Signs of The Last Days

Battle of Armageddon: Part 2

In part 2 of the Battle of Armageddon series I will discuss what nations will participate in this great and final battle.  We do know, obviously, of one nation that will participate in this battle, and that is the nation of Israel.  But what about the other nations of the world?  What role will they play in this war that will lead to the Battle of Armageddon?

The ancient prophet of the Old Testament, Zechariah, gave a very detailed description of who will be involved in this war and to which side each nation belongs.

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.

And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.  (Zechariah 12: 2-3)

In these verses, we learn that Jerusalem and the nation of Israel will become "a cup of trembling unto all people round about."  Looking at the map of the Middle East, you can see that the nation of Israel is surrounded by Muslim nations, a religion that has always been at odds with the Jewish religion.

In verse 2, Zechariah goes on to state these "people round about" will be in "siege both against Judah [Israel] and Jerusalem.  And if you look at the political turmoil going on in the Middle East today, this is certainly true.

Next in verse 3, Zechariah states, "Jerusalem [will be] a burdensome stone for all people."  In this sense "all people" could be considered all of the nations of the earth.  This is especially true of the world today.  Nearly every nation on earth today is hostile toward Israel.  Even Israel's staunchest and only ally, the United States, has separated itself from her.  The Obama administration has demonstrated more support for Muslim nations, and in particular Palestine than for Israel.  Evidence of this was when the Obama administration discouraged Israel from building apartment buildings on the West Bank - land that rightfully belongs to the nation of Israel not the Palestinians.

How do we know that this land belongs to the Jews or Israelites?  Well, God promised it to Abraham and his posterity, the Israelites.

In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.  (Genesis 15:18)

At present, Israel only possesses a small portion of the original land contract between God and Abraham.  The map below shows the borders of the original land grant:

It is very obvious when you look at this original land contract that the West Bank belongs to Israel.  God promised it, and God never breaks a promise.  In fact, the judgments of God will come upon those nations that interfere with this contract between God and Abraham.  God made it very clear in Joel Chapter 3 what would happen to those that would try to divide his land with heathen nations.

Ironically as I write this post, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated today that Israel and the Palestinians will begin peace talks on September 2nd to discuss the creation of a Palestinian state.  The Obama administration has even stated that it is their desire to establish a nation that the Palestinians could call their own in 2011 (Neenan, 2010).

If the peace talks are successful and Palestine is allowed to establish a nation within Israel's covenanted land, there could be dire consequences for all those nations that helped to part God's land (Joel 3).

At the same time, however, God also made it very clear what would happen to Israel if they did not follow him and broke their covenant.  The Israelites would lose this land and be taken into captivity (Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28).  This has happened many times with the Israelites many times throughout history.  They were destroyed and captured by the Babylonians and Roman empire.  At the end of the Battle of Armageddon, however, there will be a different result, a turning point in the Jewish religion.  This will be discussed in part 4.

From scripture, we learn that all nations will take part in this war and final battle.  But on what side does the United States stand?  For me, personally, I would hope that our brave men and women in our military who have fought for freedom on many occasions would be on Israel's side.  But scripture makes it clear that "all the people of the earth be gathered against [Israel]."  And with the Obama administration's ever increasing concessions and support for the Muslim world, my fear is that the U.S. may very well be fighting against Israel.  My hope and my prayer is that the Christians of our beloved country will rise up to change the United States' foreign policy in support of Israel and her right to God's land before it is to late.

In closing, the land of Israel is God's land.  He gave this land to Abraham's posterity (Israel), so long as they obeyed God's commandments.  Any nation that arrogantly tries to divide God's land will face his judgments, leading to the "abomination and desolation" and the end of all nations.

Notes:

Neenan, R. (2010, August 20). Mideast peace talks to begin soon. Retrieved from http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/08/20/mideast-peace-talks-to-begin-soon/?test=latestnews

The Battle of Armageddon: Part 1

Jezreel Valley (Valley of Megiddo) in Northern Israel viewed from the Mount of Megiddo.

A question commonly asked when people are looking for information regarding the Battle of Armageddon is - when will this battle take place?  Of course, no one other than God knows the exact date when this battle will occur.  But we do know of the general era of when it will take place.

In order to understand the era when this battle will occur, we must understand time according to the Bible.  While dates do not appear in the Bible detailing Biblical history, we do have an understanding of the historical time line thanks to Archbishop James Ussher (1581-1656).  James Ussher was a highly regarded clergyman and scholar in Ireland.  One of his many accomplishments was his work on the treatise of chronology.  Using the correlation of Mediterranean and Middle East histories, as well as the Bible, Ussher was able to (with accuracy) establish the Christian calendar.  He established the first day of creation as Sunday, October 23, 4004 BC, and Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden on Monday, November 10, 4004 BC.  He also established other significant dates for Biblical events.  As a result, he was able to establish that the earth, according to the Bible, will have an existence of 7,000 years.  This correlates with the creation because we know through modern revelation that 1 day to God is equivalent to 1,000 years for man on earth (Abraham 3:4).

In Chapter 5 of The Revelation of St. John the Divine, John saw the entire history of the earth in a vision.  In his vision, John saw God the Father sitting on his throne, and in his right hand was a book that was sealed with seven seals (Revelation 5).  Moreover, there was only one worthy to break the seals and open the book - our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  These seven seals are representations of earth's time periods:

1. Seal 1: 4,000-3,000 BC
2. Seal 2: 3,000-2,000 BC
3. Seal 3: 2,000-1,000 BC
4. Seal 4: 1,000-1 BC
5. Seal 5: 1-1,000 AD
6. Seal 6: 1,000-2,000 AD
7. Seal 7: 2,000-3,000 AD

In Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Smith states:

The world has had a fair trial for six thousand years; the Lord will try the seventh thousand Himself; 'He whose right it is, will possess the kingdom, and reign until He has put all things under His feet;" iniquity will hide its hoary head, Satan will be bound, and the works of darkness destroyed; righteousness will be put to the line, and judgment to the plummet, and "he that fears the Lord will alone be exalted in that day' (Smith, 1976, p. 252)

Thus, we learn from scripture, scholar, and prophet that the earth has 7 time periods of existence.  In the seventh thousand year of existence, Christ will return and establish his Millennial kingdom.  It is at the beginning of the seventh seal that the Battle of Armageddon will occur.  John affirms, "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour" (Rev. 8:1).  Based upon the Biblical chronology established by Archbishop James Ussher, the seventh seal began in the year 2004 AD.

In this verse, John states that after the seal was opened "there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour."  If we take the 1 day to God equaling 1,000 years for man and divide those 1,000 years by 24 representing the hours of a day, we get 41.666667.  Of course we then divide this number by 2, which could represent the space of half an hour, and we get 20.833333.  Based upon these mathematical calculations, it is very possible that the Battle of Armageddon could take place within the first 21 years of the seventh seal (2004-2025 AD).  Of course, no man knows but the Father, so I may be wrong but the math makes sense.  And if you look at the turmoil going on in the Middle East and Israel today, it is very plausible.

This leads us to where the Battle of Armageddon will take place.  John, in Revelation 16:16, states, "And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon."  The original word from the Bible is Ar Magedon.  This literally means in ancient Hebrew "mount of Megiddo."  Upon this mount lie the ruins of an ancient fortified city.  The Valley of Megiddo is in Northern Israel and has been a very strategic location armies have used to invade Jerusalem.  Historians have also stated that more battles have taken place in this valley that at any other location in world history - an appropriate place for the final battle before Christ's return.

Notes:

Smith, J. (1976). Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Selected by Joseph Fielding Smith. Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book. P. 252.

The Battle of Armageddon: Introduction

The Battle of Armageddon is perhaps the most recognized sign of the last days.  It is not only recognized by those who believe in Jesus Christ, but is a familiar concept by unbelievers as well.  Numerous books, films, and documentaries have been written and produced on the subject.  But in order to fully understand the Battle of Armageddon, one must look no further than scripture and our latter-day prophets. 

The scriptures are very detailed in explaining Armageddon, and from scripture we learn the specifics about this forthcoming battle:

1. When and where the battle will take place.
2. What nations will participate in this great battle.
3. The reasons behind this final war and battle.
4. Christ's role in this battle and eventual consequences upon the world.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said the following about the war that would lead up to the eventual Battle of Armageddon:

"[It is] the greatest war of the ages, . . . the final great war that will usher in the Millennium, . . . the war of wars. . . . Armageddon is the final great battle in a war that covers the earth and involves all nations. . . . It will exceed in horror, intensity, and scope all prior war. . . . The final war will be long and perilous, with many battles and much bloodshed and continuing horrors. . . . " (Parry & Parry, 1999, p. 264)

This war, World War III, will culminate with the Battle of Armageddon.  It will begin with the 5-month war and will involve a mind boggling two hundred million soldiers, resulting in the death of a third of mankind.

In the coming days, I will write about the 4 specifics that pertain to this final battle.

Notes:

Parry, D.W., & Parry, J.A. (1999). Understanding the signs of the times. Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book Company.

Secret Combinations and Secret Governments

Below, I have posted three YouTube videos.  These are warnings from modern-day prophets.  The Book of Mormon tells of two great civilizations that flourished in the Western Hemisphere thousands of years ago.  These civilizations became so powerful and prosperous that the people became lazy and idolatrous.  Consequently, they allowed secret combinations of evil men to take over.  These civilizations weren't destroyed from without by conquering armies.  No, they were destroyed from within because the people turned away from the Lord and sat passively by as evil engulfed them.

Please watch the videos below.  Listen to the warnings.  Are these things happening in the United States of America right now?  Is our fate the same as the Jaredites and the Nephites?  Or are we going to stand for our God given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?

Jesus Christ's First Appearance at Adam-ondi-Ahman Part 3

  

In my last post pertaining to Christ's appearance at Adam-ondi-Ahman, I discussed the people who would be present at this sacred and momentous occasion.  In part 3, we will examine the reasons why Jesus appears to his saints before his second coming appearances at the Battle of Armageddon and his final appearance in glory to the entire world.

Joseph Fielding Smith, in his book Way to Perfection, states the following:

all who have held keys [making] their reports and [delivering] their stewardships, as they shall be required.  Adam will direct his judgment, and then he will make his report, as the one holding the keys for this earth, to his Superior Officer, Jesus Christ.  (p. 291)

Thus, one reason for Christ's appearance is to receive the priesthood keys from all those mortals and immortals who have held keys to act in his name upon this earth.  This is preparatory for the second coming; for the keys must be given back to him, the Son of Man.

Daniel, in chapter 7, verse 18, also mentions that "...the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever; even for ever and ever."  This statement made by Daniel tells us that "the kingdom" will be given to the saints of Christ.  Parry & Parry (1999) confirm:

The Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom...the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.  (p. 405)

Even though Jesus Christ has dominion over this kingdom that will be instilled throughout the millennium, authority is also given to the saints to govern themselves.  What a wonderful concept.  Of course, this is not a new idea.  The government of the United States of America was created to prepare the saints for this kind of government.  The preamble to our own Constitution states:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

When the Constitution was written, this idea (the preamble) was unheard of.  Most nations were used to one ruler or a ruling class.  The people did not have a say in government.  This is why I strongly believe that our own Constitution was divinely inspired.  Perhaps, the preamble to this new millennial constitution would read as follows:

We the Saints of the Most High God, or Order to become more like Thee, to love our fellow men with unconditional love, and secure the Blessings of Liberty and free-agency to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution unto Thee our Eternal Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ to whom we are eternally grateful.  Amen.

The second reason for this great gathering is that authority to govern will be transferred from earthly kingdoms to Jesus Christ and his people.  "The earthly kingdoms, then, will be succeeded by the heavenly kingdom, or God's kingdom, and Adam-ondi-Ahman will be the place where this will occur" (Parry & Parry, 1999, p. 405).

In closing, Christ's appearance at Adam-ondi-Ahman serves two purposes.  First, the keys and dominion will be transferred back to the rightful heir, Jesus Christ.  Secondly, the saints will be given their kingdoms and dominions under Christ.  This great event, Adam-ondi-Ahman will be one of the - if not the most - significant events in human history.  It will usher in the millennium and establish Jesus Christ as King over the whole earth.

Notes:

Smith, J.F. (1949). Way to Perfection.The Genealogical Society of Utah. Page. 291.

Daniel 7:18 King James Version

Parry, D.W., & Parry, J.A. (1999). Understanding the Signs of the Times. Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book Company. Page 405.