SECOND QUARTER 2018

SABBATH SCHOOL INSIGHT #12

JUNE 16, 2018

“Babylon and Armageddon”

 

The Battle of Armageddon is the final conflict in the war that began in Heaven, over the character of God, the truthfulness and goodness of God, and the principles of heaven itself, love, mercy, justice, and the benevolence of God towards His creation. As Revelation 12 tells us, war began in Heaven. Satan challenged the Government of God, in the claim that Satan knew better as to what would be best for those who lived under the rule of Heaven. We have, of course, seen it as the Great Controversy theme, and all the aspects of that issue and conflict.

The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth. Review and Herald, 11/22/1892.

The Battle of Armageddon Joins

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful. Revelation 17:14.

"We need to study the pouring out of the seventh vial. The powers of evil will not yield up the conflict without a struggle. But providence has a part to act in the battle of Armageddon. When the earth is lighted with the glory of the angel of Revelation eighteen, the religious elements, good and evil, will awake from slumber, and the armies of the living God will take the field.

Four mighty angels hold back the powers of this earth till the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. The nations of the world are eager for conflict; but they are held in check by the angels. When this restraining power is removed, there will come a time of trouble and anguish. Deadly instruments of warfare will be invented. Vessels, with their living cargo, will be entombed in the great deep. All who have not the spirit of truth will unite under the leadership of satanic agencies. But they are to be kept under control till the time shall come for the great battle of Armageddon.

Every form of evil is to spring into intense activity. Evil angels unite their powers with evil men, and as they have been in constant conflict and attained an experience in the best modes of deception and battle, and have been strengthening for centuries, they will not yield the last great final contest without a desperate struggle. All the world will be on one side or the other of the question. The battle of Armageddon will be fought, and that day must find none of us sleeping. Wide awake we must be, as wise virgins having oil in our vessels with our lamps. . . .

The power of the Holy Ghost must be upon us, and the Captain of the Lord's host will stand at the head of the angels of heaven to direct the battle. Solemn events before us are yet to transpire. Trumpet after trumpet is to be sounded, vial after vial poured out one after another upon the inhabitants of the earth. Scenes of stupendous interest are right upon us." Maranatha, p. 258.

The Gospel of Righteousness by Faith, the message said to be in verity, as the essence of the Third Angel's Message, stems from the character of God that flows from eternity. The essence of the Kingdom of God is based on Love, trust, and dependence upon God, the Creator, to sustain His creation. Redemption flows from Creation, as the Creator reaches out to rescue and recreate His fallen creation. We are sustained by the promises of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, by the life or righteousness of Christ, obtained for all humanity as a free gift, to be received by faith alone.

The issue from the war in Heaven remains. Who is deserving of our worship, who is the one whose principles are right for the governance of the universe, who represents true Agape Love? Armageddon is said to be in the "Hebrew tongue" in Revelation 16. This would then be Har Mageddon, or Mountain at Megiddo, which is a reference to the events of 1 Kings 18, and the conflict over worship between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. That is all precluded by the 1,260 days of no rain, followed by the outpouring of rain. That is also precluded by the King of Israel marrying Jezebel, a pagan priestess, thus symbolizing the mixture of truth and error, and as she utilized force, it also suggests the mixture of church and state, both issues that culminate in end time events and the world wide coalition of those who "worship the Dragon, and worship the beast." Revelation 4 and 5 shows two aspects of true worship, first, the worship of our Creator, and then Jesus as our Redeemer. I have stood on Mt. Carmel, and it brings vividly to mind the events that took place there, all typological of the end time Elijah's Message. Babylon represents confusion, rebellion, a false spiritual experience of worship, and lawlessness as an attitude towards God. The people sealed by God are sealed in their foreheads by the character of God, which is seen manifest in His law, and then in the gospel of grace, mercy, and sacrificial love.

We see in Revelation 19 that Jesus will ride onto the scene and fight for and rescue His people after going through the "time of trouble" such as we have never seen. But as we learn from the stories in Daniel, Jesus walks with us and protects us through the trial. Armageddon is finally concluded in Revelation 20 where Satan makes his last attempt to obtain access to Heaven and the Tree of Life, so that he can obtain immortality, for without it, even he would experience, eventually, the "wages of sin" which is death. For several reasons, he has but a short time. The entire battle is based on the original lies in the Garden of Eden, namely, that God, His Word, and obedience to His laws cannot be trusted. In essence, Satan says that sin won't hurt us, but will improve us, making us like God. God tells us that loving and obedience are the essential aspects of His kingdom and bring to man a blessing in righteousness. Then the sin problem is fully exposed and Satan unmasked for His deception, evil, and hatred, the great controversy is finally resolved. People sadly have "drunk" of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, symbols for believing the lie (2 Thessalonians 2), partaking of false teachings and a false spiritual experience based on agreement with hatred and rage, for "the nations were angry". Revelation 11:18.

The victory in the Battle of Armageddon comes down to a choice. Do we want love or do we want hatred against God? Do we want the power of love or a love of power? Are we willing to be loyal to the principle of love or are we willing to be filled with rage at the expression of self? Will we trust in the Righteousness of Christ and receive it, faith, repentance, surrender and a new heart by faith, as a miracle, or will we trust ourselves? The entire universe is intensely interested in the outcome and it is sure. I once asked Merwyn Maxwell what he thought was the essence of prophecy. He said simply, "God wins”. He wins because He has already gained the victory, and that victory will be communicated to His saints, and they will gain the victory over the Dragon, over the Beast, over the Mark, and over the number of his name, which represents a trust in flesh, instead of in the Creator. Choose you this day whom you will serve. God bless.

~Tom Cusack