The Daily Word of Righteousness

Preparing for the Battle of Armageddon, #6

See, the day of the LORD is coming—a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger—to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. (Isaiah 13:9-11—NIV)

Let us now examine some of the other passages, Old Testament and New, that discuss the return of Jesus Christ and His army of saints, and the Battle of Armageddon.

You will notice that the context of these prophecies in the Old Testament are warnings concerning immediate dangers to the Israelites.

Although the above passage is contained in a context referring to an invasion by one of Israel's enemies, it is clear the words transcend the immediate situation and reach forward to the Day of the Lord. We have the familiar leaves of the fig tree—the darkening of the stars, their constellations, the sun, and the moon. Also the whole world is to be punished for its evil, not just Israel.

The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for man or linger for mankind. The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which mauls and mangles as it goes, and no one can rescue. Your hand will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies, and all your foes will be destroyed. (Micah 5:7-9—NIV)

The above seems to go beyond the Assyrians and reach to a larger scene. How do you feel about this?

And then the following from the Book of Habakkuk.

You came out to deliver your people, to save your anointed one. You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from head to foot. Selah. With his own spear you pierced his head when his warriors stormed out to scatter us, gloating as though about to devour the wretched who were in hiding. You trampled the sea with your horses, churning the great waters. I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. (Habakkuk 3:13-16—NIV)

That the above warning is more than the assault of an earthly army is implied in the opening verses of Chapter Three.

God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden. Plague went before him; pestilence followed his steps. He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains crumbled and the age-old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal. (Habakkuk 3:3-6—NIV)

I think it is clear the third chapter of the Book of Habakkuk is referring to more than an attack by physical armies.

To be continued.