Armageddon -What It Really Is
The
Good News, in conjunction with the Correspondence Course Department,
presents brief excursions into the study of the Bible, delving into
topics relevant to the development of future members of the God Family.
Bible study is one means by which Christians are renewed daily (II Cor.
4:16), so let's refresh ourselves with more of the precious truths of
God's Word!
Instructions: The format of these ministudies is
similar to that of the Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course.
Look up and read in your Bible the scripture references given in answer
to the questions. Comments following the questions elaborate on the
scriptures just read. That's all there is to it! (These studies are
based on the King James Version of the Bible, unless otherwise stated.)
Almost
everyone has heard of "Armageddon " World leaders and scientists have
used this biblical term when speaking of the threat of nuclear warfare
and the annihilation of mankind. Yet few know what Armageddon really is.
Let's
begin to understand how this term fits into Bible prophecy — especially
with regard to the dramatic return of Jesus Christ.
1. In what are the future punishments of God upon rebellious, sinful mankind "filled up"? Rev. 15:1
The
seventh or last trumpet (Rev. 11:15) not only heralds the return of
Christ to earth, it also announces a series of punishments from God
upon a rebellious world — the terrifying "seven last plagues." (The
seven last plagues, among other events prophesied yet to occur, will be
covered in more detail in future ministudies.)
2. How are
these plagues symbolically pictured? Rev. 15:7. Upon what will these
vials be poured out? Rev 16:1. Will they cause great plagues and
suffering upon unrepentant humans? Verses 2-11.
Despite this severe but righteous punishment from God (verses 5-7), the nations will adamantly refuse to repent of their sins.
3. What will occur when the sixth symbolic vial of God's wrath is poured out? Verse 12
The
great river Euphrates, which flows for some 2,200 miles from Turkey to
the Persian Gutf, will be dried up. This supernatural intervention in
the ecosystem of the Mideast, performed by Gods angel, is only a
prelude — a setting of the stage for momentous events yet to come.
4.
Meanwhile, will earth's nations be joyful that Christ has returned, or
will they be angry and actually attempt to fight Him? Rev. 11:15, 18,
17:12-14. (Recall that the "Lamb" refers to Jesus Christ — John 1:36.)
5.
Who will have incited the nations to fight against their Creator God?
Read Revelation 16:13 14, noticing what else is to occur after the
sixth vial is poured out.
The word devils in the King James
Version ought to be rendered demons. There is one fallen archangel
(Isa. 14:12-14, Ezek 26:12-17) called Satan the "devil," but there are
many fallen angels (II Pet. 2:4, Rev. 12:7) of lesser rank called
demons in the Bible
Notice that these spirits directly influence
the leaders of nations They will deceive them with miracles, stiffing
them to a fever pitch of hatred to fight the "invaders from outer
space" — Christ and His army of angels, who will by this time already
be in Jerusalem with the resurrected saints.
6. Are these
demons clearly responsible for gathering the armies of all nations
together? Rev 16:14, 16. (Note that the proper translation of the Greek
in verse 16 should read as follows: "And they gathered them together."
In this particular case the context must determine who is really doing
the gathering. Modern translations correctly render "he" as "they.")
Satan
the devil and these demons will especially work through human leaders
such as the "beast," the political-military leader of the 10 nation end
time revival of the Holy Roman Empire, and also through the false
prophet, the great religious leader who will have universal influence
and appeal because of his satanic charisma and power. These
all will work together and will influence the world's political
and military leaders to mobilize their forces in an attempt to fight
Jesus Christ
7. Exactly where do the devil's demons cause the
armies of the nations to be gathered together in preparation for the
great battle against Christ? Read verse 16 again for the answer.
The
nations will marshal their armies at a place called "Armageddon."
Armageddon actually comes from the Greek rendering of the Hebrew name
har Megiddo, which simply means "the hill (or mountain) of Megiddo."
This is the site of the ancient city of Megiddo, which is about 20 air
miles southeast of the modern port of Haifa and approximately 55 miles
north of Jerusalem.
Anciently. Megiddo was one of the royal
cities of the Canaanites. The city was not fully occupied by Israelites
until the time of King Solomon (I Kings 4:7, 12). Solomon fortified the
city (I Kings 9:15) Megiddo and the valley of Megiddo (which is part of
the larger Plain of Esdraelon) became a strategic site. Megiddo was the
most important fortress city that guarded the strategic passes of the
Mt. Carmel area. The other cities were Jokneam and Taanach. Megiddo, in
the middle, was flanked by the other two fortresses (each about five
miles apart).
For Israel, Megiddo and the Plain of Esdraelon
became the battleground of the centuries. Time after time the blood of
battle was shed there Over and over again the 13-acre mound of Megiddo
was refortified. Today the site is nothing more than an unoccupied,
silent mound of historic rubble. Occasional tourists and archaeologists
visit its rocky face, but it is not a major military site at this time.
But Megiddo is a symbol.
It
is a symbol of war and human conflict. It overlooks the Plain of
Esdraelon and the Valley of Jezreel and stood at one of the great
crossroads of the ancient world. And as the prophecy of Revelation 16
indicates, Megiddo and the Plain of Esdraelon will become the rallying
point for the greatest concentration of military might ever assembled
Political
and military leaders from the world to the east of the river Euphrates
will be supernatu-rally induced to direct their armies to march on
modern Israel to participate in the fight against Christ. But who will
compose this conglomeration of military might?
Which nations lie
to the "east" of the great Euphrates valley? To the northeast lies the
Soviet Union with its vast armies and great military strength South and
east of Russia, in China, wait even more millions of infantry in
constant military preparedness. Separated from China by the Himalayas
lies teeming India with its starving millions and a turbulent political
scene.
These "kings of the east," stirred up by the devil's
demons, will lead their armies to Megiddo. With the surrounding plain
as their rallying point, these armies will then be confronted by yet
another great military establishment — the combined might of a united
Europe!
Prophecy tells us that "ten kings" (Rev. 17:12-14) will
comprise the modern, end-time revival of the ancient Holy Roman Empire,
uniting in a politi cal. military and religious alliance of incredible
power. A vast and mighty army will be formed and will find its way into
the Middle East — perhaps on the pretext of protecting Israel from the
threat of communist domination. And oil will undoubtedly be a major
factor prompting any such maneuver.
The army of this "beast"
power will confront the armies of the "east." But instead of fighting
each other in a battle that would end in the extinction of all life on
earth, they will, ironically, unite their forces and march toward
Jerusalem in an attempt to destroy their common "enemy" — Christ and
His army of angels!
8- What is the name of the ensuing great, climactic battle between God and man? Rev. 16:14, last part.
You
will notice the battle is not called the "Battle of Armageddon" — it is
called the "battle of that great day of God Almighty"! This last great
battle will involve the armies of the Lord of armies (hosts) Himself.
9-
Exactly where does the Bible say this battle will take place? Joel
3:1-2, 9-14. Compare verse 13 with Revelation 14:18-20 and 19:15. Also
notice Zechariah 14:1-4.
"Jehoshaphat" means "judgment ot
Jehovah" or, more correctly, "judgment of the Eternal." The focal point
of the battle will be in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, also called the
"valley of decision" in the Bible. This valley is a deep ravine having
steep sides. It borders the city of Jerusalem on the east. The Valley
of Jehoshaphat, which is situated between Jerusalem and the Mount of
Olives, is now known as the Kidron Valley.
10. How is this great
climactic battle pictured? Rev. 19:11-21. How does Zechariah describe
the frightening manifestation of the righteous wrath and might of God
in fighting against those who will oppose Him? Zech. 14:12.
This
is the "battle of that great day of God Almighty" described by John in
Revelation. And it could happen sooner than you might think!
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