🕒 3 min read · 📝 551 words
🎯 The Goal of the Age
The Bible teaches that the telos — the end goal — of our faith is the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:9). Armageddon, often thought of as the final battle, is better seen as a journey toward a greater goal: the growth of Christ’s nature within His people.
⚔️ The Battle Defined
Revelation 16:16 names Armageddon as the gathering place for the great battle. Yet Joel 3:14 calls it the Valley of Decision. This shows us that Armageddon is not only external but internal — the daily conflict in the believer’s heart between obedience and sin.
🌱 The Gradual Driving Out
Deuteronomy 7:22 explains that God drove out Israel’s enemies “little by little.” In the same way, He drives out the sinful nature progressively, so we are not overwhelmed. Sanctification is a process, not an instant event.
✅ Certainty Through Obedience
In John 7:17, Jesus said, “If anyone desires to do His will, they will know whether my teaching comes from God or from myself.” Obedience is the true test of faith. As believers follow His commands, they realize that Christ’s words are genuine, and overcoming sin shows that His nature is growing within us.
🔥 Certainty Through Victory Over Sin
Joshua 3:10 (NLT): “Today you will know that the living God is among you. He will surely drive out the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites ahead of you.”
👉 Clarifier: Joshua 3:10 shows that the proof of God’s presence is the actual overcoming of sin.
God’s/Jesus’ presence is available to a Christian regardless of their current sinfulness; evidence of this divine presence is found in their continuous effort and progress in overcoming sin.
🛠️ Losing Your Life: The Definite Work of Grace
- Joshua 3:10 — God’s presence is proven by driving out sin
- Jesus’ Call (Luke 9:23) — We must lose our lives daily
- Titus 2:11–12 — Grace teaches us, but we must obey
- Christians are saved by The Grace of God (Eph 2:8), which is given to those who humble themselves before Him, James 4:6
- Once again, the question is, “Who is in charge—the individual or God?” Job 41:32 shows that this was the central issue in Job’s story, and in 2 Thessalonians 2:4, it becomes a central issue in a Christian’s life as well.
- Colossians 1:27 — Christ appears in us when we surrender
👉 Grace is resistible, 1 Thess 5:19. God drives out sin, but only those who choose to lose their lives shall find eternal life, John 12:25.
🗝️ Faith Unlocks Grace
Ephesians 2:8 reminds us: “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” Faith is the key that unlocks grace. Without faith, unbelievers cannot access the cleansing power of God. This is why the very thing unbelievers criticize — the departure from sin — is the evidence that Christianity is real.
✨ The Appearing of Christ’s Nature
The battle culminates in Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). The nature of sin is driven out, obedience confirms truth, God’s presence assures victory, and faith unlocks grace. The result is the appearance of Christ’s life within His people — the true victory of Armageddon.
🙌 Final Word
The battle is the Lord’s (2 Chronicles 20:15). Our role is simple: maintain faith throughout. As we trust Him, He cleanses us, drives out sin, and reveals His nature within us. This is the hidden invitation of Armageddon — not fear of destruction, but hope of glory.