On October 26, 1918 the Allied forces implemented the use of Choctaw Native Americans as code talkers to transmit important, strategic military information through the airwaves to each other. This brilliant strategy was concocted during World War I by a US commander who happened to overhear two Choctaw soldiers conversing in their native tongue. Realizing that he did not recognize the language nor did he understand what they were saying to one another, the commander quickly and astutely assessed that it would be even more improbable that the German forces had anyone with the skill to understand, much less interpret, the Choctaw language. The commander’s accidental eavesdrop on the soldier’s conversation was a very fortunate coincidence because Germany had succeeded in frustrating a great number of tactical military operations by tapping Allied forces’ phone lines and easily breaking their codes. This impediment opened the door to several alternate options for relaying messages to the squadrons on the battlefield. Unfortunately, they were also unsuccessful because they did not fool the enemy or because the message would not arrive in time due to the selected method of delivery being too slow. Thus, the idea of placing Choctaw soldiers in key battlegrounds to communicate tactical plans over radio or phone in their native language indeed turned the tide of war. However, so that this plan could be triumphant it could not solely depend on the spoken language itself. This was especially true due to the several new weapons that had been unveiled during this war, and there were no words in Choctaw to describe them. Therefore, code names were assigned by the Native Americans to weapons, locations, and strategies that were known only by those who were assigned to this operation. This way, even if the enemy captured a Native American soldier who knew the language, it did not necessarily mean he could break the code since its meaning was unknown to him. Historians believe that this method used in both world wars was so efficient that the enemy was never able to decipher a single coded message spoken by Native American soldiers. For this reason, the Allied forces were victorious in both world wars. The central theme of the inspired book of Revelation is “victory in Jesus” and it, too, takes the shape of warfare; spiritual warfare to be exact. The Holy Spirit elected to inspire John to write these words of consolation and encouragement in a coded language since His message is not meant for everyone. John heralds seven times “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7a, 11a, 17a, 29, 3:6, 13, and 22). With these words, God demonstrates that His message is directed first to His church, but also to anyone who is willing to actively listen to His message. It is no secret that there is an enormous difference between hearing a person speak and listening to a person speak. The latter displays an interest prompted by the will to diligently put the lesson into practice. James notes this glaring difference as he exhorts the brethren to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22, emphasis added). At the beginning of his writ, John declares “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3, emphasis added). Undeniably, to simply read and hear emblematic words is insufficient to produce a victory in war. Unless the code is broken, those words will not make sense and solely create confusion. Curiously, this is exactly what has happened in the world when the book of Revelation is only read and not studied. The misguided view of Armageddon is unequivocal proof of the results that stem from a lethargic approach toward the Bible. From the very beginning of His message, the Holy Spirit is revealing that the blessing is to be earned; not deserved. This is very clear as He proclaims that one must “keep those things which are written” in His inspired Word. There is no question that one cannot keep that which he does not obtain. Yet, it is abundantly clear that the person must read, hear, and decipher that which he hears in order to obtain the blessing! It is why He states “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says.” In other words, pay very close attention to what I saying, for this applies to you as well. The meaning of Armageddon’s code is being implied from the very beginning of the book. This message is declared throughout the entire pages inspired by God. When the Jews marveled that an uneducated carpenter had profound knowledge of Scripture, Jesus explained to them “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority” (John 7:16-17, emphasis added). The Master makes manifest that only those who listen attentively, without prejudice, would be able to understand God’s word and thus would accept it as such. Those who cannot comprehend His teachings are not unable, but instead unwilling. This is true because “He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory” (John 7:18a, emphasis added). At the beginning of this series, we spoke about how Armageddon had been purposely distorted to infuse panic and confusion for financial gain. Indeed, the Master’s words are verified by this sad reality. Yet, it is incredible to also confirm that Jesus is upholding John’s message taught in the image of Armageddon. The focus of His conversation with the Jews is that His doctrine comes from God and only those who are godly will be able to identify this. To be godly means to be like God, but this can only be true if a man keeps God’s commandments. Therefore, Jesus illuminates that a person will be known to be of God or not by the doctrine he practices. If the Word of God dwells in the mind of the person and he lives by it daily, this will be exhibited by his selfless decisions. If a man chooses to adhere to the law of sin found in his members, he will be known by his ungodly decisions. Thus, Christ confirms that Armageddon symbolizes the hearts of men and who they chose to serve. Armageddon is promise of victory to those who are led by the Word of God and a warning of defeat to those who are led by Satan’s deceitful influence.
