ARMAGEDDON - How Close Are We?

Part 1 of a 3 part series by Hank Beymer

Armageddon is derived from the battle that will take place in the Mount (har) of Meggiddo, located in northwestern Israel and overlooking the Valley of Meggido. It is a great plain/valley that has, in the past, been the site of numerous important battles in that part of the world. It is here that the forces of anti-christ marshall after seven years of tribulation to beseige and lay waste to Jerusalem. At that point in time, Jesus descends from heaven with His army of saints, and destroys the marshalled forces. The destruction is so vast, that scripture tells us that it will take 7 years for the remains to be cleaned up, and that blood will run to the depth of a horse's bridle.

Most of the scenarios presented by the wannabe prophets are concerned with the war against Irac ('90), the war in Afghanistan (2001/02), the about to be war between Pakistan and India, the fall of the USSR, Chechyna, and just about any other country you want to name. They, almost invariably, point to all these wars and predict that the United Nations, the "new world order", the United States, or someone else is going to bring about a worldwide peace treaty, institute world wide government, money, and religion, and ... there ya have it, folks! To them, it is the wars that are the tell tale as to when Armageddon is going to happen. For good measure they also make a lot of "the beast", the nickname applied to a computer under the control of the World Bank, and the current ability to apply a universal number to anyone (the mark of the beast). Let's establish a few things first. Again, Armageddon is a battle that occurs after a period of time encompassing 7 years known in scripture as the tribulation period. This seven year period is divided into two parts of 3 1/2 years each, with the second 3 1/2 years being called the "great" tribulation. Scripture also clearly states that this tribulation period is when God is pouring out His wrath upon the earth because of the sinfulness of its inhabitants. Scripture also tells us quite clearly that the centerpiece of this tribulation period will be an individual, a human being, known to us as "the anti-christ". During the first 3 1/2 years, this person will begin to exert military and economic control over a group of nations, and will enter into a peace treaty with Israel to protect them. For 3 1/2 years he does exactly that, and extends more of his control into the world at large. After 3 1/2 years, satan enters into this person, possesses him fully, and he then attacks Israel, enters Jerusalem, and desecrates the temple, declaring himself to be God, and demanding obedience and obeisance from all the world. This begins the "great" tribulation period, when the wrath of God is magnified against the earth. The beast, as he is now known, exerts complete economic control over the majority of the world. Certain nations not under his control raise up large armies, and march against his headquarters in Jerusalem, which brings us to ...Armageddon. So, we can have a handle on when Armageddon is...7 years after the tribulation starts, which is approximately concurrent with the rise of the anti-christ to power. Well, when is that?

The answers to that are not quite as clearly defined, but they are clear enough so that those who will see will see, and those who will hear will hear, and the seeing and hearing have nothing at all to do with the wars that are being fought. Jesus addresses that question in Matthew 24, when the disciples asked of Jesus "tell us, when shall these things be, and what is the sign of your coming and of the completion of the age?" (24:3). Notice please, very carefully, what Jesus says: " Take heed that you are not deceived; for many will come in my name, saying, "I am the Christ," and they will lead many astray...". Jesus goes on to say "and you will hear of wars, and rumors of wars; don't be alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places; all this is but the beginning of the sufferings." Jesus goes on to talk of tribulation, martyrdom, hatred of Christianity, apostasy, and then says " and many false prophets will come and lead many astray". In verse 23, Jesus says "if any one says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!', or 'there he is!' do not believe it , for false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you 'he is in the wilderness', do NOT go out; if they say 'he is in the inner rooms', do not believe it . For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man". Paul, when writing to the Thessalonians, parallels this warning with another. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul writes: " let no one deceive you in any way ; for that day (the coming of the Lord) will not come, unless... (RSV) the rebellion (KJV) a great falling away (NAS) the apostasy (NIV) the rebellion (AMPL) the apostasy-that is, unless the great [predicted] falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come... and the man of man of sin is revealed." Additionally, we have the words of Jesus in His revelation to John concerning the churches (Rev. 2:1 thru 3:22). In these warnings to the churches, 5 out of 7 are castigated and warned because they have "left their first love", "are neither hot nor cold", "imperfect works", and most importantly, toleration of false teachers and prophets. Indeed, all of the problems and imperfections listed in those verses can easily be traced to those within the church who proclaim, preach and teach doctrines that are not in the bible.

The greatest single sign of the imminence of Armageddon is based, not on wars, or rumors of wars, or famines, diseases, natural disasters, oil cartels, pipelines, or anything other than the visible condition of the church, the body of Christ . Jesus and Paul both point out quite clearly that deception of the church, of professing believers will be a major sign that will almost immediately precede the revelation of the anti-christ, and the kick-off of the tribulation period. Throughout history since the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, there have been people who have claimed to be christ, who have claimed to be leaders, or voices of God, upon this earth. There have been heresies, and errors, and changing doctrines, and doctrines of men, and groups, and associations. But at no time during this history until very recently have there been the vast numbers of those who claim to be ministers of the gospel, ministers of truth and righteousness, ambassadors of Christ, who have openly and progressively declared themselves to be christ . In just the past ten years, blatant heresy, unscriptural doctrine, and wholesale departure from the Word of God has been occurring at an ever increasing rate. And what is saddest of all about this, is that millions of well-meaning and spiritually hungry christians are following the deception, swallowing the lies, and lining the pockets of these greedy merchants with hard earned money.

Part two of this series will continue in the next issue. In the meantime, digest what has been said. And above all, check it out against scripture.