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What About Armageddon?

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Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles

A querist asks, “I’ve heard and read about many speculations and theories regarding the battle of Armageddon in Revelation 16:13-16. Understanding the figurative nature of Revelation, can you please explain what this battle is referring to in this text?”

The text in Revelation 16:13-16 reads:

“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame. And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon” [marginal reading — Lit. “Mount Megiddo“].

1) The whole context of Revelation 16, deals with God’s judgment and ensuing punishment upon a vile and wicked world. Thus, before we look at the place “Armageddon” in greater detail, let us first look at what kind of forces are gathering to engage in this battle.

Highly figurative language is being used to describe what kind of folks make up the opposing army. These are folks consisting of false teachers and prophets who have the same ungodly mindset as the demons they follow (Revelation 16:13-14), with Satan being their leader (cf. Revelation 12:9). Thus, this “battle” is not a literal battle here on earth but a spiritual battle that is ongoing — being continually fought between the forces of good and evil (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). The leader of God’s army is Christ Himself, wielding a “sharp two-edged sword” — symbolic of God’s righteous judgment (Revelation 1:16; Revelation 19:11-16).

2) Now, let’s look at the term, “Armageddon” (or “Har-magedon“ – Revelation 16:16 ASV). This term comes from the Hebrew words “Har” meaning “mountain” and “Megiddo” which refers to a fortified man-made hill in central Palestine near the area of Mt. Carmel. In the Old Testament, Megiddo was a strategic point in the protection of Israel and Judah, because it guarded the northern entrance to Israel. It was the site of a number of very significant and devastating battles (cf. 2 Kings 23:29; 2 Chronicles 35:22-24; Judges 4-5; Judges 7). The most memorable of which was Deborah and Barak against the Canaanites (Judges 4-5).

If individuals were to stand on the mountain of Megiddo, and survey the plain below, they would observe that it consists of an area approximately fourteen miles wide by twenty miles long — certainly not enough space for a literal world-wide conflict. Thus, in Revelation 16:16, Megiddo is figuratively used to symbolize a military battle that is of a spiritual nature.

Conclusion:

Even though many soldiers of Christ engaging in this spiritual battle, will be deceived and devoured by Satan (Acts 20:29-30; 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 2 Peter 2:1-2; 1 John 4:1; cf. 2 Timothy 4:10), the battle of Armageddon is a battle that will end in “victory” for faithful saints (Revelation 15:2; cf. Revelation 2:10 — the major theme of Revelation is “victory”). Victory is certain because it is God which gives us [His saints] the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57; cf. 1 John 5:4).

Under our Lord’s leadership, “we are more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37), “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal [of a physical nature] but mighty in God [of a spiritual nature] for pulling down strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4 – see Coffman commentary).

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