The King of Kings Will Return And Rule From Mount Zion
The return of Jesus Christ as king of kings and lord of lords is announced by a trumpet blast. It is that amazing turning point in human history that we are here to remind ourselves of today. The feast of Trumpets is the 4th of the appointed times to be proclaimed by the servants of God.
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Many exciting things happen when Christ makes His dramatic appearance: the people God has called and chosen receive the gift of eternal life, they also receive their reward, they are from that point forward at His right hand working together with Him as the bride of Christ in the family of God.
For those who are not Christ's at His return "exciting" is not the word to use... for them it will be a time of terrible distress, fear, pain, plagues, and environmental disasters. A time when God’s condemnation of humanity’s unjust governments, perverse religions and misguided cultural institutions will come to pass. These will be destroyed permanently and swept into the garbage can of the universe.
But humanity will not give up all they have created and bought into without a fight. So, there will also be a terrible and final battle in the valley of decision.
Learn more about the prophecies found in the book of Revelation using our free study guide The Book of Revelation Unveiled
Our purpose today is to review the events, places and the key players of the Day of Christ’s return which is marked by the 4th annual holy day of God... the Feast of Trumpets.
We do not know the exact time of the return of Christ. We do know of certain significant events, signs, and circumstances that must be in place before His return. Discussing these is not our purpose today.
One detail we do know is that some of God's people will be alive at the time of Christ's return. Anyone who falls into that category will need nerves of steel, great faith in God's power to deliver, and a willingness to stand apart from the governments, religions, education, entertainments, and cultural norms of human society... These institutions are all gathered together under the name Babylon.
Christ's exhortation to His people is, "Come out of her [Babylon] my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not share in her plagues". That warning and exhortation is to you, right now . All that you see around you, will be swept away… institutions, traditions, entertainments that you may identify strongly with… they are destined for destruction.
Some Are Sheltered In Christ’s Presence
We are going to jump into the flow of events in Revelation Just before Christ’ return. Let me review the setting briefly: [show handout of the seals, trumpets and woes]
l Six of the seven seals have opened
l Before the final 7th seal is opened something important happens… we are told God will shelter certain people from the effects of the 7th seal
l The 7th seal contains 7 trumpets blasts. The first 6 announce progressive stages of condemnation demonstrating God’s power over all things… AND a call to repentance!
l Some will heed the call to repentance… they will be sheltered from the outpouring of God’s wrath
Revelation 7:1-4, 9-10 none of the plagues and destruction of the final trumpets take place until these two groups of people are set apart and sealed:
· The servants of God drawn out from Israel
· A mixed multitude from all nations, tribes, and tongues... who is this mixed multitude of people dressed in white robes?
Revelation 7:13-17 at this point before the opening of the seventh seal the time of great tribulation is already happening. These are people who experience it. They respond to the calling to repentance [possibly from the preaching of the two witnesses], and they repent in Christ. Note: scripture indicates there are some in the Church of God who will not be protected from the time of great tribulation. Presumably, some of them are part of this group. The description indicates many more besides them [from every nation, tribe, and tongue] are also part of this group.
These people will be sheltered from God’s wrath [specifically mentions scorching sun].
The 7 Trumpets Are Sounded
Revelation chapter 8 recounts the opening of the 7th seal which contains the trumpet blasts. This chapter also records the sounding of the first 6 trumpets and the horrible stuff that happens. Then comes the sounding of the 7th and final trumpet.
Revelation 11:15-19 have you ever been grieved by the senseless violence, injustice, oppression, and deceptions you see all around you? Have you ever asked God [perhaps in frustration] when will you step in and address these horrible problems. THIS IS THE TIME.
The kingdoms of the earth have now officially been given over to Christ. Embedded in the last verse is an vision of just how He intends to rule. The heavenly throne room of God [temple] is displayed and the ark of the covenant is revealed. Within the ark of God's covenant are the tablets of the commandments.
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords will rule all the earth by the laws of God. They have not been done away with, they are eternal… yesterday, today, and in the future. They are the answer you have been praying for.
Christ Appears on Earth in All His Glory
1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 a few details:
l Some members of God's Church will be alive in the flesh at the time Christ returns
l Christ leaves the throne room of God in heaven and comes to earth, the resurrected saints do not go to heaven, they accompany Him as He comes to earth
l All those who are His from past and present generations are raised to eternal spirit born life at the same time… in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality [1 Corinthians 15:52]
l Those resurrected at this time will be beside Him even including the final battle coming up.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 those who are Christ’s and alive when He returns do not have to endure the wrath of God.
Revelation 14:1-5 Christ has returned and is present at Mount Zion which is in Jerusalem [refer to map]. Those who are His with Him. This group is identified as:
l those who are with him wherever He goes [1 Thessalonians 4:17]
l those who have not defiled themselves through consorting with false religion [false churches are often characterized as women, daughters, harlots]
l the first fruits of God [which indicates those who are resurrected]
The meaning of the tie-in with the 144,000 mentioned in chapter 7 is still unclear to this day. Is this the same group previously mentioned? If so how does that fit in? Answer: we just don’t know. Note: some points of prophecy are not open to understanding or interpretation until God unveils it. We must accept the position of Daniel who was told: Go your way Daniel because the words of this prophecy are rolled up and sealed until the end time.
Proclamation of Battle
Now that Christ has returned and is standing once again on earth there are three proclamations made by three angels:
1) verse 7 fear God, give Him glory and worship... the time has come for judgment
2) verse 8 Babylon is condemned and will be destroyed permanently
3) verse 9-10 you need to make a choice... that choice is known through accepting or rejecting the mark of the beast [the political power of Babylon]
Zechariah 14:1-5 previously we read that Christ was at Mount Zion. Now we read He is on the Mount of Olives. The exact geographic location of Mount Zion is obscure, but it is in Jerusalem... probably the portion of the old city of David. The Mount of Olives is a small mountain that faces the old city of David [Zion] from across the Kidron Valley which is also known as the valley of Jehoshaphat meaning YHWH judges. [refer to map of Jerusalem].
This valley is an important place… and Christ has strategically set Himself up on both sides of it.
The Wrath of God Is Poured Out
In Revelation 16 God's pours out His wrath on the earth. It is finally time to hold the nations, false religions, and deceptive cultural institutions accountable for the evil they have done. God’s wrath is poured out in the form of 7 bowls; bowl 1: afflicting with sores bowl 2: afflicting the seas bowl 3: afflicting the freshwater bowl 4: scorching with heat from the sun
Revelation 16:10-11 - the 5th bowl pours darkness and pain out on the seat of government of the beast, also known as Babylon. In spite of seeing God’s great power and repenting this appears to rile them up.
Revelation 16:12 -15 the 6th bowl opens up a clear path for the armies of the earth to gather themselves together to do battle with Christ. They are goaded onward by demonic spirits and false religious leaders. The nations gather their combined forces in the Valley of Meggido, a large open plain surrounded by a chain of mountains. The valley is located about 50+ miles north of Jerusalem [refer to larger map].
Joel 2:1 the 7th trumpet serves as a calling to battle.
Joel 2:30 - 3:2a the offer of repentance is still on the table … anyone who call upon the name of the Lord will escape death… some may repent … but the armies of the nations have gathered to fight.
The battle does not take place in Meggido [there is no battle of Armageddon}. Meggido is just the staging ground where the armies muster. Prophecy indicates the armies come from this place north of Jerusalem and the battle ensues in the Kidron Valley [also known as the Valley of Jehoshaphat, YHWH judges].
Joel 2:9-17 where will you be? If you are part of the better resurrection then you will be with Christ, raised to everlasting life with a body composed of spirit. Also there will be those others who heeded God’s final calls to repentance and are sheltered in His strength when the battle turns hot.
Zechariah 14:12-14 the nations gathered a huge arsenal of weapons to fight against Christ at His return. God will cause them to panic and turn their weapons of destruction upon one another.
The King of Kings Will Rule
Zechariah 14:16 the laws of God will rule the land... and they will be enforced. With justice and strength, but because God is the one ruling there will also be mercy, compassion, and a positive path for joy and goodness.
Isaiah 2:1-4 Jerusalem overlooks the battlefield where ultimate victory is brought to pass in a dramatic display of God's power. But Jerusalem's future is to be a source of peace. Peace which can only come about through righteous rule and understanding of God's way of life. ANd at that time both of these will radiate out from Jerusalem for the benefit of all humanity.
Psalm 2:1-12 for you the time to decide is now. What side do you want to be on?
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