Today, I want to talk about the Battle of Armageddon. Armageddon is only mentioned one time in the Bible—in Revelation chapter 16—yet this is one of the best-known words of end-time prophecy. People today hear “Armageddon” and think about some big catastrophe, but they don’t realize that Armageddon is a literal place in northern Israel. It’s fascinating to me that the very first single battle ever recorded in human history was at Megiddo, and the very final battle ever recorded in the Bible will be at the same place. The two great climactic events of the Great Tribulation are the Second Coming of Christ and Armageddon, and they’re very related to one another. I want to show you three main texts in Revelation that describe this campaign, explain why it spans the entire land of Israel, and reveal why it won’t really be a battle at all—Jesus will simply speak the word and it’ll be over.
Key Facts
· Scripture Focus: Revelation 16:12–16 (only mention of “Armageddon” in Bible); also Revelation 14:19–20 (preview) and Revelation 19:19–21 (full description)
· Literal Location: Har-Megiddo (Mount Megiddo) in northern Israel; overlooks Valley of Megiddo/Jezreel Valley—20 miles long, 14 miles wide; Napoleon called it “perfect battlefield”
· Historical Significance: First recorded single battle in human history fought at Megiddo by Egyptian King Thutmose III against Canaanite alliance; final battle at same location
· Campaign Not Battle: Word means “campaign” not single battle; spans 184 miles (Revelation 14:20) from Megiddo (north) to Edom (south) with Jerusalem (Kidron Valley) in middle
· Three Stages in Revelation: Chapter 14 previews (blood to horse’s bridle for 184 miles), Chapter 16 defines location (sixth Bowl Judgment), Chapter 19 describes outcome
· Gathering Mechanism: Demonic spirits from Dragon, Beast, and False Prophet perform signs to gather “kings of the whole world” (Revelation 16:13–14); Euphrates dried up for “kings from the east”
· Not Really a Battle: Jesus defeats all armies with “sword of His mouth”—His spoken word (Revelation 19:15); 2 Thessalonians 2:8 says “breath of His mouth”
· Beast and False Prophet: Cast alive into Lake of Fire (Revelation 19:20); 1,000 years later still there when Satan joins them (Revelation 20:10)—denies annihilationism
· Geographic Scope: Joel chapter 3 Valley of Jehoshaphat (Kidron Valley between Mount of Olives and Temple Mount); Isaiah chapters 34, 63 mention Edom; entire land of Israel engulfed
· Next Topic Preview: 75-day period between Second Coming and official inauguration of Millennium (from Daniel’s prophecies)
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The End Times Timeline: God’s Eternal Plan Revealed
This small comprehensive book, The End Times Timeline provides believers with an accessible framework for understanding biblical prophecy. It traces God’s prophetic program from the Old Testament through the eternal state. What’s particularly noteworthy is how current events align with ancient predictions—Israel’s restoration, technological advances enabling global surveillance, and the geopolitical alignment of nations mentioned in Ezekiel 38–39.
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