Preparation for the Great Battle
Just before the Messiah sets up His kingdom, there will be a great battle. The kingdoms of nations will be gathered together to fight against the Lord. The LORD will muster the hosts of battle, that is, He will oversee and take charge in this war. Although the nations be gathered together, they will not be able to fight against God and win. The day of the Lord will be a day of terror. Everyone who has not trusted in the Lord will prepare to fight for their lives, but it will be a losing battle. Let us take a look at what Isaiah 13:4-8 has to say:
“4) The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle. 5) They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. 6) Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. 7) Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt: 8) And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.”
Revelation chapter nineteen tells more about the preparation. When Jesus comes, what will He look like? Who will come with Him? How will He smite the nations? What will He do after He fights against the nations and wins the battle? Revelation 19:11-16 answers these questions, “11) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
The Messiah, Jesus, will not look meek and mild and gentle on the day of the Lord. His eyes will be like a flame of fire; His head will be adorned with many crowns; He will be clothed in a vesture dipped in blood; and His name will be called The Word of God. Jesus will bring with Him the army of saints. We know this because the army that comes riding in with Him on white horses will be clothed in fine linen, white and clean. Verse eight of this same chapter explains that fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. Therefore, we know it is the saints who are coming with Him. Jesus will smite the nations with a sword that comes out of His mouth. That sword is the word of God. He will but speak the word and His enemies will be smitten. After He fights against the nations and wins, the Messiah will rule them with a rod of iron. On His thigh will be written a name KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. There will be no wondering who is in charge. There will be no debates or election challenges or charges of fraud. Jesus will reign with absolute power. He will reign justly and in righteousness.
There is coming a day when evil will no longer be tolerated. It will be subdued, evildoers will be punished, and the saints will be at rest.