tom lowe
1/11/2022
Armageddon
Who, what, where, when, why. I will attempt to clear away Armageddon's mystery by answering these five questions.
WHO?
Revelation 16 describes the end of the age and the last battle being fought at Armageddon between the forces of good and evil; for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the entire world, to gather them together for the battle on the "great day of God Almighty."
Revelation 16:16 is the key verse of Chapter 16: "Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. "Verse 16 also gives the locations where the spirits of demons are mentioned in verse 14 for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the entire world, to gather them together for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.
Where?
They assembled the international armies. They collect these fighters at a place called Armageddon. This name transliterates (translates) the Hebrew words har Megid'do, meaning "the hill/mount of Megiddo." Mount Megiddo is close to the city of Megiddo, a former royal Canaanite city (Joshua 12:21) and close to the plain of Esdraelon. Megiddo is also mentioned in Zechariah 12:11 as a reference to the mourning for Josiah, whom Egyptian archers killed in that area (2 Chronicles 35:22–25). The Lord enabled Barak to overthrow the Canaanites at this site (Judges 5:19).
What?
While this event is commonly referred to as the "battle of Armageddon," it looks to be an extended series of ongoing fights. Zechariah prophesied in Zechariah 14:1–2 that, before the Lord returns, the war of Armageddon will include plundering and raping in Jerusalem. Half of the city will be taken into captivity. "Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle" (Zechariah 14:3). This means that there will be something of a "war of Armageddon," ending in the return of Christ at the second coming.
Revelation 16:8–16 reports what happens when the fourth, fifth, and sixth angels emptied their bowls of God's wrath. The apostle John's description of the bowl judgments continues, which began in Revelation 16:1–7. The fourth and fifth bowl judgments resemble some of the events of the trumpet judgments but are much more intense. These events occur just prior to the return of Christ to subdue His enemies and establish His kingdom on earth (Revelation 17—19).
In Hebrew, the place called Armageddon can be interpreted as "Har-Megiddo," where Har is a mountain or hill, and Megiddo is the ancient site of Tel Megiddo.
Where? (Location):
The ancient city of Megiddo is located 30 Km southeast of Haifa and is located at a strategic entrance through the eastern Carmel/Manasseh hills, where an ancient trade road (Via Maris). On this site, a vital City once flourished and was mentioned in the Old Testament as a vital city that played an essential role in the history of Biblical Israel.
The hills behind the Tel (mound) are in the south, right next to the Tel. These hills can be called Har-Megeddon, the source of the name of Armageddon. The hills are a lower eastern extension of Mount Carmel. This section is called the Manasseh mountains, and they continue towards the great depression of the Jordan valley. This mountain ridge presented a problem since the passage south had to climb up the mountains in ancient times. There were only a few passages, and Megiddo was one of them – a sort of gatekeeper.
Why?
Why Megiddo area?:
Why was the area of Megiddo selected in Revelation as the place of the future battle between the forces of evil and forces of good? The following factors can explain this:
? Megiddo area (and the Carmel/Manasseh mountains) was a boundary between the Kingdoms of the South (Egypt) and the Kingdoms of the North (Mesopotamian Kingdoms – Assyria, Babylon, Acadian). This friction line was always the center of great battles.
? One of the earliest recorded battles occurred south of Megiddo. In 1468 BC, the Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III won a decisive battle against the revolting Canaanite cities, headed by the King of Megiddo and inspired by Egypt's rival Mitanni (an empire based in northern Mesopotamia). After 7 more months of siege, the city was lost. The result was a capture of 119 cities in the land of Israel, as displayed in the Egyptian temples in Karnack. The victory over the Canaanites also resulted in the Egyptian conquest of Canaan for 350 years. The important battle echoed through the centuries, and was probably the reason this area was selected.
? Prophet Zechariah also placed the future decisive battleground near Megiddo (Zechariah 12: 9, 11): "And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem… In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon".
Biblical References:
Revelation 16 : 1,2, 12-21 [KJ21]
"And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great".
Revelation 19 : 11-21 [KJ21]
"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh".
The Essential Meaning Of Etymology
1: an explanation of where a word came from the history of a word according to its etymology, the English word "dope" comes from the Dutch word "doop" (which means "sauce"). Several different etymologies have been proposed.
2: the study of word histories an expert in etymology
Megiddo – referred in many texts in the Old Testament. The source of the name is not clear. Perhaps it is based on the root G-D-D, or Gdud, meaning: battalion (a great army was stationed here), or a mound (the city was built on an impressive mound). The place where the final battle will be fought between the forces of good and evil (probably so-called about the battlefield of Megiddo. Revelation 16:16).
Megiddon – another form of the name the last and ultimately destructive battle: The arms race can lead to Armageddon.
Armageddon – the nearby Mount (Har). Megiddo probably gave its name to Armageddon. Any significant and crucial conflict.
Revelation 16 describes the end of the age and the last battle being fought at Armageddon between the forces of good and the forces of evil. The text: (16:16): "And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. "
In Hebrew, the place can be interpreted as "Har-Megiddo," where Har is a mountain or hill, and Megiddo is the ancient site of Tel Megiddo.
Location:
The ancient city of Megiddo is located 30Km southeast of Haifa and is located at a strategic entrance through the eastern Carmel/Manasseh hills, where an ancient trade road (Via Maris). On this site, a vital City once flourished and was mentioned in the Old Testament as a vital city that played an essential role in the history of Biblical Israel.
The hills behind the Tel (mound) are in the south, right next to the Tel. These hills can be called Har-Megeddon, the source of the name of Armageddon. The hills are a lower eastern extension of Mount Carmel. This section is called the Manasseh mountains, and they continue towards the great depression of the Jordan valley. This mountain ridge presented a problem since the passage south had to climb up the mountains in ancient times. There were only a few passages, and Megiddo was one of them – a sort of gatekeeper.
Why?
Why Megiddo area?:
Why was the area of Megiddo selected in Revelation as the place of the future battle between the forces of evil and forces of good? The following factors can explain this:
? Megiddo area (and the Carmel/Manasseh mountains) was a boundary between the Kingdoms of the South (Egypt) and the Kingdoms of the North (Mesopotamian Kingdoms – Assyria, Babylon, Acadian). This friction line was always the center of great battles.
? One of the earliest recorded battles occurred south of Megiddo. In 1468 B.C., the Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III won a decisive battle against the revolting Canaanite cities, headed by the King of Megiddo and inspired by Egypt's rival Mitanni (an empire based in northern Mesopotamia). After 7 more months of siege, the city was lost. The result was a capture of 119 cities in the land of Israel, as displayed in the Egyptian temples in Karnack. The victory over the Canaanites also resulted in the Egyptian conquest of Canaan for 350 years. The critical battle echoed through the centuries and was probably why this area was selected.
? Prophet Zechariah also placed the future decisive battleground near Megiddo (Zechariah 12: 9, 11): "And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem… In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon".
Biblical References:
Revelation 16 : 1,2, 12-21 [KJ21]
"And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
…
Etymology (behind the name):
? Megiddo – referred in many texts in the Old Testament. The source of the name is not clear. Perhaps it is based on the root G-D-D, or Gdud, meaning: battalion (a great army was stationed here), or a mound (the city was built on an impressive mound).
? Megiddon – another form of the name
? Armageddon – the nearby Mount (Har) Megiddo probably gave its name to Armageddon.
Who will fight at Armageddon?
Jesus Christ will lead a heavenly army to victory over God's enemies. (Revelation 19:11-16, 19-21) These enemies include those who oppose God's authority and treat God with contempt.—Ezekiel 39:7.
Will Armageddon be fought in the Middle East?
No. Rather than being restricted to one area, the battle of Armageddon will encompass the whole earth.—Jeremiah 25:32-34; Ezekiel 39:17-20.
Armageddon, sometimes rendered "Har–Magedon" (Hebrew Har Meghiddohn'), means "Mountain of Megiddo." Megiddo was once a city in the territory of ancient Israel. History tells of decisive battles fought in its vicinity, including some recorded in the Bible. (Judges 5:19, 20; 2 Kings 9:27; 23:29) However, Armageddon cannot refer to the literal area near ancient Megiddo. There is no large mountain there, and even the entire adjoining Low Plain of Jezreel could not contain all those who will fight against God. Instead, Armageddon is the worldwide situation in which the nations assemble in their last stand against rule by God.
What will conditions be like during the battle of Armageddon? While we do not know how God will use his power, he will have at his disposal weapons such as those he has used in the past—hail, earthquake, flooding downpour, fire and sulfur, lightning, and disease. (Job 38:22, 23; Ezekiel 38:19, 22; Habakkuk 3:10, 11; Zechariah 14:12) In confusion, at least some of God's enemies will kill each other, yet they will ultimately realize that God is fighting against them.—Ezekiel 38:21, 23; Zechariah 14:13.
• Will Armageddon be the end of the world?
It will not be the end of our planet since the earth is humankind's eternal home. (Psalm 37:29; 96:10; Ecclesiastes 1:4) Rather than destroying humanity, Armageddon saves it because "a great crowd" of God's servants will survive.—Revelation 7:9, 14; Psalm 37:34.
Besides referring to the earth, though, the word "world" in the Bible sometimes refers to corrupt human society opposed to God. (1 John 2:15-17) In this sense, Armageddon will bring "the end of the world."—Matthew 24:3, King James Version.
When?
When will Armageddon take place?
When discussing the "great tribulation" that culminates in the battle of Armageddon, Jesus said: "Concerning that day, and hour nobody know, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matthew 24:21, 36). Nevertheless, the Bible shows that Armageddon takes place during Jesus' invisible presence, which began in 1914.—Matthew 24:37-39. The name Armageddon occurs only once in the Bible and designates where the last great battle of the ages will occur ( Rev 16:16 ). It will coincide with the second coming of Christ ( Rev 16:15 ), and there, all of the hosts of evil will be defeated ( Rev 19:11-21 ).
Armageddon is a Hebrew word, although not in the Old Testament. Its meaning is not precisely clear, but it is best taken to mean Mount Megiddo since "Har" in Hebrew means mountain and "Mageddon" is the place-name of Megiddo.
In Old Testament history, Megiddo was a place of numerous decisive battles because of the broad plain that stood before it. Deborah and Barak defeated Sisera and his Canaanite army there (Judges 4-5), Gideon drove off the Midianites and Amalekites (Judges 6), Saul and the army of Israel were defeated because they failed to trust in God (1 Sam 31), and the Egyptian army under Pharaoh Neco killed Josiah, king of Judah (2 Kings 23:29). Although these decisive battles were fought before Megiddo, the place-name never became fixed in Jewish tradition as designating the place of decisive battle. However, given that it was such a place, it is natural that John should use it to locate the final great battle on earth.
Some interpreters take John's designation literally, expecting the armies of the earth to gather against God in the end times below the remains of Old Testament Megiddo; others see in it a more figurative element. They point out that Megiddo was not a mountain and that the battle would occur in the plain. Perhaps John designated Mount Megiddo as a clue to its symbolic meaning, drawing together the historical place of conflict in Israel's history with the prophecies of Ezekiel that speak of the tremendous eschatological conflict taking place in the mountains of Israel ( Ezekiel 39:2 Ezekiel 39:4 Ezekiel 39:17 ).
In any case, John sees the final triumph of God at Armageddon and offers that to the persecuted Christians as a word of comfort and hope that evil will not win but is doomed to ultimate destruction.
Revelation 16 describes the end of the age and the last battle being fought at Armageddon between the forces of good and evil. The text: (16:16): "And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon."
In Hebrew, the place can be interpreted as "Har-Megiddo," where Har is a mountain or hill, and Megiddo is the ancient site of Tel Megiddo.
Location:
The ancient city of Megiddo is located 30Km southeast of Haifa and is located at a strategic entrance through the eastern Carmel/Manasseh hills, where an ancient trade road (Via Maris). On this site, a vital City once flourished and was mentioned in the Old Testament as a vital city that played an essential role in the history of Biblical Israel.
The hills behind the Tel (mound) are in the south, right next to the Tel. These hills can be called Har-Megeddon, the source of the name of Armageddon. The hills are a lower eastern extension of Mount Carmel. This section is called the Manasseh mountains, and they continue towards the great depression of the Jordan valley. This mountain ridge presented a problem since the passage south had to climb up the mountains in ancient times. There were only a few passages, and Megiddo was one of them – a sort of gatekeeper.
Why
Why Megiddo area?:
Why was the area of Megiddo selected in Revelation as the place of the future battle between the forces of evil and forces of good? The following factors can explain this:
? The Megiddo area (and the Carmel/Manasseh mountains) was a boundary between the Kingdoms of the South (Egypt) and the Kingdoms of the North (Mesopotamian Kingdoms – Assyria, Babylon, Acadian). This friction line was always the center of great battles.
? One of the earliest recorded battles occurred south of Megiddo. In 1468 BC, the Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III won a decisive battle against the revolting Canaanite cities, headed by the King of Megiddo and inspired by Egypt's rival Mitanni (an empire based in northern Mesopotamia). After seven more months of siege, the city was lost. The result was a capture of 119 cities in the land of Israel, as displayed in the Egyptian temples in Karnack. The victory over the Canaanites also resulted in the Egyptian conquest of Canaan for 350 years. The critical battle echoed through the centuries and was probably why this area was selected.
? Prophet Zechariah also placed the future decisive battleground near Megiddo (Zechariah 12: 9, 11): "And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem… In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon".
Biblical References:
• Revelation 16:1,2, 12-21 [KJ21] "And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go r ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great."
• Revelation 19: 11-21 [KJ21] "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant was slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh."
