BIBLE TOPICS

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path". Ps 119:105

Subjects

ARMAGEDDON

What is it? It's the place (which under this name appears only in the Book of Revelation 16v14-16), of the battle on the great day of God Almighty; the time of God's judgment of all who despise His authority and mock His name; a time of great destruction and upheaval - Rev. 16:17-21.

Is it significant that this name appears in the Book of Revelation? Yes, because the Book of Revelation (in Greek - Apocalupsis from which is derived that much misused adjective 'apocalyptic') is concerned with the 'apocalypse' - the 'appearing' and 'revealing' of Jesus Christ, the future king of the world. Jesus' second coming and the battle of the great day of God Almighty are linked throughout the Bible.

Where is it? The name Armageddon refers to the area of Megiddo in Palestine though some Bible students believe the name is symbolic as well and can be broken down into its elements (shown below). Now some other Bible quotations: Joel 3:1-2 and 3:13-17. These tell us that when the Jews are a nation again in Palestine (in itself a remarkable prediction) God will gather all nations ('the kings of the whole world' - Rev. 16) - to the valley of Jehoshaphat for judgment. Note:- the idea of harvest in Joel 3v13 and compare with Micah 4:11-12 and the idea of those harvested sheaves gathered for threshing; and with Daniel 2:35 and 45 when the harvest is 'threshed' and the unwanted chaff is blown away. The different imagery of this last vision shows the work of judgment performed by a 'stone cut out of the mountains without hands' - surely a prophecy of Jesus - born of God and not by the will of man. So if we put this information together:

Hence in Joel 3 the place is called : Valley of Jehoshaphat (Jehoshaphat meaning 'judgment of Yahweh') also Valley of Decision (decision meaning 'threshing instrument'). So the last great battle, the day of God's judgment will take place in the land of Israel.

When is it? When Jesus returns to earth, this time in power and great glory to judge and rule the world - 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10. His return will be unexpected, an unwelcome surprise to the majority - Rev. 16:15. But do we have any idea when He will come? Yes, many Bible prophecies describe the world scene preparatory to His coming. For example - When Israel is again a nation in Palestine - Ezekiel 38 - when the Jews control Jerusalem - Luke 21 - when a power from the North is a dominant world power - Ezekiel 38 - when other named nations are linked to or involved with this Great Power - Ezekiel 38 - when the number and complexity of apparently insoluble problems caused perplexity and despair among thinkers and world leaders. Our world today fulfils these requirements.

ARMAGEDDON is near, but so is Jesus and that should cause us to 'lift up our heads' because our redemption is drawing near also. You will find it interesting to also read: Matthew 24; Zechariah 12 and 14; Habakkuk 3; Zephaniah 3; Ezekiel 37 - 39.