The Final Conflict
Notes
Transcript
Welcome back Sandy.
PRAY FOR KIDS BELOW 13!!!
19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Maranatha!
Overview of the Book of Revelation and where we are in this series. Chart.
One takeaway from our Study: Understanding the Book of Revelation should intensify our longing and anticipation of the return of the Messiah!
Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!
The return of Christ on a White Horse.
The marriage supper of the Lamb.
The Final Conflict.
The Rise of an End-Time Coalition.
The Punishment of the Antichrist and the False Prophet.
The Crushing of the Rebellion.
The Battle of Armageddon.
16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
Describe Armageddon - “Har” - hill of Megiddo
The exact location of Armageddon is unclear because there is no mountain called Meggido. However, since Har can also mean “hill,” the most likely location is the hill country surrounding the plain of Meggido, some sixty miles north of Jerusalem. Throughout history, armies have fought countless battles in that region: Egyptians, Assyrians, Greeks, Romans, and Crusaders fought in Megiddo, as well as the armies of Napoleon. Megiddo was the site of battles during World War I and the Arab-Israeli War of 1948.
The Rise of the End-time Coalition.
19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.
It is so unthinkable and it is so futile to band together against God.
Even now, we see the forces of evil in society coming together in opposition to the church of Christ. (Talk about the cultural wars of our time).
As a Christian, people may band together against you. (Talk about betrayal by enemies).
The unity according to the world is not the same as the unity according to God. (Pilate and Herod, Globalism, Tower of Babel).
The nations involved in this coalition were not mentioned. Where is America?
Similar coalition that will attack Israel, in Ezekiel 38 (Russia, Iran, Turkey. Ethiopia, Sudan and Libya) - different war which Bible scholars say would be before the Tribulation.
2. The Punishment of the AntiChrist and the False Prophet.
20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
I mentioned the Antichrist but not the False Prophet so far. If we go back to Revelation 13, while the Antichrist is the Beast from the Sea. The False Prophet is the Beast from the earth. He would be the main champion and spokesman of the AntiChrist.
Satan is in the business of imitating or faking God and His truth.
The “Unholy Trinity” - The Dragon (Satan), The Beast, The Antichrist and the False Prophet.
The False Prophet...
15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
Beware of the counterfeit offers of this world. (talk) How do we know the counterfeit? Not by delving in what is false, but rather by exposing, immersing ourselves in the truth.(Illustration of a pearl)
Do not ignore the conviction of the Holy Spirit (red flags), Elevation.
The Antichrist and the False Prophet are thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone (describe).
3. The Crushing of the Rebellion.
21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
God is the enemy that no one can ever win against.
“Smite them with sword” - I believe the sword will be the same sword in Chapter One that proceeds out of His mouth.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
It will not even be a fight. It could be that Jesus will just say “Drop Dead” and they will all be gone.
“The Battle belongs to the Lord!”
“… Thus says the Lord to you, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s”. (2 Chronicles 20:15b)
“Vengeance is the Lord’s!”
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
“The Lord will get rid of the enemies of His church”!
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
Lessons for meditation:
Make sure you are on the right side of the Spiritual war - God’s side!
We wrestle not against flesh and blood.
Do not join the world’s bandwagon.
Christianity is not popular. You will be hated by the world.
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
Lessons for meditation:
2. Beware of and avoid the Counterfeit!
Discernment (talk of trends that are inconspicuous).
“Inconspicuous - means it seems harmless, but actually deadly.” It will bite!
Do not delve in what the Bible warns us against.
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
c. Do not approach God in the guise of religion. Come to Him from the position of a relationship.
Lessons for meditation:
3. Be encouraged by God’s Final Victory!
Do not be discouraged by the evil around us and the direction of the world.
Live your life under the victorious banner of Jesus Christ!
Be faithful.
Be vigilant.
Be busy - BE THE CHURCH!
Someday, we the raptured of the Lord will return with Him.
WE HAVE VICTORY IN CHRIST!
I want to encourage you today with the victorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ when He returns:
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
Image of the Lord Jesus when He returns here.
Be enlisted today in the Lord’s army!