Monday, January 7, 2013

    …is it everything you thought it would be? 

( Because many ex-Jehovah's Witnesses are dealing with Post Traumatic Stress from the spiritual abuse they suffered due to Watchtower's errors and lies, especially fear of "Armageddon", I have removed the Watchtower's pictures of "Armageddon" from this article.)
  Actually the Watchtower long ago put the fires out in "Hell" with the scripture at Jeremiah 19:5 which states that the idea of burning children with fire never entered God's mind.)   
Jeremiah 19:5 
" They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind."  So why would God burn billions of men, women and children with fire at "Armageddon"?  
So the question must be asked: Why does the WT teach their own version of "Hell-fire"?
Since the Watchtower is wrong about Armageddon it would be wise to see what it really stands for. 

 What does it symbolize?
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    Do you agree with movie representations of Armageddon?  Perhaps you have been exposed to the numerous artist renditions of destruction, with people being killed by earthquakes, falling buildings, fire from heaven or burning meteors causing death and destruction.  


Some Religious Organizations, especially the Watchtower Organization of Jehovah's Witnesses, have had many pictures like the description above in their publications. Because of the indoctrination that occurs from being in an organization like the Watchtower for so many years, it is not unusual for many people to think that Armageddon is an all-out end of the world situation. (Take courage if you still have nightmares from this indoctrination, because the Watchtower is wrong)

Armageddon is also called Har-Magedon. 
“And they gathered the Kings together to the place that is called in Hebrew Har-Magedon”. (Rev 16:16) 
What does the Hebrew word Har-Meghiddohn mean? 
The meaning is “Mountain of Megiddo”.  The ancient city of Megiddo was on a “mound” that was elevated to about 70 feet overlooking the valley Plain of Esdraelon (Jezreel).  In ancient days many decisive battles were fought and won on the Plain of Esdraelon.  The book of Revelation uses very “symbolic” language.  
It can be misleading when translators use common words like "world" and "earth" instead of literally translating the actual Greek words.  The Greek words used have different meanings than the ones translated into modern english.  (Example...which "world" were the Jewish religious leaders concerned about losing? (John 12:19) (John 11:48)

 "world"... (lit. Greek: "cosmos" = harmonious, self-inclusive system of thought/present age-system-arrangement-embellishment LINK)   
"They will put you out of the "synagogues(Greek for  "congregation"/"to lead together"); yes, *the time is coming* that anyone who kills you will think that he offers God divine service." (John16:2) They will make you "outcasts" from the church congregation.
  Here are some links to help:
http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2014/07/world-earth-home.html

http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2016/01/symbolic-death-by-means-of-world.html

 We need to see beyond the physical. Why would we want to limit our attention to only physical things in a world which is controlled and being misled by Satan? (1 John 5:19)(Rev 12:9)  
Under Satan’s influence, man creates the evils of warfare, injurious domination and many acts of cruelty, famine and pestilence.  (James 4:1, 2, 3) (Ecclesiastes 8:8, 9, 11)   If there is an increase in carnal warfare...men seem to face the “Eve of Destruction”...it will be the consequences of their own self-rule under Satan’s influence, independent of God's guidance.  
The True God has no desire to ever again bring literal ruin to the entire creation on man’s account.  (Gen 8:21) (Rev 11:18)  What He had decreed is "destruction by fire" (2 Pet.3:7) of the ungodly men. 
Is this fire a literal inferno?...The answer is scripturally clear.  This "fire" is symbolic. (Jer.23:29;  2Pet 3:7) (Luke 12:49,51;  1Cor.3:13; Rev.11:5; 3:18)....God's word is like fire...and by this very word we will be judged. 
(John 12:48,49)...Jesus said it was God's word...the words that God gave him that will be the judge.  God's word is fire.

God Himself is going to make wars to cease. (Psalms 46:9)  Never again will men learn or make war anymore. (Micah 4:1, 3)  Even the need for spiritual war (2 Cor.10:4,5;  2 Tim.4:7; Eph.6:12) will pass (Isa.35:10; 25:8; 9:3; 11:15; 55:12; 61:7; Rev.21:1)

In Revelation it says that “the dragon” (Satan) goes off to wage (spiritual) war with the remaining ones of the Woman’s seed. (symbolic warfare-Revelation is symbolic) (Rev 12:17,15)  There has been enmity between Satan’s seed and the Woman’s seed since the Garden of Eden.  (Gen 3:15)  God told Adam not to eat of the fruit of a specific tree  or he would die.  Satan lied and said that they would not die. 

(Gen 3:3, 4)  
This battle between truth and lies still rages on.  
The Trees are symbolic: (See the article written by Pearl Doxsey:
http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/08/two-trees.html
( see also Who are the fines Trees )

Satan lied; he was the father of the lie. (John 8:44, 45) (Psalms 36:3) (Psalms 52:2, 3, 4, 5)  Jesus speaks the truth. (John 18:37)  It stands to reason that the seeds of both of them would imitate their fathers.  The followers of Jesus speak the truth, (2 Cor 4:2; 7:14; 13:8) and Satan’s followers, like him, speak lies. (Ps 144:8) (2 Thess 2:9, 10, 11, 12) (2 Pet 2:3, 18) (Jer 23:16, 17)  (Jer 14:14) They have been throwing truth to the ground with Satan’s very deceptive tactics. (Daniel 8:12)  Paul spoke truth (God’s word), and those opposed to him spoke against the word of the Lord. (Acts 13:44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50)

For now there is spiritual war, because even many of the chosen ones have chosen not to listen to the Father in Heaven. (Matt.18:32,33; 25:26; 24:48; Rev.2:4,5,14,15,16,20,21,22,23; 3:1,2,3,16,17,19; Isa 48:17, 18)  They are in effect imitating Satan. (John 8:44; Rev.2:9,10; 3:9)
   
    When men asked for a physical sign, Jesus said no sign would be given them except the sign of Jonah. (Matt 12:38, 39, 40, 41)  Jesus said that the Kingdom of God was not coming with signs that could be observed physically. (Luke 17:20)  Keeping this in mind, we can only be sure that Armageddon will be a situation, where a decisive judgment will be made.  Some people will say “But doesn't the bible link Armageddon with the war on the great day of God the almighty?”. (Rev 16:14,16)  That’s right; it does.  Keep in mind though that Revelation is entirely symbolic.  Notice that in Rev.16:13 it says “And I saw three unclean inspired expressions, (unclean spirits), that looked like frogs come out of the mouth of the Dragon and out of the mouth of the wild beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet”. (Spirits teaching doctrines...Compare  1 John 4:1;  1 Tim 4:1. 2)  What usually comes out of the mouth?  Words come out of the mouth.  The link between spirit and sayings is scriptural (Isa.59:21; 11:2; 51:16; 42:1; Luke 12:12; Matt.10:20) 
   Jesus has the seven stars in his right hand and a sharp, long, two-edged sword was protruding out of his mouth. (Rev 1:16)  Jesus himself says this … “I will war with them with the long sword of my mouth”. (Rev 2:16) (Rev 19:15)  When it comes to swords the bible says this:  “God’s word is sharper than any two-edged sword”.  (Heb 4:12)  Paul calls God’s word the sword of the spirit.  (Eph 6:11, 12, 17)  Isaiah says something very interesting also. (Isa 49:2) 
    We are soldiers of Christ ! (2 Tim 2:3)  A Christian’s warfare however, is not fleshly or physical. (2 Cor 10:3, 4, 5)  (Rom 8:4)  “For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by God for overturning strongly entrenched things”.  What sort of things are we overturning?  “For we are overturning reasonings and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are bringing every thought into captivity to make it obedient to the Christ”.  
 Jesus said he came not to put peace upon the earth; but a sword.  He said that persons of the same household would be enemies of each other.  (Matt 10:34,36)  Are we to believe that Jesus was advocating physical war between persons of the same family?  No of course not, he said we should even love those persecuting us.  Clearly this war is not physical. 

Notice what the Bible says about words that are lies. (Proverbs 25:18) See how the Jewish leaders used their words (tongue) to lie about Jeremiah. (Jer.18:18)...but what will be the end of those liars? (Eze.7:26)  

What else comes out of the mouth of Revelation’s “Wild Beasts”?   Blasphemies; the wild beasts blaspheme against God with their words. (Rev 13:5, 6) (Rev 13:11) (Daniel 7:25, 11)  In addition to blasphemous teachings, the 7-headed wild beast is "covered with blasphemous names" (Rev.13:1; 17:3). This clarifies that it's teachings enforce it's false labels of divinity. What does it do with this counterfeit power? "And it was granted to it, in order to wage war with the Holy Ones" and conquer them. (Rev. 13:7; Dan.11:33; Matt.24:9; Rev.11:7) (Daniel 7:21,25; Rev.11:2;  2 Thess.2:1, 2, 3, 4; Matt.24:15)  
(pearl-disgustingthing.blogspot.com)
  
    Words can be drawn swords. (Psalms 55:21)   This is a battle between the truth and the lie.  God’s word is the truth. (John 17:17; Ps.119:105)  His cleansed witnesses battle with his words (Rev.19:14; 3:18; 19:8; 6:11).  (Luke 12:12; 21:15)
This war has been going on for some time (Gen.3:15;  2 Thess.2:7;   1 John2:18).  It will come to a conclusion on The Great day of Armageddon, the day of the decisive battle between the truth and the lie. (Rom.1:25; 16:20; Rev.12:10,11)  Jesus uses the spirit of his mouth. (2 Thess 2:8) (Isa 11:4)  (Rev 1:16) (Rev 2:16) He causes his witnesses to prophesy. (Rev 11:3, 4, 7, 11; Zech.4:6,2,3,12,14) (Jer 23:18,19,20) (Rev 12:10,11) 

 The court will deliver the final judgment in the valley of the decision.


 (Joel 3:12, 14) (Daniel 7:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22) (Daniel 7:23, 24, 25, 26, 27)  

(Har Meghiddohn is the “Mountain of Megiddo”…the place of decision.)

    Armageddon is the final battle…a place of decision…the final judgment.  

It can be likened to a court case, where the truth will prevail. (John 1:5)
New Living Translation: 
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."
The court takes it's seat!
(Daniel 7:9, 10, 22; Rev.12:11,7,8)  Jesus is the faithful witness who bears witness to the truth. (John 18:37) (Rev 1:5)  His “teachings” are not his own, but they belong to his Father in Heaven. (John 7:16)  He represents his Father.  Those who battle with him, do likewise (John 16:13; 14:17; 7:16,17,18; Matt.7:20). 

The Father has committed all of the judging to his son.  (John 5:22)  (Phil 2:9, 10)  

In this final court case the decision will be made based on the evidence.  God presents the truth. (John 17:17) (Rev 1:5)  Satan presents the lie. (John 8:43, 44, 45, 47) God and Jesus know the truth, and are not fooled by the deceptive lies presented on Satan’s behalf.  Truth will prevail.  Jesus will war with them with the long sword coming out of his mouth. (Rev 2:16)  He uses his Father's “teachings”.  He warned his disciples to beware of the yeast (“teachings”) of the Pharisees. (Matt 16:6,12)  He said these men were from their father the Devil. (John 8:44)  Satan uses lies to war against Jesus.  Lies are war instruments.(Proverbs 25:18)  Satan wages war with the remaining ones of the Woman’s seed who have the work of bearing witness or testimony (Latin- testimonium) to Jesus. (Rev 12:17)  Words...see what the scriptures say here: (Jer 5:14) (Jer 23:29) (Ps 2:9)...compare (Rev 2:27).   Words are used by witnesses in a court case to establish the truth. (John 17:17)  Satan’s messengers use words also. (Daniel 7:11, 21, 25) (Rev 13:11)  By your words you will be judged, (Matt 12:37) (John 12:48), because our words reveal our hearts. (Matt.12:34,35,36)  Jesus and his angels or messengers, battle with Satan and his angels or messengers. (Rev 12:7; Mal.2:7; Rev.8:6; Josh.6:4,13; Rev.1:20;  2Chron.13:12)  
The Greek word for angel means messenger.  
(These can be human messengers also, and in fact, God's messengers, are His priests -Mal.2:7)

  Paul said that the anointed are Ambassadors substituting for Christ. (2 Cor 5:20)  Although an Ambassador in chains, he spoke boldly about the sacred secret of the good news. (Eph 6:19, 20)  Remember he said that a Christian’s warfare is not fleshly or physical.  (2 Cor 10:3, 4, 5) Neither is the basis for the Kingdom's victorious arrival (Rev.12:10,11; John 16:33; Rom.8:37;   1Cor.15:57; Rom.8:19; Eph.1:10).

   Are you still certain that Armageddon, this "place" of God's decision, the basis for the arrival of God's Kingdom, the clarification and final harvest of the "wheat" and "weeds" (Malachi 3:18) (2 Tim.3:13) is concluded by means of physical warfare?



    Revelation is written with very symbolic language.  The lake of fire is symbolic. Revelation says that the lake of fire is symbolic of a second death.  Even death and Hades are hurled into it. (Rev 20:14,) (Rev 21:8)   We know that the Bible uses symbolic language.  We need to pay careful attention that we don’t miss the spiritual applications of what is being said 

(1Cor.2:14; Matt.13:13;16:17).  

Spiritual application example:
    Jesus is the “bread of life”. (John 6:35, 41)  Jesus said unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in yourselves. (John 6:51, 53)  Was he talking about literally eating his flesh?  Apparently some people thought he was. (John 6:52, 60, 61, 66)   Even people today use figurative language.  Have you ever heard someone say “I’m going to give him a piece of my mind”?  Did you ever have someone rip you to pieces with words? (Hosea 6:5; Matt.24:51,50) (Rev 11:3, 5)  
   The scriptures say that Jesus spoke to the crowds by use of illustrations.  Indeed, without an illustration he would not speak. (Matt 13:34,35)  His disciples needed him to explain the illustrations to them. 
(Matt 13:36) (Matt 15:15,16)  
The Pharisees asked for a physical sign. (Matt 16:1,2,3 and 4)  Jesus said “a wicked and adulterous generation keeps on seeking for a sign”.  What about you...  are you looking for a physical sign? (Matt 16:4)  
Jesus presented the revelation that God gave him to John... in symbolic language.  He "signified" it or as some translations say he “made it known”.  The actual Greek word in the Interlinear Greek Bible reads; “he showed by signs”.  These symbols represented something other than the physical things shown, just as his illustrations did, and were not to be taken literally.    It is imperative that we look for the hidden meanings and interpret them by means of scripture. The symbolic meanings in the book of Revelation must be interpreted by God (Gen.40:8); not current events in Satan's world (1 John 5:19).
 For a look at all the symbolic meanings of the sign of the end, see the article located here:
http://pearl-sign.blogspot.com/

    If we look for physical wars and physical meanings to words, Satan will make sure we find a literal fulfillment.  He controls this physical world (1 John 5:19) and everyone who is unfaithful  (2 Cor.4:4; Rev.12:9).  Satan set up this system of things. We are still under his dominion. He is responsible for all the evils that exist.   

Christians wage symbolic war.  This is the warfare that Paul wrote to Timothy about.  (1 Tim 1:18)  Paul describes our complete suit of armor.  (Eph 6:10-20)  Our sword is God’s word. (Eph 6:17) ( Heb 4:12) 
 Our war is not physical. (2 Cor 10:3,4,5)  

    Mankind under Satan’s influence will continue to wage physical war with one another.  It may appear that they will come close to total self-destruction.  However, it will not be Almighty God causing it. 


See Pearl's letters:

Pearl Doxsey posts     Pearl Doxsey posts


This war of the great day of God is referring to judgment.  Revelation says that... "Kings"... are gathered together to take their stand and make their decision. Whose side will they be on? (Rev 16:16)  Jesus faithful followers are to be Priests and Kings. (Rev 1:6)(Rev 5:10)(Matt 19:28) (Rev 11:16) 

See this article on who are the Kings of the Earth:

Who are the Kings of the Earth?   

After reading the above article, see how understanding who these "Kings" truly are can change your whole understanding of Revelation.   Are they really political government "Kings"...or are they the "Kings" who Jesus chose to rule with him?  What do you think?

There are others who could have been faithful 'Kings' ruling with Jesus, however these "ten" kings are deciding to remain under the influence of the Harlot and her "beast" that she rides for now.  They have allowed her to "rule" over them. (Rev 17:18)  Soon though...the ten kings will take their stand with the "wild beast" , and together they will hate the Harlot and turn on her. (Rev 17:12,16)
 ...All... of those that Jesus chose to be Kings must repent.  Notice who Jesus is talking to in Revelation's letters to the seven congregations.  To the 'angel' or messenger of the congregation of Pergamum. (Rev 2:12) If these chosen Kings remain unrepentant then he will war with them. 
(Rev 2:12, 13, 14, 15, 16) (2 Thess 2:8)
For all the “chosen ones” ...will have much to lose if they miss the spiritual meanings of things spoken of in the Bible.   Which side will they be witnesses for?   Will it be for God’s word of truth (John 17:17) or Satan's lie. (2 Thess 2:9,10,11)  The court is in session.  Both sides are making their closing arguments.  By your words you will be judged. (Matt 12:37)   
Armageddon means the “Mountain of Megiddo”.  (Rev 16: 16)  It will be in the valley of the decision that the True God will pass the final judgment. (Joel 3:14,13,12)  The court case will be concluded and the decision will be final.  (Daniel 7:10, 26, 27)  

  Armageddon…is it everything you thought it would be?  

(Isa 55:8, 9)

Agape,

Obadiah.


5 comments:

  1. Hi Obadiah,

    Nice Job of showing the importence of viewing Revelation in a spiritual way.

    I particularly enjoyed your last question.

    belongingtojah

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  2. Hi BTJ,
    Sorry it takes me so long to get here. I work full time and also around the house. I guess you could say that I am "irregular in service" as to the internet.:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. Pls change the color of the test.
    It makes reading almost impossible.
    Thanks

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  5. Very true well done

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