SCRIPTURE: Revelation 16:12-21
OBSERVATION:
The plagues lead up to the final judgment at armageddon (har megiddo, the hill or valley of megiddo where many decisive battles were fought), symbolizing the last great battle. The date for this final, decisive moment between the Lord and His followers, and Satan and his followers in unknown, but it is coming, and this is a call to take it serious and live prepared and ready. There are many symbols here (frogs performing miracles), but they symbolize the extremity and severity of this final cataclysmic event (imagine the scene of the final battle in the Lord of the Rings movies).
The result of that final day, when the Lord finally reveals Himself in His glory and power, will be that some will fall one their knees seeking (and receiving) mercy), and the rest will curse God.
APPLICATION:
I do not think much about this final battle, though many times when I hear the news about the middle east, the increasing military power of China, terrorism and secularism in the west, I sense things moving in this direction. People are rejecting the way of Jesus, and the world is unraveling. I suspect this has always been happening, but this prophecy indicates that it will continue until the final apocalyptic moment. Do I take this seriously enough.
PRAYER:
Lord, I can get so wrapped up in the little details of each day that I miss the big picture, of what You are doing and where things are heading. Open my eyes to see things more clearly, and to live accordingly! Amen.
This passage describes the last two angels. We are reminded by the sixth angel that all this happens when we least expect it – like the thief in the night. But it does happen. With the sixth angel it describes the gathering of kings for battle, but a battle is not described. They are assembled.
With the seventh angel we hear a voice saying it is done and there are earthquakes as never experienced before and huge hail stones creating death and confusion. There was no escape. It is finished.
I am reminded that God will do what He has said in His time. He will reclaim all for Himself. I am still living in the days of His grace. The wars, earthquakes, storms we see today will be nothing compared to the last day. Help me Lord to see the ‘writing on the wall’ with the happenings of today. Help me to see You speaking in all the happenings of each day. Help me to see, help others to see, that this is Your World and You are the Ruler yet and will take all in the final day. Help all Your people see their destnation on their pilgrim’s progress.
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.