Armageddon

For other uses, see Armageddon (disambiguation).

Ruins atop Mount Armageddon.

Mount Armageddon (Template:Lang-grc Harmagedōn, Template:Lang-he, Har Megiddo, Arabic هرمجدون, Late Latin: [Armagedōn] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help))  is the site of an epic battle associated with the end time prophecies of the Abrahamic religions.

According to some premillennial Christian interpretations, the Messiah will return to earth and defeat the Antichrist (the "beast") in the battle of Armageddon. Then Satan will be put into the "bottomless pit" or abyss for 1,000 years, known as the Millennial Age. After being released from the abyss, Satan will gather Gog and Magog (peoples of two specific nations) from the four corners of the earth. They will encamp surrounding the "holy ones" and the "beloved city" (this refers to Jerusalem). Fire will come down from God, out of heaven and devour Gog and Magog after the Millennium, and the Devil who deceived them is thrown into Gehenna (the Lake of Fire and brimstone, or Hell) where the Beast and the False Prophet have been since just before the 1,000 years.

The word Armageddon appears only once in the Greek New Testament. The word comes from Hebrew har məgiddô (הר מגידו), meaning "Mountain of Megiddo". Mount Armageddon is a small mount or hill on which ancient forts were built that guarded the main highway, the Via Maris, that connected Ancient Egypt with Mesopotamia. Megiddo was the location of many decisive battles in ancient times (including one in the 15th century BC and one in 609 BC). The town Megiddo in Israel is approximately 25 miles (40 km) westsouthwest of the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee (or Lake Tiberias to the Romans) in the Kishon River area.

Christianity

Evangelist John of Patmos writes the Book of Revelation. Painting by Hieronymus Bosch (1505).

See also: Christian eschatology

Megiddo is mentioned twelve times in the Old Testament, ten times in reference to the ancient city of Megiddo, and twice with reference to "the plain of Megiddo", most probably simply meaning "the plain next to the city". None of these Old Testament passages describe the city of Megiddo as being associated with any particular prophetic beliefs. The one New Testament reference to the city of Armageddon found in Revelation:16 in fact also makes no specific mention of any armies being predicted to one day gather in this city, but instead seems to predict only that "they (will gather) the kings together to .... Armageddon." The text does however seem to imply, based on the text from the earlier passage of Revelation 16:14, that the purpose of this gathering of kings in the "place called Armageddon" might be so that these kings could do battle with one another. Because of the seemingly highly symbolic and even cryptic language of this one New Testament passage, some Christian scholars conclude the Mount Armageddon must be an idealized location. Rushdoony says, "There are no mountains of Megiddo, only the Plains of Megiddo. This is a deliberate destruction of the vision of any literal reference to the place." Other scholars, including C. C. Torrey, Kline and Jordan argue that the word is derived from the Hebrew moed (מועד), meaning "assembly". Thus, "Armageddon" would mean "Mountain of Assembly," which Jordan says is "a reference to the assembly at Mount Sinai, and to its replacement, Mount Zion."

Dispensationalism

The Dispensational viewpoint interprets biblical prophecy literally and expects that the fulfillment of prophecy will also be literal, depending upon the context of scripture. In his discussion of Armageddon, J. Dwight Pentecost has devoted an entire chapter to the subject, titled "The Campaign of Armageddon", in which he discusses Armageddon as a campaign and not a specific battle, which will be fought in the Middle East. Pentecost writes:

It has been held commonly that the battle of Armageddon is an isolated event transpiring just prior to the second advent of Christ to the earth. The extent of this great movement in which God deals with "the kings of the earth and of the whole world" (Rev. 16:14) will not be seen unless it is realized that the "battle of that great day of God Almighty" (Rev. 16:14) is not an isolated battle, but rather a campaign that extends over the last half of the tribulation period. The Greek word "polemo", translated "battle" in Revelation 16:14, signifies a war or campaign, while "machē" signifies a battle, and sometimes even single combat. This distinction is observed by Trench, (see Richard C. Trench, New Testament Synonyms, pp.301-2) and is followed by Thayer (see Joseph Henry Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 528) and Vincent (see Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, II, 541). The use of the word polemos (campaign) in Revelation 16:14 would signify that the events that culminate in the gathering at Armageddon at the second advent are viewed by God as one connected campaign.

— Pentecost, p.340

Pentecost then discusses the location of this campaign, and mentions the "hill of Megiddo" and other geographic locations such as "the valley of Jehoshaphat" and "the valley of the passengers", "Lord coming from Edom or Idumea, south of Jerusalem, when He returns from the judgment"; and Jerusalem itself.

Pentecost further describes the area involved:

This wide area would cover the entire land of Israel and this campaign, with all its parts, would confirm what Ezekiel pictures when he says the invaders will 'cover the land'. This area would conform to the extent pictured by John in Revelation 14:20."

Pentecost then outlines the biblical time period for this campaign to occur and with further arguments concludes that it must take place with the 70th week of Daniel. The invasion of Israel by the Northern Confederacy "will bring the Beast and his armies to the defense of Israel as her protector". He then uses Daniel to further clarify his thinking: (Dan. 11:40b-45).

Again, events are listed by Pentecost in his book:

1. "The movement of the campaign begins when the King of the South moves against the Beast-False Prophet coalition, which takes place 'at the time of the end.'"
2. "The King of the South is joined by the Northern Confederacy, who attacks the Wilful King by a great force over land and sea (11:40). Jerusalem is destroyed as a result of this attack, and, in turn, the armies of the Northern Confederacy are destroyed"
3. "The full armies of the Beast move into Israel (11:41) and shall conquer all that territory (11:41-42). Edom, Moab, and Ammon alone escape. . . ."
4. ". . . a report that causes alarm is brought to the Beast"
5. "The Beast moves his headquarters into the land of Israel and assembles his armies there."
6. "It is there that his destruction will come. (11:45)."

After the destruction of the Beast at the Second Coming of Jesus, the promised Kingdom is set up, in which Jesus and the Saints will rule for a thousand years. Satan is then loosed "for a season" and goes out to deceive the nations, specifically, Gog and Magog. The army mentioned attacks the Saints in the New Jerusalem, they are defeated by a judgment of fire coming down from Heaven, and then comes the Great White Throne judgment, which includes all of those through the ages and these are cast into the Lake of Fire, which event is also known as the "second death" and Gehenna, not to be confused with Hell, which is Satan's domain. Pentecost describes this as follows:

The destiny of the lost is a place in the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20; 20:10, 14-15; 21:8). This lake of fire is described as everlasting fire (Matt. 25:41) (Matt. 18:8) and as unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43-44), 46-48, emphasizing the eternal character of retribution of the lost.

— Pentacost, p. 555

Jehovah's Witnesses

See also: Eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Armageddon is a battle in which Satan unites the kings of the earth against God's appointed king, Christ. Unlike other Christian groups, Witnesses believe that the 'Antichrist' is not an individual, that the war is not one of nations fighting against each other, and that Megiddo refers to a symbolic gathering of all the kings of the earth.

According to The Watchtower magazine, prior to Armageddon "militarized powers within the United Nations" will attack all religions, and then focus their attack on the Witnesses, who will continue to preach. The world's leaders will then battle against God and his forces, provoked by expressions and signs inspired by demons; after they are destroyed God's kingdom will be established over earth for a thousand years. The final judgment and purification of earth's sin occurs at the end of the millennium.

Seventh-day Adventist

Main article: Seventh-day Adventist eschatology § Armageddon

Seventh-day Adventist understanding of Revelation 13-22

The teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church state that the terms "Armageddon", "Day of the Lord" and "The Second Coming of Christ" all describe the same event. Seventh-day Adventists further teach that the current religious movements taking place in the world are setting the stage for Armageddon, and they are concerned by the growing unity between spiritualism, American Protestantism and Roman Catholicism. A further significant difference in Seventh-day Adventist theology is the teaching that the events of Armageddon will leave the earth desolate for the duration of the millennium. They teach that the righteous will be taken to heaven while the rest of humanity will be destroyed, leaving Satan with no one to tempt and effectively "bound." The final re-creation of a "new heaven and a new earth." then follows the millennium.

Seventh Day Remnant

The Remnant Church teaching comes from Revelation 16:13-16. The word "Armageddon" itself translates "a symbolic name" (see Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, #717). Yet the Scriptures do teach that there will be an immense battle which involves the whole world. This battle and controversy will not be fought with literal weapons, such as guns, tanks, aircraft, or armed forces. But will be fought, has already begun to be fought, and will continue to grow in intensity until every person in the world becomes involved.

“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 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.” Revelation 16:13-16.

The Scriptures teach that this battle is fought between two main forces: God, Christ, and His clean or righteousness followers, versus the Devil, evil spirits, and his unclean or wicked followers. So the battle of Armageddon is a symbol describing this great controversy and conflict raging between God and Satan--between truth and error. And this spiritual battle will eventually involve every person on earth for each must decide whom to follow--either Christ and truth, or the devil and error: either eternal life with Christ, or eternal destruction with Satan.

This battle and warfare between Christ and Satan began in heaven.

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:7-9.

Even though the Devil was cast out of heaven, he continued his warfare against Christ and God on this earth. For nearly six thousand years this conflict has ebbed and flowed. But the final battle to be waged in this great controversy, the point towards which all events have been tending, is what the Bible describes as the great day of God Almighty--the battle of Armageddon. This final battle between truth and error is clearly portrayed in Revelation Chapters 12,13,14, &18. And all humanity have entered into this battle.

Since Armageddon is a symbol describing the spiritual battle between truth and error the weapons the Devil uses are shown in a symbolic manner. Things likened to frogs which came out of the mouth of the Dragon, Beast, and False Prophet. Now frogs catch their prey with their tongues, and what comes out of the mouth are words grouped together into statements of belief. So these three entities catch their prey by speaking or teaching various doctrines of error.

The Bible shows those who desire to follow Christ and the truth, it is of the utmost importance to clearly identify who the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet are so we can avoid being deceived by their various false doctrines and thereby be lost.

In Revelation 12, the Dragon is primarily Satan. Various spiritualistic, paganistic, and occultic teachings which many kingdoms of the world have been established upon--including the ancient pagan Roman Empire. While many believe paganism to be a thing of the past, there are still millions today who are involved in its heathenistic beliefs and devil worship.

The primary feature of the pagan religion is the worship of nature. Since the most exalted form in nature is the human body, and most particularly the mind, man is led to worship the powers of the mind and thus to exalt human opinion above divine revelation. All of the great ruling powers of earth also demonstrated the fact that in paganism, church and state were not separate— but were united together. In Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, the state was always used to support and give force to the pagan religion of the time. Time and again laws were enacted and civil power was used to enforce the worship of pagan deities and false beliefs.

Today, as well as in ancient times, the spirit of exalting and worshiping human opinions, institutions, and tradition; the spirit of worldliness; and the craving to unite the church with the state in order that the church might be strengthened to enforce her dogma and decrees, is the spirit of the Dragon. And this spirit will grow more and more prominent until it culminates in the great time of trouble for God's people.

It is not only this unclean spirit that is working today through humanism and other vain philosophies--exalting the human above the divine, exalting error above the truth--but there is a second unclean spirit which comes out of the mouth of the Beast. In Revelation 13, the Beast which arose out of the ruins of pagan Rome; the Beast which united herself with paganism in order to increase her numbers; the Beast which ruled for 1260 prophetic days (Revelation 12:6), or 3 1/2 prophetic years (Revelation 12:14), or 42 prophetic months (Revelation 13:3)--each totaling 1260 literal years (see Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6), is none other than the Roman Catholic Church.

This great religious system of Catholicism exalts the organized church above the individual conscience, and when there is a conflict between the Bible and church creed, the latter always assumes predominance over Bible truth. If there is a disagreement between a person's conscience and church dogma, the church through it's tradition and opinion always takes preeminence. In contrast with this domination by church rule, Paul commends the noble Bereans because “they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” Acts 17:11. We do not see Paul asking the believers to accept doctrine on the basis of Apostolic authority, but rather he commended them for searching the Scriptures for themselves to confirm the truth of what they had been taught. The idea of God's word as the supreme authority and rule of life is the religion and truth of the Bible (see John 5:39; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Isaiah 8:20), and this knowledge sets us free (see John 8:32).

The third unclean spirit is the spirit of the False Prophet. A prophet is one who claims to have received messages from God, and then claims to be God's spokesman in relaying these messages to the people (see Numbers 12:6; Deuteronomy 18:22). A false prophet would then be someone who purports to be speaking for God, when in reality he is not (see Jeremiah 14:14).

The False Prophet cannot refer to the papacy, for it has always claimed to accept tradition above Bible revelation and the right to change God's commandments at will. But the various churches of Protestantism have professed to follow the Bible and the Bible only as the basis of their faith and doctrine. Today we see them following in the footsteps of Rome by exalting tradition and human opinion above the truth of God's word. They are therefore a false prophet clinging to, and speaking forth, error and yet claiming it is God's truth.

While differing in some aspects, Protestant churches are all uniting together on points of doctrine which they all agree, and are more and more resembling Roman Catholicism. When, in the pursuit of her desired goals, this False Prophet of Protestantism follows in same footsteps of Rome, by uniting with and resorting to civil power to support it's teachings and trample upon the right of free conscience in order to enforce her dogmas, she will also become an Image of this Beast (see Revelation 13).

By rejecting truth, people are rejecting the Author of truth and preparing themselves to take the Devil's side in this last great conflict. By persistent refusal to accept the authority of God--the Lawgiver, and to obey His laws, men, women, and children are binding themselves to the great apostate in lawlessness.

No error strikes more directly against the authority and government of Heaven and is more opposed to the dictates of reason than the idea that the law of God is no longer binding. Law is the basis of all government, and it is completely without reason or support to believe that the Ruler of the universe has abdicated His responsibility and left us without His law. Whether the Devil can get you to cast aside God's law altogether, or only reject one of it's precepts, the result is the same. He that offends “in one point” manifests contempt for the whole law; his influence and example are on the side of transgression; he becomes “guilty of all” (see James 2:10). Wherever the divine precepts are set aside, sin ceases to appear sinful or righteousness desirable.

The Scriptures declare that the spirits of devils will work mighty miracles that deceive almost the whole world, and then gather the people together for the last great battle. The focal point of the conflict will be the law of God, particularly the Sabbath, which points to the Lawgiver as the only Creator and hence to our inherent obligation as His creatures to render Him obedience. It is the work of the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6-12 & 18:1-5 to counter this attack on God's law by presenting to the world the worship due to God as our Creator.

With the three-fold union of the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet, all the people of the earth will be forced to unite on the platform of error against God and the truth of the Bible. And those who do not follow their decrees will be killed. Thus through the deceptive doctrines and teachings of this three-fold union of spiritualism, Catholicism, and Protestantism, all the inhabitants of the earth will be brought to decide for or against God and His truth (see Revelation 13:15-17).

The Whole World Brought to a Decision

Once again, as in Daniel's day, an image will be raised, much as was the golden image upon the plain of Shinar (see Daniel 3). The issue is the same--the law and honor of God. Just as the music and imposing display worked to secure popular support for Nebuchadnezzar's image in ancient Babylon, in this final conflict there will be miracles to deceive. Anciently, when all lesser inducements failed, there was the fiery furnace waiting to persuade the conscience. In a similar manner the commandment-keeping people of God face the loss of all worldly support, and ultimately death itself, as the price for their faithfulness to God and His law. Only those whose faith is founded upon the sure Word of God will be able to stand amid the near total apostasy.

But at the darkest point in earth's history, when in the final stages in this battle of Armageddon it appears that the forces of evil must surely prevail and God's obedient remnant people must soon seal their testimony with their blood, God's followers will be delivered and all the workers of iniquity will be destroyed. Christ Himself comes to save His obedient and faithful followers and take them home.

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” Daniel 12:1.

“When once the master of the house is risen up...he shall say, I tell you, I know not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.” Luke 13:25,27.

“Thou shalt bring down the noise of strangers...the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low....He (Christ) will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord, we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:5,8-9.

Christ asks us to decide which side we will be found on in this great battle of Armageddon between God and Satan--between truth and error. There will be no neutral spectators. Each person will be found in one of two positions. They will either join the lawless in making void God's law, or will be among those faithful who live by every word of God, and who keep all of His commandments.

How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. 1 Kings 18:21.

Influence

The idea that a final "Battle of Armageddon" will be fought at Tel Megiddo has had a wide influence, especially in the US. According to Donald E. Wagner, Professor of Religion and Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at North Park University, Ronald Reagan was an adherent of "Armageddon theology," and "seemed to blend his political analysis with his Armageddon theology quite naturally."

Some militia groups in the US, such as the Hutaree, are reported to have prepared for violent action associated with related apocalyptic beliefs.

Islam

Muslims believe that the Islamic Prophet Muhammad prophesied several events to occur just before the advent of the Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Qiyamah). Al Dajaal (the Antichrist) will fool people into believing that he is the Christ or God and ask people to worship him. True believers (Muslims) will reject him but will not be able to defeat him on their own. God (Allah) will then send Isa (Jesus) to earth to fight the Antichrist in the battle of Armageddon, and he will defeat Al Dajaal (the Antichrist) and his followers. This war is given the name "Al-Malhama Al-Kubra" (the biggest battle) in the Hadith (appearing in the Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim collections)

Ahmadiyya

In Ahmadiyya, Armageddon is viewed as a spiritual battle or struggle in the present age between the forces of good, i.e. righteousness, purity and virtue, and the forces of evil. The final struggle between the two comes as satanic influence is let loose with the emergence of Gog and Magog. Satan gathers all his powers, and uses all his methods to mislead people, introducing an age where iniquity, promiscuity, atheism, and materialism abound. According to Ahmadi teachings, the present age has as a result been a witness to the wrath of God with the occurrence of the First and Second World Wars and the frequency of natural disasters.

Ahmadis believe that God appointed Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as the Promised Messiah and Mahdi for the spiritual reformation and moral direction of mankind. The moral teachings of Islam, as elucidated by Ghulam Ahmad in accordance with the present age, would eventually protect from and overcome these evil things, and establish the unity and sincere worship of God and an age of peace on earth. This age continues for approximately one thousand years as per Judeo-Christian and Islamic prophecies of the Apocalypse; it is characterised by the assembling of mankind under one faith, Islam in Ahmadiyya belief.

Bahá'í faith

From Bahá'í literature a number of interpretations of the expectations surrounding the Battle of Armageddon may be inferred, three of them being associated with events surrounding the World Wars:

The first interpretation deals with a series of tablets written by Bahá'u'lláh, founder of the Bahá'í Faith, to be sent to various kings and rulers.

The second, and best-known one, relates to events near the end of World War I involving General Allenby and the Battle of Megiddo (1918) wherein World Powers are said to have drawn soldiers from many parts of the world to engage in battle at Megiddo. In winning this battle Allenby also prevented the Turks from killing 'Abdu'l-Baha, then head of the Baha'i Faith, whom they had intended to crucify.

A third interpretation reviews the overall progress of the World Wars, and the situation in the world before and after.

See also

• 1 Maccabees
• Antiochus Epiphanes
• Apocalyptic literature
• Bible Prophecy
• Daniel 8
• Daniel 11
• Day-year principle
• Dispensationalism
• Escapism
• Historicism
• Left Behind series
• Millennialism
• Millenarianism
• Progressive dispensationalism
• Ragnarök
• Siege of Jerusalem (70)
• Tel Megiddo
• Waiting for Armageddon
• Whore of Babylon