ARMAGEDDON:
A BATTLE OF GOD ALMIGHTY
(Revelation 16:14, 16)
Prof: Satheesh Kumar
Academic Dean - AECS
Introduction
The name Armageddon is found only in
Rev 16:16. The generally accepted view is that the word ‘har’ which means ‘mountain’ (or mountains) and that ‘magedon’ refers to Megiddo, therefore, Armageddon
generally means “the mountain of Megiddo”, the biblical city near which many
notable battles were fought. For example, Deborah and Barak defeated Canaanites
(Judges 4 & 5). Gideon triumphed over the Midianites (Judges 7). Saul was
slain in the battle with Philistines (1 Sam. 31:8). Ahaziah was slain by Jehu
(2 Kings 9:27). Josiah was slain by the Egyptians (2 Kings 23:29-30; 2 Chr.
35:22). Therefore, it will be a place of struggle between the powers of good
and evil. Some scholars suggest that ‘Armageddon is used not as a name for a
particular locality but as a symbolic term for the final conflict’.[1]
In the war of Armageddon God will deal
with the nations for number of reasons: because of their persecution of Israel
(Joel 3:2), because of their sinfulness (Rev. 19:15), and because of their
godlessness (Rev. 16:9).
There are several geographical
locations are involved in the war of Armageddon. The followings are the other
locations of this war extending from Esdraelon to Edom or Idumea, south of
Jerusalem (Isa. 34 and 63):
1.
In the
valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2, 13).
2.
In the “valley
of Passengers” (Ezek. 39:11).
3.
In the
city of Jerusalem, the center of conflict (Zech. 12:2-11; 14:2).
4.
In the
mountains of Megiddo (Rev. 16:16).
5.
In the
land of Edom (Isa. 63:1).
Therefore, the war of Armageddon will
cover up the entire land of Palestine. J. D. Pentecost states in this regard:
Thus the campaign is pictured as
extending from the plains of Esdraelon on the north, down through Jerusalem,
extending out to the valley of Jehoshaphat on the east and to Edom on the
south.[2]
In the prophecy
of Ezekiel 38:9, 16, he says that all of these invaders will “cover the land” (Ezek. 38:9, 16) which includes all of these land. The
blood will flow as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of about 1600
(180 miles) furlongs (Rev. 14:20). This is the distance area of judgment around
the city of Jerusalem. This is a picture of great slaughter (Isa. 63:1-3).[3]
Therefore, the war of Armageddon will extend from the middle of Tribulation
(namely the second half of Tribulation, 3 ½ years, Dan. 9:24-27) till the end
of Great Tribulation.
Gog in Ezekiel 38 and Armageddon in
Revelation 16:16 are not the Same
Before
going for further discussion the misunderstanding about the Gog in Ezekiel 38
and Armageddon in Revelation 16:16 should be settled. The followings are the
reason for the argument:
1.
In the
battle of Gog definite allies are mentioned (Ezek. 38), while in Armageddon all
the nations are involved (Joel 3:2; Zeph. 3:8; Zech. 12:3; 14:4).
2.
Gog comes
from the north (Ezek. 38:6, 15; 39:2), whereas in Armageddon the armies come
from the whole earth (Rev. 16:14).
3.
Gog comes
to take spoils (Ezek. 38:11-12), whereas at Armageddon the nations assemble to
destroy the people of God (Rev. 16:14).
4.
There is
protest against Gog’s invasion (Ezek. 38:13), but at Armageddon there is no
protest but all nations join together against Jerusalem (Ezek. 14:4).
5.
Gog is
the head of the armies (Ezek. 38:7) whereas in Armageddon the Beast is the head
(Rev. 19:19).
6.
Gog is
overthrown by natural calamities (Ezek. 38:22) whereas in Armageddon the armies
destroyed by Christ himself (Rev. 19:15).
7.
Gog’s
armies seem to be organized in the open field (Ezek. 39:5) whereas in
Armageddon the armies are seen in the city of Jerusalem (Zech. 14:2-4).
Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38 and Gog and
Magog in Revelation 20:8 are not the Same
1.
Ezekiel
mentioned only a northern union involved in the war. But in Revelation all the
nations of the earth are gathered together.
2.
The
context in Ezekiel shows that this invasion is before the institution of the
millennium but in Revelation the millennium has been in existence for a
thousand years.
3.
In
Ezekiel the bodies of the slain require the labor of seven months to dispose of
the dead (Ezek. 39:12). But in Revelation 20:9 the slain are said to be
“devoured” by fire so that no disposal is necessary.
4.
In
Ezekiel the invasion is seen to be followed by the millennium (ch. 40 - 48).
But in Revelation this invasion is followed by the new heaven and the new
earth.
Armageddon and Antichrist
The Antichrist will make a peaceful
covenant with Israel for 3 ½ years (Dan. 9:26-27). Thus this condition will
exists for 3 ½ years, after which the covenant will be broken by the Roman
authorities and the period known as the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:21) will
begins. This tribulation on the earth is evidently caused by Satan, because he
will be cast out of heaven into the earth at the middle of the Tribulation
period (Rev. 12:9). At this time Satan will go forth in great wrath (Rev.
12:12) to attack the remnant of Israel and the saints of God (Rev. 12:17).
Therefore, the war of Armageddon will take place in the middle of Daniel’s 70th
week or middle of Tribulation. The war of Armageddon should take place after
the restoration of Israel to their land (Ezek. 37). This will be discussed
later in detail.
Time of Armageddon in General
The
Armageddon will take place after the beginning of the restoration of Israel
when they inhabit their own land (Ezek. 38:10, 11). This would indicate that it
takes place after the covenant made by the “prince that shall come” of Daniel
9:27. The invasion should take place when Israel is dwelling in peace (false
peace by the covenant, Isa. 28:18) in the land (Ezek. 38:11). If the war of
Armageddon would take place at the end of Tribulation Israel cannot be referred
to be peaceful at that time. Israel could not be said to be at peace at the end
of the Tribulation period, because the land has been already destroyed by
invasion (Zech. 14:1-3).
Views on the Time of Armageddon
The
followings are the various views on the time of Armageddon which will conclude
the dispensation of Church age:
1.
Armageddon
will take place prior to the Rapture of the Church (David L. Cooper propounded
this view).
2.
Armageddon
will take place at the beginning of the Millennium (Arno C. Gaebelein presented
this view).
3.
Armageddon
will take place at the end of Millennium (some theologians held this view).
4.
Armageddon
will take place at the end of the Tribulation (Most students of the Bible
belief this view).
5.
Armageddon
will take place at the middle of the seven year period of Tribulation or
Daniel’s 70th week (J. D. Pentecost).
Problems
of Each View in Relation to Armageddon:
The
followings are various views on the time of Armageddon.
1.
Before the Rapture
Problems:
1)
This
prophecy is addressed to Israel (Ezek. 38:8, 16), the expression “in the latter
years” (v. 8) and “in the latter days” (v. 16) contrast to the doctrine of
imminent coming of Christ.
2) Israel will not have a land until the
“prince that shall come” and make a covenant, this must be fulfilled before
Armageddon take place (Dan. 9:27).
3) The “times of Gentile” would not be end
at the Rapture, it will continue till the end of Tribulation (Luke 21:24).
4) Israel should dwell in the land
peacefully before the Armageddon take place (Ezek. 38:11).
2.
At the Beginning of the Millennium
Problems:
1)
Ezekiel
tells us that the land will be defiled by the dead bodies for seven months
(Ezek. 39:12). But the Bible does not tell us the cleansing of the dead bodies
in the land by the return of the Messiah.
2)
According
to Revelation 20:1-3 Satan will be bound at the beginning of the millennium
therefore Satan cannot be operative to make war (Armageddon) against Israel.
3)
Isaiah
2:1-4 states that wars will cease with the advent of Christ and the inauguration
of millennium, then where and how Armageddon will take place? (Isa. 2:1-4).
3.
At the end of the Millennium
Problems:
1)
Gog and
Magog of Ezekiel and Gog and Magog in Revelation 20:8 are not the same (see
page 2).
4.
At the end of Tribulation
Problems:
1)
The
passage in Ezekiel does not mention a battle (Ezek. 38:20-23). The destruction
there is directly by the hand of God through the nature. God himself is the
agent of destruction not through a war.
2)
In
Ezekiel the invasion is by the king of the north with his allies, which are
limited in number whereas in Revelation 19 and Zechariah 14 all the nations of
the earth are seen to be gathered together for the war.
3)
In
Ezekiel the destruction (not the war) take place in the mountains of Israel
(Ezek. 39:2-4), whereas in Armageddon the events will take place at Jerusalem
(Zech. 12:2; 14:2), at the valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:12) and Edom (Isa.
63:1).
4)
In
Ezekiel Israel is said to be dwelling in her land in peace and safety (Ezek.
38:11) but in Revelation 12:14-17 Israel is not going to dwell in the land in
peace and safety during the latter half of the seventieth week, but will be
special target of Satan’s attack.
5.
At the Middle of Tribulation Period
Arguments
in favor of this view:
1)
The invasion will take place at a time
when Israel is dwelling in their own land (Ezek. 38:8). Israel will not have their own land until the
covenant being made by the “prince that shall come” with the Jews (the future
Roman prince, the little horn of Dan. 7:8 who will be the head of the Roman
Empire seeks to settle the Arab-Israeli dispute by giving Israel the right to
occupy the land) (cf. Dan. 9:27).
2)
The invasion (attack) will take place
when Israel is dwelling in peace
in the land (Ezek. 38:11). This peace is not promised by the Messiah as some
thought. But rather this peace will be falsely promised by the Antichrist with
Israel (“your agreement with hell” Isa. 28:18).
3)
The re-gathering of Israel is described
in chapter 37 of Ezekiel.
Israel could not be said to be at peace at the end of the tribulation period,
because their land is already been destroyed by invasion (Zech. 14:1-3) and the
people scattered (Zech. 13:8, 9).
4)
The reason of breaking the covenant is
because of the invasion of the King
of the North (Dan. 11:40-41). This invasion will take place at middle of the
week. The
king of the South (referred to king of Egypt, Dan. 11:5-35, vv. 42, 43, joined
by the Libyans and Nubians v. 43) and the king of the North (this invader will
be the Assyrians, Isa. 30:31-33; 31:8,9; Mich. 5:5; some suggest it will be
Gog, Ezek. 38:15) will fight against the Antichrist. Israel will be occupied
and many Jews will flee, seeking refuge among the Gentile nations (Rev.
12:14-16).[4]
5) When the Antichrist hears of this invasion, he will move his
army
from Europe into the Middle East, sweeping through many countries . . . like a flood (v. 40). He will move quickly
into the land of Israel, the Beautiful
Land (v. 41; cf. v. 16; 8:9). His first strike will be against Egypt (11:42-43a), for Egypt and her
Arab allies (Libyans and Nubians,
v. 43) are the ones who will initiate the invasion on Israel. On this occasion
the king will not conquer the territory of Edom, Moab, and . . . Ammon (v. 41), now included in the present
kingdom of Jordan. But he will gain control over “many countries.”
6) Then the Antichrist will hear alarming reports from the east (Dan. 11:45-45)
(probably referring to an invasion by a massive army of 200 million soldiers
from east of the Euphrates River, Rev. 9:16) and from the north (perhaps another attack by the king of the North; cf.
Dan. 11:40). Enraged, the Antichrist will set out to destroy . . . many of the invaders. Then he will occupy Israel and
will pitch his royal tents between the
seas, that is, between the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, at the beautiful holy mountain,
probably Jerusalem. Posing as Christ, the Antichrist will set up his
headquarters in Jerusalem, the same city from which Christ will rule the world
in the Millennium (Zech. 14:4, 17). But God will destroy this king (Dan. 7:11,
26) at the personal appearance of Christ (Rev. 19:19-20).
7) Satan will be cast out of heaven at the middle of
Tribulation
(Rev. 12:7-13). His first act in opposition to Israel is to move the King of
the North to this invasion. This will be the beginning of great campaign which
begins at the middle of the week and will continue until the Gentile powers at
the return of Christ. This great campaign will extend over a 3 ½ year period.
8) Many will be saved during the Tribulation not just at the
end of Tribulation (Rev. 7:4-17).
The Chronology of Armageddon at the
Middle of the Tribulation
1.
Israel
will make a false covenant with the Best and occupies her land in a false
security (Dan. 9:27; Ezek. 38:8, 11).
2.
Because
of a desire for spoil at the expense of an easy prey, the King of the North,
satanically motivated, invades Palestine (Ezek. 38:11; Joel 2:1-21; Isa. 10:12;
30:31-33; 31:8, 9).
3.
The Beast
breaks his covenant with Israel and moves into the land (Dan. 11:41-45).
4.
The King
of the North is destroyed on the mountains of Israel (Ezek. 39:1-4).
5.
The land
of Palestine is occupied by the armies of the Beast (Dan. 11:45).
6.
At this
time the great coalition of nations takes place that forms one government under
the Beast (Psa. 2:1-3; Rev. 13:7).
7.
The Kings
of the East are brought in against the armies of the Beast (Rev. 16:12).
When the nations of the earth are gathered together
around Jerusalem (Zech. 14:1-3) and valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2), the Lord
returns to destroy all Gentile world powers so that He might rule the nations
Himself. This is further described in Zech. 12:1-9; 14:1-4; Isa. 33:1-34:17;
63:1-6; 66:15:16; Jer. 25:27-33; Rev. 20:7-10.
[1] International Standard Bible Encyclopedia,
revised edition, Copyright © 1979 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
[2] J. Dwight
Pentecost, Things to Come: A Study in
Biblical Eschatology, (Secunderabad: OM, 1999),
341.
341.
[3] Walvoord, The Bible knowledge
commentary: An exposition of the scriptures (2:965). Wheaton, IL: Victor
Books.
[4]Walvoord, The Bible knowledge commentary:
An exposition of the scriptures (1:1372). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
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