Preparation for the Cosmic Battle
Come with us on a virtual pilgrimage to encounter Jesus in the Holy Land - join the Holy Land Pilgrimage team on our app where you'll find pictures, blog posts and reflections from the pilgrims! If you haven’t already, download the app!
one
The Transfiguration
The event of the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mt. Tabor marks a significant turning point in the ministry of Jesus. From that point forward, He makes his way to Jerusalem to suffer, die and rise for our salvation.
Mt. Tabor overlooks the valley of Armageddon, the place where the most decisive battles in the history of the world were fought.
Jesus brought Peter, James and John to the top of Mt. Tabor overlooking the valley of Armageddon to prepare them to go with Him to Jerusalem to enter into battle with Satan in His passion death and Resurrection.
The Book of Revelation helps us understand the Transfiguration of Jesus because Revelation is about the greatest Battle in the history of the world.
Not primarily about a battle at the end of the world in the Valley of Armageddon with tanks and soldiers and even nuclear weapons
The Book of Revelation is primarily about a battle that has already taken place:
● Jesus conquering the devil by His death and Resurrection
● His victory is made present in the Mass and Reconciliation
● So that Jesus can overcome the power of Satan over us.
Revelation Chapter 12 shows the great red Dragon, the devil and his servants of darkness. Then Revelation 14 we read, Next in my vision I saw Mount Zion, and standing on it a Lamb
The stage is set for the Battle between
1. The Lamb of God - Jesus
● The Dragon – the Satan and his servant of darkness
The First Battle of the End – Calvary
Then the 1000 years of the Time of the Gentiles – Rv 20
The Second Battle of the End – Rv 20:7
two
Revelation Chapter 16 tells us of the Battle on the Great Day of God Almighty when they assembled at the place which is called… Armageddon.
Why Armageddon? Because the author of Revelation is drawing a parallel between two kings:
● Josiah, the only Righteous King of Israel
● Jesus, the ultimate King of the Universe
When King Josiah was in his early 30’s he
I. Cleansed the Temple
II. Celebrated a New Passover with his friends
III. Then he is struck down in battle by Pharaoh, Neco in the Valley of Armageddon when he was pierced in the heart by Archers
Jesus was 33 years old He
I. Cleansed the Temple
II. Celebrates a New Passover with the 12 Apostles at the Last Supper
III. Then He is struck down in battle against the Devil when a sword pierces His Sacred Heart on the Cross
three
In Revelation Chapter 16, An Angel cries out “It is done!”
From the Cross Jesus said: “It is finished.”
Revelation 16 Then there was a great earthquake
With the Death of Jesus there comes a great Earthquake
Then John tells us “One of the soldiers pierced the heart of Jesus with a spear and at once there came out blood and water.”
Immediately John Quotes a prophecy from Zechariah saying These things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled:
Zechariah 12:10
When they look on him whom they have pierced they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a first born. On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.
Hadad – rimmon is Josiah
Then Zechariah says, “On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.” 13:1
“A fountain.” When is a fountain opened that will cleanse us from sin? On Calvary!
The cosmic battle of Armageddon is the battle between Jesus and the Devil on Mt. Calvary in which Jesus conquers by His Suffering Death and Resurrection!
The Fountain opened to cleanse us from sin is the Blood and Water flowing from the Sacred Heart of Jesus in John 19:34 which comes to us in Baptism and the Eucharist
four
Armageddon is Not primarily a Battle in the future
The Battle of Armageddon was the battle between Jesus and the devil waged on Mt. Calvary. By Dying and Rising from the dead the Lamb destroys the power of the Dragon, the Devil, sin and death.
Colossians 2:15 tells us: “He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them (by His death and Resurrection)
The Book of Revelation is not primarily about a battle at the end of the world. Revelation is about a battle that has already taken place on Calvary.
Here is the most important part for you. The victory of Jesus in this cosmic battle for your soul is made present in the Mass and the Sacraments: the Baptism, the Eucharist and Reconciliation.
Jesus makes that victory continuously present so that He can conquer Satan, Sin and Death in us each and every day.
five
While we are on Earth, the battle between God and Satan is waged in our soul. To take part in His victory, what do we need to do?
● Pray – by this I mean daily meditation through the Rosary which means to listen to the Word of God; then reflect on your life; and make a daily resolution to change what needs to be changed in some small concrete way.
● Then allow Mary to lead you to the sacraments more frequently where the Cosmic victory of Christ is made present.