Many are now asking such questions. Many are also asking, “Are we about to witness the end of civilization?”. Others conclude, “But what if terrorists now start using nuclear, biological or chemical weapons? “ The bottom line really is “where is this all going to end?”

Let us state at the outset that the earth will never be destroyed. God says in Numbers 14v21, “As truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.” (see also Habakkuk 2v14 & Psalm 72v19). Isaiah 45v18 says, “For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited.” As it says in Ecclesiastes 1v4, “the Earth remains for ever.” (see also Psalms 93v1; 104v5) So if there really is a God, hasn’t He got all this worked out in His purpose? If God really is in command, then isn’t everything surely under control? It has to be.

We hope to show here in simple terms what the Bible does teach concerning the final war of Armageddon. While recent events in the US certainly are significant, we hope to show that the Armageddon spoken of in the Bible centres moreso around the city of Jerusalem and the nation of Israel.

One month ago, in an interview with an Arab newspaper, prime suspect Usama Bin Laden warned that he and his followers were planning to carry out unprecedented attacks on the US. And what was the reason given? Because the US supports ISRAEL in the Middle East. The message is clear. A key reason the US is hated by terrorists is because of Israel. The whole issue no doubt has dramatic consequences for the Middle East. All through the Bible we have recorded God’s purpose with Israel. So let’s look at the Bible to at least consider what it says concerning Israel.

The Bible also speaks of associated events with world wide ramifications which will herald the return of Jesus Christ to the earth and the establishment of the Kingdom of God. Look at the unmistakable words of Jesus in Luke 21v26-27,34-36:

“On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity…. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near…. Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation (ie. partying), drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Chemical or biological warfare might also be used, but we cannot be certain. Consider Zechariah 14v12-14:

“This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. On that day men will be stricken by the LORD with great panic. Each man will seize the hand of another, and they will attack each other. Judah too will fight at Jerusalem…”

Luke 21 and many other Scriptures use the symbols of nature such as sun, moon, stars, heavens, earth and waters to describe the nations and rulers of the world which will be “darkened” and “shaken”. We are presented with a situation where the governments of the world will be paralysed by events that will eventually spiral out of control. Daniel 12v1 tells of “a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations…”

In Zephaniah 3v6, God says, “ I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed….” There will be a great earthquake which will devastate modern civilization (Joel 3v16; Ezek 38v20; Zech 14v5; Rev 16v18-9).

Isaiah 60v2 says that this time will be a time of “darkness” - the bleakest of all periods of human history, but that out of the rubble and debris will emerge victorious the God of Israel and those who love Him. The nation of Israel will be restored on God’s terms and His Kingdom will be established throughout the whole earth. Isaiah 60-66 tells of these events.

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