END OF TIME PROPHECIES 220

Armageddon                                                    Revelation 19v17-21

This word strikes terror into the hearts of men who hold all in this life dear.   It is perceived as the ultimate calamity for the world.   The name originates from the plain of Megiddo, which is a flat valley, situated in northern Israel, some 30 km. south east of Haifa, and stretching from Mount Carmel, by the sea, to the River Jordan. It is also called  "the valley of Jezreel", and is predicted in the bible to be the scene of final Divine retribution against the enemies of Israel.   The word is made up of two parts....har meaning hill, and Megiddo referring to the plain.

The biblical history of Armageddon;  The area has long been associated with conflict, and will be to the end.  The first recorded battle involved tens of thousands, the war between Barak and Sisera, a victory later referred to in Psalm 83v9; the details are found in Judges chapter 4.   Then in Judges 6-8 we have the notable victory under Gideon, when a few hundred men put to flight an army of 135000 ( Judges 8v10).   In 1 Samuel 31 the death of Saul, the first great king of Israel, along with his son Jonathan, is recorded, at the battle on mount Gilboa against the Philistines; this location was on the border of the plain of Megiddo.   It was there we have the record of the slaying of Naboth, the first recorded killing of a commoner by royalty( 1 Kings 21v1-23), and the assassination of Jezebel( 2 Kings 9v30-35), as well as the murder of the seventy sons of King Ahab( 2 Kings 10v1-11).   In 2 Kings 20v29, we learn that King Josiah lost his life in the battle against the Egyptians at Megiddo. Truly the plain of Megiddo has a long and bloody history.

The biblical prophecies relating to Armageddon. The actual name appears only in Revelation 16v16. The references to the event, however are scattered throughout scripture. We can understand it more if we see that the significant word is "gathering".   There has never been a gathering quite like this!

• 1. The gathering of all the armies of the earth; Revelation 19v19  says "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."   In revelation 16v14-16, we learn that God used demon spirits to gather all the world armies into one place...."He gathered them together to a place called in the Hebrew tongue ARMAGEDDON."   The occasion was described as "the battle of the great day of God almighty."  This gathering is recorded in the prophetic scriptures as follows; Psalm 2v1-5; Joel 3v2  "I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat...".   The mention of Jehoshaphat is significant if we read the account in 2 Chronicles 20, where the Lord scattered their enemies without them; this will be repeated at Armageddon. Joel 3v9-14 God invites the nations to gather against Him (in a mocking call which reflects Psalm 2),  "Assemble yourselves.........gather yourselves together.....prepare war.."; the result?   "multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!" Zephaniah 3v8 makes it abundantly clear as God counsels His people  "Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy."  Again, Zechariah 14v3, "I will gather all nations against Jerusalem....".
• 2. The gathering of the armies of heaven;   Revelation 19v14  "the armies which were in heaven followed Him", Jude 14  "Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints...(apparently 10000 in Hebrew is the highest number, so it probably means numberless).   No one but the Lord will strike a blow, the Lord alone will administer Divine power and justice; the angels will effect the necessary separations, and the church will be on the frontline of the administration of the kingdom.
• 3.  The gathering of the vultures of the heavens;  "And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice unto 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."   Revelation 19v17-18.   So comprehensive will be the slaughter, that it will require the carnivore birds to clean up; the picture is gruesome but it will happen.   God hates mess, especially dead flesh, and it will be cleared by  the birds created for the specific purpose.   The carnage is described in Revelation14v20.  Chapter 19 verse 21 records "..all the fowls were filled with their flesh"; the only possible end to those who oppose the living God.
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