Jesus said...Behold, I am coming as a thief...blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame...and they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon...Rev. 16:15-16. This is the only reference in the Bible where we will find the word Armageddon. It is a symbolic name. What does it symbolize? We will find out in this series.
Since I became a Christian in 1972 I have searched the scriptures diligently for what they are saying to the followers of Christ, as well as reading what God has shown others about His Word. As I delved into hundreds of books, listened to hundreds of teaching tapes, and belonged to a local church with the opinions of that denomination, it didn't take long before I was confused, due to conflicting information; especially regarding the return of Jesus Christ.
I am sure my endless questions annoyed many people, but I can't just swallow a doctrine that appears to conflict with the Bible. I realized how little the Church, as a whole, and myself knew about Biblical history, so that is where I began. My, my, my what an eyeopener this 45-year research project has been. Of course, what I found out is not popular with those who embrace the modern viewpoint of eschatology. After this extensive research, I now embrace the historical viewpoint of eschatology, which is what I have provided to the readers of this blog.
When my prayer-partner died in 2005, I felt so alone in my research, since she was the only person I knew that had the same questions I did regarding the modern viewpoint on eschatology. She was an avid reader of the scriptures and could not reconcile the two. I promised her I wouldn't give up on someday having a venue to share the historical viewpoint on eschatology, so that people at least are given a choice -- modern or historical viewpoint. Since that promise to her, the Lord has shown me how to blog this study for five years, and recently a publisher reached out to me to publish my manuscript. I am very grateful.
I realized very early that the book of Revelation was full of symbolism: enigmas, metaphors, riddles, and esoteric imagery. I knew if I could just define the symbolism the message locked inside would be unveiled so that we could understand what the Lord was saying to His Church. Having this information doesn't change God's plans in any way, but having this information helps us to be fully ready to receive Him at His return and not be ashamed.
Researching Church history also opened my eyes to how many of the visions pertain to governments, both religious and secular, but mostly addresses men's worship of Paganism in all past centuries, right up to and including the 21st century. The Revelation has been in the process of being fulfilled throughout the Christian era. Jesus said that prophecy is understood in it fulfillment so that we will believe, and that He is the one who prophesied the events.
I know that the modern viewpoint says that the events of Revelation will all take place sometime in the future, and nearly all at one time. But is that what historians have recorded? I found that historians have provided the names, dates and places where most of the visions have already been fulfilled, and by whom, which I have carefully delineated in my blog. Martin Luther was very clear through his drawings about Revelation that he placed in his Bible in 1522 -- he saw the fulfillment of Revelation 13 & 17, and the events of 18 beginning to be fulfilled. Wonder why we ignore history?
When we were last together we were studying chapter 20 of Revelation. We have found out that this chapter covers the whole Christian era, from the resurrection of Jesus Christ to the Great White Throne judgment. Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from this prison...Rev. 20:7. What does this mean?
The last human being on the earth to accept Jesus Christ as Savior will be the last human to become born again...John 3:3. At this time the thousand year reign of Christ on the earth will be fulfilled. Satan has been bound - limited in his power & authority - during this same period of time.
Satan is loosed from being bound, limited, in power and authority and is furious about the restrictions that God placed on him for 2,000 years, so he...will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog & Magog, to gather them together to battle whose number is as the sand of the sea...they went up the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city...and fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them...Rev. 20:8-9.
This reference describes the great spiritual battle between Satan and God called Armageddon. The name Armageddon is pronounced the same in the Greek, Hebrew and English language. It symbolizes the final face-to-face battle between Satan and God. How do we know? When we define the word we will understand the event.
What is the definition of Armageddon, Gog & Magog? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
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