If you’ve just tuned in, you are listening to a special UNIVERSAL NEWS BROADCAST. We are recapping the major past events, from Israel’s rebirth through the Tribulation and destruction of the world during the Battle of Armageddon.
Before continuing, we would like to point out to our audience the incredible way in which the Lord Jesus Christ (Who is come in the flesh) has put together the many Scriptures, dealing with this period preceding and including the Battle of Armageddon. A day by day account appears to be given.
As events transpired, note the progression.
At first, the weather appeared to be good.
Then clouds were present.
Then the sun, moon, and stars grow dim, as the clouds increased.
Then the moon turned a reddish color.
Then the sun, moon, and stars completely disappeared, and the earth was clothed in darkness.
Then Jesus Christ returned.
In the same way—first, the earth was shaken,
then the mountains moved,
then the mountains were gone.
Then the earth moved out of her place and turned upside down.
The Tribulation had ended. There were only a few days before the Battle of Armageddon exploded.
This short time of a few days came just before the GREAT AND DREADFUL AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD ARRIVED.
There was so much confusion, during the last few days after the Tribulation had ended, that one could barely keep track of what was happening. There were several days between the end of the Tribulation, and the time that Jesus Christ returned.
There were signs that this was the time just before Armageddon.
Strange things were happening regarding the sun.
There were also strange things happening regarding the moon and stars.
There were signs in the earth.
In many places throughout the earth, there were forerunners of the biggest earthquake in the history of the earth.
Volcanoes poured out smoke and ash. Smoke began to appear from the ground in various places, as the great day of the Lord’s return was just a few days away.
The magnitude of these events was such that it caught the attention of people all over the world.
Some people were on edge, while others were confident.
When Moses and Elijah were killed, the world rejoiced. But then, they rose from the dead.
Great terror gripped many, as the two prophets ascended up into the sky before their enemies’ eyes.
The world knew little of what was about to happen, except what Moses and Elijah had spoken.
However, just before the end, this began to change, but, by then, it was too late.
Many people throughout the world were still going about business as usual.
People were still getting married.
People were still making plans, even as the armies of the world were gathering in the Valley of Megiddo in Israel.
Note: MOUNT MEGIDDO was a tel, a hill made of 26 layers of ruins from ancient cities. It was located in the fertile Jezreel Valley, perhaps the best farmland in the Middle East. The valley stretched eastward toward the Jordan River and curved southward.
Within Mount Megiddo was a steep stairway that went down into a water cistern. At the bottom, was an exit. The top of the hill was somewhat flat and covered with excavations from various time periods dating back thousands of years, and provided an excellent view of the valley.
The spirits of Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet had previously gone forth to gather the armies of the world to this Valley of Megiddo. The valley was now filled up with the armies of the world. Hundreds of millions of soldiers that came by ship, by land, and by air were there and had been coming for some time.
Never, in the history of the world, had so many soldiers been assembled. Never had there been such technically advanced, super weapons assembled together ready to do battle. Weapons that could destroy all life on earth were present.
There was the noise of multitudes in the mountains. There was the noise of the kingdoms of the world in the valley for about 163 miles. They had come from the ends of the earth.
Jesus Christ returned only days after Moses and Elijah ascended up to heaven, and the Tribulation ended.
God’s Word had said: Let the people blow a trumpet in Zion.
Sound an alarm.
Let all the inhabitants of the earth tremble, for the day of the Lord cometh.
However, BEFORE HIS RETURN, but immediately after the Tribulation, numerous events occurred in rapid succession. Many were separated by no more than minutes or an hour, while several other events were happening at the same time in various places.
As already stated, at the end of the Tribulation, the first of four great earthquakes came right after Moses and Elijah ascended up into heaven.
From that time to the Battle of Armageddon, was yet several days.
A huge military force entered Israel. They were a strong people. They were set in battle array.
They marched and did not break their ranks. They plunged through defenses. None could stop them. These were the Kings of the East led by China. This was that same Chinese military that had killed one-third of the world’s population, when they arrived at the dried up Euphrates River. They had now arrived in Israel.
During the time this was happening, there were SIGNS TAKING PLACE IN THE SUN, MOON, AND STARS. The nations were bewildered. All over the world, tidal waves were roaring and tossing.
The armies of the world were drawn to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, which is surrounding part of Jerusalem.
From every direction, the heathen armies came to the valley.
Sin was at its full. People had no conscience of doing evil. It was a way of life all over the world. Violence was everywhere, even within households. Love seemed to be something of the past. It was now every man for himself. Me, myself, and I was the attitude of nearly everyone. It was as if each person was their own god, like Satan had told Eve about 6,000 years ago. Every man’s ways were right in their own eyes.
As the days of Noah were, so it was at that time.
As Sodom and Gomorrah were, so it was in those days.
The wickedness of man was so great that it overflowed.
The huge Valley of Megiddo and surrounding areas were full.
The armies did not know that their annihilation was soon to come.
The whole scene may be described as a huge winepress. The gathered grapes had been put into the press and were crushed to release the juice, and the rest was discarded. In this case, the juice was the blood of the armies that had gathered.
The time of the harvest had arrived.
The Gentiles, the mighty men, and the soldiers prepared for war. They were confident and believed no force would be able to stand against their military might.
The noise was great, even from the mountains, which also overflowed with people and weapons. The nations of the world had come to destroy the whole land. They were being directed by the spirits of Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet.
Israel was a very small country. Its shape was long and skinny.
It was approximately 263 miles long (or 424 km).
It was approximately 71 miles at its widest point (or 114 km).
Its average width was much less than this.
Its narrowest point was approximately 12 miles.
It had a coastline of app. 170 miles.
It was slightly smaller than the state of New Jersey in the USA.
There were multitudes and multitudes in the Valley of Megiddo. This valley was also called the Valley of Jezreel. There were multitudes along the Jordan River Valley that stretched all the way to the Dead Sea.
Others were located in the surrounding mountains.
There were multitudes in the Kidron Valley (also called the Valley of Jehoshaphat, or the Valley of Decision) and other places around Jerusalem, which was a very small area.
There were soldiers in the areas of the Dead Sea, and all the way to Bozrah, which was SE of the Dead Sea. This was the capital of ancient Edom.
The vast armies of the world (approximately 225,000,000) were stretched over an area of about 163 miles long and an average of about 10 miles wide.
The militaries kept coming, and coming, and coming. From all over the world, they had come.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION OF THOSE DAYS, the Day of the Lord came.
This was just BEFORE THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE AND NOTABLE DAY OF THE LORD.
At that time, the SECOND OF THE 4 GREAT EARTHQUAKES struck.
This was greater than the first that came right after the two witnesses ascended up.
The clouds began to grow thick.
The SUN began to disappear. It gradually became as black as sackcloth of hair. Then the sun completely disappeared from sight.
The MOON became reddish in color, such AS the color of BLOOD. Then the moon became totally dark, as the clouds grew thicker.
The planets, the STARS, and the constellations could no longer be seen. They had completely disappeared from view.
It was an eerie feeling. Lights in the distance could be seen, but above—all was dark, very dark. Not even the sunlight could penetrate the thick clouds. Darkness was over the land.
Jerusalem was the main target. This was the center of the attack.
All the nations were gathered against Jerusalem.
The people of the world laid siege against both Judah and Jerusalem.
As the ruthless soldiers entered Jerusalem, the light from the moon and the stars was disappearing.
The soldiers showed no mercy. They had no compassion. They did whatever was in their wicked heart. They took whatever they wanted. Anyone that got in their way was severely attacked or killed.
Some of the huge army from the east entered Jerusalem.
The earth quaked before them.
The city of Jerusalem was taken.
Half of the city went into exile, but the rest of the people were not taken out.
The invaders ran back and forth in the city.
They ran around the city.
They ran upon the city wall. They were numerous like ants.
They entered the houses like thieves.
The houses were ransacked.
Jerusalem’s spoil was divided up.
The women were raped.
What the invaders did not know was that the Lord was about to return and fight.
Jerusalem was a burdensome stone for all people.
All that burdened themselves with Jerusalem were cut to pieces, when Christ returned, even though all the people of the world were gathered against it.
There was no account of how many there were from the nations of the world that were now in Israel. Nevertheless, it appeared the number greatly exceeded 250 million.
At that time, the sun was becoming dark, and the stars no longer could be seen because of the thick clouds.
No one expected that the King of kings and Lord of lords was about to return.
The dense clouds caused the sun and the moon to completely disappear from sight.
At that time, certain angels of heaven fell down to the earth, like a fig tree dropping her figs before they were ready, as when a mighty wind strikes.
The angels of heaven had been shaken with a mighty force. The angels fell from the sky. The host fell to the earth.
Other angels had fallen about 3 ½ years previously, when Satan and his angels had fought against Michael and his angels. They prevailed not, but were cast out into the earth.
In addition, there were other angels in the past, which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation. These were reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
At that time just preceding Armageddon, the angels of heaven (that had followed Satan) were dissolved.
Then, as the hours passed—it was just before the great day of the Lord’s return.
The powers that were in heaven were shaken.
Then just after the angels fell, the heavens (or sky) departed (or receded) as a scroll when it is rolled up. That is, THE HEAVENS ROLLED TOGETHER AS A SCROLL.
And then, EVERY MOUNTAIN AND ISLAND (on planet earth) WERE MOVED OUT OF THEIR PLACES.
The earth was beginning to shake. Parts of the earth opened up. Things were swallowed up.
This was the time of the THIRD GREAT EARTHQUAKE.
There were also lightnings, voices, thunderings, and great hail.
Yet, this was only the beginning of what was yet to come. This was like the birth pangs just before the actual Battle of Armageddon would explode. Just a short time after this, the mountains no longer existed.
Armageddon was approaching, which was the Day of the Lord’s vengeance.
Regarding the Battle of Armageddon, one may ask: Exactly when did it begin?
There were two parts. The first was in the air, where Satan confronted Jesus Christ and all the saints that returned with Him, before He arrived on the earth.
The second part was when Jesus arrived on the earth.
Satan and his angels tried to fight. The bottomless pit awaited him—the place called Hell, a place of fiery torment.
The heavens trembled.
The cruel Day of the Lord WAS COMING. His fierce anger and wrath would soon make the land desolate, and the sinners would be destroyed out of it.
* Men's hearts would began failing them for fear, for looking after what WAS COMING ON THE EARTH.
Every man’s heart would soon melt.
Men’s hands would soon become weak.
* Multitudes were everywhere, as well as in the Valley of Decision around Jerusalem.
# THE great DAY OF THE LORD (was) NEAR, IT (was) NEAR IN THE VALLEY OF DECISION.
It hasteth greatly, even the voice of the Day of the Lord.
The mighty man would soon be crying bitterly.
THE DAY OF THE LORD COMETH.
In the mountains, there was much noise from the vast numbers of people.
The soldiers of the world’s nations had come together. The Lord had put in their thoughts to come. They had come from all over the earth to destroy, but they themselves were about to be destroyed.
Behold, the Day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
FOR IT (the Battle of Armageddon) WAS NIGH AT HAND.
Isaiah spoke of these days, when he said: ENTER INTO THE ROCK, AND HIDE THEE IN THE DUST, FOR FEAR OF THE LORD, AND FOR THE GLORY OF HIS MAJESTY. AND THEY SHALL GO INTO THE HOLES OF THE ROCKS, AND INTO THE CAVES OF THE EARTH, FOR FEAR OF THE LORD, AND FOR THE GLORY OF HIS MAJESTY, WHEN HE ARISETH TO SHAKE TERRIBLY THE EARTH.
IN THAT DAY A MAN SHALL CAST HIS IDOLS OF SILVER, AND HIS IDOLS OF GOLD, WHICH THEY MADE EACH ONE FOR HIMSELF TO WORSHIP, TO THE MOLES AND TO THE BATS.
Isa 2:21 NIV-THEY WILL FLEE TO CAVERNS IN THE ROCKS AND TO THE OVERHANGING CRAGS FROM DREAD OF THE LORD.
THE DAY OF THE LORD, the Battle of Armageddon was AT HAND.
Alas, for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
The great and terrible Day of the Lord was at hand; and, indeed, it did come. The heavens prepared to open. The temple of God opened, and the ARK OF HIS TESTAMENT (or covenant) was seen.
There was a covenant God had with Israel. Jesus was about to return. This was God’s promise to Israel. He always kept His Word.
The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle. They came from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the Lord and the weapons of His indignation, to destroy the whole land. Howl ye; for the Day of the Lord is at hand.
Satan was still able to put thoughts into the human mind. As a result, man in his pride actually believed he could fight against God, and win. The weapons he had developed, he believed, could defeat any army.
However, very soon, Satan was rendered helpless to put thoughts into anyone’s mind.
Then, there was silence in heaven. It was ABOUT THE SPACE OF (or what seemed like) HALF AN HOUR. The Battle of Armageddon, at this time, was at hand. There was silence, as Jesus Christ and all the saints with Him were about to return.
Jesus Christ with all of the saints, with His mighty angels, departed from heaven. When Christ appeared, then also the saints appeared with Him in glory.
The Bible said all were riding on WHITE HORSES. The King of kings and Lord of lords was returning as had been promised.
The armies of heaven followed Jesus.
When Jesus came the first time, He came as a lamb to be slaughtered. He was tortured. His beard was ripped off His face. He was marred worse than any man. He was almost unrecognizable. He suffered an agonizing death. He did this to pay the price for the sin of every person that would repent and trust in Him as their only hope of salvation.
Then approximately 2000 years after He was crucified and rose from the dead—He returned. However, this time, He returned as the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. He returned in power and great glory to a world that was so full of sin, rebellion, violence, and hatred that words cannot adequately convey it. It was every man for himself. The love of most people was like ice, very cold ice. Hate abounded.
The world had rejected the God of heaven for the Antichrist, and also for technology and science.
The temple of God opened.
Heaven opened.
It was the Lord’s determination to gather the kings and nations of the earth together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue ARMAGEDDON (or hill of Megiddo). God did this to pour upon them His fierce anger.
Jesus Christ, Who is called Faithful and True—returned in righteousness to judge and make war. He sat upon a white horse. His name is the WORD OF GOD. When He speaks, things happen.
His eyes were like a flame of fire. On His head were many crowns. He was dressed with a robe dipped in blood. On His robe and on His thigh, there was the name written: KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Jesus Christ is deity.
The armies that were in heaven followed Him also on WHITE HORSES. Those that followed Jesus were clothed in fine linen, clean and white.
The kings of the earth with their armies and new advanced weapons were gathered together to make war against Jesus Christ as He returned.
Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet were also gathered and ready to make war and do battle against Christ and His armies as they came.
Satan was also called the Devil, the dragon, that old serpent, plus many other names.
He and his angels met Jesus Christ in the air. They were ready to do battle.
Satan was then overcome and bound by an angel with a great chain and was cast into the bottomless pit. He was bound there for one thousand years.
Then, when Satan was in hell, he was mocked by others there. Some said to him:
“HOW YOU HAVE FALLEN FROM HEAVEN, O MORNING STAR, SON OF THE DAWN! YOU HAVE BEEN CAST DOWN TO THE EARTH, YOU WHO ONCE LAID LOW THE NATIONS!
YOU SAID IN YOUR HEART, "I WILL ASCEND TO HEAVEN; I WILL RAISE MY THRONE ABOVE THE STARS OF GOD; I WILL SIT ENTHRONED ON THE MOUNT OF ASSEMBLY, ON THE UTMOST HEIGHTS OF THE SACRED MOUNTAIN.
I WILL ASCEND ABOVE THE TOPS OF THE CLOUDS; I WILL MAKE MYSELF LIKE THE MOST HIGH."
Yet Satan was BROUGHT DOWN INTO HELL, TO THE DEPTHS OF THE PIT.
In hell, THEY THAT saw Satan NARROWLY LOOK UPON him, AND said: IS THIS THE MAN THAT MADE THE EARTH TO TREMBLE, THAT DID SHAKE KINGDOMS; THAT MADE THE WORLD AS A WILDERNESS, AND DESTROYED THE CITIES THEREOF; THAT OPENED NOT THE HOUSE OF HIS PRISONERS?
He was shut up and had a seal set upon him.
This seal stopped him from deceiving the people and nations any longer.
From the time of Adam and Eve until the time of the beginning of Armageddon, there had never been a time when the human race had been free from being bombarded with evil, deceptive, enticing thoughts that were put in their mind by the devil; and they never understood this.
As a result of Satan having that seal put upon him, a most incredible thing happened.
The hundreds, and even thousands, of wrong, deceptive, evil, and enticing thoughts each person had daily, stopped. Those thoughts that caused a person to accuse others, stopped. Those thoughts that made a person get angry without a real cause, stopped.
Mankind from childhood is bombarded with thoughts from the devil, oftentimes even minute by minute.
A child is tempted to get angry, to steal, to talk back to his mother and father.
A child is tempted to be angry at all sorts of things that happen.
He is tempted to smoke, to try drugs, and drink intoxicating drinks.
Some children throw temper tantrums, if they do not get their own way.
All of this comes from thoughts the devil puts in their mind.
Yet because a person has had these thoughts, as far back as they can remember, they assume these thoughts are their own. These thoughts are part of their daily life and sometimes even come to them in dreams.
These thoughts stay with us as we grow up.
Every sin a person does comes as a result of a thought that is put into their mind by the devil.
Then a person’s heart processes it instantly, and they either reject the evil thought, or they receive it; and then sin lies at the door.
Self-centeredness (that is, me, myself, and I) is often at the very center of the thoughts Satan put into a person’s mind.
Evil thoughts are put into the mind of our relatives and friends, even everyone throughout the world. So sometimes your own family and friends may get mad at you, over nothing. These thoughts tempt us to do wrong. It all originates with the devil, but people think these thoughts are their own. They have no understanding that if Satan would have had a seal on him, so he could deceive people and nations no longer, instantly all those wrong thoughts would cease.
Satan was created to do exactly what he does. He was created by God to deceive you and the whole world. He was given the power to make you believe these things are not true. Nevertheless, these things are clearly revealed in the Word of God. Life is a test.
Example—Satan can put in your mind—that other things are more important than being in God’s Word—so most people spend little or no time in God’s Word. Their heart does not desire God’s Word of correction.
And if a person does spend time in God’s Word, Satan distorts that Word in their mind, which causes them to believe it does not really mean what it says. Mankind and even most preachers seldom understand these things. Neither do most teach on these things. This is all part of what some call spiritual warfare.
The devil was more crafty and deceitful than any beast of the field that the Lord had made.
Consider the WORDS THE DEVIL USED TO TEMPT JESUS AFTER HE FASTED. He was tempted in all ways as we are.
Consider the voice that Eve heard that tempted her. Then, she tempted Adam.
Look at the multitude of verses in God’s Word that explain how Satan is able to trick a person with half truths, selfish desires, and lies. So what does Satan do? He tries to keep you from learning these things. He tries to keep preachers from teaching on these things.
Temptations are aimed at trying to make a person doubt God’s Word.
They are aimed at trying to make a person believe something else is always better than what you already have.
The eyes of man are never satisfied, because of Satan putting thoughts into a person’s mind.
The temptations are aimed at making a person confused, regarding what is right and wrong.
The temptations are aimed at making a person believe they can have whatever is in their heart, if they will simply do some little thing they shouldn’t do.
Remember the saying: If it feels good, do it?
Satan not only makes a person doubt God’s Word, he also directly contradicts God’s Word. He told Eve, YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE; but Satan lied, and she died.
Satan tries to make a person believe it is ok to sin sometimes, and that there will be no consequences afterward.
Satan is an expert at making people believe that if they do this or that, they will understand great things, or be able to have whatever they want, or be able to do whatever is in their heart.
Satan is able to convince humanity they will not perish to hell or the lake of fire for ever and ever.
Is there one person of the billions in hell, right now, that ever believed they would perish in fiery torment for ever and ever?
When Satan tempts a person in some way—it always seems to look good, or it looks like the right thing to do. Eating the fruit looked like the right thing for Eve to do. It looked good, it would taste good, so she ate it. The reward seemed to make it worthwhile, but the result was sin and eternal damnation.
And how easy it can be for Satan to use an attractive woman to tempt a man.
And how easy it is for some good-looking guy with lots of money to tempt a woman.
How easy it is for Satan to use a new experience, a new taste, a new high to cause you to sin.
Often Satan tempts a person to do a little sin, which then leads to a bigger sin.
How easy it is for rulers to be tempted to rule over their people with a heavy hand.
How easy it is for rulers to be tempted to go to war, and many are killed.
How easy it is for Satan to tempt you to do something you ought not to do, especially when you are weak in some way.
Man forgets that he is not to live by earthly food alone, but by every word of God.
Satan is an expert at putting thoughts into a person’s mind that tempts them to do something foolish.
It is Satan that causes a person to doubt whether God will provide them with food and clothing, if they serve Him fulltime, as He calls some to do. Followers of Christ may think—yes, God will provide for others, but not for me. Doubting God’s Word comes from the devil.
Satan is a master at twisting God’s Word. He makes a person think that right is wrong, and wrong is right.
Satan knows what is in a person’s heart, and then he uses those things to tempt a person to do wrong.
Satan can be expected to offer you what is in your unrepentant heart—if you will simply do what he wants you to do. And what Satan wants you to do will often seem like it is right, until you compare it with the Word of God.
Satan wants you to worship him.
Did you know that to worship Satan is simply—not to worship Jesus Christ? Did you know that to follow Satan is simply—not to follow God’s Word? Did you know that to obey Satan is simply—not to dwell in God’s Word as you ought? Did you know that? Do you believe even these things? Few do.
Do you have an accusing attitude? Do you have accusing thoughts toward the brethren? If a brother looks at you funny, do you have thoughts against him? When Satan has a seal upon him, all your accusing attitude will disappear.
Do you have a judgmental attitude regarding your brothers and sisters in Christ? When Satan has the seal put upon him, those thoughts will be gone.
Judge yourself, not others. Who made you a judge or an accuser over the brethren, or over anyone?
Jesus’ own family tempted Him. Satan can work through most anyone to try and lead you astray. He can set up situations and circumstances that make you believe there is no way out. He can make you believe people hate you, when, in fact, they love you.
The blame game is from Satan. You blame or accuse someone of something, and they accuse you right back. All this will disappear, when Satan is sealed.
If you are late for something—blame others.
If you have an accident—blame others.
If you fall—blame others.
Whatever sin you do—you can find a reason to blame others. Adam blamed his wife. Eve blamed the devil.
If you get upset—blame others. Satan puts in your mind that it is someone else’s fault, not yours.
Do you get angry and blame someone else?
Whatever happens to you, whether late for something, or an accident, or someone is upset—blame others. This makes you feel perfect, and all the others are wrong.
The closer a person is to God, the less of an accusing attitude they will have.
Many people, including clergy, do not have any desire to admit they may be wrong about many things.
Many are experts at seeing other people’s faults, but are blind in seeing their own. However, when Satan has the seal upon him, this will all be different.
A person’s lack of obedience to God’s Word is a measuring stick of Satan’s effectiveness in a person’s thoughts. That bears repeating—A person’s lack of obedience to God’s Word is a measuring stick of Satan’s effectiveness in a person’s thoughts.