Before Armageddon

With all of the 2012 hoopla and worry of doomsday proper across the corner, and anxiety in the Middle East keeping everyone sound asleep with one eye open, it seems appropriate to yet again speak Armageddon. Contrary to popular notion, Armageddon is way down the listing of catastrophes ready their turn to fulfill prophecy. What have to be of more situation for the prevailing is what occurs before Armageddon, which does no longer arise till the 6th vial is poured out upon the Euphrates River, which then dries up, making manner for the kings of the east. There are many catastrophic activities that occur previous to the 6th vial, and Scripture makes it clear there is no being "caught up within the air" (1 Thessalonians 4:17), until Christ returns, that is shortly earlier than that Great War.

The Holy Bible is Earth's biography, from starting to give up. It is the Father and the Son, the Old and New Testaments, and together they are One. What is written need to be taken extra significantly and irrespective of how a good deal of it's far understood, it ought to be accepted as Truth. Understanding comes with growth and with faith. The prophecies contained within it exceed by means of a ways those of Nostradamus or another prophet considering the fact that John the Baptist. It ought to also be deeply taken into consideration that if the prophecies of antique have come actual, then the prophecies of the destiny will come actual also.

If we're to base our evaluation on the e-book of Revelation, in conjunction with some other citations from different books of the Bible, then we need to first begin with the outlet of the seven seals, the beginning of the end. Prior to this are the letters to the seven church buildings, which could be for the things which might be, for John's present time. John was told to write "the matters you have seen, the matters that are, and the matters so as to be hereafter." It is quite apparent that when the 6th seal is opened, the Transformation and Resurrection has already came about.

The four horsemen of the apocalypse are the maximum familiar of the seven seals, and lots debate over what or who they constitute continues. Since it is the Lamb of God who opens the seals, it does no longer seem logical that the white horse might represent Christ himself, but because He rides a white horse in most references of His return, many people companion this with the go back of Jesus. However, that isn't the first element to be fulfilled. Besides, Christ generally incorporates a sword, no longer a bow. Other interpretations may also seem simply as legitimate, of which Time Periods have to additionally be considered.

First Four Seals:

First Seal: White horse, rider wears a crown (state), given a bow, went forth conquering and to conquer.

A time of conquering, from tribal clans of japanese Europe to the Mongolian battles of Genghis Khan to the conquering of America.

Second Seal: Red horse, given a sword; they went forth to take peace from the earth and kill each other.

A time of wars. Once international locations became installed, or conquered, wars and races for domination continued. The countries of these days evolved from those invasions and wars with neighboring lands.

Third Seal: Black horse, given balances; one measure of wheat for a penny, 3 measures of barley for a penny, do now not harm the oil or wine.

Time of Rationing. One degree of wheat and three of barley for a penny every, and now not hurting the oil or wine, can also imply each will suffice if used cautiously. Maybe it's miles more of a warning to prepare for the next time period.

Fourth Seal: Pale horse, Death is its rider and Hell follows after him. Given electricity to kill with sword, starvation, demise, and beasts, over one-fourth of the arena.

Death comes via sword, hunger, demise, and the beasts, and it spreads over one-fourth of the world. This time of starvation, disorder, and ravaging wars keeps and Hell is there to take the dead.

Fifth Seal: Souls beneath the altar are advised to relaxation a bit season (once more period) until their fellow servants and brothers who're killed for their testimony as they have been, is fulfilled.

Sixth Seal: Great earthquake, solar will become black and moon blood pink (lunar/sun eclipse), stars fall from heaven (meteor bathe or tail of comet), heaven departs as a scroll and every mountain and island are moved out of their places (polar or magnetic shift?). People cover in dens and rocks for worry of the Day of the Lord. The four winds are held again even as one hundred forty four,000 are sealed. A fantastic multitude of people stand earlier than the throne in white gowns preserving palms and worshiping God. They have come out of tremendous tribulation and feature washed their robes (souls) within the blood of the Lamb.

Seventh Seal: Silence in heaven about half an hour.

It is the Sixth Seal that is of maximum significance to the existing time. This is the time of fantastic tribulation, as mentioned in Matthew 24:21, and warns it's far extra than any in records. Those who "undergo to the give up," could be significantly rewarded. If we recollect the four horsemen to be durations or eras of time on this planet, applicable to humankind, then we're maximum usually due for the sixth seal to be opened. What takes place in the course of the length of the sixth seal is much like the fourth trumpet, whilst the sun, moon, and stars are darkened. Thus, we must conclude that the seals and the trumpets are neither simultaneous nor consecutive. Since none of the opposite seals has to do with astronomical events as referred to, and due to the fact all biblical prophecies of the quit include such occasions, then we recognise that once we see those activities arise, the quit is close to (Mark thirteen:24-29). The Sixth Seal is the time of the cease which includes the sounding of the trumpets and the pouring out of the vials with the seven final plagues. This is also confirmed in Revelation 16:20, at some stage in the 6th vial, in which it states the mountains and islands fled.

When the 7th seal is opened, there is silence in heaven for about 1/2 an hour. When the 7th trumpet sounds, which is also the 0.33 woe, the thriller of God could be finished (Rev 10:7), and fantastic voices in heaven are heard, announcing, The kingdoms of this global are turn out to be the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and He shall reign ad infinitum (Rev eleven:15). The pouring out of the seventh vial causes an earthquake greater than any ever before, and super, heavy hail. Also, a voice speaks from the throne announcing, "It is accomplished", meaning finality. Thus, the 7th seal, 7th trumpet, and seventh vial, are all indicative of the very stop of factors. The occasions that take place prior to the final stages of the end of things as we recognize them have to be our challenge. It can then be concluded that the seven trumpets will sound for the duration of the time of the sixth seal. Also, the primary six vials are poured out after the tribulation length and after the gathering and resurrection of believers, which took place while Christ seemed throughout the sixth trumpet.

The cosmic occasions prophesied as a signal of the stop are observed in each the Old and New Testaments.

Isaiah thirteen:10 For the celebs of heaven and the constellations thereof will now not supply their light: the sun can be darkened in his going forth, and the moon will now not motive her mild to shine.

Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes inside the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is close to in the valley of choice. The sun and the moon can be darkened, and the stars will withdraw their shining.

Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days will the solar be darkened, and the moon will now not deliver her mild, and the celebrities will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens can be shaken:

(Mar thirteen:29) So ye in like manner, whilst ye shall see these things come to bypass, (cosmic occasion in verses 24-28), realize that it's miles nigh, even on the doors.

Acts 2:17-21 And it will come to bypass inside the final days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your vintage men will dream dreams... And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs within the earth underneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: The solar will be become darkness, and the moon into blood, earlier than that exquisite and awesome day of the Lord come: And it will come to skip, that whoever will name at the call of the Lord can be saved.

Such occurrences are scattered in the course of the seals, trumpets, and vials, which mean a persevering with devastation of the planet by all kinds of catastrophes as a result of climate situations, astronomical occasions, and even guy.

First Four Trumpets:

First Trumpet: Hail and fireplace mingled with blood burns one third of trees and all green grass.

Second Trumpet: Something burning like a fiery mountain is cast into the ocean, one 1/3 turns into blood and one 1/3 of ships and sea creatures are destroyed.

Third Trumpet: Burning superstar called Wormwood falls upon one 0.33 of rivers and fountains. Many men die because the waters are made bitter.

Fourth Trumpet: one third of sun, moon, and stars are darkened and one third of the day and night time.

These four trumpets will be because of one event, a volcanic eruption, probably within the sea, or that fated asteroid with our call on it collides with earth and reasons the devastations mentioned. These occasions appear prior to Armageddon, that is to mention, previous to the return of Christ and previous to the Harvest. The tribulation isn't necessarily just a persecution of Christians, however a time frame when all and sundry on this planet will go through via the devastations to return.

As if all this turned into no longer awful enough, here comes worse, the three woes, or, ultimate three trumpets.

Fifth Trumpet: An angel is given the important thing to the bottomless pit, which he opens and releases smoke and locusts upon the earth. He appears before the Beast that arises from the sea. His name is King Apollyon and his military of locusts torments for five months individuals who do now not have the seal of God, which seems odd. It might not imply the 144,000 sealed from the twelve tribes (Revelation 7), however individuals who are sealed with the Holy Spirit, as in Ephesians 1:13 "once you heard the word of reality... And believed, you had been sealed with that holy Spirit of promise," and additionally 4:30 "grieve now not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption." Those who do now not have the seal of God are all nonbelievers. The fifth trumpet is likewise a length of 3 and a half of years of warfare led via King Apollyon.

During John's imaginative and prescient of trumpets, Seven Thunders utter their voices, however John is told no longer to put in writing what changed into said. An angel then swears by means of God and all His Creation that time could be no longer, and foretells that inside the days of the ultimate trumpet the mystery of God can be finished, or completed. John eats the little book of prophecy in the angel's hand and is told he ought to prophecy once more. The Temple is then measured with the ones inside it. The Court outdoor the Temple is given to the Gentiles to tread underfoot for three and a 1/2 years, or forty- months, which occurs during the next trumpet. This is the FIRST WOE.

The sixth trumpet is the second woe, or the second one battle. This is an extensively distinct term. It is likewise whilst Christ returns. It additionally contains the pouring out of the seven vials. Almost all prophecy is fulfilled all through this time, even Armageddon. Four angels (countries) are released from the Euphrates to kill a 3rd part of men. An military of  hundred million will both struggle towards King Apollyon for 3 and a 1/2 years, or simply wreak havoc at some point of the Middle East, killing all in their route. King Apollyon will cross into perdition till the time the Beast rises from the ocean and he appears once more as the 7th head of the Beast which become mortally wounded.

Many people speculate this massive army might be China. However, with 4 nations combined, two hundred million is without problems feasible. Besides, China does now not have seven heads and ten horns, neither is it a country of the Euphrates. However, the "kings of th east" is referenced during the pouring out of the sixth vial, which is when Armageddon takes place. It is feasible China may be involved in that conflict.

Two witnesses will prophecy for three and a half of years. King Apollyon makes conflict in opposition to them, prevails, and kills them. The entire world rejoices and sends presents to each other. The useless our bodies of the 2 prophets lie unburied for three and a half days and are then resurrected. The entire world is in awe. A tremendous earthquake kills seven thousand people and is the cease of the Second Woe. The 0.33 woe, or seventh trumpet, comes quickly, which is whilst the useless are judged, however this doesn't arise till after the seven vials are poured out, another indication that the seals, trumpets, and vials do no longer occur consecutively. Also, the useless are not judged till after the thousand year reign of Christ. It must be understood those are separate visions of things to take place, no longer a list.

It isn't clear when the sixth trumpet ends, but it is clean the 7th trumpet happens on the cease of time, not necessarily right after the sixth trumpet. When the 7th trumpet sounds, the thriller of God is completed. This can not arise until the alternative prophecies are fulfilled.

John then famous his next imaginative and prescient.

There is a Birth in heaven. Some interpret this to be the Christ child, however it is able to also be the beginning of a brand new state, Israel. There is war in heaven and Michael and his navy of angels defeat The Dragon, who is expelled from heaven with his angels and solid right down to earth for a short time. He goes to make battle with those who keep God's commandments (Jews) and those who have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Christians), the remnant of her SEED.

The Beast with seven heads and ten horns rises from the ocean (nations), and continues some other three and a half of years. (This could be a reformation of Mideast or European nations which form the Beast. King Apollyon, who went into perdition, then returns because the wounded head of the Beast and the eleventh horn that rises. He makes struggle with the saints and overcomes them, and is given strength over all kindred, tongues, and nations. This is after King Apollyon's conflict with the 2 prophets. This next battle is with the saints, or believers in Christ.)

Dan 7:20-27 And of the 10 horns that had been in his head, and of the opposite which came up, and before whom three fell... Even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth (false prophet?) that spoke very terrific matters, whose look was more stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the equal horn made warfare with the saints, and prevailed against them till the Ancient of days got here, and judgment turned into given to the saints of the maximum High, and the time got here that the saints possessed the kingdom.

Thus he stated, The fourth beast will be the fourth state upon earth, in an effort to be various from all kingdoms, and will consume the entire earth, and could tread it down and smash it in portions. The ten horns out of this nation are ten kings to be able to arise: and every other will upward thrust after them (making eleven); and he might be diverse from the primary, and he'll subdue 3 kings (making him the 8th) (Revelation 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he's the 8th, and is of the seven, and goes into perdition). He will communicate amazing words towards the most High, and could put on out the saints of the maximum High, and assume to exchange times and laws: and they'll be given into his hand until a time and instances and the dividing of time.

Rev 13:6-8 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy towards God, to blaspheme His call, and His tabernacle, and them that reside in heaven. And it became given unto him to make struggle with the saints, and to conquer them.

This is the identical beast from the bottomless pit which has again from perdition, upon which Babylon sits, which once more shows King Apollyon, the seventh head with the deadly wound, which was, and is, and isn't.

Revelation 17:eight The beast which you saw turned into, and is not; and could ascend out of the bottomless pit, and move into perdition (King Apollyon), and they that live on the earth will wonder, whose names were no longer written inside the ebook of life from the muse of the arena, once they behold the beast that became, and is not, and but is.

The above verses imply King Apollyon is the Beast, and is likewise the "other horn". There are more horns than there are countries. Once 3 of the horns are consumed with the aid of the 11th horn, that gives every head, or nation, a leader, plus one. King Apollyon returns from perdition with a wounded but healed kingdom, and maximum probably, is the chief of all of them.

2 Thessalonians 2:three-12 Let no man lie to you by way of any manner: for that day will now not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be discovered, the son of perdition who opposes and exalts himself mainly this is called God... Do you now not remember the fact that after I turned into with you I instructed you these things?

A second beast rises from the earth (the humans) and is the False Prophet. He instructs the humans to make an photo of the Beast to worship. It is also the False Prophet who makes them receive the mark, call, or number of the Beast, that's the wide variety of a man, the Beast of 7 countries from the sea which King Apollyon regulations. It isn't the Beast who makes the human beings worship his picture, however the False Prophet, a spiritual leader. Beware of such.

This occasion will separate the international locations, for there may be some who will now not get hold of his mark or name or range. This will interfere greatly with world alternate, especially oil. Countries that rely on Middle East oil must prepare for alternatives now. America ought to now not bow to the Beast and his needs, but there could be many who might be beguiled to comply with this False Prophet and his teachings. This False Prophet has also been given electricity to do amazing matters, such as make fireplace come down on the planet in the sight of men, and he deceives people because of the miracles which he has strength to do. He has power to present lifestyles to the photograph created of the Beast, and he sporting events all the energy of the first Beast.

Next, the Lamb appears on Mt. Zion with the 144,000 select. Three angels make announcements. The first has the everlasting gospel to evangelise to the ones in the world and instructs the humans of earth to worship God. The 2nd pronounces the fall of Babylon. The 0.33 warns that people who worship the Beast or obtain his mark, wide variety, or call, will drink of the wine of the wrath of God.

There is a quick area of time between while Christ appears on Mt. Zion, proper after the saints are destroyed with the aid of the Beast, and whilst the war of Armageddon occurs. Between those two events the Transformation of the residing believers and the Resurrection of the lifeless in Christ occurs. Jesus sits on His throne and thrusts in His sickle and reaps the earth, then an angel reaps once more and places the grapes into the winepress of the wrath of God.

The last occasions take shortly earlier than Armageddon. These are the seven closing plagues upon the earth and mankind, upon folks who worship the Beast, upon the Beast and his kingdom, and upon the relaxation of the sector. These are the plagues:

Plague of sores on those who worship the Beast

Plague upon the seas, which turn out to be because the blood of a lifeless man, and all sea lifestyles dies

Plague on rivers and fountains to grow to be blood

Plague of sizzling solar

Plague of darkness upon the kingdom of the Beast and upon his seat, however none repent

Plague of three frogs which are evil spirits that come out of the mouth of the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet, and who exit to acquire the nations to ARMAGEDDON. The Euphrates River is also dried up (most likely from the scorching solar), which makes way for the kings of the east to come to this war. The most important nations east of the Euphrates River are Iran, India, Russia, China, and Japan.

Babylon is destroyed by way of the ten kings who get hold of strength with the Beast for one hour. A description of her destruction is defined in the seventeenth chapter of Revelation. She is burned with fireplace and the nations mourn for her. These kings, which are part of the Beast, then make war with the Lamb who overcomes them. Those who're with the Lamb are those who have been called, selected, and trustworthy to Him.

Babylon is called into remembrance to take delivery of the wine of the wrath of God, which was tread outside the town (bankruptcy 14:20), and blood came from the winepress to a depth as a long way as the horses bridles. She is the city of the false religion of the False Prophet. Those who worshiped the Beast and received his mark, name, or number, also are made to drink. Although the Transformation and Resurrection are to occur at the time of Jesus' go back to Mt. Zion, He calls for His human beings to pop out of Babylon simply before she is given the cup of wrath. This implies there are numerous who consider they consider, but have accompanied fake doctrine, yet nonetheless belong to Christ. He will name them one remaining time out of their false religion. John is then informed the time for the wedding supper nears.

Jesus rides out on a white horse, this time with His armies of heaven, also on white horses. A sharp, -edged sword (of Truth), goes out of His mouth to smite the international locations with, which He will then rule with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of God from the harvest which has just been reaped, and Babylon is compelled to drink it. An angel status inside the midst of the solar cries aloud to the birds and chicken and calls them to collect together to eat the flesh of the useless. The Beast and the kings of the earth with their armies, are accumulated together to combat towards Jesus and His army of angels. The Beast and False Prophet are taken and forged right into a lake of fire and brimstone and the relaxation of the armies are destroyed with the sword from the mouth of Jesus. The birds consume the flesh of the useless our bodies. ARMAGEDDON is over.

An angel comes down from Heaven with a extraordinary chain and binds Satan, the Dragon that gave the Beast and False Prophet their electricity, for one thousand years and he is cast into the bottomless pit. The sixth plague is completed. The last vial is poured into the air. A incredible voice from the throne in the Temple, says, "It is executed." There are voices, thunders, and lightnings, then the earthquake of all earthquakes takes place, greater than any for the reason that mankind. Islands and mountains are not to be discovered (as foretold at some point of the 6th seal), followed by way of hail weighing nearly seventy five pounds every.

Judgment is given to folks who sit down upon thrones, and that they stay and reign with Christ 1000 years with those who were beheaded for his or her testimony of Jesus and did now not participate in the worshiping of the Beast, False Prophet, or the photo of the Beast. This is the FIRST RESURRECTION, on which the second demise has no impact.

After the thousand years have expired, Satan is loosed and gathers Gog and Magog from the four corners of the earth. Fire from Heaven devours them and Satan is cast into the lake of hearth with the Beast and False Prophet. Heaven and Earth flee from God who sits on the extremely good white throne. The rest of the useless (those who were no longer resurrected on the Second Coming of Christ Jesus) are judged from the books which can be opened, that is the Second Resurrection. Another book, the Book of Life, is likewise opened. All people might be judged in keeping with their works, consistent with what become written within the different books. Whoever is not observed written in the Book of Life is solid into the lake of fire. The very last enemies to be destroyed are Death and Hell, which are additionally cast into the fire, that's the very last, or Second Death. This shows that people still die at some stage in the thousand year reign, and that there's still one very last warfare. These nations are destroyed by using the hearth from heaven.

Revelation 21:1 And I noticed a brand new heaven and a new earth: for the primary heaven and the first earth were exceeded away; and there has been no more sea. I, John, saw the holy metropolis, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, organized as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a splendid voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they'll be His humans, and God Himself may be with them, and be their God. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there will be no greater death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither will there be any more ache: for the former things are handed away. He that sat upon the throne stated, Behold, I make all matters new. And he said unto me, Write: for those phrases are genuine and devoted.

Isaiah 65:17 Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former will no longer be remembered nor come into mind.

We will not do not forget this existence or the matters that befell here. It will all be forgotten.

In the meantime, snap again to the present time. Know that once the cosmic catastrophes starts to appear, the cease has started. It is the sign inside the heavens that we can see first. We may not have a number of time to prepare for this cataclysmic event, however as scientists have warned, "it is no longer a depend of if, however of whilst." Jesus warned that after we see the leaves fall we recognize autumn is right here. So additionally, whilst we see the stars fall from heaven, we are able to be sure the end is near. It is the primary sign of the approaching of the quit, of the rest of the prophecies coming actual.