Revelation 19:11-16; Armageddon
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
When Jesus was tried before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, it was asked to Jesus:
Matthew 26:63-64 (KJV) But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
By suffering, Christ bore the wins of the world. Love in the midst of suffering manifested the greatest glory and attained its end perfectly. Love worthy of the name manifests itself in a life of continual self-sacrifice. Love gives strength to endure, whatever the circumstances. Loving others mean tears, heartaches, and much persevering prayer; but love overcomes all obstacles. [Andrew Murrray]
After Jesus’ redemptive work, He predicted His intercessory work at the right hand of the Father on our behalf.
Hebrews 2:17-18 (KJV) Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Here in this text is given His coming in judgment to restore the world and to make war against His enemies.
Exodus 15:3 (KJV) The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
The glory of Jesus’ coming again as the triumphant King – the King of kings and the Lord of lords is here described. He shall defeat the armies of the world to established His earthly kingdom. What a momentous scene before us.
Anti-Semitism was at its height during the Second World War when 6 million Jews were exterminated by the German army under Adolf Hitler. The worst is yet to be for there will be a future time, when all the nations of the earth will be gathered against Jerusalem (Zech 12:2-3, 14:2). The city will be plundered, and the armies will exile half of the people and leave half. Zechariah announced in verse 1, “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh…” That day of the Lord is yet future but its coming is absolutely certain. The spoils of war will be divided. Israel shall have entered into a covenant with the false Messiah or Antichrist who shall suddenly and treacherously turn upon God’s people (Dan 9:27; Matt 24:15; Mk 13:14). The Lord will intervene at the breaking point to fight for His people Israel (Zechariah 12:3).
The trials and temptations that befall a Christian are with God’s permission. God knows the amount of pressure we are able to withstand. He will provide surely a way out (1 Cor. 10:13). Israel since 1948 has fought and won 6 battles against overwhelming odds. This final battle will be the worst. Our Lord Jesus returns with His glorified saints and angels (v 5) to intervene and save Israel (Rev 19:11-16).
This will occur on the same day when the Lord returns and there will be some interesting geographical changes. The Mount of Olives will be split, by a great earthquake, into two by a large valley as the Lord returns visibly and physically, just as He left (v4; Acts 1:11). A valley of escape will be formed for His people. The impact globally is further described in Revelation 16:18-20 “…and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell…And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.” Singapore will not be spared on that day though it seems safe from earthquake today.
“And the Lord directs your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” (2 Thess 3:5) I reaffirm my faith in You that I may partake of the first resurrection at the rapture and returning with You to save Israel.
The death suffered by these whose “flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet and eyes shall consume away in their holes and their tongues shall consume away in their mouth” is most atrocious. This plague came upon them because they would not submit to our Lord Jesus Christ. They might have thought that the might of all the nations was sufficient to fight the King of kings and Lord of lords. This is the ill-informed pride of a rebellious heart that caused their downfall. Have you been rebelling against God’s laws and there seem to be not sign of God’s judgment? Repent!