Armageddon

(#869, Imperial, 1960)

Read Psalm 2:1-4,9; Rev. 16:13; 19:11-19.

Scripture predicts a gradual development of a world attitude of arrogant pride and defiance of God's authority as a closing feature of this age of grace.  The closing battle is called Armageddon.

ƒ      The name Armageddon.

The name means "hill of Megiddo" or "Mount of Slaughter".  It is in an area of Palestine west of the River Jordan, a triangle 20 miles by 15 by 15, also called the "plain of Esdraelon."

Many wars and battles have been fought there.  Canaanite kings fought there.  Deborah and Barak discomfited Sisera there.  Saul and his sons were slain in battle there.  In more recent time the Greeks, the Romans, Napoleon and the British under Major Allenby have spilled blood there.  It will be the campground of the armies of the antichrist (Rev. 16:16).

ƒ      The participants. (Ezekiel 38:1-6,9,15-16)

w    All nations will gather there (Zech. 14:2).  The kings of the east will be there (Rev. 16:12); kings, captains, slaves, freemen, rich, poor will gather there (Rev. 19:18); the king of the north will be there (Ezekiel 38:14-16).  The world will be in a frenzy of resentment and anger as a result of the terrible judgments of the tribulation.  They will go to Palestine in to break the bands of Almighty God (Psa. 2:2f).

w    The Lord will also be there (Zech. 14:3).

ƒ      The array of forces.

The sun and moon will be darkened (Joel 3:15); there will be wonders in the heavens (Joel 2:30) and earthquakes (Joel 3:16; Ezek. 38:19-20).  Then the Lord shall go forth (Zech. 14:3).  There will be great bloodshed (Rev. 14:20), so much so that it will take 7 months to bury the dead (Ezekiel 39:9-12) and 7 years to rid the area of the debris of war.

ƒ      When will it take place?  3 things must occur:

    1.  Israel must be back as a nation in Palestine.

    2.  7 nations must be under the King of the North (Ezek 38:2-6).

    3.  The Lord must come and take His Church out.

 

Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.  Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.  (Ps. 2:12)