Frogs in Armageddon

Revelation 16:8-16

The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire.  They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.

The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.

The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east.  And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs.  For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.  (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)  And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

Global warming on an extreme scale.  When the Creator decides to end the world, it will become very evident who is in charge of the climate, the elements, and the universe.  God alone, controls the end of time.  Mankind can make bad decisions, and often does, but destroying the planet is not within our purview or authority.  God created the earth, the sun, the moon, the planets, the stars, and the cosmos (ref. Genesis 1) and knows exactly what can/cannot destroy them.

In the seven bowl plagues outlined in Revelation 16, we see God’s control over the sun, the waters, Satan, and even the demonic spirits.  Again, these plagues resemble the plagues in Exodus when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt.  Fire from heaven, sores on their bodies, frogs, and dried-up river beds are similar, but on a global scale.  All of this is to set up the final battle between God and Satan over mankind.  This battle will take place in the valley of Megiddo (Armageddon), in the north of Israel between Mt. Carmel and Mt. Tabor  

Since biblical times, the Euphrates has been a major waterway separating the Middle East from the Far East.  A major trade route and a sustaining water source for the inhabitants of that region.  Today, we see reports about the Great Euphrates River drying up.  Global Climate supporters blame this on global warming and mankind’s abuse of natural resources for political gain.  This has a significant impact on those in the region; farmers, wildlife, livestock, and health concerns are making headlines throughout the region.  In this, we still see mankind even denying the sovereignty and authority of God over all things.  Scientific communities and the media will tell us that these are all natural events caused by man’s abuse of the Earth’s resources.  Some of this is true, but why they refuse to see the biblical connection remains a mystery to me.

John’s vision in the great throne room paints a picture of a hard-hearted community.  Refusing to grasp ahold of the mercy and grace from the Father, they align their loyalties to Satan and his forces.  God grants these remaining individuals what they wish for – eternal separation from Him and instead an eternity of pain and suffering.  The plagues will fall upon them in these last days, and in their anger, they still curse God and deny His authority and sovereignty.  A debased mindset that only sees evil as good.  God’s sovereignty reaches as far as Satan’s throne room and the army he is building in the end days.

Satan’s call goes out to the kings all around the globe to join forces against the almighty Creator.  The stage is being set today as we see the political landscape leaning away from God in all reaches of the globe.  Succumbing to worldly desires, leaders around the globe push agendas focused on removing God from the spotlight and putting themselves into the spotlight.  We are living through the decline of the church age and nearing the entry into the tribulation years.  I hope you are remaining alert and ready for the return of Christ.  Again, we see Christ’s words that His return will be “like a thief in the night, just like in Matthew 24:43.  We must be prepared and ready on that day.

What this means for you and me is to be in the Word.  Daily walking with the Lord, so when He returns to call His children home, you know Him.  Jesus makes himself available to all of us through studying the word, prayer, and loving others.  He is not absent, though many would think so, because they haven’t met the real Jesus yet.  That’s where we come in.  Share your story, tell others about His love, His sacrifice, His grace, and His promise for eternity.  Be active in helping others know who your Lord and Savior is, and why they need to know Him as well.

He Came Back

Celebrating the Resurrection

“Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."”- Luke 24:44




There are 365 days in a year (according to the current calendar).  Each day you could wake up and read 1 scripture a day about Jesus Christ, written before He was ever born into this world.  The great authors of the Old Testament – Isaiah, Daniel, Hosea, Moses, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and many others prophesied and foretold the Messiah’s coming, His life, death, resurrection and second coming.  Over 365 prophecies have been written pertaining to the Son of God, which Jesus Christ has single handedly fulfilled.

The Pharisees of the day knew of the prophets, and their writings.  They knew the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, would be from the line of David, would be from Galilee, would be born of a virgin, would enter Jerusalem on a donkey, betrayed for 30 pieces of silver, would be beaten beyond recognition, and suffer a violent death.  This only represents 8 prophecies of the Messiah, captured in the scriptures which were known to all Pharisees and Scribes of that day.  Through their diligent studies they knew what they were looking for in their coming Messiah.  The reality though is that they were blinded by their own humanity, and could never imagine that this young man from humble beginnings could be their ever powerful, almighty and omnipotent God in flesh.  Their arrogance and knowledge blinded them from the incredible presence right before them.  This sounds an awful lot like people in today's world.

They had to ask themselves though, with all of their wisdom, could this be the One.  Then they would see Him do something that would contradict their simple minded knowledge of who Messiah should be, and they would then judge Him.  He healed on the Sabbath, He dined with sinners, He kept company with prostitutes, tax collectors and thieves.  He preached the gospel with a depth of knowledge beyond theirs, yet had not studied in their presence or through the universities of the time.  He chastised them for their piousness, arrogance and hypocrisy, while loving those who were poor, meek and gentile.

Why did the Pharisees ensure that the Romans guarded the tomb?  Because of Isaiah 53:9-12; “when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.”  They knew that if Jesus rose from the grave that they had made a terrible mistake, and that indeed they had been in the presence of the very Son of God they had so patiently awaited.  Paul, the Apostle, was a Pharisee, who was struck blind by the resurrected Jesus, and through his conversion became the greatest apostle of all.  Throughout the book of Acts, we see several other Pharisees turned to follow Jesus through the preaching of Paul and Peter.

So I ask you; look amongst our people today, have we become the Pharisees of this age?  Well studied on God, but blind to the real issues of the day, and the love that Jesus Christ stands for.  You can see how easy it is to have read the scriptures, studied the prophecies, and still miss Him when He returns because we are looking for something that fits a specific stereotype we have created to align with our perspective.  Make no doubt about it, Jesus Christ will return just as He said He would.  For by His very words to the disciples after His resurrection: “all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”  Do not overlook the Word of God as you watch the heavens for His return.  Study it, know it and spend time with the Father learning it.

 





© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com

If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts 

 

No Ordinary Day

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." – Matthew 24:27

The tide surged by 22 feet that day, and the entire city became a part of the sea.  Water covered the entire peninsula and the homes, businesses and schools left standing appeared to be floating in the depths of the Gulf of Mexico.  Hurricane Ike hit Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula on September 12, 2008, leaving the island uninhabitable for weeks to come.  The winds at 110 mph and rainfall wreaked havoc on the Southeastern corner of Texas for the following 3 days, destroying homes, neighborhoods and businesses up and down the Gulf coast and in-land as far as 80 miles.

We are now in the beginning of hurricane season 2013.  Is there another Ike on the horizon this year?  The forecasters are calling for as many as 20 named storms this year, and as many as 11 with hurricane force winds.  Do we trust their forecast?  Do we prepare better this time around than we have in the past?  The thing is, when a hurricane forms in the Gulf or in the Atlantic, it’s very visible days ahead of landfall, sometimes even weeks ahead.  It’s something that can be observed and monitored as it ever so slowly approaches landfall.  Today’s technology has improved to such a great extent, that predicting landfall has become a very precise exercise.

Yet, with all of this technology, knowledge, and advanced communication, people will still refuse to leave their home and seek shelter.  The human instinct is to protect what is ours.  The problem is that we often time under-estimate the forces we are up against.  Many will say, “ah, it’s just a little water and wind, I’ll be okay.”  These are often times the same people we see standing on their roof-tops pleading for a rescue boat or helicopter to lift them to safety, when the little bit of water has enveloped their home. 

There will come a day, when the Earth as we know it will be shaken from East to West.  Many inhabitants will be left standing in the streets, school yards, shopping malls and businesses looking around for rescue and help; but it will be too late.  The reality of the rapture will have taken place and loved ones, friends, co-workers and neighbors will be missing all of a sudden.  It will be shocking and confusing at first, but then the pieces will begin falling into place.  The Bible talks of the end times, and we’ve learned of it in Sunday School and heard it preached on the street corner, the pulpit, TV and even Youtube; yet we never thought it would really happen in our lifetime.

Tribulation will fall upon the earth, devastation, floods, winds, infighting, wars, pestilence and sickness.  We observe the tragedies of our modern world and mourn for those lost in each; but nothing we have observed will compare to what is to come in the last days of this planet.  You won’t see it coming, there is no forecast or predictions that are accurate enough to tell you when it will happen.  Sure, there are people who believe they know, or have received prophecy to the exact time and place; but their wrong.  It is not for man to know the time nor season of His return, but to be prepared for when it does happen, we will be with Him in paradise.

Some will say they never knew.  The reality is that they know, but refuse to believe it to be true.  When it does occur their destiny will be filled with extreme devastation and suffering, unlike anything we will endure through another hurricane season.  I don’t need a weatherman or doppler radar system to know when He’s coming back, but I do know He’s coming.  If your loved ones don’t know Jesus Christ, isn’t it about time you introduced them. 

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts

Holding Daddy’s Hand

“How precious is Your loving kindness, O God!  And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.”  Psalm 36:7

 His hand has grown 10x it’s original size, according to the averages in the US, from birth through the age of 7.  Yet, it barely fills the palm of my hand when we hold them next to each other.  When we are in a busy place or by a road, my hand naturally opens, and his is always right there to grab ahold of it.  I wrap my fingers around his small fingers tightly, but not too tight.  It is my way of ensuring that he is protected, he is not lost nor in harm's way when I am holding his hand.  It’s no different with any of my other children or grandchildren.  There is something comforting about holding their hand and guiding their direction away from the obstacles in life.

 If you’ve been watching the unfolding events over the last week or so you are likely feeling somewhat vulnerable, angered and perhaps even confused.  The hatred, the anger and the violence that has erupted throughout the Middle East was predictable, yet we must realize that our Father knows how to protect His children and to guide them to safety and peace.  The times that we live in will continue to be tumultuous and the uprisings and rage will escalate as the true battle’s in life become more tense.  These events are simply an outward display of a war that has raged for centuries and millennium.  We see it much more transparent because of the media and the digital media coverage that has made it available globally.

Understand that the battle between those of the Islam faith and those of the Jewish faith and those of the Christian faith is ancient.  Those radicals that seek out the death and destruction of the others are in the minority and do not represent the loving kindness of the Father.  You see, they are worthy of God’s grace as much as you are.  Although confused through their culture and upbringing, they are no less loved than you and I by their Creator.  God’s love is unchanging and equally available to all mankind, yes, even those that are battling against Him.  God is our salvation and His plans will persist despite the efforts of mankind.

Trust in His word, and realize that He knows exactly what is going on, even though you and I don’t.  In Ezekiel 36, 37, 38 and 39; he prophesied about the war against Israel in the end days.  He wrote those prophetic books over 2500 years ago, and we see it unraveling today as all eyes are upon Israel, and those that wish to annihilate that little piece of land of 8 thousand sq miles (the size of New Jersey, USA).  Some discount it as rubbish, but those of us who know that God is in control of all things look at the events of late and realize that Ezekiel’s prophecies and visions have merit to them.  We are His children, and can trust that He is our protector through these events.  Do not lose sight of His eternal plan as you get lost in the mire and confusion of the media around you.  There is nothing that is going on that our Lord has not already planned for, so seek refuge under His wings and hold on to His hand and He will guide you and I through these obstacles and into our eternal future with Him.

  

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For an archive of Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com

Through the Darkness

 

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It with your friends

“The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”  
                                                                       – Romans 13:12

Do you know darkness?   The enveloping stillness and absolute blindness that comes from the absence of light.  Being a math and logic geek, I find myself often pontificating about absurd things like: We are told that the speed of light equals 186 thousand miles per second.  Based on this physics fact, I have a few questions.

1) The star I’m looking at in the night sky isn’t actually there at this very moment.  It was there 4.2 years ago based on the time it takes for it’s light to actually reach my eye.  Therefore, when I wish on the first star I see tonight, did my wish come true 4.2 years ago?

2) How many micro-seconds does it take for the light to fill my 26x26 foot garage?

3) What’s the speed of dark?

I know, silly questions, but we take it for granted every single day.  We see the sunlight break through the darkness in the morning, and light our path throughout the day.  We watch the sunset each evening and see the darkness envelope us once again.  But, even then, we are not in complete darkness, for the radiance of the sun reflects off of the moon and provides light through the night.  Have you ever been in absolute darkness, without a single trace of light?  Try it.  Go into an interior room, turn off all surrounding lights in connecting rooms, close the door, close your eyes and stand perfectly still.  Count to 60 and then slowly open your eyes. 

Absolute darkness is filled with the unknown, the uncertain and the inherent fear of what might be without truly knowing.  Darkness is the absence of light.  You cannot create more darkness, it has a maximum saturation level and that is the complete absence of light.  The smallest light source will break through the darkness and create shades of black or grey.  The more light that is applied to the darkness the more comfort we feel, the more confident we become and the more actively we pursue life.

What will eternity in Hell be like?  In scripture it is described as a fiery lake of burning sulfur (Rev. 21).  It is described as an abyss, absent of any light.  In my mind there is no light, the fire must be burning, the heat tremendous, but none of it seen.  In complete darkness for eternity, hearing the agonizing cries and groans and torturous screams all from the blindness of the dark.  Absent of the One true light of the world, there is no rest, no morning, no daylight, no peace, no love, no comfort for the pain and agony.  We make light of the end times as if they are just a fairy tale, but I believe the Holy Bible is God’s word for us, and God is incapable of untruth.  Therefore, what John wrote in Revelations will come to pass.  Shouldn’t our hearts be broken for those that we love, to do everything possible to keep them from the darkness that so entices them.  If not you, than whose job is it? 

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com