Chapter Eight - The Battle of Armageddon
1. INTRODUCTION
The past few centuries have witnessed an unusual number of international conflicts. The reason is clear. The natural heart is greedy and lustful (James 4:1, 2). But the Bible teaches that the worst war of all still lies in the future, a titanic struggle between the marshaled armies of man and the forces of the Son of God. The battle of Armageddon will be the "war to end war." The colossal global struggles of the twentieth century pave the way for this martial conflagration.
1.1 Meaning of the Name "Armageddon"
Only once does the word occur in the Bible. The armies will be gathered together "into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon" (Revelation 16:16). The derivation of the term is highly descriptive and appropriate. "Har" signifies "mountain." "Gadad" means "cut off," that is, slaughter. Armageddon, "mount of slaughter," will indeed be the scene of mass destruction and death.
2. THE PLACE
Megiddo, one of the crucial sites of "the battle of that great day of God Almighty" (Revelation 16:14), is in north central Israel, on the edge of the plain of Esdraelon, about ten miles north of Nazareth and fifteen miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea. The actual campaign, however, will extend as far as the valley of Jehoshaphat (east of Jerusalem, Joel 3:2, 12) and even farther south in the direction of Edom (Idumea, Isaiah 34:5; 63:1).
2.1 Its Strategic Location
Historically the plain of Esdraelon has been the crossroad of commerce, culture and conquest. Caravan routes of ancient days passed nearby. Oil pipelines from the east to the Mediterranean Sea are in the vicinity. Oil is desperately needed by the nations. Perhaps it will be an occasion, if not the basic cause, of Armageddon.
2.2 Its Previous Military Conflicts
Through the years armies have clashed here. There seems to be ample room for the deployment of troops. King Thutmose III of Egypt triumphed nearby over an Asiatic federation in 1479 BC. Barak was victor over Sisera (Judges 4:15, 16), Gideon over the Midianites (Judges 6:33; 7:22-24) and the Philistines over Israel (1 Samuel 31:1-10) near the spot where Armageddon will be fought. Both Ahaziah and Josiah, kings of Judah, perished at Megiddo (2 Kings 9:27; 23:29, 30). The crusaders struggled here with the Saracens, and Napoleon's armies with their foes. And in AD 1917 General Allenby here turned the Turkish army north.
3. THE TIME
The battle of Armageddon is invariably associated in Scripture with the advent of Christ in glory to this earth. Christ is the smiting Stone of Daniel 2:34, 44, 45 (see Matthew 21:44), who will strike and overthrow the federated nations. This will take place in "the latter days" (Daniel 2:28). Remember that Antichrist, one of the leaders at Armageddon, will be destroyed "with the brightness of his (Jesus') coming" (2 Thessalonians 2:8). Revelation 19:11-16 is equally explicit. While Antichrist is still strutting in triumph across the lands, and the great tribulation is running its lethal course - suddenly, like a bolt of lightning that rends the vault of heaven, Jesus will return to "judge and make war" (Revelation 19:11), that is, to judge the nations (Matthew 25:31-46) and to fight the battle of Armageddon.
4. THE PARTICIPANTS
Four groups will coverge from different directions upon Israel. The indignation of the Lord will be "upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies" (Isaiah 34:2).
4.1 The Armies from the North
While the Jewish people are living securely in Israel, the military confederation spearheaded by Russia will invade the country. These powerful allies will probably regard the re-established Hebrew republic as an easy victim. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God said, "A great company, and a mighty army" will come "up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land...O Gog" (Ezekiel 38:15, 16). The land of Israel has been through the years and will be in the days of Armageddon, the crucial, strategic prize for which the nations will strive. God will, indeed, "make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem" (Zechariah 12:2).
4.2 The Armies from the West
John 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" (Revelation 19:19). Antichrist and his political allies will march from the area of the ancient Roman Empire. The man of sin will break his covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:27). He and his cohorts will move swiftly into the land of Israel in the effort to subdue any attempts to challenge their monopolistic claims.
4.3 The Armies from the East
What is the meaning of the nationalistic stirring today in Asia? Why are nations there asserting their independence and emerging from the feudalism and ignorance of other days? As time speeds rapidly on toward the day of military climax, Asia is erupting in preparation for her share in the global conflict. The "way of the kings of the east" (Revelation 16:12) is being prepared. From southeast Asia powerful forces will march, crossing the River Euphrates (Revelation 16:12) directly on their way toward Israel, and eventually joining in the titanic struggle for power.
4.4 The Armies of the Lord
At precisely the strategic hour the Son the God will move dramatically and unerringly against the assembled hosts. This is no meeting of saints with their Saviour in the air. The feet of the Lord of glory will stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is "before Jerusalem on the east" (Zechariah 14:4). His mission will be to "make war" (Revelation 19:11). "Faithful and True" is His title (Revelation 19:11); His name, "The Word of God" (Revelation 19:13). Armies of the redeemed will follow Him (Revelation 19:14). With His sharp sword He will "smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron" (Revelation 19:15a; compare Psalm 2:9).
5. THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
Israel will feel safe in her land, for she will have entered into a covenant with Antichrist (Daniel 9:27) - a treaty which will presumably guarantee her integrity and security.
5.1 The Attack from the North
The northern military confederation, including nations to the southeast and southwest of Israel - Persia, Ethiopia and Libya (Ezekiel 38:5) - will strike first. This preliminary invasion may occur early in Antichrist's reign. It will be repulsed, not by military might, but through natural forces ordered and directed by the Lord (Ezekiel 38:20-22).
5.2 The Invasion from the West
Antichrist, sensing that his claims to the land of Israel are threatened by the northern peril, will move his forces into the holy land (Daniel 11:41) and establish his headquarters in Jerusalem (Daniel 11:45).
5.3 The Invasion from the East
Oriental hordes will advance against the troops of Antichrist (Daniel 11:44). But before battle can be joined, "the sign of the Son of man in heaven" (Matthew 24:30) will appear.
5.4 The Return of Christ in Power and Great Glory
The armed masses from west and east, moved by animosity against one another, but chiefly against the God of Israel (compare Psalm 2:2; Isaiah 34:2; Revelation 17:14), will meet in mortal combat a divine, irresistable, all-conquering Power. This topic will be discussed in more details in paragraph 7 of this chapter.
5.5 The Judgment of the Nations
The return of Christ to the earth will be followed immediately by two judgments:
One of these will be the judgment of living Gentiles recorded in Matthew 25:31-46. The basis of that judgment will be the response of each person to the brethren of Christ, the 144,000 Jewish messengers He will have sent out to proclaim His coming (25:40; compare Matthew 10:14, 15, 40). Those who have rejected these witnesses will go into everlasting punishment (25:41, 46). The saved Gentiles will continue alive into the Millennial kingdom (25:34). At the rapture of the Church, seven years earlier, the believers will be given resurrection bodies. But in the judgment discussed here, no resurrection is involved. The saved Gentiles, still in their mortal bodies, will bear children in the Millennium.
The other judgment at the return of Christ will be the judgment of Israel. Matthew 24:31 records the regathering of Jews scattered across the world. Ezekiel 20:34-38 and 41-44 describe both the regathering (verses 34, 41) and the judgment (verse 37). The unbelieving rebels will be taken out, and only believing Jews will be allowed to enter the land of Isarel as residents of the Millennial kingdom (verse 38). But before the purging of the rebels, the Lord will plead with the people (verses 35, 36). The sufferings of the foregoing months will have softened many unbelieving hearts. Looking on the One they had once pierced, multitudes will know that He is the Lord (verse 42). They will remember their sinful ways, and loathe themselves (verse 43; Zechariah 12:10, 11). That day will be a great day of salvation for Israel (Zechariah 13:1; Ezekiel 36:24-28; Romans 11:26, 27).
5.6 Resurrection of Old Testament Saints and Tribulation Martyrs
Daniel 12:2 has been interpreted by some as referring to the conversion of living Israel, and by others as referring to the resurrection of the Jews that have died. If the latter view be correct, then the resurrection of Jewish believers from Old Testament times may be included. In any case, the tribulation martyrs are to be raised at the close of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 20:4). The unbelieving dead will remain in the graves for another 1000 years (20:5). Their resurrection and judgment at the end of the Millennium is described in Revelation 20:7-15, and noted in the last phrase of Daniel 12:2.
6. THE RESULT
The Son of God will win a total, final, crushing victory. As the smiting Stone, He will break in pieces the iron and clay feet of the image (Daniel 2:34, 44). The "day of vengeance" (Isaiah 63:4) will arrive. Christ will tread His enemies in His "anger, and trample them" in His "fury" (Isaiah 63:3). He will "call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth... . For the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword" (Jeremiah 25:29, 31). Of the king of the north it is written: "Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee" (Ezekiel 39:4). John's words are climactic: "And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse" (Revelation 19:21). The fowls of the air will be invited to the gruesome feast of "the flesh of kings...mighty men...small and great" (Revelation 19:17, 18, 21).
Recall that the smiting stone of Daniel, having fulfilled its mission of destruction, "became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth" (Daniel 2:35). The explanation follows: "In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed." This kingdom "shall break in pieces...all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever" (Daniel 2:44). When the dread battle of Armageddon is over, Christ Jesus will establish His glorious kingdom in the land. This will be the theme of our next study.
7. THE RETURN OF CHRIST IN POWER AND GREAT GLORY
Read 2 Thessalonians 1 & 2 and Revelation 19. The return of Christ in power and great glory had been predicted by Enoch in the first time (Jude 14, 15). The Old Testament prophets dwelt on it again and again, for examples Psalm 2; Psalm 72; Isaiah 32:1; 35:4-9; 59:20; Jeremiah 33:15, 16; Daniel 7:13, 14; Zechariah 14:4; etc. They foresaw a Messiah who was both to suffer and yet reign, and were mystified by their own writings!
7.1 Why Must He Appear?
7.1.1 To fulfill His promise
In Matthew 24:29-31 and 26:64 He clearly predicted that He would return in power and great glory to take over the government of the earth. His very character depends upon His literally fulfilling these forecasts.
7.1.2 To answer the cry of Israel's remnant
When the persecuted remnant of Israel cries, "Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord," then He will appear to deliver them (Matthew 23:38, 39). These will turn to the true Messiah - Jesus - and will bear witness to Him during the dreadful period of the Tribulation. Because of this they will suffer fearful atrocities (Revelation 6:9-11; 20:4). This will produce the cry, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." The true King of the Jews will answer this prayer at His second advent in glory (Matthew 10:21-23).
7.1.3 To execute judgment and establish His kingdom
At the time of the second coming, the entire earth will be seething in rebellion against God and His Anointed, under the leadership of the Antichrist. The returning Christ will burst forth in righteous wrath against His enemies.
7.2 When Will He Appear?
"Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15). At the close of Daniel's seventieth week (Daniel 9), the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings. Needless to say, it is utterly impossible to fix any precise calendar date (Matthew 25:13).
7.3 How Will He Appear?
Read Matthew 25:31. Our Lord will return in a public display of divine excellence and will be accompanied by the holy angels. He will flash forth like the lightning (Matthew 24:27; 2 Thessalonians 1:8). His armies will accompany Him. One army will be made up of innumerable angels and the other will be composed of all of His saints, both Old Testament and those of this Christian dispensation (Revelation 19:11-16). As earth's final King, Christ bore the office of Prophet on earth; He officiates as Priest in heaven today; He will exercise the office of King when He returns.