ll get to that as we continue – not today. We’ve done all the background. Now, we can just focus on the end result for those who choose to go toe to toe with the Almighty God. The application today is, should we be doing that in our own lives right now?Remember, the verses leading into our text today are about the return of Jesus Christ! And we pick it up today, right at the Second Coming.
And today’s text starts with a dinner bell!
Revelation 19:17 (NLT)
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: “Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared.
Two messages ago, we talked about the Marriage banquet of the Lamb. In the Marriage Banquet, those who belong to Christ are the guests. But at this great banquet, the enemies of Christ become the banquet, and the invited guests are the vultures.
And what is it they will be feasting on? And then the Angel says this to the vultures.
Revelation 19:18 (NLT)
18 Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great.”
Jesus Christ showed up at this battle in our last message, and all the Saints, and all the angels behind him! But then God says No! . . .Wait . . . There’s one more thing . . . I’m going to need all the vultures to clean up the mess I’m about to make.
Then, John sees those who are about to become vulture treats.
Revelation 19:19 (NLT)
19 Then I saw the beast (Antichrist) and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. (that’s Jesus, with US).
The Kings of the Earth are preparing to fight against God, and I’m saying, what in the world are you thinking? Jesus has cracked the sky, and he’s coming with all the angels of Heaven and with all the Saints, and you’re going to puff out your chest??
But, sometimes, when I’m fighting against God, aren’t I standing against the Lord of Glory and all the angels of Heaven and puffing out my chest and saying, I’m going to do it my way? I’m sure God is saying the exact same thing to me. But he says my mercy is new every morning. But there is a time coming when those who puff out their chest against God will receive what they rightfully justly deserve.
Listen, God is perfect, holy, just, righteous. He’s merciful. His grace is unending. But he must ultimately judge the evil and sin in the world. He must or he cannot be God. This happens to be the judging part.
So, the clean-up crew is on standby, and the world’s feeble armies are ready to take on God. But before the vulture banquet begins, there are two in this army that God has a very special place reserved for.
Revelation 19:20 (NLT)
20 And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet (Notice the Dragon – Satan – is not there) who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
The Antichrist and the False Prophet are snatched up by God, and they are thrown alive into the Lake of Fire. They get to bypass physical death and head straight to eternal death and they are the first two occupants of the eternal Lake of Fire (talked about in Chapter 20).
But, 1,000 years later, when Satan is thrown in with them, Chapter 20 says they will all be tormented day and night, forever and ever.
So – Jesus Christ is in the air over the armies of the world
We are with him, along with all the angels
The vultures are ready to begin the clean up
The Antichrist and False Prophet have entered eternal judgment
And now it’s all over but one final Word.
This world has been at war with God for such a long time, since Genesis Chapter 3, when Adam turned over the world to the prince of the power of the air, this little “g” god. And since then the world has been at war with God. God has been so merciful for so many thousands of years. God, in his mercy, has made a way through so much mercy and grace that he took upon the sin of the world and paid the full penalty for it so that we could escape this moment. But then judgment day must come. And when this day finally comes, the enemies of God will be judged with a Word from the Lord Jesus.
Revelation 19:21 (NLT)
21 Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.
We talked last week about the sword that is the Word spoken by Jesus. It is the long sword that cuts down everything in its path, and with a Word, the enemies of God are slain, and the vultures of the earth are gorged with their flesh.
Lord, why would you put that in there? It’s so brutal.
We need to know when Armageddon does come, when God’s judgment must come, there is going to be a very clear line drawn with no gray area. Every single person will either be fighting against God or on God’s side. But that is not just true for the final battle of Armageddon.
That’s just as true for us fighting our battles today. When it comes to the battles, we are fighting in our own lives today, we are either fighting against God or fighting on God’s side. Why not fight your battles with God instead of against God? In that battle you’re in today, run to God for protection, for strength, and for victory because, ultimately, GOD WINS!! And in Christ, your ultimate victory is guaranteed.
Jesus said this in John Chapter 6.
John 6:37 (ESV)
37 . . . whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
So, you can either fight against him or you can come to him and join him.
When man fights with God and man loses, that is especially true in the final battle of Armageddon.
But (in a lesser sense) it is also true for us today. When man fights with God, man loses. And whether it’s the battle of Armageddon or it’s something you are fighting with God about today, ultimately God is going to win, and you can either fight against him, or join him.
Do you know why we raise our hands to God? Because it is an act of surrender.
I surrender to the Lord
I surrender my way to YAWEH
I surrender my will to your will.
You are the sovereign, omnipotent God, and I want to be ready when you return. I surrender to you today so that I will be with you and not against you, both for today and for that day when you return for the final battle on earth.