Revelation
16:16
New
International Version (NIV)
16 Then they gathered the
kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called
Armageddon.
RECAP: While the "lawless one"
will have many laws (that's what a dictator means), he is going to be
arrogantly and blasphemously disobedient to God. He will claim to be righteous,
while committing the worst political and religious evil that humanity has ever
known. In the end, after his Satan empowered (2 Thessalonians 2:9, Revelation
13:2) rampage around the world has been defeated, he, they, and all who are
like them, are going to be cast into the lake of fire: "And the
beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had
worked the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the
beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the
lake of fire that burns with sulphur." (Revelation 19:20 RSV)
Today, lawlessness is on the rise, and it will
continue and increase (2 Timothy 3:13), and when the man of
lawlessness appears on the scene, he will be welcomed with open arms. Those
who have rejected the true Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, will fall for the
Antichrist’s empty promise of peace. It is vitally important that each of us is
sure that we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and are living
for Him. "Be
on guard! Be alert! We do not know when that time will come"(Mark 13:33).
MOVING ON: The word "Armageddon" occurs
only once in the Bible, at Revelation 16:16. Prophetically,
Revelation shows that at "the
place that is called in Hebrew Armageddon," "the kings of the entire
inhabited earth" will be gathered "together to
the war of the great day of God the Almighty."—Revelation 16:14.
The battle of Armageddon refers to the final war
between human governments and God. These governments and their supporters oppose
God even now by refusing to submit to his rulership.
Armageddon, sometimes rendered "Har–Magedon"
(Hebrew Har Meghiddohnʹ), means "Mountain of Megiddo" Megiddo
was once a city in the territory of ancient Israel. History tells of
decisive battles that were fought in its vicinity, including some that are
recorded in the Bible. (Judges 5:19, 20; 2 Kings 9:27; 23:29) However,
Armageddon cannot refer to the literal area near ancient Megiddo. There is no
large mountain there, and even the entire adjoining Low Plain of Jezreel could
not contain all those who will fight against God. Instead, Armageddon is the
worldwide situation in which the nations assemble in their last stand against
rule by God.
As well as referring to the earth as the word "world"
in the Bible, it too sometimes refers to wicked human society
opposed to God. (1 John 2:15-17) In this logic, Armageddon will bring "the
end of the world."—Matthew 24:3, King James Version.
The disastrous conditions of the Antichrist will cause
an upheaval in his worldwide kingdom, and forces from the East will gather to
fight against him. But instead of fighting each other, the forces of the world
unite to fight the King of kings and Lord of lords, who comes to put down the
man of lawlessness and his allies in the great battle of Armageddon (Revelation
16:16; 19:19). While we do not know how God will use his power, he
will have at his disposal weapons such as those he has used in the past—hail,
earthquake, flooding downpour, fire and sulfur, lightning, and disease. (Job
38:22, 23; Ezekiel 38:19, 22; Habakkuk 3:10, 11; Zechariah 14:12)
In
confusion, at least some of God’s enemies will kill each other, yet they will
ultimately realize that it is God who is fighting against them. —Ezekiel
38:21, 23; Zechariah 14:13. And, of course, the man of lawlessness loses
that battle. He and his false prophet are then cast into the lake of fire (Revelation
19:20). The Word of God (Revelation 19:13), Jesus Christ, will be
the Victor.
When is the Armageddon taking place?
Discussing the "great tribulation"
that culminates in the battle of Armageddon, Jesus said: "Concerning that
day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but
only the Father." (Matthew 24:37-39).
As it was in the days of
Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before
the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up
to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would
happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at
the coming of the Son of Man. …to be cont’d
In
Christ,
Janet Irene Thomas
Playwright/Screen
Writer/Director
Published Author/Gospel
Lyricist &Producer
FOUNDER/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
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