Dearest Ones,
Today I want to talk to you about "the battle of Armageddon." There are many concepts about this that are believed in the Christian world, and although many have a little truth, there is also a mixture with error. Therefore, I want to clarify what the concept of Armageddon means in the great scheme of time. The key to this battle began in heaven when Satan set himself to attack the throne of God and take over the government of the universe. [Isa. 14:12-14.] The word, "Armageddon,"* symbolizes the purposes of Satan to possess the Holy Mount of God's supreme position and government. [Eze. 28:14-17.] Satan's position on this matter has never changed, nor will it until he is destroyed in the lake of fire at the end of the thousand years. It is his obsession to be the ruler of the universe, and to this end he and his followers fight with the energy and purpose derived from madness.
So you see in the story of the great controversy which he began in heaven, the same thread running through the whole Bible. When he was cast out of heaven for attacking the Holy Mountain and the position of God's throne [Rev. 12:7-9], he then carried his purpose into Eden and deceived your first parents, and when they fell, he became the prince of this world. [John 14:30; 16:11.] In the wilderness as the second Adam, I withstood his attempts to get me to bow down to him in exchange for the things the world has to offer. [Matt. 4:8-11.] I recognized him to be the deceiver, and his purposes were the same as they had been in heaven.
And so it has always been in the long history of this earth in its fallen condition. Every person who is born is tested as I was tested in the wilderness. Will they succumb to Satan's lies and deceptions and accept his promises of worldly rewards, or will they turn from him and accept the pathway of the cross and death to self in exchange for eternal life and happiness in heaven with me? Those who accept the cross will receive the very things that Satan wanted - a seat upon my throne [Rev. 3:21], and an eternity to live and reign with me [Rev. 20:6; 22:4, 5] because they have been tested and tried and passed the test of humility and discipleship.
This has been the test from the beginning of time. But there is a final conflict at the end of time that is yet ahead of you, and through which you must pass. The forces of evil are now consolidating for that battle, for Satan knows that he must win this battle over me in the person of my saints, or he will forever lose the war against heaven and the government of God. This battle is both physical and spiritual, just as it was in heaven. There was the spiritual battle for the allegiance of the angels, and there was the physical battle for the throne. So it will be again at the end of time. When I lose the four winds of strife, there will be such a scene of chaos and bloodshed as the world has never seen. [Rev. 7:1; 9:14-16.]* This is purposeful on the part of Satan, for he wants to bring the world to the point where they will be willing to listen to his lies that the people of God are the cause of the problem. Then in their fear and rage, they will make laws around the world to annihilate my people in a single 24-hour period just as in the days of Esther. [Esther 9:1.] I will permit it to come to this point to display to the universe the final malignity of Satan against my government, my throne, and my inheritance - the people who love and serve me even at the threat of death. But do not fear this, for not a hair of your head will perish [Lu. 21:14-19], for at that time I will come down from heaven to rescue you, and in my righteous fury [Isa. 63:3-6], I will destroy all sinners and the things in the world that they have claimed as their own, and I will save my people, my righteous ones, who would rather die than forsake my law and my truth. These will shine like the stars forever and ever [Dan. 12:3] to display the product of my sacrifice on Calvary. This will be the death knell to the kingdom of Satan, the would-be usurper of the Holy Mountain, and the government and throne of God.
In summary, the battle of Armageddon is the last and final effort of Satan against my kingdom and my people. The scene at the end of the thousand years [Rev. 20:7-10] is not the battle of Armageddon, because it is not a battle at all, for my people are already safe within the walls of the New Jerusalem, and I allow this only to show the universe that even after Satan and all the hosts of darkness have seen and acknowledged that they have been wrong and that my handling of the great controversy has been without a flaw, their hearts are unchanged, and therefore, they receive eternal death when they march upon the New Jerusalem.
The battle of Armageddon is the final battle between good and evil, beginning at the close of probation with the whole world convulsed in war and bloodshed in what they will consider to be a holy war surrounding the land of Israel [Dan. 11:45-12:1]; but the real purpose of Satan will be to destroy my people. As you can see right now, Satan is determined to precipitate this war to preempt the sealing of my people and the loud cry. But I will hold back the purposes of Satan until my people are sealed [Rev. 7:2, 3], and the message of the Three Angels, joined by the fourth angel, have done their work. Then I will hide my people under the shadow of my wings and let the winds go.
Now you know what is just ahead of you, but do not be afraid, for just as I have prophesied about the battle of Armageddon, so I have prophesied concerning the protection and triumph of my people. [Rev. 15:1-3.] So rest in my care and love for you, and leave the consequences of the battle to me, for not a hair of your head will perish, for you are and will be kept safe under the shadow of my wings. Lovingly, Jesus.
*"Heb. 2022 - har; a mountain, or range of hills. 4023 - Megiddo; from 1413; rendezvous 1413 - to crowd; also to gash (as if by pressing into): assemble (selves by troops), gather (selves together, self in troops), cut selves." Strong's Concord.
*"Four mighty angels hold back the powers of this earth till the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. The nations of the world are eager for conflict; but they are held in check by the angels. When this restraining power is removed, there will come a time of trouble and anguish. Deadly instruments of warfare will be invented.... All who have not the spirit of truth will be united under the leadership of satanic agencies. But they are to be kept under control until the time shall come for the great battle of Armageddon. Angels are belting the world, refusing Satan his claims to supremacy... keeping the armies of Satan at bay till the sealing of God's people shall be accomplished.... The Lord is a refuge for all who put their trust in Him. He bids them hide in Him for a little moment, until the indignation be over past. He is soon to come out of His place to punish the world for its iniquity." 7 BC p. 967.
"In the last scenes of this earth's history, war will rage. The powers of evil will not give up the conflict without a struggle. But Providence has a part to act in the battle of Armageddon. The Captain of the Lord's host will stand at the head of the angels of heaven to direct the battle." Maranatha, p. 297.
"Angels are now restraining the winds of strife, that they may not blow until the world shall be warned of its coming doom; but a storm is gathering, ready to burst upon the earth; and when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there will be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture." Ed. pp. 179, 80.