CLAREMORE — The Bible states there will be wars throughout the present age.  The disciples asked Jesus for a sign that would indicate when He would return to earth and Jesus replied:

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars…for nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…these are the beginning of sorrows.”   Matthew 24:6-8

Jesus said that between the time of His ascension to heaven and the time that He returns to earth wars would be ongoing along with famines, pestilences, and earthquakes.  These would be just samples of what is to come.

In particular, there will be three major wars that will occur in the future.  The third and final war will end all wars.  

The first major future war will occur at the beginning of the seven year tribulation period.

“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.  So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”  Revelation 12:7-9

“…Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea!  For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”  Revelation 12:12

Satan’s permanent abode in heaven ended ages ago, but he still had access to the throne to accuse God’s people.  His fall is described in Isaiah.

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! ...You who weakened the nations!  For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…I will be like the Most High.’”  Isaiah 14:12-14

Satan’s pride would not allow him to bow down to his creator.  He could not stand to be number two.

His access to the throne of God after losing his permanent abode in Heaven is confirmed in the Book of Job.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.  And the LORD said to Satan, ‘From where do you come?’  So Satan answered the LORD and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.’”  Job 1:6-7

The second of the three major future wars will occur at the end of the seven year tribulation period.  This war will in fact end the tribulation.  This war occurs when Christ returns to earth to claim and rule over that which He paid for on the Cross.  

“Behold, the day of the LORD is coming…for I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem…Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations…”  Zechariah 14:1-3

“And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.”  Revelation 16:16

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse.  And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.”  Revelation 19:11

“And I saw the beast (Anti-Christ), the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse…Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet…These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.  And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse.”  Revelation 19:19-21

After the second war at the end of the tribulation period the nations will be disarmed, neither will nation will fight against nation anymore.

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the…LORD’s house shall be established…and all nations shall flow to it…for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.  He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”  Isaiah 2:2-4

One war remains after this.  Recall at the end of the tribulation period Satan is not destroyed as are the Anti-Christ and false prophet, but is bound in the bottomless pit for a thousand years.

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit…so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished.”  Revelation 20:1-3

“Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth…to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.  They went up on the breadth of the earth…And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.  The devil, who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are.  And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”  Revelation 20:7-10

That is the third and final of the major wars to come.  This final war will be very brief and the rebellious of the nations will be devoured by fire from heaven.  God Himself is the ultimate victor.  The battle of good vs. evil has been won!