Chapter 65:
Daniel Chapter 11, Verse 44 – Conventional and Nuclear War
To write or tell the tragedy of Daniel 11:44 is to write with trembling fingers, and to speak with stammering lips, because it is a verse of much sorrow and horror for many thousands of people. One feels a cry howling from the heart to say, "how can man be so utterly foolish, as to go on such a mad rampage that is written in verse 44." Let us proceed to unravel this verse, to begin these words of sorrow. Verse 44:- "BUT TIDINGS OUT OF THE EAST AND OUT OF THE NORTH SHALL TROUBLE HIM; THEREFORE HE SHALL GO FORTH WITH GREAT FURY TO DESTROY, AND UTTERLY TO MAKE AWAY MANY".
Remember reader that the situation in the world from Daniel 11:40 has changed. Russia has come down out of the Northern parts further into Europe. The State of Israel in the Middle East has once more been proclaimed -after the "INDIGNATION" of World War II had passed- between verse 36 and 41. We read in verse 41 of the "GLORIOUS LAND" -Israel- which Daniel's prophecy is once more concerned with as the pivot point. From these verses onwards prophecy is producing "both houses of Israel", in the Gentile, and the Jew, for us to take into consideration at one time during the last days.
NORTH and EAST referred to in verse 44 is now NORTH and EAST of Israel, which is the "GLORIOUS LAND", and because the Russian leader has power within the Middle eastern countries at this point of time.
The British Isles remains the "pivot" for its own history of English- speaking peoples of the houses of Israel in the Gentiles, to the very last verse of Daniel chapter 11. These warring end verses of chapter 11 envelopes world history also, with a "complete" picture filled "in" by other prophets which we will read of later. As I said before, one cannot now separate British history (since World War I began, from verse 32), from greater world history. Because all Israel has been flung onto the world stage and has become enmeshed in other lands problems.
Also, because of mankind's accessibility to each other through fast travel, forcing the world to become a large town without lying suburbs in many lands. The whole nation -both houses of Israel- is playing out its own secular and biblical prophetic history side by side with world history of other countries.
Let us now unravel the first sentence of this awful verse. "BUT TIDINGS OUT OF THE EAST AND OUT OF THE NORTH SHALL TROUBLE HIM". The word "BUT" means "yet still and however," and shows us that verse 44 is a continuation of the previous verse 43 just adding another facet to that story. It continues further with the story of the Russian "HE's" overflowing started from verse 40. This Russian rider of the "PALE HORSE" is a dreadful, furious, dark charactered "HE" with pangs of hunger for more and more power and riches. Within verse 44 HE is showing his "no holds barred" nature to the full!
The word "TIDINGS" from verse 44, means, events that happen, news intelligence, or an account of recent occurrences and information unknown before. So, what we have gleaned from the world scene shown in other verses is that Russia has stretched its armies and forces of all sorts, far around the globe from its home base. -As if this leader were a reflection of Hitlers personality,- he has become a strutting self-satisfied figure on the world stage, full of the notion "HE" cannot be beaten in anyway, "HE" feels so sure of his own power and security within frontiers and what he has achieved within other countries, that "HE" has become complacent in his thinking.
It seems "HE" has beaten or entrapped to silence for a while, the United States, Britain, Europe, China, Japan, etc. Or perhaps other nations submission to him has occurred through Russia's recent onslaught of "his" subversionary tactics, and infiltration of their governments. Perhaps the major nations of the world could be affected badly by the Russian "HE" taking the "sea gates" of the world, which would include the control of the important oil reserves. Many of the other nation's problems of social and economic concerns would keep them very busy indeed, with perhaps the reins of their nations being unknowingly held by another belligerent nation.
First and foremost, we must understand this situation within this prophecy translated as "Israelite history". Of which the British Isles the Commonwealth countries and the United States of America, plus the Jew of the land of Israel are the focal point of this "end time" history! Who having contained the larger section of the 2 nations of Israel. The United States in the latter half of the twentieth century has been the policeman in the earth, because it was the "other" superpower which has the money, weaponry, know-how and manpower large enough to subdue Russian expansionism.
Yet it seems, before the enactment of Daniel 11:44, there is a "lull" in nations answer to Russian demands, all they can do is watch and hope for the best! Some foolish nations are perhaps prepared to believe the old adage for Russia, "better red than dead!"
Nothing could be further from the truth, as many biblical verses warn of the consequences and acceptance of some form of world "peace and safety" before the mighty storm!
Both Daniel and his contemporary Ezekiel, bring to notice this overflowing "HE" or, "Gog the chief prince" of the confederation of Russia, who will bring down a violent curtain upon the stage of man's ruling.
On the surface today Russian watchers from the Western alliances have noted that, the Unions of Russia are led by a committee of men, under so called Socialism/Communism. Yet! In the past merciless men like Joseph Stalin, out of the then Communist party, emerged a lone powerful leader. Again, secular history will repeat itself in Russia bringing forth-another absolute dictator, for to ride a "PALER HORSE" than Stalin did.
Daniel verse 44 says, "BUT TIDINGS OUT OF THE EAST AND NORTH will trouble him".
In the "EAST" we have already mentioned China and Japan, let us now define "EAST AND NORTH" and from which "pivot point" we should use here. That of the land of Israel in the Middle East, or the British Isles?
Both are little countries in landmass whose powerful histories far outweigh their size, and both countries seem to leap out from the centre of a geographical atlas. The land of Israel is of course the centre of the earth. With the predominant shape of the "Isles" catching the eye, -its Welsh head and finger pointing out into the seas and noting the large land masses surrounding and dwarfing it.
"North" of the British Isles is Norway, Sweden, Finland, USSR (Siberia), the North American Continent of Canada, Alaska (USA) Greenland and Iceland. (Northwest of the Isles is USA and Canada).
"East" of the British Isles are parts of Europe and the USSR, Northern Mongolia, Manchuria, and the Sea of Japan.
"East" of the tiny land of Israel one travels through, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, North Pakistan, Tibet, China and Japan, and out into the Pacific Ocean. "North" of Israel is Turkey, Europe, and the USSR.
So, to choose which "pivot point" we must take bearings from in verse 44, we must choose "EAST" and "NORTH" of the land of Palestine/Israel. Because we are automatically directed there from the happenings in the Middle East and the words "GLORIOUS LAND" from the previous verses. Also bearing in mind that the Russian "leader" is in Egypt, (seen in verse 42) enjoying Egypt's TREASURES.
China being "EAST" from Israel with its teaming millions, -though classed at the moment as being red communist. It is nevertheless an ancient enemy of Russia and will not sit back and be overcome. Unless it has already been mauled badly in other ways. That great awakening giant of China whose "will" to survive under great adverse episodes in its history, has kept its people alive and multiplying despite their dreadful conditions. It is a country to be reckoned with. Ancient China is emerging as the greatest security problem in the Asiatic region. China in its haste for modernisation, is driving itself forward in all fields of technology, especially in offensive and defensive weaponry. It is infiltrating western powers for that quick fix of technology, in espionage, thus replacing Russia in its cold war spying techniques. Nuclear weapons in the hands of China will bring about "a no holds barred scenario" on the rest of the world. China has already tested and exploded atomic weapons since 1964 also exploding its own "Neutron" bomb. It most certainly has the calculating, long suffering nature to use it also if needs arise. China would calculate losing millions of its own people for reasons evident to them or lost in the mists of time.
Japan, being "EAST" of Israel has kept pace with the western world in its walk towards the twenty first century, through technology, and its thirst for more and more knowledge.
Japan has not only perfected miniature high technology etc. but has the "nature" and "haste" to secret something awesome in its arsenal. The cruelty of the depth of the Japanese nature that the world saw before and during World War II remains and is only just below the surface in today's so called enlightened society. Another catastrophe would see the return of its hidden cruel nature.
Even Holy Scripture gives us the Japanese and Chinese natures in Jeremiah 5:15-18; "LO, I WILL BRING A NATION UPON YOU FROM FAR, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL, SAITH THE LORD; IT IS A MIGHTY NATION, IT IS AN ANCIENT NATION, A NATION WHOSE LANGUAGE YOU KNOWEST NOT, NEITHER UNDERSTANDEST WHAT THEY SAY".
Verse 16:- "THEIR QUIVER IS AS AN OPEN SEPULCHRE, THEY ARE ALL MIGHTY MEN".
Verse 17:- "AND THEY SHALL EAT UP THINE HARVEST, AND THY BREAD, WHICH THY SONS AND THY DAUGHTERS SHOULD EAT THEY SHALL EAT UP THY FLOCKS AND THINE HERDS; THEY SHALL EAT UP THY VINES AND THY FIG TREES; THEY SHALL IMPOVERISH THY FENCED CITIES, WHEREIN THOU TRUSTEDST WITH THE SWORD".
Verse 18:- "NEVERTHELESS IN THOSE DAYS SAITH THE LORD. I WILL NOT MAKE A FULL END WITH YOU".
Jeremiah 6:22-26, which explains these great nations raised up from the sides of the earth. "THUS SAITH THE LORD, BEHOLD, A PEOPLE COMETH FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY, AND A GREAT NATION SHALL BE RAISED FROM THE SIDES OF THE EARTH".
Verse 23:- "THEY SHALL LAY HOLD ON BOW AND SPEAR; THEY ARE CRUEL, AND HAVE NO MERCY; THEIR VOICE ROARETH LIKE THE SEA; AND THEY RIDE UPON HORSES, SET IN ARRAY AS MEN FOR WAR AGAINST THEE, O DAUGHTER OF ZION".
Verse 24:- "WE HAVE HEARD THE FAME THEREOF; OUR HANDS WAX FEEBLE; ANGUISH HATH TAKEN HOLD OF US, AND PAIN, AS OF A WOMAN IN TRAVAIL".
Verse 25:- "GO NOT FORTH INTO THE FIELD, NOR WALK BY THE WAY; FOR THE SWORD OF THE ENEMY AND FEAR IS ON EVERY SIDE".
Verse 26:- "O DAUGHTER OF MY PEOPLE, GIRD THEE WITH SACKCLOTH, AND WALLOW THYSELF IN ASHES; MAKE THEE MOURNING, AS FOR AN ONLY SON, MOST BITTER LAMENTATION FOR THE SPOILER SHALL SUDDENLY COME UPON US".
Again the words of our Lord in Matthew 24:16-22. tells us the same story for the end of mankind's unmerciful behaviour at the close of his history. With the last 2 verses describing that horrific picture. Verse 21:- "FOR THEN SHALL BE GREAT TRIBULATION, SUCH AS WAS NOT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THIS TIME, NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE".
Verse 22:- "AND EXCEPT THOSE DAYS SHOULD BE SHORTENED, THERE SHOULD NO FLESH BE SAVED; BUT FOR THE ELECTS SAKE THOSE DAYS SHALL BE SHORTENED".
In other words, the millions of fighting men of Asiatic (EASTERN) appearance, pour out of their lands like waves of a sea, over the Israelite nations around the world. There are so many of them their noise is frightening, and their desire to destroy and starve nations out of existence, is put into effect with terrible results.
Both China and Japan and other Asiatic nations friendly to them, and in the same geographical position, are brought into being as nations in the Pacific Ocean, who are located at the sides of the earth, of the massive landmass, called the continent of Asia itself.
The movement of millions of fighting peoples from this continent, of Russian, Mongolian or Chinese, etc. will bring that terrible "PALE HORSE" of Revelation, forward upon other nations with its ride of death and destruction!
We are aware that China is a most ancient nation as Jeremiah foretells, and that its people's language is a mix of many Chinese dialects. Whose Speech is indeed beyond most of Gentile Israel's ability to understand, or fathom in times of peace, let alone war.
Both China and Japan have close borders or seaports with Russia, which would become more unnerving to them when a dominant globe seeking Russian leader marches. They would not sit back, and watch encroachment happen, without a fight. The other Northern forces to attack Russia is more or less a forgone conclusion, being headed by the United States of America, Canada, the British Isles and those countries in Europe who are able to gather themselves together against the Russian eagle.
Therefore, what we have in Daniel's words of verse 44, when he says, "TIDINGS", or information of recent occurrences - from the EAST AND NORTH (of Israel) will "TROUBLE" the leader of Russia. That "TROUBLE" will cause great distress and grief within that nation.
We are reading in verse 44 almost a "pincer movement" striking out at the heart of Russian power with an amalgamation of forces both EAST AND NORTH. -An earlier amalgamation of North and South forces we have read of in verse 40, during the end of the World War II, when the Allies from the south in France, and Russia from the North pushed against Hitler.
Russia, -in Daniel's "end time" verses- has been very busy in Europe and the Middle East, wooing, subduing, and overpowering these nations. "He" has however for a moment lowered his guard as it were and forgotten to look east and west. That the old 2 headed Russian eagle had done in the past. Perhaps Russia was not expecting "East and North" to rally so soon with retaliation.
Russia's dominant power has perhaps completely infiltrated into other nations who are silent, or "HE" perhaps soundly thrashed the nations causing many sorts of catastrophes?
Perhaps a world-wide “peace movement" has made the nations impotent and has quietened them one can only guess at times?
We saw in history another picture called, "peace in our time", which was thought so highly of by Chamberlain, Prime Minister of Great Britain; When he signed a worthless agreement with Adolf Hitler, whose soldiers were waiting to march into Poland at that same time.
Let us remember biblical prophecy spoken by Saint Paul- (1 Thessalonians 5:3). "FOR WHEN THEY SHALL SAY, PEACE, AND SAFETY, THEN SUDDEN DESTRUCTION COMETH UPON THEM, AS TRAVAIL UPON A WOMAN WITH CHILD; AND THEY SHALL NOT ESCAPE".
So, reader, don't be conned into accepting "peace" from mankind don't believe and trust those peaceful overtures. Man as a whole species is incapable of keeping peace, because there is always someone in his midst ready to grasp power over his fellow man and destroy that peace and safety.
The miscalculations during World War II surrounding Russian activities "must" be remembered! Hitler, miscalculated Russian military strength, and fighting ability, and its determination. Russian extremes of weather finished off that miscalculation. President Roosevelt of the United States miscalculated Russian political ambitions in Europe, which gave Stalin the opportunity to push forward, overpower and dominate country after country.
A third miscalculation by the world's nations, hearing overtures of the music of - "peace and safety",- played by Russian strategists to lull the western alliances, will surely bring upon them the intensity of all the "apocalyptic riders" of Revelation. With the Russian "PALE HORSE" out front and riding ferociously, devouring whom so ever he has willed!
Daniel's prophetic words from verse 44 that of,-"TIDINGS THAT WILL TROUBLE HIM",- conjures up a picture of a warrior standing as a great giant, gratified with himself, his achievements, his treasure, and looking over his captured lands. But, "HE" has forgotten for a short while that his back is exposed to attack!
When Daniel uses the word "TROUBLE", it means confusion, to be disturbed and agitated, it is something turbulent which causes grief, affliction, with distress of mind and calamity.
That "grief and distress" upon the Russian giant comes from the powers of EAST and NORTH, Russia has received great destruction in his country with many, many dead within his land, and it is this great damage that has "TROUBLED" him causing Him to go berserk. In "his" distress of mind the Russian "leader" will roar out of Russia and the lands he has subdued or captured.
The "Eastern tidings" that the Russian "HE" has heard in Daniel 11:44, could come from a Japanese/Chinese alliance, brought about by economic necessity which could lead to a half-hearted political alliance for reasons of security in that region. Though bitter memories of the older generation from World War II would feel uncomfortable in this situation.
Russia would find it in their interests to keep these countries from any "military" alliance however, with the USA and Europe, this, they will not achieve as prophecy foretells.
Today, it is said by many that the countries in the Pacific Ocean, which includes the USA, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, etc., will become more important than the European countries in the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, they say these nations should leave the European nations to fight their own wars, instead of dragging the Pacific countries into it! This assumption of political power will "not" occur because the world is too small, and prophecy has included all nations to partake in its bitter end.
If disintegration occurred completely with the Warsaw Pact, United Nations or any other military pact of that time, and there was dissatisfaction at home within Mother Russia, also problems in the countries attached to this empire. Then, Soviet Russia's influence within its own framework, and outside, would have taken a battering, which the "hawks" within Russia could not stomach. The country would then be ripe to bring forth a leader of Joseph Stalin's calibre, to lead them back onto the world stage in power, then "this" man could be the "HE" for whom prophecy waits!
There is always the ever-present nagging problem of "China" sitting on the Russian doorstep and always eyeing each other with suspicion!
China, it seems fears little from the USA and other Western nations in its large homeland, and its millions of expendable people. In the belief that its form of the Communist system with its almost holy doctrine, will one-day reign supreme over capitalism's democracy. But a long land frontier with Russian Socialist/Communism is a different matter altogether.
Someday they're on again, off again, aggression towards each other on that frontier will come to a head for good, and the fighting will begin.
Whatever happens between the two superpowers of the USA and Russian political warmongering, neither China nor Japan, or indeed Europe will sit back, and watch war happen without intervention of their own. Britain will automatically ally itself with the USA.
Verse 44 Daniel. "THEREFORE HE SHALL GO FORTH WITH GREAT FURY TO DESTROY, AND UTTERLY TO MAKE AWAY MANY". In this one line alone, we have the nuclear war that mankind has feared to think of. Man has prepared for it with his nuclear arsenal using it as a deterrent, or a threat, hoping at the same time it may never happen!
The suffering nations under the Russian yoke have helped to pull out all the stops and taken off the breaks that they have imposed upon themselves up to this time zone in history. From this moment on, -within Daniel's prophecy,- there are no holds barred! It is a fight to the death and annihilation of that which is called civilisation. Verse 44 unravels thus:- "THEREFORE" -or- for that or this reason, -which is the calamity stated in the first line of verse 44.- The Russian "HE" or chief prince or President of their leadership.
"SHALL GO FORTH", -or with a definite determination, which is an act of going forward beyond his own place and boundary, abroad and onward.
"WITH GREAT FURY", -or the word "FURY" is a raging storm of anger and madness, it is a violent rushing, fierceness and frenzy. This "FURY" is indeed blind rage when no words can console the raging man. "HE" is going to destroy mankind on a grand scale in his violence, and when one "destroys" in that kind of rage of storming anger, one pulls down structures, demolishes and overturns. It raises and ruins, lays waste, devastates and kills, it is to annihilate and bring to nought, putting an end to all that opposes him. Which caused his fierce anger in the first place!
The last line of verse 44, not only gives the story of the Russian leaders "FURY TO DESTROY", but it also accentuates the words further with the word "GREAT"! Which means to say his "FURY" and destruction is large in bulk and number in surface and dimensions generally, it is big and extended in breadth or length. The word "GREAT" is expressing an extensive or unusual degree of anything, being long continued and momentous.
Let us now unravel the last part of the line in verse 44."AND UTTERLY MAKE AWAY MANY". When one does something "UTTERLY" it is to achieve something to the full and utter extent, totally, and far beyond the limits of something.
You will note reader the word "MAKE" in this line, when referring to this Russian action, is coupled with the word "MANY. When one "MAKES" something it means to bring into being, but when applied with the other word "AWAY", -"MAKE AWAY"- it is to kill. Therefore, the word "MAKE" meaning to produce an effect. Or MAKE a hostile movement against, or to take away and put out of reach as to kill and be dead bringing it into existence. -"AWAY" is a word meaning absent, apart at a distance, it is a notion of consuming and squander. -"MANY" in verse 44 means a great majority of people very numerous.
The last time we had the word "MANY" in Daniel's prophecy, was twice before in verses 33 and 34, when we were dealing with World War I. Which was then referring to "MANY people," which meant millions of people, and "MANY days" or 4 and a half years that the war lasted.
One can see reader, when simple words are unravelled to their fullest extent, they give one a much fuller and harsher picture than one perceives at first. In verse 40 Russia swooped down on Germany like a "WHIRLWIND" at the end of World War II, which was known as "blitzkrieg", copied from the Germans. That action however was a mere fleabite compared with the "utter FURY of devastation and killing" that verse 44, brings into focus before the eyes.
All these dreadful simplistic words and their full explanations are a picture of Conventional and Nuclear Warfare, when some of the horrific weaponry that man has devised and stockpiled over the years will be used.
The striking power of weapons coming into use in our modern world -which are forever being replaced by more deadly revamped articles,- have the intensity in warfare to be fought only for a short period of time. So great will be the devastation upon the living and their cities when war goes on unchecked.
It is said that modern warfare with all its technical advances, uses up supplies with such great demand, -consuming vast amounts- because of the awesome destruction caused. Even a conventional war could not be sustained for more than a few weeks, therefore, the encounters between enemies would be short and very violent. Fighting World Wars in the 20th century is an act of being unable to fully control what man has begun, Then, as we move towards the end of the century technology will out strip us to the point of feeling lost in its awesome maze.
Though nuclear weapons recently have dominated the thinking within nations as a deterrent towards any likelihood of a third World War. It has also been considered that a major war could at first be fought along conventional lines, as in the past. Until some maverick leader pressed that first nuclear button to unleash unknown devastation on a large scale, affecting all the laws of life and nature.
What affect the battlefield nuclear weapons- missiles have upon soldiers, tanks and terrain, etc., where they are used -is another point in question?
There is always the element of a "surprise result" not foreseen by the most brilliant mind. Because many of the biological laws of all living things set by God, are not understood by man. So, nobody anywhere, knows what will happen with a much-used nuclear arsenal!
As Daniel explains, war will begin in a conventional way, with perhaps chemical and biological weapons also. The nuclear bomb however will be held back until, one or the other side sees the need to use it. Knowing that, that "once nuclear deterrent" against war would be unleashed, when both sides would suffer enormously. There will no doubt be a reluctance to fight a nuclear war at first, both sides know whoever starts the nuclear attack the retaliation will be massive and devastating. This retaliation, is as Daniel says, is to "MAKE AWAY WITH MANY" peoples.
The 20th century -it is said- has been recorded as the bloodiest in secular history, having one hundred and twenty million people known to have been killed, more than all those known to have been killed in the centuries before. AND STILL! The "PALE HORSE" of Russia/Asian is yet to ride and "MAKE AWAY WITH MANY".
Both Russia and its vassal countries have been mauled badly themselves. It is also the United States of America, China, Japan, and some of the Commonwealth and European countries, who have also been terribly slaughtered and brought to their knees. Because they have amalgamated against Russia. There are indeed no winners in this type of man-made exercise, it is a fight to complete annihilation! That is if God allowed it to happen to its fullest extent under mans will.
There is however a "rider story" to this wholesale killing of verse 44, which we will read of in verse 45, which altogether finishes off the story of man's misery and blood bath. Because, while the "leader" of Russia called "HE" is committing genocide on a grand scale, HE is also doing something else, which changes "his" course of killing and destruction.
There are many prophecies in Holy Scripture that can fill "in" the blank spaces left out by Daniel's "END TIME" warfare. I shall give some references here before closing verse 44 of chapter 11. So, let us delve deeper into our worlds "END TIME" miseries ahead in history.
The destruction upon earth within the nations and kingdoms upon the earth, will receive their destruction in 3 parts, before the end of all things. When the consummation of prophecy is fulfilled to the last jot and tittle of the Law.
First, we have the nations of the world, taking sides, -as we see all around us today,- or confederating under the Russian eagle or American eagle. Thus, dividing the camps of men into either east or west, and oft times fighting each other in conventional warfare.
Secondly, we have that fighting accelerating into nuclear warfare on a grand scale. Thirdly, we have another destruction and killing brought about by the Battle of the Great Day of Our Lord.
1:- Tribulation.
2:- Nuclear war.
3:- Armageddon and Day of the Lord God. Later, during the fourth phase of happenings comes the return of King Jesus the Christ. Or in other words Daniel 11:31-40, are some of the Tribulations. Verses 41 to 44 Nuclear war. Verse 45 Armageddon and Battle of great day of God, which same verse runs into Daniel chapter 12, verse 1.
Let us investigate this statement of 3 separate types of destruction and analyse the "Tribulation" first.
Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us "certain things" in secular history to look for as the years rolled on towards the end of man's ruling upon earth.
In Matthew 24:4. "He" says:- "TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU, (Or there are so many people in history, and today, filling one's head with so called "truth" of our Heavenly Father's words, when instead they are manmade utterances).
Verse 5:- "MANY SHALL COME IN MY NAME, SAYING I AM CHRIST", (Or men will say the Holy Spirit rests on them, and in them as priests or prophets of God. They coming to the people and laying hands on them in Christ's name, as Christians. Therefore, the people will accept and follow their teaching thus speaking as servants of Jesus).
Verse 6:- "AND YE SHALL HEAR OF WARS AND RUMOURS OF WARS". (The world will not cease its activity in rattling of sabres, or belligerent attitudes, war will continue to be the expected thing amongst men, gradually building to its climax of global war to end it all).
Verse 7:- "NATION SHALL RISE AGAINST NATION, KINGDOM AGAINST KINGDOM, -FAMINES, -PESTILENCES, -EARTHQUAKES". (Or law and order amongst men will break down, law and order in nature will break down, "confusion" is the order which man and nature will follow. Because man's licentious behaviour in all things, have upset the fine balance of all avenues of nature upon which we live and move).
Verse 8:- "ALL THESE ARE THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS". (Or from the Messiah's time on earth, all these things have gradually come to pass, the sword and natural problems slowly building to a final crescendo)!
Note well reader the "signs" from verses 5 to 14 of Matthew 24, which this jigsaw and the ways of men are fitted together to show an evil picture indeed! This is only the beginning of the tragedy that awaits mankind to fulfil all things. It is not until verse 14 of Matthew 24 is reached, that the end of our known world is put again into perspective and verse after verse fills "in" a bit more of the horror picture and phase two of war appears.
Verse 21:- "FOR THEN SHALL BE "GREAT TRIBULATION", SUCH AS WAS NOT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THIS TIME, NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE". The word "TRIBULATION" means distress with severe trouble and suffering.
Verse 29 gives one the "end" of that "TRIBULATION". "IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION OF THOSE DAYS SHALL THE SUN BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON SHALL NOT GIVE HER LIGHT, AND THE STARS SHALL FALL FROM HEAVEN, AND THE POWERS OF THE HEAVENS SHALL BE SHAKEN". These various sorrowful building steps in prophecy, fulfilled in secular history as the years pass, -sometimes in a subtle manner- are scattered throughout holy Scripture in different ways. For instance 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. "LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU BY ANY MEANS. FOR THAT DAY (return of Jesus) SHALL NOT COME, EXCEPT THERE COME A FALLING AWAY FIRST, AND THAT MAN OF SIN BE REVEALED, THE SON OF PERDITION".
Verse 4:- "WHO OPPOSETH AND EXALTETH HIMSELF ABOVE ALL THAT IS CALLED GOD, OR THAT IS WORSHIPPED; SO THAT HE AS GOD SITTETH IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD, SHOWING HIMSELF THAT HE IS GOD"; (Or, men can deceive those others of mankind who have a simple faith and of a contrite heart very easily, because chaos really reigns all around mankind in this unsettling social order we call civilisation, and that simple person turns to what he or she thinks is of God. -The church!
There are so many churches around the world bidding one to come to God through them, and the various routines they impose upon the seeker after God. -Who then does one believe?
Some routines have a "holier than thou approach" classing themselves only, as God's children. Some churches say they "alone" have the faith because they have been around a long time. Some churches talk in strange tongues, others dance and sing to show their joy, others don flowing robes and crosses to prove themselves. Some churches have harsh rules to keep its congregation in line; Some shout for the Holy Spirit to enter their bodies; others heal by faith or hypnotise to convert the people. There are so many, many ways to deceive the seeking person. Instead, that person looking for God and His Christ should start by reading and digesting the laws of God in Holy Scripture, the Bible. Then running an individual race for excellence towards our last days upon earth. That which is written is for "our" learning and understanding, and we can all acknowledge that it is God's word as stated. Not as some men "think" it should be taught, therefore giving us another involved word of God)!
Another "milestone" we note in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, is:- "EXCEPT THERE COME A FALLING AWAY FIRST". (The "falling away" is to desert allegiance from faith and duty, from the true direction of the words of God). Today, very few peoples within mankind really seek "truth" that they once did their fire has almost gone out; Many persons "think" they seek truth, but it is a synthetic attempt.
History of yesterday is full of tales of men and women, known and unknown, who suffered and died rather than give up their search for God in their individual simplicities. We only have to look back into history 70 or more years ago and read how different were man's needs and attitude towards hearing the words of God. Today, man's need and want for God is shallow its pale in intensity, it lacks individual work. Most churches have become a place of habit, or a place of cliques or social clubs.
Man has "FALLEN AWAY" from going to church for the right reasons, which is -to worship God.- He has "FALLEN AWAY" from absolute truth. FALLEN from the desire to "really" know what God is all about. Thus, leaving those fables and myths behind that have been lived for so long. Man has "FALLEN" into laziness wanting a priest to do his thinking, seeking, and praying for him. He has "FALLEN" into a rut of modern living, which shuts out God and His ways and calls them foolish. Yet! Saying all that, there are indeed a small band of humans, male and female, who are trying to school themselves within a denomination, one here, and one there. Trying to sort out fact from fiction in past scriptural errors, which have been taught or accepted in the years of secular history.
Another milestone to notice in II Thessalonians; 2 verse 3, is of THAT "MAN OF SIN", THE SON OF PERDITION who will be revealed. This "MAN OF SIN" came from the lineage that man himself brought about and was made known to us in prophecy, through Daniel chapter 11 verse 21, called "THAT VILE PERSON". Which man was called "Constantine the Great" out of the Roman dragon. Who gave his mythological "seal" to Sylvester I of the Roman church. Consequently, giving that continual lineage a fleshly church and not a spiritual one. Because it was born out of murder, mayhem, and paganism overdressed in Christianity. That same church over the centuries who have worn out the saints and have changed times and laws that Daniel chapter 7 also told us about. Thus, trampling all underfoot in its long dark history!
The "SON OF PERDITION" (or entire ruin) of whom Thessalonians speaks, is also made known to us by Daniel chapter 11, verse 31, and the "ABOMINATION" brought about by the Roman Pope Pious IX who "sealed" that lineage's fate. He sitting in the place of God upon earth, unable to err in all things spiritual. Who Jesus in Matthew 24, also endorses in like manner, knowing "ABOMINATION" means pollution, ruined in decay and perversion. Because of these things for this church the Law of the Spirit has been broken!
Another milestone of understanding in our day to follow is in 1 Thess. 5:1-3. "BUT OF THE TIMES AND SEASONS, BRETHREN, YE HAVE NO NEED THAT I WRITE TO YOU".
Verse 2:- "FOR YOURSELVES KNOW PERFECTLY THAT THE DAY OF THE LORD SO COMETH AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT".
Verse 3:- "FOR WHEN THEY SHALL SAY, PEACE AND SAFETY; THEN SUDDEN DESTRUCTION COMETH UPON THEM, AS TRAVAIL UPON A WOMAN WITH CHILD; AND THEY SHALL NOT ESCAPE".
From these verses Saint Paul is telling us that, those who question "when does our Lord come in what hour or year" do not know the Scriptures. Otherwise, they would read in our Heavenly Father's book of all the various milestones in prophecy, -which Daniel alone has given us,- in their search for this knowledge.
When one learns and sees these "signs" coming to pass before one's eyes, we must hide ourselves for a while, until the "indignation" is passed.
Remembering reader these warnings for times of destruction have happened before in history for our learning.
Noah preached the end of his world to the people preparing an ark at the same time, which took him many years. Yet! That destruction was in the future to his making ready, his preaching and building the ark took approx. 120 years, and sadly he won no converts.
Then we read in Scripture of the children of Israel gathering together behind shuttered doors to hide making ready for their departure from Egypt, placing blood on the lintels of their doorposts, as a sign of identification, and that they were ready watching and fully aware when the angel of death passed through that sad land. So, should "we" make ready also reading the "signs" which our God have laid to our notice now and into the years ahead.
First, we learn of the complete "truth" of things in Scripture making ourselves ready, obey God and His word. Find each other and perhaps leave the cities gathering to hide from the wickedness of the world and until all things are fulfilled! The Lord comes as a "THIEF IN THE NIGHT" to those who are unprepared in this matter. The "milestone" called, "PEACE, PEACE, WHEN THERE IS NO PEACE", but only destruction, which 1 Thessalonians; chapter 5 quoted, Jeremiah has also told us. Jeremiah 8:11, 6:14. "THEY HAVE HEALED ALSO THE HURT OF THE DAUGHTER OF MY PEOPLE SLIGHTLY, SAYING, PEACE, PEACE, WHEN THERE IS NO PEACE".
All these milestones of signs show we are "in" and "approaching" more years of the times of "Tribulation".
This awful word "Tribulation" has already caused much suffering in the wars of the twentieth century, bringing in distress, vexation, and starvation within many nations. "Tribulation" has, and will, thrash afflict, distress, and cause man to be on trial for his deeds of horror. The full end of the times of "Tribulation" come when each act in history and prophecy has been played out to the letter of the law. Because man must learn anew that it is "God" who rules in the kingdoms of men, and not the power of evil man has chosen to take Gods place.
Isaiah 24:5, tells us all exactly "why" we are in such a state of "Tribulation". "THE EARTH ALSO IS DEFILED UNDER THE INHABITANTS THEREOF; BECAUSE THEY HAVE TRANSGRESSED THE LAWS, CHANGED THE ORDINANCE, BROKEN THE EVERLASTING COVENANT". Or it is in the earth itself, -as I have said before- that chaos and confusion is now the order of the day. Whether in man, or in nature, because man has subjected the earth and himself to pollution and uncleanness, he has dominion and rule, which is what the word "defiled" means. That which was ordained in the laws of God in "His" authority, man has considered them as nothing! The great "Tribulation" finishes when all of Isaiah chapter 24 is fulfilled.
Our Lord told us when the "Tribulation" comes to an end, which is in Matthew 24:29-30. "IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE "TRIBULATION" OF THOSE DAYS SHALL THE SUN BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON SHALL NOT GIVE HER LIGHT, AND THE STARS SHALL FALL FROM HEAVEN, AND THE POWERS OF THE HEAVENS SHALL BE SHAKEN".
Verse 30:- "AND THEN SHALL APPEAR THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN IN HEAVEN; AND THEN SHALL ALL THE TRIBES OF THE EARTH MOURN, AND THEY SHALL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY".
The Lord does not return to the earth until AFTER the tribulation, and not before or during that time, that some churches preach!
Let us go now to the word "Armageddon," which is phase three of the three types of destruction upon man and the earth. The word "Armageddon" appears once in Revelation 16 verse 16 and is translated by some scholars as the "mount of slaughter". It is also another name they say, for Mount Megiddo which is a mount overlooking the Valley of Jezreel. Other scholars say the name Armageddon is symbolic with no geographical location. The whole area of the Valley of Jezreel was a scene of many a battle in the history of Israel past and present! It is said that this area has witnessed more bloody encounters than any other spot-on earth, and it may yet witness the decisive battle of all, where many nations of men will meet. Where once more the land of Israel is paramount in the desire of nations!
Let us read Revelation 16:16 "AND "HE" GATHERED THEM TOGETHER INTO A PLACE CALLED IN THE HEBREW TONGUE ARMAGEDDON". This verse 16 comes within the prophecy of the sixth vial within Revelation, which vial is to be poured out upon the great River Euphrates in verse 12 of Revelation 16. As you may know reader, the word "Armageddon" is the name given to "one" great battle to end all battles. Is a word meant especially to represent the battle of "The great day of God Almighty". But what you most probably don't know, it is "not" a battle or war brought about specifically by man's greed for power, or to overlord the world. It is a battle brought about by God to "end" man's greed for power and is a battle to show man that "God" indeed rules in the earth, and all things there in are "His," and under His power! In other words -"The Great One"- will make Himself known to man without doubt!
This is what Revelation 16:14 tells one. "FOR THEY ARE THE SPIRITS OF DEVILS, WORKING MIRACLES, WHICH GO FORTH UNTO THE KINGS OF THE EARTH AND OF THE WHOLE WORLD, TO GATHER THEM TO THE BATTLE OF THAT "GREAT DAY OF GOD ALMIGHTY".
All the verses of this chapter 16 and the picture therein, of the angels pouring out devastation from the 7 vials, are a picture of the tribulations in the earth under "mans" warfare. Bringing about these grievous troubles from nuclear, conventional, civil, terrorist, or any other type of warfare man has devised for himself, and his brother's destruction. This is the way man wants it in the earth towards his desires for supreme overlordship. So, then the angels, who monitor man and the earth, will pour out the vials and honour man's last wishes, and give him his desires for greed, and vanities of mind towards power and the consequences of it!
When verse 14 of Revelation 16, tells one of "the spirits of devils", (or warring essences of evil deeds of adversity and cruelty within man's nature, and of supernatural beings), are in the "kings" of the earth to gather them to battle. Other verses also tells one how "God" gathers men to battle at the end of secular history. Let's look at Psalm 110:5-7 "THE LORD AT THY RIGHT HAND SHALL STRIKE THROUGH KINGS IN THE DAY OF HIS WRATH".
Verse 6:- "HE SHALL JUDGE AMONG THE HEATHEN, HE SHALL FILL THE PLACES WITH THE DEAD BODIES; HE SHALL WOUND THE HEADS OVER MANY COUNTRIES".
Verse 7:- "HE SHALL DRINK THE BROOK IN THE WAY; THEREFORE SHALL HE LIFT UP THE HEAD". Psalms tells one "how" God, through Jesus, (Who sits at His Right Hand) achieves some of His wrath and devastation upon man. Because of the hardness of men's hearts who will not hear "Him" in any other way. A quote from Psalm 78:49 tells "how" this will be done. "HE" CAST UPON THEM THE FIERCENESS OF HIS ANGER, WRATH, AND INDIGNATION, AND TROUBLE BY SENDING EVIL ANGELS AMONG THEM". These quotes from Psalms are really no different in depth of meaning, than Revelation 16, they both show how God strikes through men and angels in His anger in the end of time. The "unclean spirits" of Revelation which are sent amongst men, are the same evil spirits of angels in Psalms, they, are part of the method which God uses when necessary.
All angels are not used for good, there are various forms of angels to do various tasks. Just as there are various forms of men motivated towards the choice of good or evil.
God uses the commodities of heaven and earth to achieve His will, which we can read in Psalms 148-8 "FIRE AND HAIL, SNOW, AND VAPOURS; STORMY WIND FULFILLING HIS WORD".
Psalm 97:2-5. "CLOUDS AND DARKNESS ARE ROUND ABOUT HIM; RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUDGEMENT ARE THE HABITATION OF HIS THRONE".
Verse 3:- "A FIRE GOETH BEFORE HIM, AND BURNETH UP HIS ENEMIES ROUND ABOUT".
Verse 4:- "HIS LIGHTNINGS ENLIGHTENED THE WORLD; THE EARTH SAW AND TREMBLED".
Verse5:- "THE HILLS MELTED LIKE WAX AT THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD, AT THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD OF THE WHOLE EARTH".
Isaiah 66:15,16 tells us. "FOR, BEHOLD, THE LORD WILL COME WITH FIRE, AND WITH CHARIOTS LIKE A WHIRLWIND, TO RENDER HIS ANGER WITH FURY, AND HIS REBUKE WITH FLAMES OF FIRE".
Verse 16:- "FOR BY FIRE AND BY HIS SWORD WILL THE LORD PLEAD WITH ALL FLESH; AND THE SLAIN OF THE LORD SHALL BE MANY". There are so many, many, verses one can use throughout Scripture that are in the same context as these.
Let us analyse Isaiah chapter 66 instead and note one important word there in - "Fire"- which must not be overlooked. Which God uses to destroy, and in this day and age man also uses to destroy.
Most of us know that part of that energy of "Fire" is within all living things, including the "Almighty God" who set it in motion. It is a multitiered “awesome force" which generates life, and that "force of fire" is in the earth, under the earth, in the heavens, within men and angels Just everywhere, and as there are many forms of mass- matter, coherent and incoherent (wood, flesh, plant, rock, spirit and reason) there are also many forms of "energy" fields. Each operating independently of each other, Yet! Emanating from "One" source. The sciences today tell us about a small part of the structures of "Fire" that fills our lives, they say the air is full of waves, sounds, and patterns.- "Sound" is "energy" which the ears pick up,- Science tells us there are 4 forces of energy-
1:- Strong force which binds atomic-nuclear.
2:- Weak force which causes radioactive decay.
3:- Electromagnetism, which gives light, heat, and microwaves.
4:- Gravity,- Recently, science believes there is a fifth force
counteracting gravity. -The first 2 forces operate on the subatomic scale, the latter 2 along the entire range from protons to galaxies.
The sciences however are having their "knowledge increased" in the latter years by God and are on the supernatural path learning the other half of the story. Sometimes the right answers in both come together giving us a fuller insight into how things work. For instance, Albert Einstein said, gravity, when strong, slows time and bends space. The great man Joshua, in the Bible, saw this very thing happen as truth. Joshua 10:12-14. "THEN SPAKE JOSHUA TO THE LORD IN THE DAY WHEN THE LORD DELIVERED UP THE AMMORITES BEFORE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND HE SAID IN THE SIGHT OF ISRAEL, SUN, STAND THOU STILL UPON GIBEON; AND THOU, MOON, IN THE VALLEY OF AJALON". Verse13:- "AND THE SUN STOOD STILL, AND THE MOON STAYED, UNTIL THE PEOPLE HAD AVENGED THEMSELVES UPON THEIR ENEMIES. IS IT NOT WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF JASHER? SO THE SUN STOOD STILL IN THE MIDST OF HEAVEN, AND HASTED NOT TO GO DOWN ABOUT A WHOLE DAY".
Verse 14:- "AND THERE WAS NO DAY LIKE THAT BEFORE IT OR AFTER IT, THAT THE LORD HEARKENED UNTO THE VOICE OF A MAN; FOR THE LORD FOUGHT FOR ISRAEL". So, if we put this happening of the sun remaining high in the sky at noon for such a great length of time, and Einstein's belief that gravity could become strong to slow time and bend space, -together.- This story in the Bible becomes fact, and is not a fairy tale!
When we read -from Daniel 11:44,45 and 12:1,- we will again see the nations use the "energy of fire", brought about by God.
The fury of the awesome energy of "Fire" locked up in all life, that can cause great devastation again, is used during the battle of "Armageddon" or the battle of The Great Day of God Almighty, written in Revelation 16:16-21, of which Isaiah again tells in chapter 34:1-8. "COME NEAR, YE NATIONS, TO HEAR; AND HEARKEN, YE PEOPLE; LET THE EARTH HEAR, AND ALL THAT IS THEREIN; THE WORLD, AND ALL THINGS THAT COME FORTH OF IT".
Verse 2:- "FOR THE INDIGNATION OF THE LORD IS UPON ALL NATIONS, AND HIS FURY UPON ALL THEIR ARMIES; HE HATH UTTERLY DESTROYED THEM, HE HATH DELIVERED THEM TO THE SLAUGHTER".
Verse 3:- "THEIR SLAIN ALSO SHALL BE CAST OUT, AND THEIR STINK SHALL COME UP OUT OF THEIR CARCASES, AND THE MOUNTAINS WILL BE MELTED WITH THEIR BLOOD".
Verse 8:- "FOR IT IS THE DAY OF THE LORDS VENGEANCE, THE YEAR OF RECOMPENSES FOR THE CONTROVERSY OF ZION".
Here in these few verses from Isaiah 34, God gathers the nations of the earth for that battle called "Armageddon", as he does with the prophecy of Revelation 16:16. When His fury is poured out upon man's armies, striking through kings, through the whole nation of Israel -both houses- through his angels, as is "His" purpose!
Isaiah shows that God is ever mindful of the "remnant of Zion" the elect of God, out of the House of Israel within the Gentiles. For their sake, and for the "Controversy" that has surrounded them through lack of knowledge in all people, that "Armageddon" will be cut short to spare their lives.
The whole Law tells the same prophetic story that Daniel has set down in detail, over and over again. All we must do is work at the understanding, putting all together no matter how "deep" it all seems! Isaiah 34:16 tells us of our lack of knowledge and "why" it is so. "SEEK YE OUT OF THE BOOK OF THE LORD (or the Bible) AND READ; (and understand what you are reading) NO ONE OF THESE SHALL FAIL (or no books of prophecy will come to nought, all will be fulfilled) NONE SHALL WANT HER MATE; (or there is no mourning for a part that is lost, and no prophecy is without its fulfilment in 2 parts -secular and spiritual,- because the Law tells one otherwise). FOR MY MOUTH IT HATH COMMANDED, AND HIS SPIRIT IT HATH GATHERED THEM".("He" has prophesied in the words of the Bible through His voice when He said to the prophets write such and such. "His" spirit, which is in man and angels, have all brought prophecy about, fulfilling it in secular and biblical history. At the "End Time" at the battle of Armageddon "He" has gathered the nations together, through -His word,(1) and His spirit (2). These are also the 2 parts of God as "MATES" mentioned in verse 16.
Though Armageddon is singled out as a particular type of battle and is also called "The Great Day of God Almighty", it will at first be brought about through man's kings, leaders, and nations within the earth. The biblical Scriptures which I have quoted explains this to one. During that battle however, man will get to know to the full that the "presence" of the Lord God is there down on that plain of Jezreel, and elsewhere in the Holy Land of Israel. This "presence" of God is what Daniel foretells in other verses and chapters, because the angels of God are in the earth to be "seen" and understood to be alongside man.
Let us bring to mind here reader, the prophecies of old written for the "House of Israel" in the valley of Jezreel. Hosea's chapters 1,2,3,4, will show how important the valley of Jezreel and the last battle is to the whole nation of Israel (12 tribes). The battle of "Armageddon" is fought and brought to its final conclusion as Hosea tells us, at Mount Megiddo overlooking the valley of Jezreel and the Plain of Esdraelon, -as we have seen previously.- By then all knowledge will be made known as to - what we are,- who we are,- and "why" our lives and fortunes have come a full circle in prophecy and history!
The curse for all Israel began in Hosea chapter 1, and in verse 4 we see the "House of Israel" (10 tribes who went into the Gentiles) under the House of Jehu, king of Israel. They in the valley of Jezreel, had the "Bow" of God broken, (or God no longer fought for them), and their "house" began to cease as a known entity. Jezreel at Megiddo again plays its part the second time, this time in the "restoration of the House of Israel". When God's "Bow" is restored to them and "He" fights for them at "Armageddon". This is what Hosea 2:22-23 foretells. "AND THE EARTH SHALL HEAR THE CORN, AND THE WINE, AND THE OIL, AND THEY SHALL HEAR JEZREEL".
Verse 23:- "AND I WILL SOW HER (House of Israel) UNTO ME IN THE EARTH, AND I WILL HAVE MERCY UPON HER THAT HAD NOT OBTAINED MERCY; AND I WILL SAY TO THEM WHICH WERE NOT MY PEOPLE (or the Hebrew "House of Israel" who became lost in the Gentiles) THOU ART MY PEOPLE; (becoming children chosen in the flesh through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). AND THEY SHALL SAY, THOU ART MY GOD". (Or these children are not English, Welsh, Scots, Canadian, Americans, Australians, New Zealanders, Irish etc., but Hebrew stock-Israelites- and God is not a far-off stranger anymore, but the "Holy One of Israel" their Father).
This adulterous wife called the "House of Israel", will return to her Lord (Baal) remembering in her foolishness "His" magnificent nature, and will again ask forgiveness and acceptance calling "Him" Husband (Ishi). This explanation we read in Hosea 2 verse 16.
This explanation cross checks also with Isaiah 34, and the expression "NONE SHALL WANT HER MATE". In other words, the "House of Israel" in her spiritual knowledge has found her "mate", God!
We come now to the fourth phase of the destruction, and changes upon the earth at the "end time" of history. Which is called "The day of the Lord," and return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This "day" is not the same as "The Great Day of God Almighty," it is a separate "day" or time zone.
Sometimes I think bible students get mixed up when one sees the word "Lord", referring to the Lord God, or the Lord Jesus.
"Lord" is a word or title given to one of noble birth, having power and authority. To those of lower ranks it is a sign that one is amid higher-ranking people, therefore it humbles one in the knowledge of it. Even man in his "patterns" of living in the earth have ranks within his own society, calling various men Lord's. When David wrote his famous verse in Psalm 110:1. "THE LORD SAID UNTO MY LORD SIT THOU AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES THY FOOTSTOOL". David was not only affirming Jesus' title as Lord, - with reference to His "right hand" position with God; -but calling God the Father, - Lord- also. Or David said, -the Lord (God) said unto my Lord (David's Lord Jesus). Let us now go back to the end of that "third phase" of the destruction upon earth, called Armageddon, which runs into "The day of the Lord".
Many people, who are spiritually minded, take note of the chaos of wars and rumours of wars around the world today, they see Asian, Russian and other nation's octopus tentacles reaching out over the world. They see the terrible murders, rapes, cruelty, crimes of all sorts, and sexual filth, which we live in, and they lament for the good life of peace and tranquillity. They long for the return of Jesus our Lord, perhaps they say, "He's" coming very soon, in the next hour, perhaps tomorrow? Some peoples have set dates and days for His return. This type of chaotic reasoning and questioning belongs only to man, -Jesus our Saviour, follows a pattern of Law and order Himself. "He" will most certainly return, there is no doubt whatsoever about that! But "He" comes when each sequence of events foretold unravels itself and is played out here on our world stage in secular history, watched over by biblical history. The Law tells one that "every eye" shall see "Him", from one end of the earth and heavens to the other. (Daniel 7:13. - Isaiah 40:5. - Matthew 24:30. - Mark 13:26-27 - Revelation 1:7).
The supposed scriptural, secular, and scientific views held by man about the Universe and the ways of the Almighty God are far too narrow and rigid. The ways of God are very simple yet, exceedingly complex when put into motion! The more one learns of these ways, the simplicities and complexities become overwhelming, so to help the mind to grasp these complexities, the art of "instant knowing" takes over from learning. Then, one has no need of explanations One just understands, full stop! (Jeremiah 31:34).
The expression "The day of the Lord" is an example of simplicity and complexity, it is straight forward when read in the Scriptures, yet! Complex when put into motion for it to come to pass. Daniel 7:9-14, 22,26,27, gives the simple yet! Complex nature of Christ's coming. (I have already written an explanation on this chapter elsewhere).
The Lord and King over all the earth, -Jesus Christ- will come, and be seen by all men and angels returning to an earthly throne, -always promised to "Him",- as a "mighty King"! His procession is accompanied by millions of angels with fanfares of trumpets, great noise, and sights almost to frightening to behold for man, being unaccustomed to seeing and beholding life from Outer Space! Therefore, the "Day of the Lord Jesus" is a separate thing, written towards the "last end" of biblical time. The destruction within the earth and ruling of events of that time is also a separate thing!
"The Day of the Lord God Almighty", which culminates into the battle of Armageddon is a catastrophe which overflows into The Day of the return of The Lord Jesus Christ. The battle of "The Lord God Almighty" is cut short for the elect's sake, otherwise no life would be spared. (Matthew 24:22).
Let us read some verses to do with the "end time". In I Thessalonians 5:2 we read. "FOR YOURSELVES KNOW PERFECTLY THAT THE "DAY OF THE LORD" SO COMETH AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT".
2 Peter 3:10; "BUT THE "DAY OF THE LORD" WILL COME AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT; IN THE WHICH THE HEAVENS SHALL PASS AWAY WITH GREAT NOISE, AND THE ELEMENTS SHALL MELT WITH FERVENT HEAT, THE EARTH ALSO AND THE WORKS THAT ARE THEREIN SHALL BE BURNED UP".
Matthew 24:30 says. "AND THEN SHALL APPEAR THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN IN HEAVEN; AND THEN SHALL ALL THE TRIBES OF THE EARTH MOURN, AND THEY SHALL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS OF HEAVEN WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY".
Now, here is a paradox within the Scriptures. On one hand, -"He" COMES AS A THIEF,- and one knows a thief creeps into a house when all is silent and asleep, to steal away with riches laid up for the future of the sleeper. Sometimes the thief is unobserved, or slightly awakening the household, only to find all their riches and future have gone.
On the other hand, we have verses which say,- "EVERY EYE" will see Jesus coming in clouds of glory with His angels. -So, it seems by these two interpretations Jesus returns in 2 ways? -ALL EYES WILL SEE HIM. -as a THIEF IN THE NIGHT. These 2 ways are exact opposites of each other one can't have it both ways.
The "THIEF IN THE NIGHT" expression is explained more fully by reading the verses within 2 Peter chapter 3. Firstly, Peter is giving a quick "run down" so to speak on events and preparations before and after "THE THIEF IN THE NIGHT" expression. Peter explains that the sons of men are always bemoaning the fact that the "promise" of Jesus coming back to the earth has not come to pass, and God hasn't called a halt to the miseries and uncertainties of life. "His" return has been promised yet the years roll on and on, and nothing has happened.
Much of mankind who are ignorant of God and His ways, are mostly the ones who moan the loudest. People of biblical understanding usually search the Scriptures and wait. In verse 16 Peter explains the story of all men's apathy and questioning as in all his chapter 3.
God is not slack concerning "His" promises to end all our uncertainties, "He" has, and is, fulfilling those promises in history step by step for all to see. It is mankind who is blind to it all! Because the cares and vanities of this life overshadow the seeing of them!
God has prolonged the years to this terrible tragedy bringing "fire" upon the world, until the very end of the last tick of the clock. Which counts down man's ruling, in order to give us all a chance to rethink and reshape our evil ways and live. But! We in ignorance either curse God, or lay the blame for troubles at His doorstep, or hide our heads in the sands of the vanities of life. Then, think up more evil ways to go on hurting or killing each other.
The expression the -"DAY OF THE LORD WHICH COMES AS A THIEF"- in Peters words, is a reference to "The day of the Lord God Almighty" and of our destruction, and not a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ "returning" to our earth. The "THIEF" which is creeping in to our condition comes to man whose crying peace and safety at last. Then apathetically resumes his old life style, eventually the destruction hits, with "fire" as the result! 2 Peter 3:12. "LOOKING FOR AND HASTING UNTO THE COMING OF THE DAY OF GOD, WHEREIN THE HEAVENS BEING ON FIRE SHALL BE DISSOLVED, AND THE ELEMENTS SHALL MELT WITH FERVENT HEAT"?
Let us now go to 1 Thessalonians 5:1, "BUT OF THE TIMES AND SEASONS, BRETHREN, YE HAVE NO NEED THAT I WRITE UNTO YOU". (Or if one understands biblical and secular history, as "one" package, in one's mind, one has no need to be told. One puts his or her house in order and watches that understanding take place in the earth).
Verse 2:- "FOR YOURSELVES KNOW PERFECTLY THAT THE DAY OF THE LORD SO COMETH AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT". (If one's understanding of the Scriptures and history is perfect, then we keep watch and preparing,-as Noah did,-for the trouble to unfold).
Verse 3:- "FOR WHEN THEY SHALL SAY, PEACE AND SAFETY; THEN SUDDEN DESTRUCTION COMETH UPON THEM, AS TRAVAIL UPON A WOMAN WITH CHILD, AND THEY SHALL NOT ESCAPE". (Here again is the verse that puts things into perspective for our understanding. The "milestone" to watch for amongst men to trigger that destruction gun, is when mankind sighs and says, - peace at last,- and he lays peacefully in his bed not knowing that a thief is about to shatter and enter his domain).
The affairs of men Peter has likened them to a woman waiting out her time carrying a child, and during that time she may go through various stages of emotional and physical upheavals, days of sickness and tiredness, days of waiting and longing for it all to end. Then, when her time has been reached for the birth, nothing in this wide world can stop that babe wanting to be born. Her sorrow and pain building to a climax, and all material things pertaining to the world about her is forgotten. She cannot escape the last anguish until her time for the babe to be born is fulfilled.
So, it is also in the fulfilment of man's prophecies, which is "timed" in its "season", when secular history and its horrors ebb and flow. Then prophecy will deliver its babe of "called out children" accordingly. When the birth a few short moments before, was in such painful trouble. Now it rests in relief, gladness, and tranquillity, indeed it is "peace and safety"! Man's "waiting period" for deliverance is used up doing things according to his evil heart and sometimes he walks unconcerned in the darkness of his own heart).
Verse 4:- "BUT YE BRETHREN, ARE NOT IN DARKNESS, THAT THAT DAY SHOULD OVERTAKE YOU AS A THIEF".
Verse 5:- "YE ARE ALL THE CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT, AND THE CHILDREN OF THE DAY; WE ARE NOT OF THE NIGHT, NOR OF DARKNESS".
Peter is saying, the world around us is in labour to bring forth her child, which is why we all "wait" in this chaotic world we call civilisation. The child to be born to give us comfort is Jesus, who comes in the greater tribulations. So, we must understand God and His ways in holy writ watching the milestones of knowledge passing, then act accordingly, as children in the "Light" of knowledge should!
When the world is saved for "Fire" by God Almighty, which is to purify. Just as "He" committed Noah's world to water to wash clean. The second destruction of the world is the judgement upon man for what terrible things he has done to his fellow creatures on the earth. Which man was supposed to be a good husband of, to rule and was given dominion of.
I have said before reader, man's ways and ideas of understanding our Heavenly Father's Law in Holy Scriptures are far too rigid! Much will be going on at the "end time" in their various time zones or seasons. Prophecy is "not" all humped together as "one happening" on one day as many teachers of Scripture tell us.
The dual patterns of everything within the Law always remain in place. For instance, first came the preaching of Noah to mankind warning of impending doom. Then the gathering "in" of all to be saved, then came the destruction. When that "tribulation" of ferocious men and their evil ways, with that storm of water bringing the destruction was over, a new clean washed earth emerged, for to have a new start. Noah with the saved once more set foot on firm ground. The "dual patterns" for the second destruction of the earth which is reserved for Fire remains. (2 Peter 3-6 and 7). First comes the preaching to the people for mankind to repent and be saved, then, the earth's destruction of those upon it. The earth will "not" be blown sky high as many believe, it will "not" shatter into fragments or explode with nuclear destruction, as the sciences wonder about. The earth belongs to God not man, and "He" has other ideas for it. Many old-time questions regarding the earth Holy Scripture did answer, for instance. “God hangeth the earth upon nothing" (Job 26-7). Modern man saw the earth "hanging on nothing", when pictures of that beautiful blue and gold world were taken from the Moon, by astronauts.
"He" God, sitteth on the circle of the earth. (Isaiah 40:22-23) The scientists over the last few hundred years said maybe the earth was flat. The astronauts saw it hang in the sky "as a circle". Isaiah told us the earth was a circle approx. 734 BC, why doesn't mankind listen to the Scriptures?
The earth abideth forever. (Ecclesiastes 1:4), "ONE GENERATION PASSETH AWAY, AND ANOTHER GENERATION COMETH; BUT THE EARTH ABIDETH FOREVER".
Therefore, the earth is reserved for "Fire" to cleanse it in the heat, for hygiene purposes.
There are many persons today in the world on radio, television, or magazine preaching that the "time of the end" is at hand, namely The Key of David and The Philadelphia Trumpet magazine, - Seventh Day Adventists and "Signs" magazine, - the Christadelphians etc. Whether their overall message is right or wrong at this point of time is not in question here. They are however part and parcel of "warning" man in their preaching of the impending doom to come, as it was preached in the times of Noah.
When all the "elect children" have been born and counted, and they have prepared themselves from the "warnings" made known, they will be gathered into safety within an ark of a different sort than Noah's. The ark in the latter case is not upon the earth or waters, but safely in the air away from the burning. How else can one escape Fire? God shut the door on Noah, and he was unable to go in or out of the ark God, not Noah, was in complete control of all that was within the ark. And so, it will be with the gathering of the "elect" before the very last day of destruction upon the earth with fire. The selected children are taken into vehicles in the air.
The "first" vehicle called the ark was made by man. The "second vehicle in the air is "not" made by man. (See Isaiah 27:12-13. - Jeremiah 3:14-15 - Matthew 24:37-42 - Luke 17:34).
God in His wrath over the evil ways of mankind, has reserved volcanoes, of fires from fissures in the earth. There will be great strikes of lightning, and when the sun shines it will be extremely hot.
Man's greed for power at all costs has opened a Pandora's Box of fire for the earth in his multitudinous weapons, his nuclear weapons will devastate great areas of land and peoples.
During the unleashing of the destructive fires of man upon earth one may question what will happen to the nuclear reactors perhaps running out of control without proper supervision? What of the many industries with furnaces unattended, exploding and setting areas of land on fire? The world is pock marked with many gas and oil depots, which could explode into raging fires? There are millions of garages with underground tanks, which could explode. Household gas and electricity causing fires. What of transportation? cars, buses, trains, planes, ships, dockyards, with combustible goods. There is a vast amount of combustible materials and chemical goods around us because we have become enveloped in plastics and synthetics of all descriptions. There are open cut coalfields, oil platforms out at sea exploding and setting the sea alight. Miles upon miles of oil pipes servicing the land. Unattended wheat silo's etc. ammunition dumps and stored war equipment of all sorts. Volatile chemical factories and laboratories, and many, many more things all waiting for the right set of circumstances to unleash the vast potential in the earth for Fire!
This scenario for Fire around the world on a grand scale, will bring tremendous heat and winds high into the atmosphere. There is no hiding for mankind in trees or water to get away the fires could outrun us.
This "Firebomb" that is ticking away the years, is waiting for such a moment upon earth when man's power madness will get the better of him. The sad thing is it all could be avoided by turning to God for help!
The strange thing is, the 2 substances that are the basis of man's life -water and energy- are also his destroyers -water at the time of Noah,- and Fire at the time of the end of man's ruling. Again, that dual pattern remains!
These 2 substances can also be givers of "life". (Matthew 3:11 - 1 Corinthians 3:13-16).
It seems after all these explanations I have written I have gone off the beaten track, so to speak. These long explanations however only go to prove every prophetic road is relative to the other and every jot and tittle noted.
In order to explain the day of "God's wrath" and return of Jesus our King, we humans enter many complexities governing the "end time" of our known world, during the unravelling of Scripture. It is a "simple" matter to read these verses in the Bible, but a "complex" matter to get the "times and seasons" of prophecy correct!
One must always bear in mind, one is dealing with the Creator God over all mankind, of the heavens and of the earth. He is over all powers and principalities that are taught. Therefore, everything must have pattern, law, order, times, dates, a continuing beginning and an end of all things. Everything happens in its "set time" in a "set way". A Creator creates his purposeful object with much thought, line, structure, form, colour, and control. The book of Ecclesiastes explains this fully, (Eccles: 3:1. "TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON, AND A TIME FOR EVERY PURPOSE UNDER THE HEAVEN".
So then, the days of man's "end time" of natural ruling and the "end time" of prophecy is done in 3 parts, before the coming of our Lord and King Jesus. There will be much antagonism amongst people when "He" returns because it is written "He" will have to rule with a rod of iron against those who will not receive Him, nor believe in "Him"!
Those nations of men who will still uphold the power of men above all other powers. Which today we call Communism, Capitalism, Materialism, or any other "ism" that cuts across God's truth. They who are not looking for Jesus Christ's return will have their minds changed for them! All the strange vanities of men's thoughts that have forged myths and legends over the centuries, must be put down under the heel of the Lord Jesus, thus enabling man to rethink his position and learn that we are only vessels made by the Creator. We are not the Potter Himself! (Isaiah 29:16).
To recap on the "end days" in 3 parts, we have first the "times of tribulation", which leads us secondly to nuclear war. Thirdly, a battle called Armageddon or the Day of God Almighty. Which then continues into the "THIEF IN THE NIGHT" destruction when the heavens and the earth will be on Fire. All is stopped for the "sign" of Our Lord's coming.
If reader you turn to the reference in Scripture which puts all 3 parts of the misery upon earth into perspective, it should be made clearer.
Isaiah chapter 24, -Within this chapter we read of the sufferings in the earth with man and the land. God has struck man down through its leaders and Kings, and the earth is in mourning, Yet! Those who are left out of the whole nation of Israel they will glorify God! Isaiah tells of the fear in mankind and of the earth, during, and after an atomic war. When the tribulations in the earth have risen to a climax, on into Armageddon and destruction. After many days (or years) comes the "visitation" from outer space seen upon the earth, when things will be changed from the Lords coming!