Great Tribulation 15: Armageddon, the Final Battle
The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)
Previously . . . On Yom Teruah, the Day of Trumpets, all the believers who refused the mark of the beast got caught up to God in their glorified bodies, leaving the earth populated by unbelievers and believers who took the mark of the beast. Resurrected and glorified saints celebrated the marriage supper of the Lamb, while on earth Satan’s armies gathered at Armageddon for the final battle against God and his armies.
Satan’s Armies Gather
In the celestial realm, Katie stood among a vast multitude of glorified saints and holy angels, her glorified body tingling with anticipation. The air shimmered, casting a golden glow over the assembled host. A gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of honeysuckle, mingling with the electric excitement that coursed through the crowd.
As Jesus stepped forward, a hush fell over the gathering. His presence radiated power and love, causing Katie’s heart to swell with adoration. She marveled at how his voice, both gentle and commanding, carried effortlessly to every ear, and how everyone could understand his Hebrew language.
“I’ve made Jerusalem a cup of staggering, a heavy stone for all the nations,” Jesus declared, his words painting vivid images in Katie’s mind. “At this moment, Jerusalem is surrounded, and all the nations of the earth are laying siege to it.”
Katie pictured the holy city surrounded by hostile forces. She felt a mixture of sorrow for Jerusalem’s residents and determination to see God’s plan fulfilled.
Jesus continued, his voice growing more intense, “Satan has deceived all the nations of the earth, assembling them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Katie felt a shiver run down her spine as she contemplated the enormity of the enemy’s forces. Yet, as she gazed at Jesus, his unwavering confidence dispelled her apprehension.
“Tomorrow,” Jesus proclaimed, his eyes blazing with divine fire, “we will defeat them forever, and set up our kingdom of righteousness on the earth.”
A thunderous cheer erupted from the assembled host. Katie joined in, her voice blending with millions of others in a triumphant chorus that echoed through the heavenly realm. She felt a surge of courage and purpose, ready to play her part in the cosmic battle that lay ahead.
The Lion of Judah
Jesus continued, his voice resonating through the celestial assembly.
“Here’s what you can expect. It is written that two-thirds of the sons of Jacob shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive.”
Katie’s breath caught in her throat.
“I will put this third into the fire,” Jesus continued, his voice both tender and resolute, “and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested.”
An image of a refiner’s fire flashed through Katie’s mind. She shuddered when she considered the intensity of their impending trial.
“Then they will call on my name, and I will answer them.” Jesus’s voice softened, filled with compassion. “Then I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘Yahovah is my God.’“
Tears welled in Katie’s eyes. She remembered her own journey of faith, and the trials that brought her to this moment. When she realized her journey took years, her heart swelled with empathy for those who’d soon endure this refining process compressed into a single day.
“It is written that the city shall be taken, and the houses plundered, and the women raped.” Katie’s fists clenched at her sides. Shock, anger, and sorrow rose within her.
“Half of the city will go into exile, and then I will lead you to fight against those nations and we shall slaughter every one of them.”
A collective gasp rippled through the assembly. Katie felt the tension in the air, thick and palpable. She glanced at the faces around her, seeing a mixture of determination and trepidation that mirrored her own emotions.
This is a side of Jesus I haven’t seen before. Up to now, he’s been the Lamb of God. But this is the Lion of Judah.
As Jesus finished speaking, a hush fell over the crowd. Katie’s mind raced, processing the gravity of what was to come. She steeled herself, knowing that she—along with millions of angels and saints—would soon follow the Lion of Judah to play a role in the final, cataclysmic battle for Earth’s redemption.
God’s Artillery Barrage
The seventh angel raised the golden bowl high, then poured its contents into the air. A thunderous voice boomed from God’s throne. It said,
“It is done!”
Lightning crackled across the sky, illuminating the darkness with blinding flashes. Thunder rumbled, its deep bass reverberating through the earth. The earth trembled, then heaved violently. Cracks spider-webbed across the land, swallowing buildings and trees. Mountains crumbled, their peaks disappearing into clouds of dust and debris.
The earthquake’s intensity surpassed anything in human history, reshaping the world’s landscape in moments.
In Israel, the terrain flattened dramatically. The once-varied topography from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem transformed into a vast plain. Yet, amidst the chaos, Jerusalem stood firm, its elevation unchanged.
Worldwide, cities collapsed. Their skyscrapers toppled like dominoes, bridges snapped like twigs, and streets buckled.
Across the globe, islands vanished beneath churning waves, swallowed whole by the sea. Mountain ranges, once thought eternal, flattened, leaving no trace of their former majesty.
As if the earthquake wasn’t enough, the sky darkened ominously. Massive hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, plummeted down, crashing through roofs and into most structures.
People ran for cover, screaming in terror as deadly boulders bombarded them.
On the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a flurry of hailstones pulverized the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, reducing them to rubble. Around the globe, cathedrals, mosques, and temples suffered a similar fate—almost as if they were targeted.
Amid the devastation, curses and blasphemies echoed through the air. Survivors, battered and bloodied, shook their fists at the sky, railing against God for this unimaginable plague. Rather than repenting, their anger and despair grew with each punishing impact, the hail’s relentless assault pushing them to the brink of madness.
The Son of Man Coming in Clouds with Great Power and Glory
On Yom Kippur, Jesus’s voice rang out, clear and commanding, “It’s time, mount up!”
Katie’s heart raced as she climbed onto a magnificent white horse. All around her, countless saints did the same, their faces alight with anticipation. She felt a surge of excitement mixed with awe.
Then she saw heaven open before them. Jesus rode at the front, astride a brilliant white steed. His presence was overwhelming, radiating power and majesty beyond anything Katie ever experienced. His eyes blazed like fire. Atop his head a golden crown. The name emblazoned on his robe and thigh—King of kings and Lord of lords.
As they rode, Katie marveled at the sea of white horses and riders stretching as far as she could see. Each of them wore fine linen, pure and white. The unity and purpose she felt among them was indescribable.
She momentarily thought back to her life in Alaska, to the trials and tribulations she’d faced. How far she’d come from that naïve girl working at the cannery! Every step of her journey led to this moment. She felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
Jesus’s robe, dipped in blood, billowed as they rode.
Six thousand years ago, his words formed the physical heaven and earth, and all that lived within them. But now, Katie knew his words were a sharp sword that would strike down the nations. His powerful presence was a stark contrast to the gentle teacher she knew and loved. This was the Lion of Judah, coming to consume his enemies, dispense God’s wrath, and inaugurate his dominion.
As they descended, Katie saw the earthly armies gathered against them. Their numbers were vast, but she felt no fear. They were mortal, but she was immortal, and earthly weapons would have no effect against her glorified body.
She glanced at Ethan, riding beside her. His face mirrored her own determination and joy. They exchanged a smile, united in their faith and purpose.
As they approached the battlefield, Katie felt a surge of righteous anticipation. Whatever came next, she was ready. They were all ready to follow their king into this ultimate confrontation between good and evil.
They Shall Look on Him Whom They Pierced
Katie watched as Jesus descended toward Jerusalem.
As he approached the city, Katie noticed a change sweep over the inhabitants. Suddenly, the people of Jerusalem looked up, their eyes fixed on the descending Messiah. Katie held her breath, sensing the gravity of the moment.
Realization dawned on their faces, and Katie could almost feel the weight of their collective sorrow. They recognized Him—the one they had rejected, the one their ancestors had also rejected and executed. The air filled with the sound of repentance and mourning, a heart-wrenching chorus that echoed through the streets of Jerusalem.
Katie watched as men and women fell to their knees, tears streaming down their faces. Some beat their chests in anguish, while others reached out toward Jesus with trembling hands, begging his forgiveness. The intensity of their grief reminded Katie of a parent mourning an only child, a pain so deep it seemed to pierce the very fabric of reality.
She observed families huddled together, their bodies shaking with sobs as they grieved not just for Jesus, but for generations of ignorance and hard-hearted rejection. Their sorrow was genuine, hanging heavily in the air like a thick fog.
As Katie witnessed this outpouring of repentance and mourning, she felt a mixture of emotions. There was sadness for the pain these people were experiencing, but also hope. This moment of recognition and grief marked the beginning of reconciliation and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies.
She glanced over at Ethan. His eyes glistened with unshed tears as they shared a look of understanding. This was the spirit of grace and supplication being poured out, just as the prophet Zechariah had foretold.
As the scene unfolded below, Katie marveled at the depth of God’s love and patience. Even after centuries of rejection, He made a way for the sons and daughters of Jacob to return to Him. Their mourning was not an end, but a beginning—the first step towards healing and restoration.
Angelic Invitation to Vultures: Come to the Great Supper of God
Katie’s heart raced as she watched what happened next. Hussein’s vast army surrounded Jerusalem, their weapons glinting in the harsh sunlight. She gripped the mane of her white horse, feeling its powerful muscles tense beneath her.
Jesus raised his hand, and a hush fell over the heavenly host. Katie leaned forward, straining to hear his words.
“Behold,” Jesus proclaimed, his voice resonating with authority, “the time has come for judgment.”
As if on cue, a huge angel appeared, hovering above the battlefield. The angel’s voice boomed across the valley, causing the earth to tremble.
“Come, gather for the great supper of God!”
Katie’s eyes widened as she saw countless vultures and eagles materialize, their wings blocking out the sky.
The angel’s invitation continued, “Come and eat the flesh of kings, captains, and mighty men. Feast on the flesh of horses and their riders, of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.”
The birds descended, their cries filling the air with an eerie cacophony. Katie glanced at Ethan beside her, seeing the mix of awe and trepidation on his face that mirrored her own emotions.
Below, Hussein and his generals rallied their troops. Katie could see the fear in their eyes, even from this distance. The beast—Hussein himself—stood at the forefront, his face contorted with rage as he gazed up at the heavenly army.
Jesus nudged his horse forward, and Katie felt her own mount move in response. The entire host of heaven advanced as one, descending towards the earth in a breathtaking display of power and glory.
As they drew closer, Katie could make out individual faces in Hussein’s army. Some wore expressions of defiance, others of terror. Many fell to their knees, dropping their weapons as the reality of their situation dawned on them.
Katie’s heart pounded in her chest, a mix of excitement and apprehension coursing through her. This was it—the final battle between good and evil, the moment all of history had been building towards.
She tightened her grip on the reins, ready for whatever came next. As they charged towards the earth, Katie felt no fear. She knew, with absolute certainty, that she was on the right side of this conflict. Whatever happened next, she was ready to play her part in the ultimate victory of light over darkness.
The Battle
As they descended towards Jerusalem, she watched in awe as prophesied events unfolded before her eyes.
The Lord’s voice thundered across the battlefield, “I will strike every horse with panic, and every rider with madness.”
Instantly, chaos erupted among Hussein’s forces below. Horses reared and bucked, throwing their riders to the ground. Soldiers stumbled about, their eyes wild with confusion and fear. Katie marveled at the stark contrast between the panicked enemy and the calm, resolute army of saints.
The Lord continued, “I strike with blindness all the horses of the nations.”
Katie observed as the remaining mounted soldiers flailed helplessly, their steeds refusing to obey commands. The army that seemed so formidable moments ago now appeared weak and disorganized.
Suddenly, Katie’s attention was drawn to the skies above. A fierce battle raged between two angelic hosts. She recognized God’s angelic army, their forms radiant with divine light, clashing with the Devil’s fallen angels.
On that day, YHWH will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on the earth. She watched in awe as God’s angels systematically overcame their ancient brethren, striking them down with righteous fury. One by one, the devils fell to earth, bloody and lifeless, until none remained. To her amazement, she realized the fallen angels had become mortal, vulnerable to death for the first time since their pre-Adamic rebellion.
From within Jerusalem, Katie heard people’s voices rise in a collective realization: “We have strength through Yahovah and his armies. He is our God!”
Katie was amazed as she and her fellow saints became “like a blazing pot in the midst of wood, like a flaming torch among sheaves.” Moving past Hussein’s armies with supernatural speed and strength, they incinerated the enemy forces on all sides of the city. As Katie flew by, enemy soldiers tried to shoot their weapons at her, but their earthly weapons were completely useless against heavenly beings.
The battle raged on, with the forces of light steadily decimating the armies of darkness. This was the day the Lord said he would “destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.”
As the fighting reached its peak, Katie caught sight of Hussein. His face showed frustration and disbelief. She remembered Jesus’s words about the lawless one being consumed by the breath of his mouth. As she watched, Hussein’s power seemed to evaporate, his grand plans crumbling in the face of divine intervention.
A Way of Escape
Katie watched in awe as Jesus dismounted on top of the Mount of Olives. The mountain trembled beneath his feet. Then, with a thunderous crack, the mountain split in two. A wide valley formed, stretching from east to west, with one half of the mountain sliding northward and the other half southward.
Panic erupted among the people of Jerusalem. Katie could hear their cries of fear and confusion as they fled into the newly formed valley. She remembered the prophecy about this moment, how it echoed the earthquake from the days of King Uzziah.
“Look,” Ethan whispered beside her, pointing towards Jerusalem.
Katie gasped as she saw streams of water bursting forth from the city. The living waters flowed in two directions, east toward the Dead Sea, and west toward the Mediterranean.
As evening approached, daylight continued to fill the sky. Just like when Joshua commanded the sun to stand still.
From the Mount of Olives, Jesus turned to address the multitude in Jerusalem. His voice carried across the Kidron valley, powerful yet gentle. “Today, Yahovah becomes king over all nations. From this day forward, there is one God, and all nations shall worship him.”
In the Winepress of God’s Wrath
Katie hovered above the battlefield, her glorified body immune to the horrors unfolding below. The army of saints surrounded her, their faces a mix of awe and determination as they witnessed God’s judgment upon those who’d waged war against Jerusalem.
It was a sickening sight. Hussein’s soldiers, who moments ago stood proud and defiant, now writhed in agony. Their flesh seemed to melt off their bones, even as they remained upright.
“Look,” Ethan whispered beside her, pointing to a cluster of enemy combatants.
Katie watched in horrified fascination as the soldiers’ eyes dissolved in their sockets, leaving dark, empty cavities. Their tongues, which had spewed blasphemy against the Lord, rotted in their mouths.
A wave of panic swept through the enemy ranks. Soldiers who’d marched together in lockstep now turned on each other in blind terror. Katie saw a burly man seize his comrade’s hand, as if to help him, then the burly one raised his weapon and murdered his comrade.
The plague wasn’t limited to human combatants. Horses, mules, camels, and donkeys—all the beasts in the enemy camps—succumbed to the same horrific fate. The agonizing cries of the animals filled the air, mingling with the shouts and screams of the soldiers.
Part of her recoiled at the gruesome scene, while another part recognized the justice being meted out. These soldiers were sworn enemies of God, who consciously aligned themselves with Hussein and his satanic regime.
“It’s hard to watch,” she whispered.
Ethan squeezed her hand. “I know. But remember, Katie, everyone on earth heard the gospel ultimatum. They all had a choice, and they chose to fight against the Lord.”
The Antichrist’s Army Slaughtered
Katie watched in awe as an angel emerged from the heavenly temple, wielding a sharp sickle. He was both terrifying and magnificent.
As she observed from her midair vantage point, another angel appeared, this one emerging from the heavenly temple’s golden altar. His voice boomed across the land. “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.”
She understood the metaphor—the grapes represented the wicked, those who had aligned themselves with Hussein and rejected God’s mercy. Their time of judgment had come.
The blood of Hussein’s soldiers, horses, camels, mules, and donkeys, whose flesh had dissolved, began to gather and flow in crimson streams. The streams flowed together into a river, rising higher and higher until it reached the height of a horse’s bridle.
“Oh, my!” Katie whispered, her voice barely audible even to herself. The scale of the carnage was beyond anything she could’ve imagined.
Ethan, standing beside her, squeezed her hand. “It’s hard to watch,” he said softly, “but remember, this is righteous judgment. They all had a chance to repent.”
Katie nodded, her eyes fixed on the gruesome scene below. The prophecy said this river will flow 1600 stadia, or 184 miles!
The significance of the number wasn’t lost on her . . . 1,600 was 40 squared, and 40 often represented completeness in the Bible. So, 40 x 40 was the full extent of God’s wrath poured out on those who stubbornly refused his love and mercy.
As she watched, Katie felt a range of emotions—sorrow for the loss of life, awe at God’s power, and a deep sense of the finality of this moment.
Hussein’s armies are annihilated. Satan’s evil reign on earth has come to a final and complete end. The battle is over.
“It’s done,” she murmured, turning to look at Ethan. “What happens now?”
Ethan smiled, his eyes shining with the light of eternity. “We’re not quite done yet.” Ethan pointed down at a scene unfolding below.
The Antichrist Captured and Condemned
Katie watched Jesus, radiant and powerful, approaching Hussein. The self-proclaimed ‘god’ of this world stood defiant but beaten—his face showed fear and disbelief. Two powerful angels held him in their firm grasp.
Jesus spoke, his voice resonating with authority, “Devil, your reign is over. You inhabited and possessed Hussein, and now you’ll die and be tormented with him.”
The Devil tried to speak, but Jesus closed Hussein’s vocal chords. The Devil in Hussein scowled at Jesus.
Katie saw movement to her left. Two angels dragged the false prophet—Hussein’s propaganda minister—to Jesus. He struggled hopelessly against their iron grips.
Jesus turned his gaze to the false prophet. “You lied and deceived many people, resulting in their damnation.”
Jesus continued, pointing at Hussein, “Then you persecuted and murdered millions who wouldn’t pledge allegiance to this devil.”
The false prophet opened his mouth, perhaps to plead or argue, but no sound came out of his mouth either.
Suddenly, the ground before them split open, revealing a chasm of fire, molten lava, and sulfur smoke. It churned with a gurgling sound, the stench was overwhelming, and Katie felt a blast of heat like when you open a hot oven door. Katie’s stallion instinctively ascended into the cooler air.
Jesus pointed into the chasm and decreed, “Cast them alive into the lake of fire.”
She watched as the angels lifted the false prophet and Hussein, then flung the two men down into the fiery chasm. Their agonizing screams continued even after being swallowed by the roaring flames.
The flames must’ve consumed their bodies, yet we still hear their screams. Will their spirits be tormented with no relief or escape for ages of ages?
As she pondered the definition of ‘ages of ages,’ thousands of angels brought the dead bodies of all the Devil’s angels and cast them into the lake of fire. They all wailed in torment when the flames separated their fallen angelic spirits from their corpses.
The chasm closed as quickly as it opened, leaving no trace of its existence. Thankfully, when it closed, the thousands of screams could no longer be heard above ground.
Katie blinked rapidly, struggling to process the swift and terrible judgment she’d just witnessed.
Ethan squeezed her hand. “Now, it’s finally over,” he whispered.
On horseback, above the city, she saw what must’ve been a million bloodless corpses piled high around the city’s perimeter. Covering these piles, countless numbers of vultures and eagles feasted in the “great supper of God.” How gruesome.
The Dawn of a New Earth
Ethan’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Katie, look.”
She followed his gaze to see Jesus as he turned toward them and the army of saints. His expression was one of love and triumph.
“It is finished,” he said, his voice filled with both power and tenderness. “The first heaven and the first earth has passed away. Now we begin the restoration.”
Katie felt tears of relief and joy in her eyes as the reality sank in.
The battle was over.
The tribulation was over.
And now, a new era was dawning—one where the overcomers will reign in righteousness, discipling survivors in every nation and rebuilding the world according to God’s will.
Coming next week . . . The first chapter of the third book in the trilogy. Katie and her brethren start their assignments as priests and kings in the Millennial kingdom of Jesus the Messiah.
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Now that is how you finish a book, era, battle. Another great chapter.
That was amazing!