Folks Listen Television Broadcast
There is a lot in the news today about different wars or tensions that could lead to war and many people are asking if this is part of the end times. We are starting a 7 week series about 2 battles. The first is the Battle of Gog and Magog. The second The Battle of Armageddon followed by the return of Christ.
TIMELINE OF THE FUTURE
There are 10 Bible passages that teach us about the Battle of Armageddon
Psalm 2
Isaiah 34:1-15; Isaiah 63:1-6
Joel 3:1-17
Zechariah 12:1-9; Zechariah 14:1-5
Malachi 4:1-5
Revelation 14:14-20; Revelation 16:12-16; Revelation 19:12-21
The name “Armageddon” is mentioned only once in Revelation 16:16
Armageddon is not the same as the Battle of Gog in Ezekiel 38-39
Armageddon is not a symbolic or figurative battle
Armageddon is not simply one battle
Armageddon is not the final war in the Bible (Revelation 20:7-9)
The Battle actually begins in heaven (Revelation 12:7-9, 13)
THE LOCATION OF ARMAGEDDON
The battlefield will stretch from Megiddo on the north (Zechariah 12:11; Revelation 16:16) to Edom on the south (Isaiah 34:5-6; 63:1), a distance of sixteen hundred furlongs (approximately 200 miles).
THE LOCATION OF ARMAGEDDON
It will reach from the Mediterranean Sea on the west to the hills of Moab on the east, a distance of almost 100 miles.
It includes the Valley of Esdraelon or Jezreel Valley (20 miles long and 14 miles wide) which includes ancient Megiddo (Zechariah 12:11)
Picture of us at Mt Precipice – on our trips to Israel we see this valley from 3 vantage points (Mt Precipice, Mt Camel, Megiddo)
Napoleon – “All the armies of the world could maneuver their forces on this vast plain…there is no place in the world more suited for war than this…it is the most natural battleground on the whole earth”
The southern part of Armageddon is Bozrah – a city in Edom, east of the Jordan River which was the capitol city of Edom
Bozrah means “sheepfold” – An ancient sheepfold had a very narrow passageway going in so that the shepherd could count his sheep to ensure that none were missing.
Modern day Petra is like a sheepfold as it has a narrow entrance (called the “SIQ”) which is a more than a mile long narrow passage with rock wall more than 650 feet high
When the Antichrist is making a rampage in the Middle East, the area of Edom, Moab and Ammon will escape his onslaught (Daniel 11:41). These three ancient tribes make up the modern country of Jordan and include Petra
This area will play an important role during the Second Coming of our Lord (see Isaiah 34:6 and 63:1)
Revelation 16:16 NASB1995
Isaiah 34:5-6 NASB1995
Zechariah 12:11 NASB1995
Daniel 11:41 NASB1995
Isaiah 34:6 NASB1995
Isaiah 63:1 NASB1995
THE LOCATION OF ARMAGEDDON
At the center of the entire area will be the city of Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:2-3 14:1-2).
The kings with their armies (numbering nearly 400 million soldiers) will come from the north and the south, from the east and the west to make war against the Lord and His army (Revelation 19:19)
In the most dramatic sense this will be the Valley of Decision for humanity (Joel 3:14)
This area will be the great winepress into which will be poured the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God (Revelation 19:15)
Joel 3:2, 12-14 NASB1995
THE LOCATION OF ARMAGEDDON
It will include the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Jehoshaphat means “Jehovah will judge”) situated east of Jerusalem between the Holy City and the Mt of Olives (Joel 3:2, 12-14)
Zechariah 12:2 NASB1995
Zechariah 14:1-2 NASB1995
Revelation 19:15, 19 NASB1995
Joel 3:14 NASB1995
The Reasons for the Battle
The sovereignty of God – God Himself will gather the nations here (Isaiah 34:2; Joel 3:2; Zechariah 12:9; 14:2; Revelation 16:16; Psalm 2:1-4)
The deception of Satan – Three unclean spirits will trick the nations through miracles into gathering at Armageddon (Revelation 16:13-14)
The hatred of the nations toward Christ and Israel – The nations, led by the Antichrist, will doubtless realize the imminent return of Christ (Revelation 11:15; 12:12). They will be aware of his touching down on the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1:9-12). They will gather in that area to destroy Him at the moment of His return (Revelation 19:19)
[PSALM 2:1-4]
Psalms 2:1-4 NASB1995