Draw near, O nations, to hear, and hearken, O peoples! Let the earth listen, and all that fills it; the world, and all that comes from it. For the LORD is enraged against all the nations, and furious against all their host, he has doomed them, has given them over for slaughter. (Isaiah 34:1-2 RSV).
Anyone who has been aware of what is reported in the news will be aware of the annexing of the Crimea. This shows the length Russia will go to protect its military capability. Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is in port in Sevastopol in the Crimea and has been hamstrung by the Ukraine’s independence. It also means that the main Black Sea and Mediterranean fleet has lost its freedom. By annexing Crimea, Russia has secured its main fleet base and workshop. Russia is concerned by the civil war in Syria. If President Assed keeps power, their other Mediterranean Base at Tartus, Syria, is safe. If the rebels win, then we could we see Russia sweeping down to occupy Syria? This means Russia; Gog of Ezekiel 38, is dangerously close to the land of Israel!
Continuing from last month we find the Beast or Antichrist loosing his grip on the nations under his subjection. Babylon is referred to in Revelation Chapter 18. Never has a city been so wicked. Whether this is a rebuilt Babylon, or a reference to Rome or just the total system of the Beast we do not know. I think it refers to a city as the ships stand off the port to see the city burning. With any restraint removed the capital city of the Beast is given over to every form of evil, crime and witchcraft that could be thought of. As God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah so he destroys Babylon. The Antichrists financial system of the world collapses. About the same time there will be a most terrible earthquake, the like of which has never been seen before occurs, completely altering the landscape and destroying many islands and flattening many hills and mountains throughout the world. Many will be killed [Ezek 38:19-23][Rev16:17-21].
Somewhere towards the end of the Tribulation period we find the Russian army sweeping down from the north to attack the land of Israel. [Ezek 38:1-23][Ezek 39:1-13]. It may be that Russia will run short of Oil and could be after the Middle Eastern resources including Israel’s. It may be that by this time Psalm 83 has been fulfilled and the armies of most Middle Eastern Arab states will have been destroyed or overruled by the Antichrist and the Bible says Israel will be at peace. We are told that with the Far Eastern Armies [Rev 16:12] and Russia [Gog] advancing, The Western Armies under Antichrist will intervene. In the valley of Armageddon the armies of the world will meet head on. [Rev 16:16] Into this triple army conflict the Lord and his army will intervene and destroy them. [Rev 19:11-19][Zech 14:12-15]. The Devil and the False Prophet will be captured and bound for 1000 years and the Lord will reign over the world. There will be a lot of clearing up to do. It has been estimated that after the Tribulation period with the battles, earthquakes and other natural disasters that something like 80% of the world’s population will have been killed. The Bible says that had the Lord not called a halt and brought the Tribulation to an end, all flesh could have been destroyed [Matt 24:22]. Certainly after the battle of Armageddon it will take seven months to clean up the debris. All the bodies and the wrecked weapons of war will have to be cleared and disposed of and it will take a long time. [Ezek 39:13–16]. We are not told the timing for all this, just to watch out for the signs.
The Lord will return to the Mount of Olives [Zech 14:4] and will return in glory through the Eastern Gate and take up His rightful place as King of Kings and Lord of Lords [Matt 24:29-31][Ezek 43:1-10]. From Jerusalem the Lord will reign over the world for 1000 years. [Rev 20:1-6]. Many references in the Bible give the outline of the wonders of this time. [Zech 14: 1-11][Zech 14:16-21]. The Jews will realise they crucified the Messiah and will mourn for what they did. [Zech 12:10-14]. They will return and worship the Lord and the world will be full of love and happiness. [Isa 11:1-16]. For a thousand years mankind will experience the world as it was at the time of its creation. Everyone will live together in peace and love, war will not be learned any more and the existing weapons will be destroyed, just think how things will operate if billions are no longer spent on armaments. The desert will blossom as the rose, there will be enough to eat for everyone, and suffering and famine, as we see today, will be a thing of the past.
After a thousand years of peace and prosperity you would think everyone would be content. But after the 1000 years is up the Beast and Satan will be released and will soon get a group of rebels together to try and defeat the Lord and His army. Satan has not changed his nature, and neither has mankind. After 1000 years of peace and joy living a lovely life in full health and happiness mankind under the influence and guidance of Satan has not learnt. God will then destroy Satan, and his army and those who joined him. The world and all in it will be burned with fire and God will present a new Earth and new Heaven to His people. Read Revelation chapters 21 and 22 and you will be held in wonder as we see what our Lord and Saviour have in store for us.
In Revelation Chapter 20 verses 11-15, and Chapter 21and verse 27 a final warning is stated. “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into lake of fire. Are you secure for the future, are you redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus, and are you saved? Is your name written in the Book of Life?
Brian D. Papworth
Representative for the Prophetic Witness Movement International in the South Pacific.