NOT ONLY BY FIRE BUT ALSO BY SWORD. The impending manifestation of His second coming will be with a mighty sword. Man has invented mighty instruments of warfare, some of which are self
destructive.The mightiest the Lord has preserved for Himself. The same WORD that is a creative Word bringing all things into existence, will destroy that which has been brought into being. Isa. 66:16
THE SWORD IS IDENTIFIED. It is called the sword of HIS MOUTH. Rev. 1:16 Clearly not an ordinary instrument of warfare. It is a two edged sword, striking this way and that, right and left, eradicating every thing in its path. We have here one of those hidden mysteries of the Word, yet it is plain and obvious. The SWORD with TWO EDGES, one and yet three, combined in one. The TRIUNITY of the GODHEAD will be involved. To the church, initially to the church at Pergamos, but dispensationally to the church of today, the message is repent or, feel the wrath of the SWORD OF HIS MOUTH, the WORD. Rev. 2:16
THOSE DESTINED FOR PUNISHMENT BY THE SWORD. A description of the power of the sword. It is sore or severe, cruel and grievous. A sword unsheathed for utter and total destruction without compassion. It is an exceeding great and mighty sword, the greatest of all. Then it is strong, violent, hard and bold. A sword knowing no fear or hesitation. It will accomplish the responsibility given it. Isa. 27:1 It will be brandished against the trinity of ungodliness. The slithering, piercing leviathan, the fugitive serpent. The antichrist. The crooked, lying leviathan. The serpent, coiled and ready to strike. The false prophet. The dragon, the monster that is in the sea (sea, a type of humanity, the multitudes of the earth). The devil himself. In Rev. 12 he is the great red dragon.
COME NEAR AND HEAR THE WORDS OF THE LORD. A warning of the coming indignation of the Lord. Isa. 34:1-3 The destiny of the armies of the world. They are to be destroyed and given over to be slaughtered. The time element for his great slaughter is given in v.4. Once again there
is evidence of a complete alteration of things as they now are. This is a sword that is well sharpened, more so than any other has ever been. It is a glittering, flashing sword. The Lord will take vengeance on those who have resisted and denied Him. Those who have hated Him will be judged by the sword in His hand. v.5 Idumea (Edom) is to receive a special visitation of wrath and judgment. When a nation or a people who have been established by the Lord, turn from Him and serve other gods there is certain to be a special and painful judgment against them. When they live by the sword they will die by the sword. This is an age of war. The climax will come when the Lord uncovers His mighty sword. :END: