When I was in Israel last year I visited Armageddon, which is a place in Northern Israel by the ancient city Megiddo. From the top of the tel, or man-made mountain, at Megiddo I viewed the Valley of Jezreel, which is quite beautiful. Our guide told us this is where Armageddon, the great final battle between good and evil will be fought. She even borrowed the scene of blood (180 miles long and as high as a horse’s bridle) from 14:20 to enhance the importance and magnitude of this site.
The problem with her description, and with popular lore, is that John’s vision reveals absolutely nothing about a battle being fought at Armageddon. The one and only time John refers to Armageddon is at 16:16. There the forces of evil gathered, but no battle is fought. Instead, God acts decisively without a battle.
In John’s vision he makes clear that evil will be defeated. John does not mean to be taken literally when he suggests the armies invading from the east will the means of their destruction. John’s point is not so much in the how judgment is coming; rather, that for certain judgment is coming.
John’s reference to Armageddon comes near the end of the last of the three numbered cycles of judgment. This cycle represents the completion, the fulfillment of God’s judgment against evil. Once again John sees that the witness of the faithful is not in vain. Their witness is rewarded and has influence beyond their time and place in history.
John also affirms teachings from both the Old and New Testaments, that God’s penalty for sin is appropriate to the act.
“Since they shed the blood
of your holy people and your prophets,
you have given them blood to drink.
It is their just reward.”
(16:6)
John also see that even after all of the judgments of God, and even knowing that these judgments are for their participation with evil, people still did not repent. Perhaps their response inspired the words of Satan in Milton’s Paradise Lost: “Better to reign in hell than to serve in heav’n.”
(God’s perfect timing: While I am writing this my iPod is playing a praise song based on Psalm 86:10, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”)
Some people will reject God, even after multiple opportunities to turn away from sin and turn toward God’s forgiveness. John’s vision reveals that there is a point of no return. There is a point when evil will be judged. Interestingly, John notes that those who are so judged will still blame God for their fate, which fate is the result of their own choosing.
What does today's reading reveal to you about God?
What does it reveal to you about yourself?
Think about what God wants you to do or remember about this passage.
Does God want you to change anything in your life?
Remember, this is not something the rest of the world needs to do.
What does God want you to do?
No comments:
Post a Comment