31. Second Return of Christ & Armegeddon God's Purpose for Man

Chapter 31
Second Return of Christ & Armageddon

As the bride of Christ, we have been experiencing the greatest joy in heaven preparing for the second return of Christ when we will return with Him to rule and reign over the earth for 1000 years.  As the finale before we return to earth with Him, we are joined to Him in worship and praise, adoring Him as our true love.  As we pour out our deepest love to Him, angels continuously praise Him.  Where Jesus has been hailed as King of kings and Lord of lords throughout heaven, it is now time for Christ to come down to take over the earth to show the whole world that He truly IS truly the King of kings and Lord of all lords. 

Before that happens, however, let’s backtrack to the scenes on the earth during the Tribulation Period.

Spiritual battle

While physical battles upon battles are being fought upon the earth, the underlying source lies in the spiritual realm.  Satan keeps thinking he can outwit and out fight God to take over His throne.  While Satan knows from Scripture that his time is short upon the earth, he thinks he can outsmart God by working hard to build up his army against Jesus at the forthcoming Battle at Armageddon.  We need to remember that Satan is simply a created being of God and God knows his every step.  And then, God has told us what Satan's plans are so that we don't have to fall prey to them.  Satan is not unique in that he uses the same technique over and over again.  Let's look at his same method of operation:

• Looking back at the time long before Adam and Eve - when Lucifer was cast out of heaven, we know that he convinced one-third of God's angelic hosts to join him in fighting against God to take over the throne of God.  God, however, had Michael and the other two-thirds of angels in heaven cast Lucifer (who then became known as Satan) and his angelic followers out of heaven and down to earth (Ezek 28:11-15; Isa 14:12-14).  Then were thrown out of heaven so fast where Jesus said in Luke 10:18 it happened like lightning (Rev 12:4; Rev 12:9).  We've learned that the earth then became destroyed, leaving it without form and void (Gen 1:2). 
• Looking to the future, the Bible tells us that in the Millennium Period, at the end of the thousand year reign of Christ, Satan will be released from the bottomless pit for a brief period of time and will again gather as many followers as he can to battle against God for the take-over of the throne of the world.
• And now, here we are where Satan is preparing for the forthcoming Battle at Armageddon where he has been gathering as many human followers, as well as his angelic fallen angels, as he still thinks he can battle against Jesus for the take-over of the earth.  Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.

Satan has been battling God for His throne for thousands upon many thousands of years; however, his future has been told.  He still thinks he can outmaneuver God.  But, again, he is a created being by God, just like all the other angels as well as mankind.  The created still thinks he can take over the Creator.

Satan's Strategy to Kill Jesus

From the time when God warned Satan of his demise in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:15) where he was told that there would be one coming later who would defeat him, Satan has made every effort to stop Jesus from coming to earth. 

• Satan tried to destroy the seed of the woman by sending his fallen angels to have sex with the women upon the earth to mutate the seed.  Giants then flooded the earth.  Only Noah and his family were of pure seed.  God then destroyed the earth with a flood. 
• At the time of Jesus' birth, it was followed by King Herod trying to kill Him.  Warned by an angel, Joseph and Mary took the Baby Jesus and fled to Egypt to escape His death.  
• Satan then fought to kill Jesus by having Him crucified on the cross.  He thought it was his victory when He died, but instead, God raised Jesus from the dead and the victory went to Jesus instead of Satan.
• From that point on, Satan has done everything to stop, or delay Jesus from setting his foot back on the earth again to fight him at this predestined Battle of Armeggedan and set up His millennial kingdom. Satan knows that this battle is on the horizon and that his destiny is to be bound to hell for 1000 years.  He, however, keeps thinking he can outmaneuver God.  As such, he is doing as much destruction in the lives of mankind as he possibly can.  But God!  God's Word remains true, and Satan will be defeated.

The End of the Tribulation Period

As the seven-year Tribulation Period draws to a close, the peoples of the earth will have experienced wars upon wars, culminating with what will be understood as World War III.  These wars will have been going on for 3 ½ years or longer. The major powers of the world involved in these wars bring death everywhere. In addition, the revealed anti-christ, supported by the false prophet, will command the world to bow down and claim him as the world leader. 

The nations of the east (probably China and its allies) cross Asia to meet in Israel to conquer. On the other side of the world, Russia and its allies cross Europe, also setting their eyes against Israel.  In addition, the armies of the anti-christ will be at war to kill every Jew in and around Israel, aiming to conquer Israel once and for all. Where will this battle take place?

The final battle - Armageddon

The place of the final battle has been predetermined throughout the ages. The Valley of Megiddo, once given to Joshua, was at one time the capital of a portion of Canaan. It is the entrance to a pass across the Carmel mountain range – on the main highway between Asia and Africa, and is the key position between Euphrates and the Nile River. It has been the battlefield of thousands of people throughout the ages.

Rev 16:16 And they gathered them together to the
place called in Hebrew, Armegeddon.

This last battle, called the Battle of Armageddon, will be fought on the south side of the Valley of Megiddo, also known as Esdaelon, which is southwest of Mount Carmel. [i]

I once stood on the mountain overlooking the Valley of Megiddo some years back.  Standing there I was imagining how that final battle would take place, when suddenly I saw several military aircraft come out of the mountain, one by one.  Then another one came from the sky and suddenly disappeared into the mountain.  I was then told that there was a military base with aircraft in the mountain.  Israel is preparing.

Jerusalem seized

Jerusalem, near the Valley of Megiddo, will first be seized and taken over.  The houses will be rifled, the women raped and murdered, and half of the city will be captured.

Zech 14:1-2 Behold, the Day of the Lord is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

We must not forget that the last half of the 3 ½ years of the Tribulation Period, Jerusalem will be in the hands of the anti-christ with his headquarters in the temple at Jerusalem – the same temple the Jews had earlier planned for their Messiah.

The Day of the LORD

God has promised throughout the ages revenge on those who have persecuted His people.  For thousands of years it was foretold, taking thousands of years to unfold. The Day of the LORD has now come!

Jude 1:14…Behold, the Lord comes WITH ten thousands of His saints to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.

As heaven opens, Jesus Christ, leading the pact, sitting on a white horse, comes ready for battle. As His bride, we, the saints of God, follow Him on horses and chariots. Jesus having hair white as snow, eyes filled with fury fire, having on His head many crowns, He leads the pact, out to avenge His enemies. Wearing a white gown and robe dipped in blood to represent all the martyrs who died for Him, Jesus leads the pact.  On His thigh is boldly written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Out of His mouth will come a sharp sword, ready to kill. The final battle against righteousness and evil will now begin.

Rev 19:11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse. He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one new except himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations…He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Rev 1:13-16…One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shine in its strength.

Rev 14:14-16 Then I look, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man…So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.

We, as the bride, and saints of Christ, will follow Him and His angels at His second coming back to earth, landing on the Mount of Olives for battle. We will be there to witness that final battle – the Battle Armageddon as Jesus and His angels do battle.

Jesus Lands on the Mount of Olives

As Jesus lands on the Mount of Olives, just outside of Jerusalem, the mountain splits in two – changing the whole landscape of the land.

Zech 14:4-5b And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north. And half of it toward the south…Thus the LORD my God will come, and all the saints with Him.

Rev 1:7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him…

With thunder, lightning, earthquakes and fire, the world witnesses the brightness of Jesus’ coming as many are killed.  The clouds burst with great hailstones pouring out of the sky. As the saints watch, God’s angels fight against the spiritual and physical forces of evil that has devoured the earth. As Jesus speaks, the two-edged sword in His mouth strike many.

Is 29:6 You will be punished by the Lord of hosts with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with storm and tempest and the flame of devouring fire.

II Thess 1:7-10…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in the Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

The Defeat of Anti-Christ and His Armies

The anti-christ and his armies are defeated. The armies of World War III are defeated. Only a sixth part of the armies survive the battle.

Ezek 39:2-7 and I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the far north, and bring you against the mountains of Israel…So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane, My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.

The Jews will finally recognize Jesus as their Messiah. The remnants of Israel, after seeing God’s army fighting for them, will then join forces with Jesus and His army.  We must remember, all along, the Tribulation Period was all about Israel.  God is now giving Israel back to what has belonged to them all along.  This time was never about the Church.  As witnesses to this battle, we are seeing the forces of evil fall, Jesus is reigned as King, and Israel is being put back to its rightful place.

Anti-Christ and False Prophet Thrown in the Lake of Fire

The anti-christ and the false prophet are then captured and thrown into the Lake of Fire – for all eternity.

Rev 19:19-21 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. 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 worshipped his image. These two were cast alive into the Lake of Fire burning with brimstone…

Dan 7:11…I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.

II Thess 2:8 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.

Satan Bound For One-Thousand Years

Then an angel captures Satan, binding and casting him into the bottomless pit for 1000 years.

Rev 20:1-3 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished…

All but one-sixth of those at the Battle of Armageddon will be killed by Christ and His angels, with fire and brimstone, judgment and self-destruction. This one-day war – the greatest war of all times - has been complete.  Christ and God’s army defeated Satan, his demonic followers, the anti-christ, the false prophet, and all evil upon the earth. Jesus is the victor – and the battle will be fought with the swiftness of the divine nature of Almighty God.

Zech 14:7 … It shall be one day which is known to the Lord – neither day nor night but an evening time it shall happen.

Evil has ended and righteousness has conquered. Millions of people lay dead in pools of blood.  Blood, rising up to the horses bridles, soaks the earth four feet high for 184 miles.

Rev 14:20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.

The Feast For the Birds

To rid the earth of all of the spoiled blood and rotting flesh left after the Battle of Armaggedon, the feast of the birds will soon begin.

Rev 19:17-18 Then I saw an angel standing in the sin; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”

Rev 19:21c…and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

Matt 24:28 Forever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

At the command of one of God's angels, birds, all gathered for the prey will have flocked from far and wide – vultures, eagles, and all kinds of scavenger birds will swarm to the rotting flesh of the dead bodies of the war victims. The rotting flesh will also attract various beasts that will be ready to pounce at the command. 

Ez 39:17-20…speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field. “Assemble yourselves and come; gather together from all sides to My sacrificial meal which I am sacrificing for you. A great sacrificial meal on the mountains of Israel, that you may eat flesh and drink blood. You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams and lambs, of goats and bulls, all of the fatlings of Basham. You shall eat fat till you are full, and drink blood till you are drunk, at My sacrificial meal which I am sacrificing for you. You shall be filled at My table with hourses and riders with mighty men and with all the men of war” says the Lord God.

The survivors of that great destruction at Armageddon will recognize and acknowledge there IS reward for being righteous; for they will have seen the justice of God shown upon the earth’s rebels, and the deliverance of God’s righteousness – all to the glory of God Almighty.

Click here to view Chapter #32 - Judgment of Sheep Goat and Nations

End Notes

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[i] Dakes, Finis. Dakes Annotated Bible. Dakes Publishing Co. Pg 298 N.T.