Divide and Conquer pt 2 - Rumor notes 175

 Revelation 16

18 There were lightnings, sounds, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since there were men on the earth, so great an earthquake, so mighty. 19 The great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered in the sight of God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. 20 Every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 Great hailstones, about the weight of a talent, came down out of the sky on people. People blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, for this plague is exceedingly severe.

was divided into three parts

This word divide is the last in a string of repeats of this word ginomai in the Greek. This is significant, for as we previously studied, it means the finishing of a number of things that were set to be accomplished by the work of God, relying on light and truth alone to counter the forces of darkness. Yet part of this definition also means to divide. That is what we see in this passage. The old maxim of divide and conquer possibly finds its greatest fulfillment here in this chapter.

In part one we explored the story of Gideon and how it seems to resonate with what we are finding here in Revelation 16, especially with the effects of this last outpouring. Now we will explore another story with potential to reveal more insights for how all this fits together and containing important lessons about how a person might prepare to participate as a special agent of the Lamb. This story is even more amazing as it reveals with more clarity how God would have His children reflect the way the Lamb overcomes and how He relates to His enemies. This is the story of Jehoshaphat and Judah’s escape from genocide.

I have compiled a comparison chart to make it easier to see both of these stories side by side as well as some parallels to what we are finding in Revelation 15 and 16. Here are some of the highlights that can benefit us from this story while comparing it to the other two passages.

It happened after this, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them some of the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. Then there came some who told Jehoshaphat, saying, There comes a great multitude against you from beyond the sea from Syria; and behold, they are in Hazazon Tamar (the same is En Gedi). (2 Chronicles 20:1-2)

As with the story of Gideon, we again find 3 enemies listed as banding together to annihilate the chosen people of God with overwhelming force. This resonates with the 3 demonic spirits going out to unite the kings of the earth to battle together against God and His people.

The last group of people listed here is very similar to the Ammonites. Some translations call them Meunites. The name Ammon means inbred. He was the son born out of the incest that Lot’s daughters committed with their father soon after the destruction of Sodom. This word literally means Ammonitish. It doesn’t appear clear here why it is listed separately from the previous group (the children of Ammon), but there is likely a compelling reason for this. They could have been people similar to Ammon but not direct relatives, maybe also born out of incest or in other ways deeply affected by conditions that defaced the image of God in their lives.

The Geneva Bible help by rendering it this way along with an explanatory footnote.

It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the (a) Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.

(a) That is, who copied the Ammonites in language and apparel. The Hebrews thought that they were the Amalekites, but as it appeared by 2 Chronicles 20:10 they were the Idumeans of mount Seir.

Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek to Yahweh; and he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. Judah gathered themselves together, to seek help of Yahweh: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek Yahweh. (2 Chronicles 20:3-4)

While the specific causes behind the dire circumstances were different, nevertheless in both stories it was the threat of annihilation and feelings of extreme distress that compelled the people of God to cry out to Him for deliverance. Likewise, it is often when things become impossibly difficult and circumstances conspire to crush hope and faith from us that we are finally willing to throw ourselves entirely on God’s mercy and to quit trying to solve our problems through our own cleverness or resources. This pattern is repeated again and again throughout history, but sadly we keep forgetting the lessons of history and as a result are often doomed to repeat them. But I believe that in this chapter here in Revelation, we discover a group of people who in fact have taken their cues from the stories of history such as what we are looking at now, and have learned to put their entire trust in God regardless of what happens around them. These become the special agents of the Lamb because they are sold out in every respect to follow and reflect His disposition to the death if necessary. That is why they can be entrusted with the stellar role of pouring out the contents of their censers amidst the darkest time of all history, against the united formidable forces of combined religious and national unity designed to snuff out the light of truth that these agents cherish most.

[Jehoshaphat] said, Yahweh, the God of our fathers, aren't you God in heaven? and aren't you ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? and in your hand is power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. ...Now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned aside from them, and didn't destroy them; behold, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. Our God, will you not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are on you. (2 Chronicles 20:6-12)

Compare this to the parallel in the story of Gideon.

Gideon said to him, Oh, my lord, if Yahweh is with us, why then has all this happened to us? and where are all his wondrous works which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not Yahweh bring us up from Egypt? but now Yahweh has cast us off, and delivered us into the hand of Midian. (Judges 6:13)

I see a progression of disposition between the mindset of Gideon and that of Jehoshaphat. While Gideon was struggling with some resentment and presumed that circumstances proved they had been cast off by God, Jehoshaphat seems to be more direct in putting all his hope in God by choosing to rehearse past historical rescues by God instead of presuming they were abandoned by Him.

As we noted in our last study that it appeared that Baal and Asherah were the main objects of worship for the people of Gideon’s town. This meant that God’s people were worshiping the gods of their enemies, giving Satan and their enemies authority over them as a result. Rather than God being the actual cause behind Midian having so much power over them, it was really their choosing to serve other gods that was at the root of their problems.

In this story there were other factors that figured into why the ominous threat loomed over their heads. Yet in both cases the uniting of enemy forces to attack and exterminate God’s people followed an initiation of reform and a returning to the worship of Yahweh as the one true God. In chapter 19 we see that despite Jehoshaphat being rebuked for consorting with an open enemy of God, the wicked king Ahab, he nevertheless set about to reform the people under his guidance and to restore the worship of God by establishing godly judges to bring about a change in society. In both stories, no sooner did this work of reform begin than the enemies of God (3 in both instances) unite to seek to curb the advance of truth and by intensifying fear in a desperate attempt to regain control.

Then on Jahaziel the ... Levite, of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of Yahweh in the midst of the assembly; and he said, Listen you, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you king Jehoshaphat: Thus says Yahweh to you, Don't be afraid you, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. (2 Chronicles 20:14-15)

Here we find more compelling parallels from these two stories. In this story the answer from God is through His Spirit coming into an obscure musician, one of the sons of Asaph. It was not sent through the king or any other important officer but was strategically given to a humble man who likely appreciated the power of praise through personal experience and was thus best suited for God to use to transform the disposition of the entire assembly.

In the story of Gideon, the Spirit of Yahweh came over him leading him to blow the trumpet alert as a call for action. This resulted in the spontaneous response by relatives who were tuned into the same Spirit and who were ready to respond with godly boldness.

Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east assembled themselves together; and they passed over, and encamped in the valley of Jezreel. But the Spirit of Yahweh came on Gideon; and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered together after him. (Judges 6:33-34)

Remember how Gideon described himself in relation to the rest of his family and tribe.

He said to him, Oh, Lord, with which shall I save Israel? behold, my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. (Judges 6:15)

The same will prove true in our day. God very often works through the least expected agents to bring about His will and initiate reform. It is not those highly acclaimed by the world’s standard of importance that retain the most potential to carry out the tasks sent from heaven. It is those who are paying close attention to the still small voice of the gentle Jesus who are most attuned to follow the Lamb in full reliance on His ways and who reflect His disposition who are willing to give all the glory to God rather than seeking to siphon off some glory for themselves.

Thus says Yahweh, Don't let the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, don't let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he has understanding, and knows me, that I am Yahweh who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, says Yahweh. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

Of whom have you been afraid and in fear, that you lie, and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart? Haven't I held my peace even of long time, and you don't fear me? I will declare your righteousness; and as for your works, they shall not profit you.

When you cry, let those who you have gathered deliver you; but the wind shall take them, a breath shall carry them all away: but he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain. He will say, Cast up, cast up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people. For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:11-15)

Thus says Yahweh, heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will you build to me? and what place shall be my rest? For all these things has my hand made, and so all these things came to be, says Yahweh: but to this man will I look, even to him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word. (Isaiah 66:1-2)

If this is what God’s attention was attracted to in Gideon and in Jahaziel, would it not be the same in those commissioned to pour out the undiluted passion of God on the whole earth? I believe it is time to reconsider long-held assumptions about the disposition of these messengers who pour out the bowls of ‘God’s wrath.’ The messengers most willing to reflect the disposition of the Lamb without resistance will likely compose the select group entrusted with one of the most delicate operations in all of history.

Don't be afraid you, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.... You shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand you still, and see the salvation of Yahweh with you, O Judah and Jerusalem; don't be afraid, nor be dismayed: tomorrow go out against them: for Yahweh is with you. (2 Chronicles 20:15-17)

Yahweh is with you, you mighty man of valor.

Yahweh looked at him, and said, Go in this your might, and save Israel from the hand of Midian: have not I sent you? (Judges 6:12, 14)

Yahweh is with you. This message resonates over and over throughout history, yet so many of us still struggle to believe it for various reasons. If we knew the real truth about God’s passionate love for us personally and His unrelenting desire to share life together with us right now, not just off in the future, everything would radically change in our perspective, our feelings and our courage. This is true if what we know about Him aligns with the revelation of His heart and disposition towards us as brought to light in the example and words of His beloved Son.

What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who didn't spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32)

Be strong and of good courage, don't be afraid, nor be scared of them: for Yahweh your God, he it is who does go with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you.

Yahweh, he it is who does go before you; he will be with you, he will not fail you, neither forsake you: don't be afraid, neither be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8)

Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshipping Yahweh. The Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with an exceeding loud voice. (2 Chronicles 20:19)

This spontaneous response is exponentially more positive than the way Gideon struggled to synchronize with God’s will for him. This is the difference the New Song can make, for choosing to praise and give thanks for how wonderful God is in the face of looming disaster and forbidding circumstances, is how the true power of the Lamb is released and is activated to accomplish far more than we can ever imagine or think possible.

Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who should sing to Yahweh, and give praise in holy array, as they went out before the army, and say, Give thanks to Yahweh; for his loving kindness endures forever. (2 Chronicles 20:21)

He divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put into the hands of all of them trumpets, and empty pitchers, with torches within the pitchers. He said to them, Look on me, and do likewise: and behold, when I come to the outermost part of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall you do. When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow you the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, For Yahweh and for Gideon. (Judges 7:16-18)

The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out, clothed with pure, bright linen, and wearing golden sashes around their breasts. (Revelation 15:4, 6)

For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. (John 13:15)

The power of example and modeling is God’s design for salvation to work in our lives. Salvation is not about acquiring a pass to sneak into heaven, but rather a transformation of disposition that prepares us to thrive in the potent atmosphere of joy, praise and adoration of God’s loveliness for all eternity. Gideon instructed his elite cohorts to watch him and take their cues from what he did and when. The choir who were the advance troops of Jehoshaphat’s army took their cues from the Spirit of heaven giving them bold confidence that God would do everything He had promised to do. The symbolic group called 7 angels come out dressed and living like the Lamb more than any others on earth. This makes them uniquely qualified to be used by the Lamb to bring closure to the final events of earth’s history in the titanic struggle between truth and lies, light and darkness, love and fear.

They overcame him because of the Lamb's blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life, even to death. (Revelation 12:11)

The true meaning of the Lamb’s blood coupled with the personal testimony of transformed lives becomes irrefutable. This is the power released throughout each outpouring we have examined in our study of chapter 16.

When they began to sing and to praise, Yahweh set ambushers against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were struck. For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, utterly to kill and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, everyone helped to destroy another. (2 Chronicles 20:22-23)

They stood every man in his place round about the camp; and all the army ran; and they shouted, and put them to flight. They blew the three hundred trumpets, and Yahweh set every man's sword against his fellow, and against all the army; and the army fled as far as Beth Shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath. (Judges 7:21-22)

One of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power. No one was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels would be finished. I heard a loud voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God on the earth!" (Revelation 15:7 – 16:1)

When we interconnect these stories a pattern emerges that vindicates the powerful truth that God never needs resort to violence to vindicate His justice. It is sin that enforces the artificial constructs invented by Satan in heaven, not God. It is sin that results in death, not the imposed will of God on those who resist Him. These stories give us a glimpse into the reality of how sin cherished in the soul will react on those who come to hate the light until they only want to resist and fight it to the death. Death does not originate with God but is a natural outcome of refusing a love of the truth and rejecting the Source of truth and mercy and kindness.

To summarize these two stories and how they correspond to what we have been studying for several months now in Revelation 16, let’s review the takeaway of what we might consider important to remember from all we have learned.

Gideon needed to deal with a lot of his own fears along with some pride. God kept working with him despite all this.

Gideon was growing in his willingness to trust God’s word over his feelings and fears. Yet his wanting to share some of the credit with God led his followers to go even further by introducing the element of a sword attributed to both God and Gideon, something not intended by God or asked for by Gideon.

God wanted Gideon and everyone to learn that God’s ways and power was very different from what they imagined was needed to defeat their enemies. God could be trusted to deliver them without violence.

The defeat of their enemies was executed by the enemies themselves, not by involvement or interference of outside forces charging in to bring them harm.

Jehoshaphat humbled himself with the people and presented their fears directly to God, rather than trying to save themselves.

They rehearsed their dire situation to God, while reminding themselves of His faithfulness, His instructions and the history behind the current crisis. Then they left it entirely in His hands, waiting in focused expectation for how He would respond to their petition for deliverance.

God was honored by their coming to Him first instead of waiting until everything else failed. He gave them instructions in alignment with His preferred will and ways to preserve them from the spirit of violence as they chose to trust His will for the best.

As a result, the defeat of their enemies was even more complete than in Gideon’s case, with no involvement by their army in their total annihilation.

Those composing the 7 angels of Revelation 15 and 16 have learned to present their prayers and petitions with thanksgiving to God. Though the entire world arrays against them for annihilation, they rejoice in the Lamb, aligning themselves fully with His methods, motives and disposition towards their enemies.

While there is no direct mention of the size of hostile forces opposing them, it involves all those who dwell on the earth.

They are instructed to pour out the contents of their censers on their opponents. The wrath they pour out is not hostile anger but the passion of God’s love, yet respectful of each one’s freedom to spurn it.

All the tragic plagues that ensue are solely a result of their own resistance to kindness, causing Satan’s kingdom to divide against itself and collapse. This ultimately leads them to turn on and destroy each other in the end.

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12 NRSV)