Rev 16:12-16
The Last War
Last week, we began speaking of the last round of judgments, the
Seven Vials or Bowl judgments.
1. I made the comment that even though the plagues are listed
one after the other, in rapid-fire order, that perhaps they
were spread out over the last 3 1/2 years.
a. I think this is the case.
b. I called this a "run-ahead" chapter since it will go from
around the middle of the tribulation to the end.
2. \\#1-11\\ We then looked at the first five judgments, each one
a painful, horrible, deadly plague upon all of mankind.
3. We had to stop while discussing the sixth plague, the nations
of the world being summoned to Israel—to the Battle of
Armageddon.
a. I showed you the copy of an New York Times article and
told you of a broadcast by CNN stating that the River
Euphrates has already been largely dried up—by the
neighbors of Iraq.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Dams_on_the_Euphrates_River
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/world/middleeast/14euphrates.
html?_r=0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4fRIG5np_M
b. Since Iraq will not make treaties with their neighbors,
their neighbors are damning up the river, cutting off
their water supply.
c. That reality makes what I had considered to the more
difficult aspect of this prophecy already fulfilled!
d. The only thing left of this prophecy is for the anti-
Christ and his unholy trinity to be revealed and to be
the ones to summon the nations to this battle.
4. The last thing I said was I believe there is another Bible
passage that describes the beginning of this war.
This morning, let’s deviate from the book of Revelation and look at
it. \\#Eze 38:1-7\\
I. \\#Eze 38:1-39:29\\ The Beginning of the Last War
A. My view is that these chapters are describing the same battle
which is beginning in Revelation 16; however, many good
people would differ and no one knows for certain at this
time.
B. There is one difference.
1. Revelation calls these armies of the East \\#Rev 16:12\\.
2. Ezekiel calls them of the North \\#Eze 38:15\\.
3. The army will likely be lead by the North and East, but
gathered from all over the world.
C. The names of the nations participating are given according to
ancient land names.
1. \\#38:2-3\\ Magog, Meshech, Tubal - Generally thought to
be in the area of Turkey and Russia.
2. \\#38:5\\ Persia - Iran
3. \\#38:5\\ Ethiopia and Libya - Africa
4. \\#38:6\\ Gomer - South of Russia
5. \\#38:13\\ Sheba and Dedan are south of Israel
6. \\#38:13\\ Tarshish - Spain
D. It is interesting that most of these nations are Muslim-
ruled nations.
1. The exception is Russia which considers itself an
atheistic nation.
2. Yet, Russia has been a powerful force among these nations
for centuries.
3. In the last few weeks, Russia has taken over as the
military leader of that region in an attempt—they say—
to defeat both Isis and Al Qaeda, two of the most evil
and powerful Muslim extremist groups. (Google "Russia/
Syria" or "Russia/ISIS.")
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alastair-crooke/russia-syria-isis-al-
qaeda_b_8259870.html
4. They are also backing the Syria’s Assad, himself a Muslim
terrorists supporter who has been targeted by Isis and
Al Qaeda because they deemed him too soft against
Israel.
5. This is not the beginning of an alliance between Russia
and its Muslin neighbors, but it is certainly the
solidifying of that relationship.
II. \\#38:8\\ The Timing of the Battle
A. After a time - "After many days …in the latter years" - It
will be end time.
B. After an event - "land brought back from the sword" - After
they (Israel) have been brought back into the land. That
happened in 1948.
C. But there is a difference
1. "they shall dwell safely." \\#Eze 38:8\\
2. Israel will have no walls, nor bars, nor gates, and will
dwell safely. \\#Eze 38:11\\
3. "safely" \\#Eze 18:14\\
4. So far, I do not see this being true of Israel.
a. Israel is building walls not around its cities but
around the ENTIRE NATION!
b. Presently, the entire world seems to be lining up
against Israel—including America!
c. Yet, the New Testament says this peace will come to
pass.
1Thess 5:1 But of the times and the seasons,
brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day
of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety;
then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as
travail upon a woman with child; and they shall
not escape.
d. I believe the peace will happen as a result of the
treaty that will be forced upon Israel at the
beginning of the tribulation \\#Dan 9:27\\.
e. So as bad as things look for Israel today, the nations
turning against Israel is just one more step. The
final step will be a peace between Israel and its
neighbors.
III. \\#38:10-12\\ The motive of the battle is generally given. It
will be greed and aggression.
A. Russia wants to control oil.
1. Russia is the third largest oil produced behind the USA
and Saudi Arabia, but it always wants more and wants to
control what is out there.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_oil_production
2. Dr. David Smeltz, a missionary/evangelist who ministers
some in that part of the world and has family living
there, told me that the reason Russia attacked the
Ukraine was seize control of the oil pipelines that run
through that religion of the world.
3. He said that the oil which reaches much of Europe goes
through those pipe lines.
4. Whoever controls the oil can control the world.
B. Just this past week, major headlines spoke of Israel’s newly
found oil reserves in the Golan Heights!
http://www.hngn.com/articles/138783/20151009/oil-found-in-israeli-
occupied-golan-heights-could-spark-new-war-in-region.htm
1. An oil strata 1,150 feet thick, ten times the global
average was found.
2. The headline for that article was "Oil Found In Israeli-
Occupied Golan Heights Could Spark New War In Region".
C. That is three recent news articles relating to the possible
fulfillment of Revelation 16:12-16 in the last few weeks
alone!
1. The drying up of the River Euphrates - June 4, 2015.
2. Russia leading the Muslims against Isis - October 9, 2015
3. Gigantic oil reserves found in Israel - October 9, 2015.
IV. \\#38:14-39:7\\ A general account of the battle is given.
A. We are looking at this battle from Revelation and Ezekiel.
1.Both texts tell us that God is the One actually gathering
these armies.
Rev 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils,
working miracles, which go forth unto the kings
of the earth and of the whole world, to gather
them to the battle of that great day of God
Almighty.
Eze 38:16 And thou shalt come up against my
people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land;
it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring
thee against my land, that the heathen may know
me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog,
before their eyes. \\#Eze 38:4\\
2. \\#Rev 16:16\\ The location the army is attempting to
reach is mentioned, Armageddon.
a. Armageddon means City or Hill of Megiddo.
b. Megiddo is a valley about 80 miles north of
Jerusalem.
c. \\#39:2\\ Ezekiel describes the battle as being in
the mountains of Israel.
3. God will fight against this army.
a. \\#Eze 38:18-23\\
b. Notice specifically…
(1) \\#Eze 38:19-20\\ - The great earthquake
(2) \\#Eze 38:22\\ - overflowing rain, great
hailstones, fire, and brimstone
c. \\#Rev 16:17-21\\ Then notice the seventh vial.
(1) An earthquake so great that not only was every
isle and mountain moved \\#Rev 6:14\\ but the
islands and mountains "were not found"
\\#Rev 16:20\\.
(2) Hailstones so great that they weighed 100 pounds!
B. The results:
Eze 39:2 And I will turn thee back, and leave
but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee
to come up from the north parts, and will bring
thee upon the mountains of Israel:
1. All but 1/6 of this great army will be "turned back." Many
will be killed but the word means "to fetch home again."
2. 5/6 of the army will be killed and scattered.
3. I think \\#Eze 39:2\\ is the end of the Battle of
Armageddon but not of the war.
4. The war does not end at Megiddo. It ends at Jerusalem as
recorded in \\#Rev 19:11-21\\.
5. 1/6 of the army remains at Ezekiel 39:2. They will
continue on to Jerusalem.
6. But this is where Revelation 16 stops so we will stop
here.
We seem to be closer to the fulfillment of these Bible passages than
ever before! News agencies are regularly reporting that ancient
Bible prophecies are coming to pass. It is not a question of "Is the
Bible true?" It is a question of "Will you believe the Bible?" I
pray that you will and turn to Jesus today.
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