The last days of history – Part 27

War In Heaven; War On Earth Cont.
Many bright individuals are tempted to take advantage of an evil system to enrich themselves. Christians are warned to stay free from the lure of money, status, and the good life. We are to live according to the values of Christ exemplified: service, giving, self-sacrifice, obedience, and truth.

Rev 18:4-8 tells us how the people of Babylon had lived in luxury and pleasure. The city boasted, “I sit as queen…and will not see sorrow.” The powerful, wealthy people of this world are susceptible to this same attitude. A person who is financially comfortable often feels invulnerable, secure, and in control, feeling no need for God or anyone else. This kind of attitude defies God, and His judgment against it is harsh. We are told to avoid Babylon’s sins. If you are financially secure, don’t become complacent and deluded by the myth of self-sufficiency. Use your resources to help others and advance God’s Kingdom

Note the reference to human trafficking
“…merchandise…and bodies and souls of men” (Rev18: 13)
HOW CAN A PERSON KEEP AWAY FROM THE EVIL SYSTEM?

Here are some suggestions: (1) People must always be more important than products. (2) Keep away from pride in your own programmes, plans, and successes. (3) Remember that God’s Will and Word must never be compromised. (4) People must always be considered above the making of money (5) Do what is right, no matter the cost. (6) Be involved in businesses that provide worthwhile products or services—not just things that feed the world’s desires.

Further notes on God’s final Judgment
“So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.” (Rev14: 19)

“the great winepress.” In Biblical days, grapes were put into a large trough and trampled by foot to remove the wine (i.e., the juice of the grape). The treading of grapes was used in the OT as a figure for the execution of divine wrath upon the ungodly (Is63: 3; Rev19: 15). At the return of Christ at the end of the tribulation, all unbelievers in the world will be gathered and judged in the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Ps110: 6; Joel 3:2; Mat25: 32) and then killed (Mat13: 40; Luke17: 37; Ps97: 3-5; Prov2: 22; Is63: 1-6; 66:15-17; Jer25: 30-33; Rev19: 15).

“I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger, and trampled them in My fury; Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, and I have stained all My robes.” (Isaiah63: 3)

“trodden the winepress alone.” God Himself will wage war against the nations and defeat them; He will trample them as people trample grapes in the winepress (Joel3: 13; Rev14: 17-20; 19:15).

“He shall judge among the heathen, He shall fill the places with dead bodies, He shall execute the heads of many countries.” (Ps110: 6).

“He shall judge among the heathen.” This verse pictures Christ coming to the earth as a warrior to defeat and judge all those who oppose God’s kingdom and His righteousness (Rev19: 11-21).

Read Joel 3:1-17. Judgment of Judah’s enemies.

“I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land.” It may be the valley of Megiddo in north-central Palestine.

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