Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon centers on recognizing God’s work amid personal and communal upheaval. Paul’s ministry in Iconium and his planting of the kingdom’s seed sparked division and transformation. Armageddon unfolds in the heart, families, churches, and the city as believers choose between tradition and God’s present kingdom. Actual change comes when God’s word takes root and the signs of the times are clearly seen, compelling a decision for Christ.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
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Introduction and Scriptures Used
Scriptures used in this lesson:
Acts 13:41, Acts 14:1-6, 1 Corinthians 1:22-25, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Acts 14:1-2, Acts 14:3, Mark 16:15, Hebrews 2:4, Acts 14:4, Luke 12:49-53, Luke 12:54-56, Revelation 16:14-16, Revelation 11:19, Revelation 16:19-21, Revelation 16:21, Luke 12:49,
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Outline of Acts chapter 14:
Ministry at Iconium (Acts 14:1-5)
Ministry at Lystra (Acts 14:6-20)
Maltreatment of Paul (Acts 14:19-20)
Return to Antioch (Acts 14:26-27)
Recognizing God’s Work and Division
Tonight, I want us to take a closer look at our current relationship with the Lord. Let’s pay attention to what He is doing around us. The signs of the times are evident. We will see evidence of this as we continue together.
Every city the Apostle Paul visited experienced upheaval. People had to decide whether to hold onto their traditions or to embrace the kingdom of God and what He was doing in their time. There was always a dividing line. People had to make decisions. The same is true today. People must choose to stay in a traditional system or to become part of what God is doing now.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Scriptures and Parables About Division
Acts 13:41
41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
Paul spoke about this in Acts 13:41. Scripture warns us about this choice. Jesus, in Matthew 13:33, tells another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened”.
Paul brought the word of the kingdom into cities. Once he planted it, it began to work on its own. Leaven is yeast, and when added to flour, it spreads throughout the dough, affecting all of it. In the same way, the word of the kingdom gets planted in you. You will notice that you can no longer listen to any teaching. Your entire life is being changed, is being leavened. The kingdom of God has come into your life.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
The Seed and Growth Within You
Right now, many are discovering something new. Your thoughts and actions are no longer the same as before. The reason is, you are pregnant with something spiritual. A seed has been planted in your mind, and it is starting to produce effects. Just as a woman with a seed is pregnant, something is growing inside of you, often without your awareness. Jesus described this as the seed that falls on the ground and brings forth fruit—thirty, sixty, or a hundred times more. The seed has taken root, so you can no longer listen to just any preacher. You are leavened. The kingdom has come in your life, and it is inside you.
Now, you are growing up in the Lord. The seed is planted, and as it breaks through the ground, it begins to grow. It is important to understand that this is a lasting change. If I left, your life would remain changed. When Paul went into cities, he planted the word of the kingdom and left it to grow on its own. Is this happening in your life? Suddenly, you have a new hunger for God’s word. Things that never made sense before are becoming clear. Everything is starting to fit together. The leaven is working. Your life is being changed, and the whole lump is leavened. This change is causing some upheaval and uproar inside you.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
We’ll see today, as Paul planted this seed of the kingdom here in Acts chapter 14, it caused a lot of upheaval. And in some of your lives, you’re seeing that happening. Is there something going on? You’re pregnant.
Ministry at Iconium and Spiritual Division
Acts 14:1-6
1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,
6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
The ministry at Iconium begins in Acts 13:51-52 and continues through Acts 14:1-6. Paul always went to the synagogue first. That was his pattern. He would preach to the Jews first before anyone else. Paul says in Romans 1:16 that his ministry was to bring the gospel to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles. Today, it’s still the same. The message that comes to us must go first to the religious people.
Personal Reflection on Spiritual Division
I was religious once, too. Then, as it was, a Paul walked into my “synagogue.” Suddenly, I saw what I had always been taught wasn’t always true. Through Paul’s visit, I realized there was some “Jew” in me—some religiousness. There was some Gentile, too. At times, there’s a divide inside me. This is happening in your lives, too. We need to do what Paul did. We must learn to walk into the synagogues of the Jew. You’ll find them at work, at play, and in your homes. Enter their “synagogue”—their lives—and plant the seed of the kingdom. Then, leave it alone.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Jesus said When you plant a seed, do not dig it up every day to see if it’s growing. It will grow on its own. Plant the seed and leave it alone. We’ve been planting seeds for four months, and now we’re starting to see fruit. That’s what we need to remember. The principle is: leave the seed alone. If you keep digging it up, you’ll irritate people. Some will get angry. Some will want to stone you. When that happens, don’t stop sharing. Move on, plant more seeds somewhere else, and leave that place alone.
I’m just trying to get us into this message tonight. I’m feeling lifted in spirit, not sure where I’ll go—maybe to Revelation and Armageddon—I don’t know.
Identity of Jews, Greeks, and Gentiles
A great multitude, both Jews and Greeks, believed (verse 1). So, who are the Jews? You’ve learned what that means. In Acts, Jews represent the religious world, both Pharisees and Sadducees.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Pharisees, Sadducees, and Their Modern Equivalents
Let me quickly remind you about the Pharisees and Sadducees. Pharisees, in today’s terms, are Pentecostal legalists. They think you have to look, act, and speak just right, or you’re lost. Sadducees are the mainline denominational liberals. They believe you can do anything and still be eternally secure. That’s the difference between the two.
Here, there’s another group: the Greeks. A great multitude of Jews and Greeks believed. Who are the Greeks? The Greeks are educated people. We’ll see more of that as we progress. Where does that come from? The Bible.
1 Corinthians 1:22-25
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
For the Jews require a sign, legalistic. Jews want a stop “sign.” They want a go “sign.” They want to know when I yield. Jews want a sign. They want a red light at the intersection. They want a sign. You’re supposed to dress this way. You’re supposed to look this way, talk this way, and do it this way. Give me a sign. And the Greeks seek after wisdom. These are intellectual people. You can’t fool me.
But we preach Christ crucified unto the Jews. But we preach Christ crucified unto the religious is a stumbling block, and unto the educated, foolishness. However, unto them who are called both religious and educated, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the witness of God is stronger than men.
God’s Choice of the Foolish and Weak
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Modern-Day Gentiles—Charismatics and Their Story
Look around you. I mean, literally look around you. And do you see a whole lot of people who have graduated from Harvard? Do you see a whole lot of Greeks in this thing? Do you see a whole lot of educated people? Not many wise are called after the flesh. Not many mighty, and not many noble. How many natural kings, real kings, I’m talking about in the natural, are real Christians? Not many. Why? Because they’re not called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
You are a foolish thing. Well, God’s chosen you, hasn’t he? And God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. He used a rooster, didn’t he? Did he use a donkey? Then he can surely use me. He can use you to confound the wisdom of the world.
One of the meanings and the purposes of the body of Christ is to confound the wisdom of the world. And we’re right now into the manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The word manifestations means the exhibitions of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. And if we’re into that, do you think that is wisdom to the world? That’s foolishness. Talking in tongues. Interpreting.
Jews, Gentiles, and Charismatics Explained
Jews are religious people of the religious world. Gentiles are the religious Pharisees and liberal Sadducees. Is that what the religious world is made up of? Legalist and liberalist. And then we see these people who are coming in that are wise. Their wisdom all has to be head knowledge. It all has to be mental. You can’t function in the gifts of the Spirit because that’s foolishness. Those are the Greeks. Educated people. You don’t find a whole lot of highly educated people in the Pentecostal realms because this stuff is foolishness to them.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
So, who are the Gentiles? Us, because that is to whom Paul took the Gospel, and the Jews were provoked to jealousy for the Gentiles because of the Gentiles.
The Gentiles are the nations of the world. From Noah’s ark, when Shem, Ham, and Japheth were dispersed and went into the world, came the nations. From one of those men, Shem, came the lineage of Christ through Abraham. And Abraham was called to be separated from the world to keep that lineage pure. But everybody else, the rest of the Shemites and Japhethites and Hamites, mingled and formed the world and the nations of it. That’s to whom Paul took the Gospel, to these people who were not the lineage of Abraham in the flesh. Paul went to the nations of the world.
The Nations as Denominations and the Rise of the Charismatics
How do we do nations in the present truth? Denominations. What’s happening today? Look around and you’ll see it. Today, the word of the Gospel of the kingdom is spreading into the denominations. And the Gentiles are people who have come out of the denominations, your mainline denominations.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
I was once a Methodist, a very methodical person. At 10 o’clock, we started Sunday school on the dot. And at 10.30, we stopped Sunday school for 15 minutes so that all the brethren could go out and smoke and have a break. And then at 11.45, the announcements were given very methodically. At 11 o’clock, we sang two hymns. Have you been there? Have you been to the nations? From these denominations come the Gentiles.
And what we are now labeling them, or what we have labeled them, are Charismatics. Have you heard of that? And what Charismatics are, are people in the mainline denominations who received the baptism, the infilling of the Holy Ghost, and had to leave that nation, and that’s who Paul got a hold of. These people who are really after God, who are really seeking God, want all that he’s got to give them.
So the great harvest at the end of the age is not going to be just the lost people. In fact, that will be the smaller percentile of what the great harvest at the end of the age will be. The main harvest at the end of the age will come from the nations and the denominations. Because they will begin to hear the word of the kingdom, and they’ll begin coming out of those nations, and they’ll start forming the body of Christ that you’ll read about here in Acts.
The real body of Christ that flowed and covered the earth in 30 years with the gospel of Christ. Paul writes that every creature heard the gospel that he preached for 30 years. The Gentiles did that, the nations, the Charismatics.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
So, then, your Gentiles, if you look at that as we go through this, in that aspect, you’ll see that the Gentiles are the Charismatics. They are the people who were really after God. Does that make sense? You need to see that, as we read now, the Gentiles to whom Paul goes and really preaches this word, and who really accept and are converted, are your Charismatic people who are interested in the gifts of the Spirit.
If you look at it in that light, if you look at the book of Acts in that light, does it become old or present? Is it as present as today’s newspaper? If something is news, it is new. Is God doing something new today? He is. And if you can get a hold of that, the gospel is not just good news of 2000 years ago, but the gospel of the kingdom is good news for today. And news is new.
If we look around us, we’ll see it happening. We’ll see the cloud rising. We’ll know that it’s going to rain. And we can discern the times, and we’re about to get into that.
Signs, Wonders, and Divine Testimony in Ministry
Acts 14:1-2
1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles. Religious people are going to stir up somebody. They’re constantly stirring up something. Do you know a religious person? Do they always stir up something?
Acts 14:3
3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
When I saw this, it startled me, shook me, and woke me. When I go on the radio, how do you want me to speak? Speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
They spoke boldly in the Lord. In other words, they told it like it was. They didn’t hold punches, and didn’t conceal the truth that the Lord revealed to them. They spoke it forth boldly, and they weren’t afraid that somebody would leave the church or that somebody would get mad.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
And now I want you to see from this what the Lord did. The Lord gave testimony. Do you see that? The Lord gave testimony unto the word of his grace. And the way he gave testimony was by how? He granted signs and wonders. He granted signs and wonders to be done by Paul and Barnabas through their hands. The Lord gives testimony, then how? Signs and wonders.
Mark 16:15
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
How do you tell a believer from an unbeliever? Signs following. Signs follow the believer, or signs follow belief. The Lord will add his testimony to a ministry who speaks it forth boldly and believes.
Hebrews 2:4
4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
The Lord confirms His ministry with signs and wonders. Signs and wonders follow those who truly believe. That’s how you can tell believers from unbelievers. Here is what really struck me. If you turn that truth over, it makes me reflect. If signs, wonders, and miracles—like those mentioned in Mark 16—do not follow my ministry, then maybe the Lord is not giving testimony or confirming my work.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
I pray that God will use me and give testimony to my ministry. I ask that, through the laying on of my hands, miracles and wonders would follow. Still, it worries me, because I see many ministries today that lack signs and wonders. That concerns me deeply.
This truth is difficult for me to accept. Ministries should bring forth signs and wonders. Ask yourself, are most ministries today producing signs and wonders? Some miracles have happened among us, but I want to see even more. Honestly, I notice the opposite more often. I see ministries that produce no signs, don’t seek signs, and do not expect God to move. Why are these ministries here? Let me answer. Doctrines of devils and seducing spirits drive them, sent to deceive people and lead them away from the truth. The devil’s primary purpose is to deceive.
City, Church, and Personal Division—The Threefold Separation
Acts 14:4
4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
The multitude of the city was divided. There’s so much here, I’m not sure I can share it all. The city was divided. Jesus said in Luke 11:23, “He that is not with me is against me.” If you don’t work with Him to gather, you’re working against Him. As we reach the end of the age, everyone will have to pick a side. There will be no room for neutrality. People will take one side or the other—there’s no middle ground.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
I see three kinds of division in this verse. First, there is the division within the city. The gospel split the city. If we preach the kingdom as we should, it will bring division. People will either be for us or against us. That is true in Lafayette, but it’s also true anywhere the gospel is proclaimed sincerely. The city was divided because of the kingdom message, and this happens in every place it is declared.
Second, there is division across the church worldwide. Some believers want to break with tradition and join what God is doing today. Others want to stay the same, holding onto old ways. Some sense God is on the move and want to follow Him, even if that means leaving Jerusalem, so to speak, for Antioch. Others resist, insisting on staying where they are to avoid upsetting the usual order. This is a real division happening right now in churches everywhere.
Lastly, understand this division is supposed to happen. Churches have split because of the word being preached. Families have divided for the same reason. Take this as encouragement: the changes and divisions happening in your life are precisely what are meant to happen at this moment.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Luke 12:49-53
49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
When you share these thoughts with most people, many will say, “I don’t think real ministry would divide.” Some believe real ministry brings unity, not division. They say real ministry doesn’t split churches or families. But compare that to what the Bible teaches.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Jesus says, “I am come to send fire on the earth.” People often think this fire is supposed to come at the end of the age, or only in the time of Revelation, when everything is burned up. But Jesus says he came to bring fire now. Jesus said, “What will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straightened till it be accomplished?”
Jesus goes on: “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division.” People love the idea of baby Jesus at Christmas. In the manger, gentle, making no demands. But Jesus asks plainly, “Do you think I came to bring peace?” His answer is no. He came to bring division. That’s what real ministry does.
From henceforth, Jesus says, there will be five people in one house divided: three against two, and two against three. Fathers against sons, mothers against daughters, mothers-in-law against daughters-in-law. Is this happening today? Yes, it is.
This is the reality of the kingdom. The kingdom has come.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Discerning the Times—Kingdom Reality Now
Luke 12:54-56
54 And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.
55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
Jesus calls out those who ignore what is happening. Think about what’s happening today. There are religious Jews—the Pharisees and Sadducees—just as there are legalists and liberalists now. Gentiles are charismatics leaving denominational backgrounds. Then you have these verses about division. What does it all mean? The kingdom is here. It starts inside of you, and you manifest it in your life. If you can’t see it, Jesus says you’re a hypocrite—because you really can see it if you want to. You see the signs of the times and what God is doing.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Remember that Old Testament story about the lepers at the gate? The army is coming, but God turns things around. The lepers ask, “Why sit we here until we die?” Many today are doing just that—sitting until they die. But it’s clear: God is doing something new, even now.
The Source and Nature of Division—Threefold Armageddon
So who is causing this division? Let’s be clear—Jesus is the one. The changes happening in your life are supposed to be happening. The gospel of the kingdom brings division. It happened in every city Paul preached, to every life he touched. Are you any different? No. There’s a good side and a hard side. The good part is God’s working. The bad part is, you may be rejected or hurt. But God will restore you. Just like Paul, you’ll get up and move forward again.
What makes sense to me is that division happens in three ways. First is the division in the city—what everyone can observe. That’s 30-fold. Second is division in churches and families—the “60-fold.” The third is the division inside ourselves. That’s “100-fold”.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Inside, the Jew in me—my religious nature—stirs up feelings. The mind is like a woman, capable of receiving the seed of the spirit. The Spirit of Christ and the human spirit both desire the mind’s attention. They wage war over our souls, emotions, intellect, and will. Sometimes the religious part of me creates inner conflict. It stirs up doubt and discouragement.
Why couldn’t I be like Israel of old and give you a king like other denominations? The Jew in me stirs up the mind—sometimes leaving me discouraged. Both my human nature and my Christ nature vie for my “woman,” my mind. This conflict creates the deepest division. In each case, multitudes stand in the valley of decision—what scripture calls Armageddon. Every city, church, household, and person faces their own “Armageddon”.
People may think Armageddon is only “out there,” involving the Antichrist or Babylon, but it is happening inside each of us.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Spiritual Warfare and Armageddon—Dividing Within
Revelation 16:14-16
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
There’s a gathering happening right now. A division is happening right now. And those devils, those spirits, are doctrines of devils. And the doctrines are to deceive the whole world. They’re coming out of the kings of the churches. They’re coming from the very pulpit of denominations.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air. That’s the pouring out of the spirit. And there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven. Where’d the voice come out of? The voice came out of the temple of heaven from the throne, saying, It is done. It is done.
The Throne, Temple, and the Source of Divine Judgment
Revelation 11:19
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
I want to show you where these earthquakes originate. These things come from the area of the temple where the ark of the Testament is—the holy of holies. The 100-fold realm. There are the 30-fold, 60-fold, and 100-fold. The holy of holies is the highest realm. That’s where the power is coming from.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Where are we today in the Lord? What have I been teaching you? To come into the fullness of Him—the wholeness of Him. The 100% realm of Him. Get back to the ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth. These powerful things—lightnings, voices, earthquakes—will come from you and me. They will come from the kingdom of God within us.
Ezekiel chapter 13 discusses hailstones from heaven (Ezekiel 13:11, 13, 22). These hailstones represent the prophets God raises up in the last days. Do you know what these prophets do? They knock down the untempered walls. They break down the whitewashed, denominational walls that separate people. God is raising these prophets now, and they are shaking down barriers like hailstones.
Division of the City, Nations, and Isolated Ministries
Revelation 16:19-21
19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Read Revelation 16, verse 19. The great city was divided into three parts: three divisions. The city, the church, and then you personally. Every city will be divided. Every family will be divided. And you yourself will be divided. There will be no neutrality in the kingdom of God. Jesus says you are either for Him or against Him. These are the three realms of division, three parts.
The cities of the nations are like the denominations. The cities of these denominations, the churches, are “cities set on a hill,” as Jesus said. But these churches have fallen. Great Babylon came before God to receive the cup of His wrath.
And every island fled away. Islands mean being alone, isolated. How many little groups are running around today, disconnected from anyone in Jesus? They do their own thing. They preach here, there, and everywhere, but they aren’t attached or connected. These are like islands. What happens to an island? It flees away. It disappears. It’s gone.
Even the mountains—the kingdoms—were not found. What does this mean? Some ministers build their own kingdoms. One has a whole city under him. Another has a large, complex kingdom. But they are all going down.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Revelation 16:21
21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
Verse 21 says, “And there fell upon men a great hail.” These hailstones represent prophets sent out of heaven. Every stone weighed about a talent. Do you recall what we discussed earlier regarding our talents? These stones are heavy and significant.
Men blasphemed God because of this plague of hail. The plague was extremely great and destructive.
If the book of Revelation is not only what people have always taught—that it’s about the end times and destruction—fine. If atomic bombs destroy us, that fits some interpretations. But there’s more to Revelation than just nuclear warheads and physical destruction.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Babylon is more than a city or a place. It is the system of man. Babylon represents both the religious and political systems. The beast sits upon the whore. That means Ahab sits upon Jezebel. In scripture, Ahab is a type for the political world. Jezebel is a type for the religious world. God is going to destroy both systems—political and religious. But how is He going to do it? How will He bring destruction? It’s easy to forget the honest answer.
The Consuming Fire—Kingdom Transformation
Luke 12:49
49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
The Fire That Divides
Jesus is speaking here. He says, “I am come to send fire on the earth.” Jesus came to burn Babylon. The baptism that Jesus brought was meant to burn up the systems of this world.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
I know I’ve gone deep tonight, and I may have lost some of you. But if you can keep in mind that what is inside me will one day consume what is out there, you’ll grasp the core idea. This fire causes division in the city—an Armageddon. Then it causes an Armageddon in the family and in the church. Most importantly, though, it causes Armageddon inside you. Whether others recognize it or not, this truth remains.
Inner Armageddon and Spiritual Conflict
A division is happening inside you right now. There’s an Armageddon taking place in your heart. Light and darkness are confronting each other within you. You may sense quakes in your life. A prophetic ministry is touching your “island” right now. It seeks out false influences—like Bar-Jesus—and brings spiritual blindness, or it drives out what cannot remain in the presence of God’s truth.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Revelation, Biblion, and the Source of Judgment
Now, if you step back from traditional teachings about Revelation, you might start to understand what’s really happening. Turn to Revelation, especially chapters one through nine and chapter five. In these chapters, you’ll repeatedly find the word “book.” Look it up in a Strong’s concordance or in Greek—it’s “Biblion.” The Lamb is unsealing this book. With those seals, trumpets are sounding. There’s a trumpet call, an alert to move with God, to engage in spiritual battle.
But the book doesn’t just bring trumpets. It also brings vials—the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days, which is also a kind of judgment. Now, ask yourself to whom the book was initially written. The first three chapters are addressed to the church. If you understand “Biblion” in this way, you’ll see God is going to refine, to “burn up,” and He’s going to use prophetic voices to do it. This prophetic ministry, right now, is dividing things on earth.
This is deep, I know. We’ve only covered a handful of verses in Acts tonight. But realize that every time you see the word “book” (Biblion) in Revelation, it’s tied to these events—earthquakes, hailstones, thunder, and lightning. But where do these things come from? Are you the temple? Yes. And where is the Ark of the Covenant? It’s in the temple, which is within you—the presence of God.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
When the veil is opened and the Ark is revealed, all those signs—lightning, earthquakes, hailstones—flow from that presence. So where is all this coming from? It’s coming from you, where God’s presence now dwells.
Maybe you think this sounds wild, but the depth of the Word reaches right to this point. The truth isn’t far away or somewhere else—it’s within. If the kingdom is in you, then all these things happen in you as well. God’s power and judgment flow from His presence inside His people. These events occur as the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of the Lord and Christ. Hopefully, this gives some perspective on Revelation.
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
Acts Series Chapter 14 Part 1: How to See Armageddon
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