“HIS story - our story” “Armageddon and the Return of Christ” part 22 The Revelation of Jesus Christ Pastor Dave Martin, Cross Creek Community Church, Jan 25, 2015

The Startling Future… The rapture, when millions of Christians vanish from earth The rapture, when millions of Christians vanish from earth Antichrist revealed, seven years of global tribulation Antichrist revealed, seven years of global tribulation Great wickedness, great revival, great persecution Great wickedness, great revival, great persecution

I. Countdown to the Battle of Armageddon Begins…

Overview of the seven year tribulation period: 1.White Horse represents the Antichrist/Beast, Rev 6:2

Overview of the seven year tribulation period: 1.White Horse represents the Antichrist/Beast, Rev 6:2 2.Red Horse represents global Warfare, Rev 6:4

Overview of the seven year tribulation period: 1.White Horse represents the Antichrist/Beast, Rev 6:2 2.Red Horse represents global Warfare, Rev 6:4 3.Black Horse represents horrible Famine, Rev 6:5

Overview of the seven year tribulation period: 1.White Horse represents the Antichrist/Beast, Rev 6:2 2.Red Horse represents global Warfare, Rev 6:4 3.Black Horse represents horrible Famine, Rev 6:5 4.Pale Horse represents unprecedented Death, Rev 6:8

1. Armies of the NORTH - Russia and her allies, Eze (Meshech & Tubal… modern countries of Iran, Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt, Libya, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, etc.) Note: God destroys Russia near the middle of the tribulation

2. Armies of the WEST - Antichrist and his allies, Dan 7:7-25 (Revived Roman Empire/European Union, America, Canada, Australia, Central & South America… Generally “Christian countries & cultures) Note: Antichrist sets up his headquarters in Jerusalem middle of Tribulation

3. Armies of the EAST - China and her allies, Rev 16:12-16 (China, Korea, India, Cashmere, Viet Nam, Burma, many smaller Asian countries)

Note: Two great barriers to Israel: Euphrates River and the Himalaya mountains Israel China India Euphrates River Iran Afghanistan Himalayas Pakistan

Note: Two great barriers to Israel: Euphrates River and the Himalaya mountains

III. God gathers the last two armies into the Plains of Megiddo Zephaniah 3:8 8 Therefore wait for me," declares the Lord, "for the day I will stand up to testify. I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and to pour out my wrath on them-- all my fierce anger. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger.

III. God gathers the last two armies into the Plains of Megiddo Joel 3: Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow-- so great is their wickedness!' 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

III. God gathers the last two armies into the Plains of Megiddo Acts 17:31 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."

III. God gathers the last two armies into the Plains of Megiddo Revelation 16:16 16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

IV. The Battle of Armageddon… End of mankind “Mutually Assured Destruction” - BUT God intervenes End of mankind “Mutually Assured Destruction” - BUT God intervenes Matthew 24:22 22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect [Jew & gentile believers] those days will be shortened.

IV. The Battle of Armageddon… God brings “eerie blackness” while earth continues to rotate (all to see) God brings “eerie blackness” while earth continues to rotate (all to see) Matthew 24: "Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' 30 "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.

3. King Jesus returns from Heaven with His armies Revelation 19: I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.

4. Jesus slays the wicked, confining the Beast, False Prophet & Satan Revelation 19:15 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.

4. Jesus slays the wicked, confining the Beast, False Prophet & Satan Revelation 19: Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

4. Jesus slays the wicked, confining the Beast, False Prophet & Satan Revelation 20:2 2 He (God’s angel) seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

Be Making a Difference… Expedient Living! Expedient Living! Powerful Praying! Powerful Praying! Courageous Witnessing! Courageous Witnessing!

BEHOLD HE COMES!

Next Week: “HIS story – OUR story” Eternity