The Millennium is actually inaugurated with war, the War that ends the Tribulation. Armageddon, by name, at least that’s the “place” where it will be fought.

I think Isaiah 66:15-16 describe that “horrific” time. (Or is it in a way a “good” thing, in the sense that evil will be defeated?) Either way, here’s today’s Text:

“For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.”

Actually the Lesson title, “the wrath of the Lamb,” is lifted/quoted from Revelation 6:16, describing essentially the same Occurrence. ” Hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.” Clearly a prayer!

Isaiah is framing the Second Coming of Jesus as a “Theophany.” A theological term meaning an “appearance” of Almighty “God!”

The fire and the chariots (warrior angels?) often (in the Old Testament) accompany such an event, a Theophany. And both nouns (“anger” and “fury”) used to describe Jesus are the most intense available in Hebrew, to reveal displeasure. Actually, aggression!

Add to that the “sword,” no doubt two-edged.

And Isaiah’s verb “plead” does NOT Mean to beg! It’s “shaphat” and means “to judge” over 200 times in our King James Bibles. This is not an “invitation” to sinners, being rather a “slaughter” of reprobates.

And “many” will die! With this much bloodshed … “even unto the horse bridles.” Revelation 14:20

The vast majority of the dead are “to-the-core” Jew haters. Volunteers in the anti-Christ’s army gathered to attack Jerusalem and brutally murder its inhabitants!

Armageddon and its victory directly leads to the glorious Millennium and its centuries of peace!

And this morning Isaiah the Prophet has done a good job of giving us a glimpse of that horrible day. A “snapshot” if you please, a “thumbnail” in today’s terminology I guess.

Again … “For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.”

And personally, I can envision this happening sooner rather than later. Which means we Christians certainly should be ready … the Rapture is seven years earlier than Armageddon!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.