always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations.” We know who they are, and where they are going. So much for group one. The Mediterranean Bloc The second bloc o f nations is the M ed ite r ra n e a n bloc. Daniel 2 speaks of the great image that God d e s c rib ed and interpreted unto Daniel. The Bible doesn’t guess at the interpretation, but literally tells us what nations are involved here — largely located around the Medi terranean zone — including world powers from the times of Babylon (head), Medo-Persia (shoulders), Greece (thighs), Rome (legs) and down to the present time of the union of a variety of nations de scribed prophetically by the “ ten toes of the image” (Dan. 2:41-44). I believe we are about ready to see “ the ten toes.” For before Christ comes to rule those “ ten toes” (10 united nations), they have to be in existence. (Not before He comes to get “His Bride,” but before He sets up His reign upon the earth.) He is the “ stone cut out of the moun tain w ith ou t hands that must smite” these 10 nations (Dan. 2:44, 45). Some “ iron,” some “ clay.” You will be amazed at the mixture of nations uniting for survival in “ the last days.” Perhaps a dictatorship (iron) will unite with a democracy (clay) for survival. Right now, we have what we call the NATO powers, loosely unit ed. I suppose this might possibly be the nucleus of nations around the Mediterranean, united to pos sibly guarantee “ the survival of Israel” in the last days. What will this group of nations do? The Bible indicates that they may move East through the Mediterranean Sea to remonstrate with the Soviet bloc. “ Art thou come to take a spoil?” (Ezek. 38:13). When this “ Medi terranean bloc” does move to the East in the Mediterranean Sea, they will arrive at Haifa Harbor at the doorway of the plain of Megid- do, and in the right spot for the battle of Armageddon. W e know where to look for the union, and where it will finally move. The Eastern Bloc “ The kings of the east” are spo ken of in Revelation 16:12. In the last days, the kings of the east will
unite in the Orient. I do not be lieve that China will be the per manent ally of the Soviet. Let India and China remind you that there will be “ in the last days” a tre m en d ou s ly overwhelming flock, called, “ the kings of the east.” Now let me read Revelation 16: 12: “ And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the river Euphra tes; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.” Now, when the river Euphrates is dried up for that great eastern army of the last days, and they march across it, where will they be? When the “ kings of the east” cross the river Euphrates, they will actually be in the plains of Megiddo in the land of Palestine, precisely where God said they would be! All the three conclaves of nations will be at the right place in God’s right time! The Soviet bloc, the troops around the Mediterranean, the kings of the east—all will be there for war. Who is going to win? Read chapter 19 of the Book of the Revelation, and it will show you who is going to win that war! This is a thrilling text. (Rev. 19:11-18.) “ And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” [This is Christ Je sus!] John’s gospel says: “ In the beginning was the Word . . . All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1 :1 ,3 ,4 ). Some day He is going to “wrap- up” the history of the world. Do you think He is going to let a little Russian, or anybody else “wrap it up?” Read Revelation 19:14-18. Read it all! What a drama! What a victory! Christ has not forgotten us. God has pre-written some amazing headlines to show us what the “world is coming to.” These »are not “ specifics” but trends! They have a meaning for my heart and they have a signifi cance for my life.
“Now, what are we waiting for?” “What does all this mean to me?” W e as Christians are not looking for the battle of Armageddon be cause before the battle is ever fought, we shall actually be “ caught up to meet the Lord in the air.” You say, “ Now wait a minute, I am a realistic man, a thinker. Do you mean to tell me a physical human being will be lifted up into outer space?” Yes, God will take a crowd of believers instantly into outer space “ to meet the Lord in the air.” Is that so amazing? Read the exact Bible account! “ But I would not have you igno rant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:13-18). There will be no millennium without the rulership of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Before the millennium, Christ takes the ruler- ship. You can’t have a Kingdom without a King! You can’t have Peace without the Prince of Peace. Christ has to come before the mil lennium. Twenty-five years ago, I had to argue for this position. Now few people dare speak out loud and say, “ W e bring in the millennium in preparation for the return of the King.” The Atomic Age changed all these theories of men. “ What are we waiting for?” I’m waiting for the coming of the Lord! I am not waiting for the right opin ion! I am not waiting for the Con gress of the United States to solve the problems of the world! Look at the little people in this troubled world: Here is a poor wid ow, broken and worn! Here is a
4
Made with FlippingBook HTML5