Chapter 14

Earth is Prepared for God’s Full Wrath -4

The vintage of grapes shows us the conclusion of the harvest, speaking of God’s severe judgment by war of the evil governments of the world culminating at Armageddon. For the governments of man, like clusters of ripe grapes plucked from the vine and brought into the husbandman’s vat for trampling, will in these last days be brought to the winepress called Armageddon and therein crushed under the heavy foot of God’s great wrath (see also–Rev.16:21). And human blood, as the result of war, will gush from the valley like a river and flow downstream at a depth of about four feet and for a distance of one hundred and eighty miles.

“Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, go down; for the winepress is full, the vats overflow—for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision” (Joel 3:12-14).

Okay, now let’s consider Armageddon.

The battle of Armageddon represents the final conflict between Christ and Antichrist. And though generally considered as one single battle waged at the conclusion of the Tribulation, it might actually include three battles waged over the entire last half of the Tribulation (tantamount to a three and a half year world war). For Scripture speaks of three battles in the last days; all fought in and around the vast plains of Esdraelon, which is called Armageddon; all resulting in untold human casualties; and all used by God to in fact destroy all the major world governments long in opposition to Him and His nation Israel.

The first battle concerns the invasion of Israel by a coalition of Russian and Islamic nations (Iran, Turkey, Libya, and Egypt; Ez.38-39). This will cause an intense war in which Israel is spared, but results in the invading army becoming utterly destroyed by “pestilence and bloodshed…flooding rain, great hailstones, fire and brimstone” (Ez.38:22). Moreover, the country of Russia will be engulfed in fire, as will another country (or countries considered out of harms way) along “the coastlands” (Ez.39:6). This may or may not allude to the United States, as some commentators believe. It should also be noted that in April 2008 Russian President Vladimir Putin became the first Russian leader in history to visit Libya, creating a strategic alliance, signing numerous agreements, and negotiating a $2.5 billion arms sale to this enormous and historic enemy of Israel.

The second battle concerns the invasion of the Middle East by a coalition of Asian countries referred to as “the kings of the east” (Rev.16:12) and probably headed up by China. This not only escalates the first war, it significantly expands it; and as a direct result of the confrontation every major city in the world will be destroyed (check—Rev.16:12; Zep.1:15-18; Isa.24:1-6).

The third battle concerns the invasion of planet earth by Jesus Christ at His Second Coming, in my opinion to prevent the annihilation of Israel. For Jesus said, “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s [Israel’s] sake those days will be shortened” (Matt.24:22). As a result, all the remaining armies of the world are consumed, and the Antichrist and the False Prophet are plucked out alive from this planet and cast into the lake of fire (Rev.19:11-21).

8 Comments

  1. For the Quiz, can you explain why we would not choose the 144,000 but the Tribulation martyrs? I would like to explain this to my Bible Study Group. I am sure everyone will choose The 144,000 instead of the Tribulation martyrs. What is the difference?

  2. Hi Annette. You are absolutely correct to identify the group as the 144,000 and not the Tribulation martyrs. My personal notes are correct, I just entered the wrong answer for the quiz (it’s fixed now). Thank you for pointing it out to me. Regarding your question: The 144,000 are sealed by God (protection from death) in preparation to serve God as witnesses during thr Tribultion. The Tribulation martyrs are those who will become Christians during the Tribulation and in turn put to death for their faith. You might want to read about it in Chapter 7.

  3. This study guide is wonderful and I am learning so much. For question number 7, I agree that the correct answer is “The fall of Babylon.” A couple of people in my study group said the answer is “The rapture of the church.” Can you explain why this is NOT the correct answer? I would appreciate your help.
    Thank you

  4. Because the Church was raptured before the tribulation began. Whereas, this event concerns the second half of the Tribulation. So we’re not here. This event deals with what Matthew said in 13:41-42, “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

  5. Thank you so much for this explanation. I totally understand now.

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