Armageddon What, When, and Where?

Armageddon: What, When & Where? Church AgeThe Great Tribulation The 1,000 Year Reign Rapture Return 7 Years The Battle of Armageddon Dan 11; Rev 16 & 10 The Anti-Christ

Daniel’s Armageddon (?)  The Premillennial View of Daniel 11: ♦ King of the south represents millions in Africa who will attack the Antichrist in Jerusalem ♦ King of the north represents Russia/Arab alliance that attacks Jerusalem ♦ Advancing Chinese army is “reports from the east” ♦ Antichrist shall have great success ♦ But he shall come to his end, and no one will help him ♦ Because Christ will come to save the day

The word “Armageddon” appears only one time in the Bible: Revelation 16:16.

“And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.” Revelation 16:16 (ESV)

The word “Armageddon” appears only one time in the Bible: Revelation 16:16. It is described as the rallying place of the kings of the whole world who, led by the unclean spirits from the mouth of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet, assemble there for “the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.”

The battle of Armageddon is anticipated in Revelation 16:13-16, but is not fought until Revelation 19:11-21.

The Battle is the source of much sensational speculation. The far-fetched views and misconceptions which people have on this subject are truly amazing to consider. Much of the problem lies with the advocates of the false system of premillennialism.

They teach that a universal war will soon take place among the nations of the world, and the final, catastrophic battle of that war will occur on the plains of Megiddo. The battle described in Revelation is viewed literally. It will be a bloody holocaust such as the world has never known.

The advocates argue that conflicts are now developing that will lead to Armageddon. It supposedly will take place after the 7-years of tribulation, and just before the second advent of Christ. Let’s examine whether or not their teaching will harmonize with the Scriptures.

Valley of Megiddo The word “Armageddon” is derived from the Hebrew Har-Magedon, which means the “Mountain of Megiddo.” The city of Megiddo lay in north central Palestine. This valley, also known as the Plain of Esdraelon, was some 20 miles long by 6 miles wide.

What did Armageddon mean to early Christians? –Armageddon literally means “Hill of Megiddo” –Megiddo was a town at northeast end of Jezreel Valley –By the way, that puts it far north of Jerusalem –Easiest route between Egypt and cultures north of Canaan –Therefore, site of major conflicts between ruling powers –Over the centuries, successive cities built on top of old ones creating the “hill” in Armageddon About sixteen historical battles fought over 2,500 years before Christ --Armageddon-- Where Is The Place?

Because of its location, Megiddo became an important military outpost. It is often described in the Bible as a military stronghold: –Joshua 12:21 –Joshua 17:11 –Judges 1:27 –Judges 5:19 –2 Kings 9:27 –2 Kings 23:29

Model of Ancient Megiddo

Tell of Megiddo

Valley of Megiddo Actually, there was no literal mountain named “Megiddo.” The reference is either to the mountains that were near the town of Megiddo, or possibly to the large mound of the city itself.

Valley of Megiddo “The fact that the tell of Megiddo was about 70 feet high in John’s day, and was in the vicinity of Carmel Range, justifies the use of the Hebrew, har, used loosely in the Old Testament for ‘hill’ and ‘hill country’--Josh. 10:40; 11:16” (New Bible Dictionary, p. 249)

Consider the words “Remember the Alamo!” In that battle, a small group of men stood bravely against impossible odds. That small mission in San Antonia represents the spirit of courage and sacrifice, and is a proud part of the heritage of Texas.

A place can become symbolic because of some historical event with which it is associated. For example, all are familiar with the saying, “He met his Waterloo!” Waterloo was a small town in central Belgium where Napolean was finally defeated in The expression has come to respresent a disastrous defeat.

So it is with the plain of Megiddo or “Armageddon.” It was the scene of so many decisive battles, that it came to stand for battle itself. “These low hills around Megiddo, with their outlook over the plain of Esdraelon, have witnessed perhaps a greater number of bloody encounters than have ever stained a like area of the world’s surface” (ISBE)

 It was famous for two great victories:  Deborah & Barak overthrew Sisera and defeated the Canaanite kings  (Judges 4:15; 5:19)  Gideon and his 300 defeated the Midianites  (Judges 6:33) Battles at Megiddo

 It was also famous for disasters:  King Saul, who had been rejected by God, was defeated by the Philistines (I Samuel 31:8)  Ahaziah died of Jehu’s arrows (2 Kings 9:27)  Josiah was killed here when he tried to prevent Pharaoh Necho of Egypt from going to the aid of Assyria (2 Kgs. 23:29-30; 2 Chron. 35:22) Battles at Megiddo

 To the Jewish mind, Megiddo was a place of great slaughter and represented God’s terrible judgment upon the wicked.  Armageddon became a poetic expression for terrible and decisive conflict. Armageddon

--Armageddon-- Literal or Figurative?  What is the message of Revelation when it speaks of the battle of Armageddon?  The book was written during a time of severe and widespread persecution.  The Christian movement seemed to be on the brink of extinction.  This was an hour of desperate need.

 John wrote in order to reassure disciples that the forces of evil would be completely overthrown and Christianity would triumph victoriously.  The book of Revelation is a message of victory.  The Greek word (nikao), translated “overcome,” “conquer,” or “victory,” is found 28 times in the New Testament and 17 of these are in Revelation.

 John wrote concerning things that would “shortly come to pass.”  Those who take a futuristic and literal interpretation of Revelation fail to grasp the true message of the book.  No interpretation of the book as a whole or this battle in particular can have any significance unless it has application to those first-century saints to whom the book was addressed.  Revelation is an apocalyptic book, filled with highly symbolic language.

 Those who would interpret Armageddon literally are very selective in their approach.  The context speaks of three unclean spirits coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet that look like frogs!

--Armageddon-- Literal or Figurative?  If literal meaning is taken in Revelation: ♦ Satan will have 7 heads and 10 horns (13:1; 17:7) ♦ There will be a great river of blood 200 miles long (14:20) ♦ The generals fighting for Satan will look like frogs (16:13-14) ♦ There must be enough space for at least one army of 200,000,000  Premillennialists see … ♦ This event happening on the Plains of Megiddo ♦ With any number of variations of combatants & conditions  Would this have encouraged the early Christians ?

 So what does this mean for us today?  Is it a real battle with Jerusalem as the key?  Is it a nuclear holocaust with millions of people killed in the name of Christ?  Or is it our spiritual fight against the temptations of Satan?  And do we see the victory we NOW have in Jesus Christ? --Conclusion-- What Is Armageddon?