This is the first time in the book of Revelation where Satan has to bring to bear his own angels to craft an event. Heretofore he has been able to accomplish his means through the Dragon and his two beasts. I am sure the demonic was at work in the prior end-of-the-earth events, but John does not record it that way.
Several reasons seem to present themselves to my understanding. First, think back to the wrath of bowl 5. What happened to the kingdom of Babylon as that bowl was poured out? Babylon was plunged into darkness. That “darkness” is not a spiritual one for Babylon is the embodiment of spiritual darkness. Too, the bowls of wrath were being poured on the earth, not things of the mind, the heart, the psyche. The mind, heart and psyche were experiencing dramatic events, but those were secondary. I think that the fifth bowl was on the electrical, technological, grid knocking out the means whereby Babylon had been directing and dominating the earth. To circumvent the technological shortcomings Satan shifted to his demons.
Second, while the kings of the earth railed against God and the Lamb hating them with all they possess they were facing stark national realities. Their people would have been in survival mode. The electricity may have been on, but it was a degraded one. They have been following the edicts of Babylon, but there must be large swaths of humanity disenchanted with that Global leader. The individual nations will be in no shape to expend their remaining resources in a March to Zion. Maybe many in these nations that now think they can get away with throwing off Babylon’s leadership. Having lost the upper hand in world events the demonic is released to psychologically manage the nations. To convince the nations the demonic performed miracles and signs. The nations knew they had little to fight with and they knew the Lamb was powerful beyond any means they had. A supernatural tactic was needed and the demonic finally brought out this weapon in its last great effort, a last great deception.
What’s up with verse 15?
In the middle of the assembly at Armageddon comes the word of Jesus. This one posed some difficulty for me for why is it here? It seems disconnected with the rest of the narrative. The ESV even puts parentheses around it. That Jesus would come like a thief seems to have little difficulty for a thief arrives suddenly and with strength to steal, kill, and destroy. The armies at Armageddon will be destroyed. Jesus will show up suddenly (his arrival is in Revelation 19).
Who will be blessed if they are ready? It certainly will not be rebellious, those who have taken the mark of the beast. It seems too contrived to suggest that Jesus was speaking to the armies of heaven though that came to my mind as well. While the Holy Spirit may have been taken from the world and while the harvest of Revelation 14 had taken place there must be men and women alive on the earth who have struggled on in their allegiance to Jesus Christ. Easy life for them? Not at all. Life though? It seems so.
What is the message? Basically to remain faithful. “Stay awake!” They are urged to be vigilant against sin and the deceptions of the evil one. They, like all Christians, are to be ready for the arrival of Jesus Christ. He will come and it will be sudden. Like the master returning to his home in the parable of Christ the servants better be ready.
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