Two Mountains And A Gathering
THE KEY POINT OF THIS CHAPTER: If one knows that both Christ and Satan are gathering people on two different mountains, then he or she is less likely to end up on the wrong mountain.

What does the Bible say?

Satan worked hard to confuse people about Christ´s first coming, and it is only logical that he would even work that much harder to cause confusion about His second coming. I believe that the Bible brings to view two mountains and two gatherings. God is gathering His people to His mountain and Satan is gathering his people to his.

To which mountain is God gathering His people? Notice that on this mountain is the heavenly Jerusalem.

Hebrews 12:

    22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

Why is this mountain called mount Sion? Let´s look at a little history involving the earthly Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 5:

    6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.

The Jebusites were making fun of David and his army by saying "You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off." (Quoted from the NIV)

7 Nevertheless, David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

So Zion was a Jebusite stronghold at Jerusalem which David conquered, by God´s help, and renamed it, City of David.

9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.
10 And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.

David "grew great" because "the Lord God of Hosts was with him." Later David brings the Ark of God to his city (earthly Jerusalem) because he wants to provide a place for God to dwell.

2 Samuel 6:

    2 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the Lord of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.

    12 And it was told king David, saying, The Lord hath blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom into the city of David with gladness.

2 Samuel 7:

    2 That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

    5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the Lord, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?

David desired to build a special temple for God to dwell in. Notice in the following text that the Ark and the sanctuary service were a model of what is in heaven.

Hebrews 8:

    5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

So Zion became associated with the place where God dwells and ultimately stood for God´s dwelling place in the Heavenly Jerusalem. Notice John´s vision in Revelation 14.

Revelation 14:

    1 AND I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father´s name written in their foreheads.

Now what about the second mountain?

Revelation, Chapter 16 tells of the seven last plagues. It is in the sixth plague that we find a mention of a great gathering of Satan´s people at a place called Armageddon.

Revelation 16:

    12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

    13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

    14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

    15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

    16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. (All emphasis is provided)

Why is this gathering place called Armageddon? Let´s look at a little history involving an Old Testament battle. Notice especially that in this battle all of God´s enemies are destroyed, it is a total slaughter.

Judges 4:

    13 And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.

    14 And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the Lord gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.

    15 And the Lord discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.

    16 But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.

Did you notice the last six words in Verse 16? "There was not a man left."

In chapter 5 the story of this battle is retold in a poetic way. Notice the mention of the "waters of Megiddo."

Judges 5:

    19 The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.

    20 They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.

Megiddo is the name of where an Old Testament slaughter took place. This name from a battle where God completely destroyed His enemies, leaving not one person left, is used by John in Revelation to name the second mountain where Satan is gathering all of his people for another great slaughter. John placed the prefix "har--" which means mountain, in front of the word "Megiddo" giving him the word Armageddon--mountain of slaughter. Remember the six words, "there was not a man left," we will be coming back to this thought.

Let´s compare six characteristics of those who will be gathered by God to His Mount Sion with those who Satan is gathering to his mountain (Armageddon).

On Mount Sion the people are with the Lamb

Revelation 14:

    1 AND I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father´s name written in their foreheads.

    4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

On Armageddon the people are with Satan

Revelation 12:

    9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

As you read these next texts, keep in mind that, as seen in the text above, the dragon represents Satan.

Revelation 16:

    13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

    14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

    16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon (mountain of slaughter).

On Mount Sion the people are called the redeemed

Revelation 14:

    4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

On Armageddon the people are lost

Revelation 14:

    9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

    10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Revelation 19:

    19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

    20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

    21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

On Mount Sion the people are pictured as being in the New Jerusalem

Hebrews 12:

    22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

On Armageddon the people are pictured as living in Babylon

Revelation 14:

    8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

On Mount Sion the people are not defiled by the women

Revelation 14:

    4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

On Armageddon the people have defiled themselves with the women

Revelation 17:

    1 AND there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

    2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

    3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

    4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

    5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

    15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

    18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

Revelation 18:

    2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

    3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

    9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

Revelation 19:

    2 For true and righteous are his judgments; for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

On Mount Sion the people have their Father´s name written in their foreheads

Revelation 14:

    1 AND I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father´s name written in their foreheads.

On Armageddon the people have the beast´s mark or name in their foreheads

Revelation 13:

    16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

    17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Revelation 14:

    9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

    11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

On Mount Sion the people receive the seal of God

Revelation 9:

    4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

On Armageddon the people receive the plagues of God´s wrath

Revelation 15:

    1 AND I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

Revelation 18:

    2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

    3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

    4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Satan is doing anything and everything he can to gather as many people as he possibly can to his mountain of slaughter. He is working miracles for the purpose of deceiving the whole world. Notice the following texts.

Revelation 16:

    13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

    14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Revelation 19:

    20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Revelation 20:

    10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Is Satan dishonest enough to manipulate the movements of the nations, if God should allow? I believe the answer to this is obvious. The Bible refers to Satan as the father of lies. Multitudes of people today are watching Israel expecting at least three things to happen. First, the Jewish nation would return to their homeland in Palestine. Secondly, the Jews would repossess old Jerusalem and the sacred sites. Thirdly, the Jews would rebuild their ancient temple upon its historic site. Two of these have already happened. Even if the third one is completed, does this prove anything? I believe, based on the rest of the scriptural evidence, that this would only prove that Satan is doing everything he can to deceive those that are not diligently studying God´s word. Do you remember the IF, THEN? Notice in the following texts, God´s promise of a gathering of Israel back into "the land which thy fathers possessed."

Deuteronomy 30:

    3 That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee.

    4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:

    5 And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.

Now notice the key that most people are missing. The key is the condition that has to be meat before the promise is kept, the IF. This condition is found in the verses just prior to the promise.

    1 AND it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee,

    2 And shalt (here is the IF) return unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;

IF Israel returned to the Lord and obeyed His commands with all of her heart and with all of her soul, THEN God would gather her from all nations and return her to the land that was promised.

Had Israel returned to the Lord and was she obeying His commands on May 14, 1948, the day that she was reestablished as a modern nation? Does she, even today, believe that her Massiah has come? She crucified Jesus Christ and to this day denies that He was and is the Son of God. Israel obviously did not in 1948 and to this day does not meet the conditions. Did Christ know ahead of time that Israel would not return to Him? Notice again what Christ said.

Matthew 21:

    43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Many people today have missed the fact that the kingdom of God has been taken from literal Israel and has been given to spiritual Israel. So if it is not God that is leading her back than who? Consider this as a possiblility.

Again I ask, If Satan has the whole world looking towards Israel, could he not cause events to happen that appear to support his false doctrine? Yes, I believe this could happen if God allows him to do so. Even if the temple is rebuilt in Jerusalem, would this prove that Israel is being led by God? In 1948 had she returned unto the Lord and was she obeying all His commands? The obvious answer is no, so could these events be used by Satan to gather as many as possible to his mountain? Could Satan use a temple in Jerusalem to his advantage? One´s own safety is in knowing exactly what the Bible teaches concerning literal and spiritual Israel.

Satan is going down and he wants nothing less than to take as many people as possible with him. I believe that by focusing people on literal Israel he is preparing people to gather with him for the great final slaughter. Just like the battle "by the waters of Megiddo" this final battle will end with all of God´s enemies slaughtered. Remember the six words, "there was not a man left"?. Notice that there will be no one left alive to gather and bury the slain on that day.

Jeremiah 25:

    33 And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.

So, in Revelation, one can find two symbolic mountains and two gatherings. On one mountain the people are gathered with Satan, on the other they are gathered with Christ; on one the people are lost, on the other they are redeemed; on one mountain the people are pictured as being in Babylon, on the other they are pictured as being in the New Jerusalem; on one mountain the people are defiled by the women, on the other they are not defiled by the women; on one mountain the people have the beast´s mark or name in their foreheads, on the other they have the Father´s name written in their foreheads; and on one mountain the people will have received the plagues of God´s wrath, while on the other they will have received the seal of God.

My friend, which mountain are you focused on; earthly Armageddon (Mountain of Slaughter) or heavenly Mount Zion?

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