The Battle of Armageddon
Mountain of Slaughter
The word “Armageddon” appears only once in the Bible. Armies will be gathered together “into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon” (Revelation 16:16). Looking at the origin of the term, “Armageddon,” we see that “Har” means “mountain.” Next is “Gadad,” meaning “cut off,” as in a slaughter. This “Mountain of Slaughter” will be the site of large-scale death and destruction.
The valley of Megiddo, part of the Plain of Esdraelon, will be the main location of “the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:14). Historically, it is the site of many military clashes. Barak and Sisera, Gideon and the Midianites, the Philistines and Israel, the Crusaders and the Saracens, Napoleon and his foes, and General Allenby and the Turkish army all fought major battles here.
Jesus will overthrow a gathering of nations at Armageddon in “the latter days” (Daniel 2:28). The Antichrist will be destroyed “with the brightness of his coming” (2 Thessalonians 2:8). After the Great Tribulation, Jesus will return to “judge and make war” (Revelation 19:11), to judge the nations (Matthew 25:31-46) and fight the battle of Armageddon.
All Nations Invade Israel
The “kings of the east” will invade Israel at Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16). Zechariah 14:2 says that “all nations” will be gathered against Jerusalem at Armageddon. It doesn’t seem feasible that troops from over 190 nations could gather in Israel for the Battle of Armageddon. But a global force representing all the nations of the world, probably under a UN resolution, will gather to invade Israel.
Great armies from the West and East, filled with hostility toward each other, but united in their opposition to the God of Israel, will try to combat the overwhelming, divine power of Almighty God. (Psalm 2:2; Isaiah 34:2; Revelation 17:14). Russia, Iran, Turkey, Libya and Ethiopia are some of the nations named in Ezekiel 38. See Revelation 19:11-21 and Ezekiel 38 and 39 for additional descriptions of Armageddon.
What happens to the world armed forces? if all nations are destroyed at armaggedon? Plus 2 billion dead. Rev 9-15. who will here? There will be no people. No nation to rule. Either the beast will kill you. Or god will kill you. Why are humans being used as Pawns between god n Satan. All Satan gets is the lake of fire. He has murdered millions. He has lived 4ever. Men live short lives. This does not equate. Something is Very Wrong.
Very good thought process.
The truth being:
The first thing Yahweh does at His return is collect His people from the earth.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
He will not be in heaven but here on earth…..no one goes to heaven! They come right back to this earth for the Millennial Kingdom after He kills all the armies and all the non-believing people on earth. There will be no one left on earth when this happens. This is at the end of the Tribulation Period. All people alive at the time of the Tribulation Period will go through it. Yahweh’s people will be saved from HIS WRATH, not the wrath of the Anti-Messiah.
Matthew 24:30-31
30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the CLOUDS of heaven with power and great esteem.
31. And he shall send his Messengers with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Revelation 19:17-21
17. Then I saw an Messenger standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great Yahweh,
18. that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of ALL PEOPLE, free and slave, both small and great.”
19. And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.
20. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21. And THE REST were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Psalms 21:9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: Yahweh shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
Isaiah 33:12 And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire.
Zephaniah 3:5-8
5. The just Yahweh is in the midst thereof; He will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring His judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
6. I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, SO THAT THERE IS NO MAN, THAT THERE IS NONE INHABITANT.
7. I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.
8. Therefore wait ye upon me, saith Yahweh, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: FOR ALL THE EARTH SHALL BE DEVOURED WITH THE FIRE of my jealousy.
WW3, will have the 2 Billion + killed off.
“Either the beast will kill you. Or god will kill you.”
Exactly, so since people are going to die either way, it is what side you pick, eternal death, or eternal life. Yahweh created man to serve Him, yet Yahweh gave man a freewill, and why this happens.
Satan and his messengers will be involved when the war of Armageddon starts, so Yahweh kills them also and they are thrown in the Lake of Fire. There are actually 2 Lake of Fires, the one when He kills all the people at His return, and then the one at the end of the Millennium at the White Throne Judgment. Satan will take part in both fires, the last one is the end of Satan and will be heard of no more.
Psalms 21:9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: Yahweh shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of righteousness: Yahweh was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of Messengers, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into heaven.
Below is the true last day message that will be taught to the world: The real truth will turn Christianity upside down.
John 1:1
1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Yahweh, and the Word was Yahweh.
John 14:
8. Philip said to Him, “Master, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”
9. Immanuel said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father?
Romans 1:1-5
1. Paul, a servant of Yahweh Messiah, called to be an apostle, separated unto the Word of Yahweh,
2. (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the scriptures,)
3. Concerning his Son Yahweh Messiah our Master, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4. And declared to be the Son of Yahweh with power, according to the Spirit of righteousness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5. By whom we have received power and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Zephaniah 3:15
15. Yahweh hath taken away thy judgments, He hath cast out thine enemy: THE KING OF ISRAEL, EVEN YAHWEH, IS IN THE MIDST OF THEE: thou shalt not see evil any more.
Jeremiah 32:5,6
5. Behold, the days come, SAITH YAHWEH, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
6. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and THIS IS HIS NAME WHEREBY HE WILL BE CALLED, “YAHWEH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS”.
Zechariah 14:9
9. And YAHWEH SHALL BE KING OVER ALL THE EARTH: in that day shall there be one Yahweh, and his name one.
Jeremiah 3:17
At that time THEY WILL CALL JERUSALEM THE THRONE OF YAHWEH, and ALL NATIONS WILL GATHER IN JERUSALEM TO HONOR THE NAME OF YAHWEH. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.
zippcodey, there is so much for me to comment on with your above statements. I will comment on two. There are not 2 lake of fires. There is Hell, the place where men go if they refuse to accept Jesus Christ before they die and then there is the Lake of Fire that was created for the devil and his angels. Eventually Hell will be cast into the Lake of Fire as the Book of Revelations 20:14 teaches all those who are in it will be judged and eventually cast into the lake of fire and there will be one place of punishment / torment for all eternity.
Hell currently is at the center of the Earth. It once had 2 areas, one for the righteous called Abrahams bosom (a place of comfort) and one for the sinner the fiery place of torment (read Luke chapter 16: 19-31) when they died. The one for the righteous (Abrahams Bosom) is no longer occupied as they were taken out at the resurrection of Jesus Christ by Christ. (He lead captivity captive). The righteous could not leave until the blood of Christ fully cleansed them and allowed them to enter into the presents of God. That is why the Veil of the temple was torn in two during Christ’s crucifixion to show the way into the Holy of Holies where God dwells was now open by the blood of Christ to all who receive Christ.
There will be people who survive Armageddon. This is shown in the Book of Revelations Chapter 20. During the millennium reign of Christ the survivors will populate the earth “as the sand of the sea”. These are the ones who under the deception of Satan (Gog and Magog) after he is loosed from the bottom pit (after the 1000 year reign of Christ) will come against the “camp of the saints the beloved City” but are destroyed by the fire of God from heaven. Then the new Heavens and Earth are created (Revelations Chapter 21).
Anthony you have the wisdom of an angel of God.
When i read your comments, i feel this divine knowledge in your words.
God bless you.
ograheemtali, The nation that rules after Armageddon is the Kingdom of God and the Power of his Christ and the innumerable host of Angels and all those who believe and have accepted him. There will be no world armed forces, there will be no need for them. Christ Rules!
The whole purpose of Armageddon is to get people to repent and bring all of the nation of Israel to accept Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact the wrath of God that happens throughout the Book of Revelations is Gods love trying to bring all men to repent. God is “weeding” them out, the hard “weeds” need harder measures to get their attention, to get them to accept Christ, to break down their hardness of heart, to bring humanity back to knowing who God is and return to living with him face to face, to restore the relationship men had with God in the beginning, walking with God , talking with God. Those who refuse to accept Christ as King cannot be apart of Gods Kingdom. Read Daniel Chapter 7 all Nations that exists today will cease to exist when Gods Kingdom Comes. ” Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done”
Men live short lives because of original sin. Their bodies die but their Spirit & Soul live on forever. In Gods Kingdom all those who believe will have new eternal bodies that will never grow old, have disease, feel pain and die. They will have bodies like the resurrected Christ.
Satan’s punishment in the lake of fire is forever he will never cease to suffer there, he will be in eternal torment. The same is true for all those who don’t accept Jesus Christ’s gift of salvation, they will suffer the same eternal fate.
God is never wrong. And these people/nations created the hate and chaos. Not God!
The fact is this Satan should have been Dead after Adam&Eve.Why has god Given Satan power? If god is a just god then true justice should be meted out. Eye for a eye. Yet Satan has invaded the holy kingdom of god in revolt. Yet Satan still here. Even After Armageddon Satan will Still be here. After the 1.000yr period Satan will be Released. If Satan was the enemy he would have been dead. There was a war in heaven. Yet Nobody Died. How can there be a war an No One Dies. Please edify
This is the pivotal question of why God created man and goes to the heart of “free will”. Without a choice we have no free will. Satan had free will as did his minions and he chose to resist God. God wanted man to choose to love Him not be forced to so God’s plan is just nd righteous. We all have the same opportunity to see Him and love Him. Satan will eventually be destroyed (sentenced to the lake of fire forever) but in the meantime he provides a choice. We can serve Satan of serve Christ. I know this is short but hope it helps.
The Lake of Fire does not burn forever, what is forever is that Satan or anyone else who is burned up, will never exist again.
zippcodey, The lake of fire is eternal. It was designed by God to punish the Angels that sinned and Satan. Since the Angels have eternal life, they do not die like we do. Their eternal bodies are not like mortal men. Since men decide that they will not accept God’s salvation plan through Jesus Christ, their eternal souls will be sent to the lake of fire also. Eternally separated from God and his Kingdom forever. They will never die! But will be in a state of torment forever and ever as Jesus taught.
God created Lucifer (his name means light bearer) in the beginning, He was an archangel in charge of the throne of God until he chose one day the rebel against God because he wanted to be like God. He thought he could get all the other Angels and anything God created including men to rebel against God and force God to give him what he wanted, his own Kingdom and God like power. Up until that point all Lucifer knew was the goodness of God for no sin existed in heaven and therefore no punishment was required. Once Lucifer and 1/3 of the Angels sinned, God created the eternal lake of fire and Lucifer who now has become Satan, got to see first hand the other nature of God, his judgment and the wrath of God. God does not measure time like we do. God is not held to time. God invented time for us to have a reference point. God is eternal, the ancient of days!
God is dealing with Satan in a way the he sees fit and we don’t have a good understanding of Gods full plan but it is all being done on Gods time table and by his wisdom.
As to the second part of your question “There was war in heaven. Yet nobody died. How can there be a war an no one dies?” This is because Angels in heaven are eternal beings they don’t die. Their bodies are eternal. God made them that way. The War in heaven was fierce and powerful enough that Satan, his angels and their dwelling place were nocked out of it. So quickly so much so that Satan did not realize where he was until he slammed onto the earth (read the book of Revelations).
By the way Jesus saw it happen first hand, read Luke chapter 10: 18. (when there was war in heaven there was also a spiritual war happening on earth as Jesus gave his disciples power and authority over demon spirits for the first time). Fallen Angels when they war they physically survive the battles but they loose the war and will be punished eternally in the lake of fire.
If possible may you help me to learn/understand the word of GOD. Thank you
Is the war of Gog and Magog different from Armageddon?When will these two wars happen?
Armie,
The Gog-Magog war is the same war as Armageddon which occurs at the end of the final 7 year period.
John, unless you are talking about some other Gog-Magog war the one specifically mentioned in Rev. 20:8 occurs at the end of the 1,000 year reign. I also know Ezekiel mentions them in a battle that sounds a lot like Armageddon.
I agree with you Curt, the Gog-Magog war is after Satan is brought from the grave after being dead for a 1000 years, and that is the last war judgment.
No Gog Magog occurs before Tribulation setting up the World acceptance of the Anti-Christ. This is a confederation nations led by Russia along with most of the Islamic Natios in the Middle East. The purpose is to stabilize the Middle East and give Isreal protection. Isreal trusts this confederation but is betrayed and briefly conquered. Gog MaGog hears of disturbing news back home and rushes back to their countries through Isreal but are destroyed by God with fire from Heaven. Isreal then burns the ruined weapons for energy the next 7 years, Wow free energy making the world even more jealous of them. The destruction of Russian power and the destruction of belief in Islam makes the Judaic false appearing Anti-Christ deceiving my Sudductive. There is a Second Gog MaGog war at the end of the Millineium.
I’m having a tough time believing this because you did not provide a single scripture to back it up.
Hi John! Sorry scripture was mentioned earlier by other comments. Ezekiel 38-39 explains the first Gog MaGog war and Rev. 20:8 is the 2nd. The first cannot be Armaggeden as the burning of arms last a full 7 years and Tribulation is just short of 7 years as Jesus cuts it short to stop total destruction of humanity by Satan. Matt. 24:22. The First Gog MaGog prophecy is the Next Mammoth prophecy for or current time equal in magnitude to the founding of modern Isreal in May of 1948 which ushered in the beginning of the End Times. Isaiah 66:7-8
Research the names of people in Ez. 38-39, these are the confederation nations. It is happening right before our very eyes. Come Jesus Quickly!
Do you believe in the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ? (Revelation 20)
Typo correction on my first entry – Anti-Christ deceiving many Suductively. Also to clarify the first Gog-MaGog war is Physical and Spiritual, the second at the end of the Millenium is when Satan is loosened one last time from the bottomless pit.
Gog and Magog is the last war against Satan after the Millennial Kingdom here on earth.
Why visitors still make use of to read news papers
when in this technological globe all is existing on net?
I have just read ‘The seven trumpets and when they shall sound’
and quite frankly I am very perturbed that such a plethora of twisted statements and conclusions of certain events are presented as facts that these events are indeed fulfillment of scripture prophecy. I.e.
IB Says;
Five of the seven trumpets that signify the end of the age have come to pass. With only two left to occur, we must look to the Bible to understand what to expect.
The Bible indicates in Revelation that seven trumpets will sound before the end of the age and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Five of the seven have already sounded as evidenced by critical moments in recent history, and a third world war, which is the triggering event of the sixth trumpet, may have already begun. Our understanding of Biblical prophecies and the events that have already come to pass, will guide us in what to expect when the final two trumpets sound.
The First Two Trumpets
In Revelation 8:7, John describes an apocalyptic vision. His vision explains the triggering event of the sounding of the first trumpet — hail and fire mixed with blood falling to the ground, and approximately 33% of all of the grass and trees in the known world destroyed.
During World War I, large amounts of artillery shells and chemical agents were released on troops for the first time in history through modern warfare, killing over 8 million people. Soldiers on both sides burned vast tracts of land in order to eliminate any natural or man-made items that their enemies could use.
Scripture Reference: Re 8:7. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
Let us analyse their statements:
Regarding Re 8:7:
1. There is absolutely no record of “hail and fire mingled with blood” falling supernaturally from the sky during World War I.
2. Re 8:7: does not say “approximately 33% of all of the grass and trees in the known world destroyed.” It categorically states: “the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.” Not just locally but worldwide.
3. The fact that “large amounts of artillery shells and chemical agents were released on troops” has absolutely no relevance to this prophecy.
Conclusion: Could you honestly say that this interpretation of Rev 8:7 proves beyond any doubt that these events accurately reflect the sounding of the first trumpet?
IB Says;
Another war, World War II is also the event that was triggered by the sounding of the second trumpet. Looking to Revelation 8:8-9, the Bible explains that a third of the ships involved in the conflict that coincides with the activation of this trumpet will be destroyed. During World War II, approximately one third of the ships that participated in the conflict were sunk. In turn, the nuclear bomb deployed at Hiroshima resembled “something like a great mountain burning with fire,” a sight that was new on the world stage.
Scripture Reference: Revelation 8:8-9. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
Let us again analyse their statements:
Regarding Re 8:8-9:
1. The Bible does not explain “that a third of the ships involved in the conflict that coincides with the activation of this trumpet will be destroyed” but that “the third part of the ships were destroyed” globally and no mention of a conflict!
2. If you believe that a bomb falling out of an aeroplane onto the city of Hiroshima (on land) resembles a “great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea” regardless of the fact that a similar bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, two days later, but it is not mentioned because it does not fit with their interpretation, you would believe anything. Reminder: 2Th 2:11. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
3. Facts about the bombs;
a. A uranium gun-type atomic bomb (Little Boy) was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, followed by a plutonium implosion-type bomb (Fat Man) on the city of Nagasaki on August 9. Within the first two to four months of the bombings, the acute effects of the atomic bombings killed 90,000–166,000 people in Hiroshima and 39,000–80,000 in Nagasaki; roughly half of the deaths in each city occurred on the first day. During the following months, large numbers died from the effect of burns, radiation sickness, and other injuries, compounded by illness and malnutrition. In both cities, most of the dead were civilians
4. Why do they not mention: “and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died;” The answer is quite simple it never happened and therefore their interpretation is erroneous.
Conclusion: Could you honestly say that this interpretation of Rev 8: 8-9 proves beyond any doubt that these events accurately reflect the sounding of the second trumpet?
If I understand you correctly you are saying that none of the 7 trumpets have yet sounded. If that is correct then I agree with you. Here is my scriptural backup. Rev. 7 tells of the angel’s command to other angels not to hurt the earth until the sealing of the 144,000. Since the first three trumpets hurt the earth and since the 144,000 have not yet been sealed, these trumpets can not yet have sounded. Rev.11 describes the 42 month prophesy of the 2 witnesses ending with the sounding of the 7th trumpet and they being called up as part of the first resurrection. Chapter 7 begins the vision of the trumpet plagues and chapter 11 ends it. Therefore the period of the trumpets are the same as the 2 witnesses and the 144,000 or 42 months (1,260 days or 3 1/2 years)
There is another end time teacher say it will be Russia using nuclear weapons to start the process and that Jesus won’t return until later. No rapture..but the bible speaks of this…right.
Yes Diane, there will be a rapture
Admiring the dedication you put into your website and detailed information you offer.
It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that
isn’t the same unwanted rehashed information. Excellent read!
I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
HOLY LORD JESUS will come back and save Israel .He will destroy the armies of Satan’s Anti Christ and reign over mankind Thank YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!!! Come soon Lord !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE SO CALLED JEWS IN ISRAEL ARE NOT THE HEBREWS OR THE ISRAELITES. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT EVEN SEMITIC. THEY ARE EASTERN EUROPEANS. SO WHO ARE THE REAL HEBREWS OR ISRAELITES. ? THEY ARE CONVERTS GENTILES WHO STOLE ISRAEL.
Jer 25:35 says the battle of Armageddon will be global and not in a valley of Megiddo. There is not enough room for all the nations with there military equipment in the small area.
Why can you format this teachings in Audio format?
HELO EVERY ONE MY BEST COMPLIMENTS
every body is reffering form bible, i don’t deny it , but for god sake read the koran and sayings holly prophet mohammad (pbuh) and compiling with christ the picture will be clear. If you truth then you must go o the other side of faith, only then you ca find the truth.
Mohammed was demon-possessed and a liar. The bible judges the quran, it is a lie you believe in.
Islam is an invention of the Catholic Church. Mohammad was it’s patsy. The Catholic Church has always been a geopolitical player. They created Islam as a lever to take the Holy Land in the 7th century. Today they are using it to push a globalist agenda. wake up people
Many Christians have been taught that the Battle of Armageddon will be the greatest military conflict in history. In this conflict, the armies of the world will gather to wage war against Christ in the Valley of Armageddon. As the teaching goes, Christ will return to earth with His saints. Christ will destroy the armies of the Antichrist with violent judgments and will set up a new world order at Jerusalem. Reference to Armageddon is made in only one place in our Bibles – Revelation 16:16:
Revelation 16:16 (KJV) – And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
Sell Books – Write About “Armageddon”!
I did a quick search on the Amazon.com website for books and videos containing the word Armageddon. The search yielded 293 hits! The subject of Armageddon certainly is popular today. You can be sure that any book or movie containing the word Armageddon will certainly grab the attention of an unsuspecting public. While most of these works are classed as “fiction” the authors tend to believe that nonetheless they are equipping Christians to prepare for what’s right around the corner. However, as you will see the prophetic view portrayed in these works are flawed from a scriptural perspective. Below are but a few of the reasons why the theology behind the story line of Armageddon is flawed:
First, the name of the battle is NOT “Armageddon” or the “Battle of Armageddon”. The correct name for the battle is found in Revelation 16:14. It’s “the battle of that great day of God Almighty”.
Some prophecy teachers place the battle in Israel’s largest Valley, which is 50 miles north of Jerusalem. According to scripture, the location of this battle in Hebrew is referred to as “Har-Mageddon/Megiddo” (Rev. 16:16). But he Hebrew word “har” means a mountain. Now isn’t a mountain the exact opposite in meaning from a valley? Now in Hebrew the “h” is silent, thus rendering the Greek word as “Armageddon”.
This battle of Armageddon is but a part of the whole prophecy of the book of Revelation. According to the internal testimony of Revelation this whole prophecy were concerning “things which must shortly come to pass”; “at hand”; “things which must shortly be done”; and “the time is at hand” (Rev. 1:1; 1:3, 22:6 and 22:10). Can you imagine living in one of the seven cities mentioned in the book of Revelation and reading John’s letter? These “things” were something that they could obey, heed and keep during their lifetime in the 1st century!
In Revelation 22:10 John was directed not to seal up the prophecy: “And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.” But sealing up is exactly what many modern day prophecy teachers do. In essence, they have sealed up Revelation for over nineteen centuries (and counting) by their system of postponement interpretation. But now, today, they want to unseal the book by claiming that near future events will finally occur to fulfill the prophecies of Revelation, including the “Battle of Armageddon.” Indeed, there’s ample evidence to suggest that the book of Revelation was written before the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 A.D.
The book of Revelation is a book filled with signs and symbols. It is full of what’s known as Biblical imagery and symbolism. Har-Magedon/Megiddo is a composite name and most likely also symbolic. Therefore, it’s not unreasonable to conclude that it also, is symbolic of a real battle. This is a rather boring mundane interpretation which certainly will not sell many books and DVDs!
Historical Battles
If we look back in history, we’ll find that multiple battles were fought during Biblical times at Megiddo. It was the site of two major ancient Israeli victories; of Barak over the Canaanites, and of Gideon over the Midianites. Additionally, it was also the place King Saul and King Josiah and their armies were defeated. The great military Napoleon Bonaparte, who conquered a portion of Palestine in 1799. Napoleon declared that Armageddon was the most natural battleground in the world.
Destruction of the Jewish Temple – A.D. 70
Perhaps the most famous battle fought in this area was recorded by the Jewish Flavius Josephus. In his book “The War of the Jews” Josephus records how the Roman Generals Vespasian and Titus over-ran Israel with three legions during the 3 1/2 yr Roman-Judeo War fought between 67 and 70 A.D. At the end of the siege the Romans trapped the Zealots and many others inside Jerusalem. The city and the Jewish Temple were destroyed. And Josephus was an eye-witness to this destruction. This event was prophesied in Matthew 22:7 and Matthew 23:35. However, the Christians heeded Christ’s warnings in Matthew 24:16 and fled into the Judean mountains to a city called Pella. In Luke 21:20-22 Jesus said: “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that her desolation is at hand. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let not those who are in the country enter the city; because these are the Days of Vengeance, so that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” The Church historian Eusebius records these events in his work “Ecclesiastical History”. In addition to the three (3) Roman Legions (the 5th, 10th, and 15th), other military contingents from the entire Roman world (oikumene) joined in the Roman-Judeo campaign. Eusebius records that over 1.1 million Jews died during this siege.
Armageddon may also represent comparative imagery. A great slaughter once took place in the valley of Megiddo (2 Kings 9:27, Zech 12:11). Throughout ancient history, this valley was a favorite highway for invading armies and the scene of numerous famous battles. So much blood was shed in the valley of Jezreel or Megiddo that it became synonymous with slaughter, violence and bloodshed. It is also a symbol of God’s judgment (Hosea 1:4-5).
Have you ever heard the term “he has met his Waterloo?”. Well back in 1815, this small Belgium town was the scene of Napoleon’s final defeat. Now today we have the saying that someone has met their “Waterloo”. We don’t mean they have met the city of Waterloo in Europe. We mean, in a comparative way, that they have met a crushing defeat. May I suggest that Revelation uses the word Armageddon/Megiddo in this same way?
Commentary on Revelation 16:16
This is a quote from Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the meaning of Revelation 16:16:
Armageddon—The original of this word has been variously formed, and variously translated. It is הר־מגדון harmegiddon, “the mount of the assembly;” or חרמה גדהון chormah gedehon, “the destruction of their army;” or it is הר־מגדו harmegiddo, “Mount Megiddo,” the valley of which was remarkable for two great slaughters: one of the Israelites, 2 Kings 23:29, the other of the Canaanites, Judges 4:16; 5:19. But Mount Megiddo, that is Carmel, is the place, according to some, where these armies should be collected.
But what is the battle of Armageddon? How ridiculous have been the conjectures of men relative to this point! Within the last twenty years this battle has been fought at various places, according to our purblind seers and self-inspired prophets! At one time it was Austerlitz, at another Moscow, at another Leipsic, and now Waterloo! And thus they have gone on, and will go on, confounding and being confounded.
Adam Clarke believes that Revelation 16:16 was fulfilled during the two great Israelite slaughters: 2 Kings 23:29 and Judges 4:16. I detect a hint of sarcasm from Mr. Adam Clarke. He thinks all of the “conjectures” about the battle of Armageddon are “ridiculous.” He even refers to those who place the fulfillment of Revelation 16:16 with more modern battles as “purblind seers and self-inspired prophets”!
Well said, Mr. Clarke!
Conclusion
I once believed, as many other Christians do, that Revelation 16:16 is yet to be fulfilled. However, both history and the Holy Scriptures testify otherwise. No, the battle of Armageddon does not involve nuclear weapons, fighter jets or chemical gas. Revelation 16:16 simply records one of the five major Biblical battles fought at the plains and hills of Megiddo.
What I believe the scriptures reveal is that the battle of Armageddon referred to in Revelation is not about some great end time battle in our future. John was writing to first century Christians regarding the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. John used apocalyptic, symbolic language. The Jewish Christians of the first century were certainly aware that this valley of Megiddo had been the site of numerous slaughters and bloodshed in the past. Now, John, the Revelator is saying that Jerusalem, which sits on a mountain (Mt. Zion) will experience a similar slaughter in their immediate future.
Zechariah the prophet also mentioned the future destruction of Jerusalem: “In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.” (Zech 12:11). John in Revelation was using Armageddon/Megiddo as a figure of speech to declare that Jerusalem would soon experience destruction just as Megiddo did in the past.
I am fully aware of the dire condition that this world is presently in. But it is also true that the world has gone through many transitions and upheavals in the past. This includes two world wars during which many predicted at the time that the “end of the world” had arrived. While it’s certainly possible that we are on the verge of World War III, I don’t believe that Revelation 16:16 predicts this war. I am comforted by the words of Isaiah where the prophet says “of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.” We have the assurance that the “knowledge of the glory of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea!”. (Hab 2:14).
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When Jesus comes everything will be burn up with fire, he is never stepping foot on planet Earth to do anything here, a fact and you will never find it in the bible. Prove me wrong you idiots. And why would everyone be against Israel as you say and gathered together there, I think you got it all backwards, you must be anti Christ than, that is anyone against Christ, simple as that. You know nothing and Jesus not coming on earth for a thousand years either. We already got the word, the Bible and his kingdom has already been set up on Earth long ago, call Christians . So, what is you anti Christ peoples problem ? you all crazy , like most people on this crazy sick planet. Don’t like the truth do you.
I’m sorry Frank but you make no sense.
I agree with Robbin. What you have written is just garbage. I won’t waste my time commenting on your silly assertions but please don’t call other christians idiots or crazy or antichrists just because they don’t agree with you.
Maybe you’re a preterist just pushing your false doctrines.
i am just starting my own studies of end time events. after the rapture i see rev 19:11-21 where Jesus and the armies of heaven on white horses are going to battle the antichrist who has gathered together the kings of the earth with their armies to make war against Jesus and his army. the beast(antichrist) and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire. by this time the mark of the beast(antichrist) has been received by those who rejected Christ and worshiped the image of the beast. this happens during the 7year tribulation closer to the end of it from what i gather. and the people that the antichrist gathered together to make war against Christ were slain. from there in rev 20 Jesus sets up his 1000 year reign in jeruselem and during this time satan is thrown into the bottomless pit for the same 1000yrs. at the end of the 1000 yrs satan is let out of the bottomless pit and deceives the nations (the rest of the people on earth who have rejected Jesus) into surrounding the camp of the saints and Jerusalem. God brings fire from heaven down and devours them and satan is then thrown into the lake of fire. you then have the great white throne judgement of the dead (those who rejected Christ as Lord and savior). these are thrown into the lake of fire as there names were not in the Lamb’s book of Life. rev 21 talks about a new heaven and earth and jeruselem where those who belong to Christ will be forever…….. this is what ive understood so far. therefore. please realize that we are sinners against God (weve broken his laws and have fallen short). realize and believe that Jesus Christ.. himself the Son of the LivingGod… came down to earth born of the virgin Mary to take our sins upon himself…shedding his blood on the cross and there died and was buried and on the 3rd day rose from the grave in victory over sin and death and hell and satan. he now sits at the Fathers right hand. he has the power to forgive you of your sins once and for all if you will just trust him and ask him to. if you do he will write your name in his book of life that you see mentioned in rev 20 verse 15. you will be with the Lord forever.
Hello Bobby,
You are on the right track. Sounds like you have been studying a lot. I have attached a couple of links to help you.
https://www.endtime.com/when-is-the-end-of-the-world/
https://www.endtime.com/what-do-you-mean-born-again/
https://www.endtime.com/armageddon/
Thank you and have a blessed day
thanks for the links. was imprisoned and eventually exucuted for being a christian and for his testimony of Jesus Christ. while in prison he preached this message of salvation through Jesus to some of the inmates and roman prison guards some of which were converted and became beleivers in Jesus Christ. now neither the roman emperor or the roman prison guards as far as i know ever let the christians out to be baptised in water….a lot of them either died in prison or were executed and never were baptized in water. the same thing happens to people who are on their death beds or have a heart attack or die in a car reck or are killed in other countries after receiving Christ by faith as savior but have not been baptized in water yet. i know that God does not turn them away. if being baptized in water was required for salvation then God would have made the way for this to happen before these above people died. i believe we should be baptized in water as a public testimony to symbolize what has allready happened inwardly. going into the water represents a clensing of sin and coming out of the water clean and new. the actual clensing of your sin happened the very second you heard the knock of Jesus on your heart’s door revaltion 3:20 and opened that door to receive Jesus and his forgiveness only he can grant by applying his blood to your sin. 1st peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:…i believe for one to be saved romans 10:8-13 says it all. Romans 10:8-13King James Version (KJV)
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. also john 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day…..therefore i beleive we should be baptised in water in obedience but i do not believe the water saves us or that God rejects us for not doing it.
Reply
sorry, left out the first word of my above sentence. “paul was imprisoned”
Hello Bobby, I am not familiar with scripture that says, people Paul converted did not have baptism? I do know that Paul and Silas converted a prison guard and his entire family and baptized them all, in the middle of the night. It was not for public display, it was after midnight and no one except the family and Paul and Silas witnessed this. And if it is just for show, why didn’t they wait until the next day? Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
Romans is a letter to a church that has already received the born again experience and the Acts 2:38 plan of salvation. The Apostle taught this to everyone they preached to. And if you read Romans 6 & 8 they speak of the importance of baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost. Then in 10 Paul talks of believing and confessing. We should believe and confess every day, when we go to the Lord in prayer. I thank you for your response. Have a blessed day.
you know as well as i do that there were people in the roman prisons who called on Jesus to save them that never had the chance to be baptized in water. like i said there are a lot of people in the hospitals who call on Jesus to save them and die before they can be baptized in water. i respectfully disagree.
i just disagree that water baptism saves a person.
Okay, thank you Bobby.
It seems that Ezekiel Chapter 6 &7, God says there will be a slaughter on mountains too because of them keep practicing the detestable practices to other gods that are demons on the “high places”. That is why the LordGod says to the Son of man to prophesy against the mountains.
Hello Lori,
Ezekiel 6 & 7 was before the Nation of Israel was scattered into all Nations. In Ezekiel 36 & 37 we begin to see Gods promises to bring them back to their land. So we believe Ezekiel 6 & 7 are past and Ezekiel 36 & 37 was speaking future. The “Prophecy of the Dry Bones,” chapter 37 is the fulfillment of Israel becoming a Nation in 1948.
Believers, why all the fuss when there is nothing that we can do about the matter? It is not in our hands. What we have to do is to be READY when Jesus comes!
Yes, I think that is the key Point. To the world, these forces will appear to be in opposition to one another but in fact they are not: they are all against God.
In the West, we see people becoming increasingly angry about the rise of Islam. But what they do not realise is that they are on the same side as the muslims: atheism is just as acceptable to the Devil as Islam.
If we push God out of our societies, the Devil will move in.
if all nations go against Israel does the u.s fight them all alone,all the u.s has to do is use its nukes against everything
Hello Nick,
All we know is based upon scripture, it appears as though we will help Israel. Revelation 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
In our opinion, based on Daniel 7 the Eagle’s wings represent the U.S. and there just isn’t enough scripture provided to give us a clearer picture.