One of the prophecies has already happened in 539 B.C., when Babylon was overthrown. As well, sometime in the future, the capital city and headquarters for the Antichrist will be called Babylon.
We know that the Lord of Hosts will use both angels and people at the Armageddon Battle, so it is totally feasible that God did the same with the first incident...
(Isaiah 13:1-5) The oracle concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.
2 Lift up a standard on the bare hill, raise your voice to them, wave the hand that they may enter the doors of the nobles.
3 I have commanded My consecrated ones, I have even called My mighty warriors, My proudly exulting ones, to execute My anger.
4 A sound of tumult on the mountains, like that of many people! A sound of the uproar of kingdoms, of nations gathered together! The Lord of hosts is mustering the army for battle.
5 They are coming from a far country, from the farthest horizons, the Lord and His instruments of indignation, To destroy the whole land.
3 I have commanded My consecrated ones, I have even called My mighty warriors, My proudly exulting ones, to execute My anger.
4 A sound of tumult on the mountains, like that of many people! A sound of the uproar of kingdoms, of nations gathered together! The Lord of hosts is mustering the army for battle.
5 They are coming from a far country, from the farthest horizons, the Lord and His instruments of indignation, To destroy the whole land.
From this we see:
- angels are mighty warriors in God's army
- angels are called "instruments of indignation" (Is.13:5)
- angels are used to destroy and execute God's anger
Personal experience: I'm just curious where the idea came from that angels were these cute little flying babies! It probably feels "safer" to certain people when the world is filled with such adorable, sweet ideas, rather than facing the truth.
Today's takeaway: If people would understand how fierce and mighty God's army is - and that God is mightier than all of them put together - then - they would have to take God very seriously! We ARE to fear God!!!
(John 3:31-36) “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
And yet, Jesus is so loving and patient. At the time of our conversion is where we see the "baby" theme. Right after becoming a believer - we - are babies! And just like babies, new believers in Christ require a lot more attention and patience - nurturing and encouraging (NOT, "Hm, THEY became a Christian??? Well, let's just see how long THAT lasts!!!)...
(John 3:4-8) Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
We can also get very impatient with ourselves in wanting to "grow up too fast". There is a danger to that, because when one is still immature (not knowing the Bible and doctrines well enough), our ideas of what that actually means can be distorted. This is when we can struggle with pride and comparing ourselves to others...
(Matthew 18:1-6) At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Then there are the believers who never want to grow up! They remain spoiled little brats who feel entitled and want everything to be done for them. As God is our heavenly Father, He wants the very best for us - and that includes wanting us to grow up! For our own good, we need to start growing up!!!...
(1 Peter 2:1-2) Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
(Hebrews 5:11-14) Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
When we "grow up" and mature, this is what success in our lives will look like...
(2 Timothy 3:10-17) ) Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
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