As Jewish President Zelensky of Ukraine calls on Israel to help repel the Russian invasion it’s tempting to wonder again if the Biblical ‘Armageddon’ is approaching.
Scripture pictures a final great battle as part of the climax of the ‘last days’ culminating in the return of Christ in glory to judge the wicked and disobedient and gather His people to share heavenly resurrection. Revelation 19 echoes Ezekiel 38 and 39 in predicting a northern power accompanied by other nations moving aggressively on God’s people but being decisively overthrown by God Himself.
While some of the imagery of Revelation can seem strange, the proud, blasphemous, immoral, abusive human behaviour it represents is all too familiar. All of the signs are moving into place. One of these days will be the last of the world we've known.
Yet it’s certainly not all gloom and doom. The Bible is full of encouragement and promise for those who keep their faith, even when facing harsh opposition. The Lord is with His Church and He knows those who are truly His. The trials will be relatively short-lived and we won’t face them alone.
By comparison the coming age is described as eternal. The ‘new Jerusalem’ is a garden city filled with the perpetual light of the Lord’s presence. People from all nations enjoy it together with no more war.
Eternity is a big concept. With our finite minds, so used to limitations, we might wonder will we not get bored even with divinely reconstituted perfection!
I don’t think so. Ask the people who have seen their children killed today, who have had to flee their homes and livelihoods, who are wondering how long their bitter tribulation will last.
An eternity of peace, with justice and righteousness and love unspoilt by selfishness. A security that can never be threatened again. A home that can never be taken from us. It’s hard to imagine completely.
But something tells me it will be just fine.
So yes, amen, come Lord Jesus! Come and bring your children home!
Scripture pictures a final great battle as part of the climax of the ‘last days’ culminating in the return of Christ in glory to judge the wicked and disobedient and gather His people to share heavenly resurrection. Revelation 19 echoes Ezekiel 38 and 39 in predicting a northern power accompanied by other nations moving aggressively on God’s people but being decisively overthrown by God Himself.
While some of the imagery of Revelation can seem strange, the proud, blasphemous, immoral, abusive human behaviour it represents is all too familiar. All of the signs are moving into place. One of these days will be the last of the world we've known.
Yet it’s certainly not all gloom and doom. The Bible is full of encouragement and promise for those who keep their faith, even when facing harsh opposition. The Lord is with His Church and He knows those who are truly His. The trials will be relatively short-lived and we won’t face them alone.
By comparison the coming age is described as eternal. The ‘new Jerusalem’ is a garden city filled with the perpetual light of the Lord’s presence. People from all nations enjoy it together with no more war.
Eternity is a big concept. With our finite minds, so used to limitations, we might wonder will we not get bored even with divinely reconstituted perfection!
I don’t think so. Ask the people who have seen their children killed today, who have had to flee their homes and livelihoods, who are wondering how long their bitter tribulation will last.
An eternity of peace, with justice and righteousness and love unspoilt by selfishness. A security that can never be threatened again. A home that can never be taken from us. It’s hard to imagine completely.
But something tells me it will be just fine.
So yes, amen, come Lord Jesus! Come and bring your children home!
RSS Feed