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In Revelation chapter 12 Christ is viewed as “Michael” fighting against the dragon and its angels. However, in Revelation chapter 19 he is seen as “King of kings,” striking the nations and shepherding them with an iron rod. In this scene, he rides in warfare not only with the faithful angels, but also with the holy ones. So it appears that Christ becomes King after the war that broke out in heaven, but immediately preceding Armageddon. Unlike this scenario, e-watchman says that “the ouster of Satan and the demons takes place after Jesus is given his kingdom.” (See e-watchman mailbag, dated April 14, 2006) Is it not apparent that the kingdom is given to Christ and the holy ones after the war in heaven and Satan’s ouster, but before the Armageddon war? |
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| The 12th chapter of Revelation depicts a symbolic woman giving birth to a male child who is to rule the nations. Obviously the birth of the child symbolizes the birth of God’s kingdom. And, indeed, immediately after the child is born it is “caught away to God and to his throne.” The fact that the child is caught away to God’s throne indicates that the child is an heir of the kingdom. It is immediately after the birth of the royal child that war breaks out in heaven between Jehovah’s angels and the demons. Revelation 12:10 confirms for us that the war in heaven was a result of Christ’s kingdom coming to power. After the Devil is hurled down to earth he then goes off to wage war against the holy ones for 42 months. Eventually all the holy ones will be killed, which is why the entire body of chosen ones (144,000) is with Christ in heaven to smash the nations at the climatic battle of Armageddon. (See essay: Will Christianity Survive the End of the World?) |
The e-Watchman Mailbag Collection
April 23, 2006
