Maranatha

The Nature of the Final Battle, October 16

The Lord hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation. Jeremiah 50:25. Mar 297.1

At His own will God summons the forces of nature to overthrow the might of His enemies—“fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word.” Psalm 148:8. When the heathen Amorites had set themselves to resist His purposes, God interposed, casting down “great stones from heaven” upon the enemies of Israel. We are told of a greater battle to take place in the closing scenes of earth's history, when Jehovah “hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation.” Jeremiah 50:25. “Hast thou,” he inquires, “entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?” Job 38:22, 23. Mar 297.2

The revelator describes the destruction that is to take place when the “great voice out of the temple of heaven” announces, “It is done.” He says, “There fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent.” Revelation 16:17, 21.^{43Patriarchs and Prophets, 509.} Mar 297.3

In the last scenes of this earth's history, war will rage.^{44The Review and Herald, October 19, 1897.} Mar 297.4

The powers of evil will not yield up the conflict without a struggle. But Providence has a part to act in the battle of Armageddon.^{45SDA Bible Commentary 7:983.} Mar 297.5

The Captain of the Lord's host will stand at the head of the angels of heaven to direct the battle.^{46SDA Bible Commentary 7:982.} Mar 297.6

He on whose vesture is written the name, King of kings and Lord of lords, leads forth the armies of heaven on white horses, clothed in fine linen, clean and white.^{47SDA Bible Commentary 7:982.} Mar 297.7

When He shall come to the earth again, He will shake “not the earth only, but also heaven.” “The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage.” “The heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll”; “the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” But “the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.” Hebrews 12:26; Isaiah 24:20; 34:4; 2 Peter 3:10; Joel 3:16.^{48The Desire of Ages, 780.} Mar 297.8