A Morning Bible Study - Just What Is Armageddon?

Leonard V. Johnson     About

In our latest Letter to our Friends, we briefly speak of Armageddon. Just what is Armageddon!? Does it have anything to do with the 1998 blockbuster movie “Armageddon” starring Bruce Willis!? Nearly everyone on this planet has heard the name “Armageddon.” World leaders, movie directors, and even scientists have all used this biblical name when speaking of an all-out nuclear war between world nations, or even a “planet-killing” asteroid! Yet, very few know just what Armageddon is.

In this Bible study let’s begin to understand how this name fits into biblical prophecy – especially when it comes to the glorious and powerful return of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ!

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all” – 1st Chronicles 29:11. Amen.

1) What are the first FOUR future plagues allowed by the LORD God upon an unrepentant sinful world!? Called in the Bible “the seven last plagues.”

ONE

“Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, ‘Come and see.’ 2) And I looked, …”

So, it was the apostle John that this cherub was addressing – not the whole world here.

“ … and behold, a WHITE HORSE. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” – Revelation 6:1-2.

Now, I guess there could be different interpretations. However, it is possible that this represents a false religion gaining great strength and world prestige again –the Mother Church of Europe – which has plunged this world into numerous world wars!

Notice –

“ …’ Take heed that no one deceives you. 5) For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many’” – Matthew 24:4-5.

TWO

“When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, ‘Come and see.’ 4) Another HORSE, FIERY RED, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword” – Revelation 6:3-4.

This is our Lord Jesus Christ suggesting the prophecy of the prophet Daniel in chapter 11. A direct reference to a final holy war between the end-time Catholic United States of Europe (‘king of the North’) and the Islamic confederation of nations (‘king of the South’) – cf. Daniel 11:40; Revelation 9:13-16.

Notice –

“’ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. …’” – Matthew 24:7a.

Religious motivated militancy and aggression often lead to war. And wars often lead to FAMINE, which is mentioned as number three.

THREE

“When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come and see.’ So I looked, and behold, a BLACK HORSE, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6) And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius [which was approximately one day’s wage for a worker!], and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.’” – Revelation 6:5-6.

The black horse of FAMINE. So here the food is very scarce. Your food is being measured out on a scale in very small quantities – like a cup of wheat. Not enough food to sustain one’s family let alone themselves! And, not only the purchase of wheat but also of barley.

Notice –

“ … ‘ And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places’” – Matthew 24:7b.

FOUR

“When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, ‘Come and see.’ 8) So I looked, and behold, a PALE HORSE. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades [the grave] followed him. And power was given to them over A FOURTH OF THE EARTH, to kill with SWORD, with HUNGER, with DEATH, and by the beasts of the earth” – Revelation 6:7-8.

So, it is as if death and the grave are personified here with this being which is sitting upon this pale horse.

You take 8 billion people – we’re talking about 2 billion people who are going to die as a result of these events here! And I know this is horrible news! Again, when the prophet Ezekiel saw what was written on that scroll, it was lamentations and mourning and woe.” – cf. Ezekiel 2:9-10.

The majority of the Anglo-Saxon-dominated nations will be affected – which are the end-time descendants of Israel, also prophetically referred to as Israel (cf. Genesis 48).

Notice –

“’ All these are the beginning of sorrows’” – Matthew 24:8.

2) What are the last THREE future plagues upon a still unrepentant sinful world!?

FIVE

“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held” – Revelation 6:9.

This, of course, is allegorical language. Throughout our history, many peoples were martyred doing God’s true work – and in the very near future, there will be many more martyred. So, the fifth seal talks about the martyrdom of God’s true servants – a group of “end-time prophets” who go out throughout the world as a witness to all nations and preach the living gospel message – the kingdom of God.

Notice –

“’ Then they will deliver you …’” – here pertaining mostly to the final “end-time prophets” – cf. Revelation 11. “ ‘… up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10) And then many will be offended, will betray one another. 11) Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12) And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold’” – Matthew 24:9-12.

And they – possibly twelve final end-time prophets – will be given power from God Almighty and Jesus Christ to begin prophesying – testifying - to kings, to world rulers, to the captured and subjugated elect of God, to a great religious leader and political leader – standing before the god of the earth (Satan the devil) – WARNING for 3 ½ years!

“’ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world AS A WITNESS to all the nations, AND THEN THE END WILL COME’” – Matthew 24:14.

SIX

“I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood” – Revelation 6:12.

Logically, the moon appears "like blood" or reddish – when it appears in an atmosphere full of dust, smoke, or smog! The atmosphere will be thick with volcanic ash towers from a great number of volcanoes erupting around the globe, possibly caused by the massive "great earthquake."

Our Lord Jesus Christ also prophesied of this sixth seal.

Notice –

“’ Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; …’” – Matthew 24:29a.

SEVEN

“When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour” – Revelation 8:1.

Now, we believe that the first four of these trumpets are in conjunction with the prophesied “end time prophets” which are spoken of in the Book of Revelation chapter 11 – which finalizes with the “Two Witnesses.”

This ‘fallen star’ is Satan the Devil and his demons being thrown into the ‘bottomless pit’ just before the glorious and powerful return of Jesus Christ, His saints, and His angels! – cf. Revelation 20:1-2. Back in the 1st chapter of the Book of Revealing, our Lord Jesus Christ tells us that “stars” can represent angels – Revelation 1:20.

“And they [these 200 million strong Islamic soldiers, which is spoken of when the sixth angel sounds his trumpet] had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon” – Revelation 9:11.

Of course here referring to Satan the Devil.

“One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.”

3) What will occur when this SIXTH TRUMPET BLAST is poured out!?

“Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared” – Revelation 16:12.

The great river Euphrates – the longest river in southwest Asia, it is 1,740 miles (2,800 km) long, and it is one of the two main constituents of the Tigris-Euphrates river system – will be dried up. The river rises in Turkey and flows southeast across Syria and through Iraq.

“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon [a reference to Satan the Devil], out of the mouth of the beast [a final end time Catholic United States of Europe], and out of the mouth of the false prophet [a final end time great religious leader]” – Revelation 16:13.

Notice that these three unclean spirits directly influence the leaders of nations - verse 14.

4) Are these three unclean spirits truly responsible for gathering together the armies of the nations!?

“For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings [the leaders] of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” – Revelation 16:14.

Satan the Devil and two of his demons will especially work through human leaders. Such as a final end-time “beast,” a political-military leader of the 10-nation revival of the “Holy” Roman Empire. Also, through a final end time “false prophet,” a great religious leader who will have global appeal because “he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven [the atmosphere] on the earth in the sight of men” – Revelation 13:11-17. They work together and will spiritually influence this world’s political and military leaders to mobilize their forces!

5) WHERE do these three spirits of demons cause the armies of the nations to be gathered together!?

“And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon” – Revelation 16:16.

The nations will gather their great military forces at a place called “Armageddon.” Armageddon actually comes from the Greek rendering of the Hebrew name Har Megiddo. “hill of Megiddo.” Megiddo is a plain about 86 miles north of Jerusalem.

Ancient Megiddo was one of the royal cities of the Canaanites. The city was not fully occupied by the Israelites until the time of King Solomon. Notice –

“And Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household; each one made provision for one month of the year. … 12) Baana the son of Ahilud, in Taanach, Megiddo, and all Beth Shean, …” – 1st Kings 4:7, 12.

Megiddo and the valley of Megiddo became a strategic site. Megiddo was the most important fortress city that guarded the strategic passes of the Mt. Carmel area.

For the kingdom of Israel, Megiddo as well as the Plain of Jezreel became a battleground for centuries. Time after time vicious bloody battles were fought there. Today Tel Megiddo is a national park!

Notice the Book of Joel chapter 3 –

Verse 1 – “’ For behold, in those days and at that time, When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem.’”

Here speaking about a two-fold prophetic statement at the time of the end when these nations are going to be in a type of subjugation. Now, do we ever hear this talked about in our news media!? That we here in the great United States of America could be someday in a state of subjugation by a foreign power!? Absolutely prostrate on the ground in front of our enemies!?

Verse 2 – “’ I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.’”

The name Jehoshaphat means “YHWH has judged.” So, the focal point of this massive battle will be in the Valley of Jehoshaphat. This valley is slightly northeast of the Old City of Jerusalem, which then separates the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives. Today it known as the Kidron Valley.

6) How is this great climatic battle pictured!?

Continuing in the Book of Joel chapter 3 –

Verse 9 – “Proclaim this among the nations: ‘Prepare for war! Wake up the mighty men, Let all the men of war draw near, Let them come up. 10) Beat your plowshares into swords And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’”

Verse 11 – “Assemble and come, all you nations [the Gentile nations], And gather together all around. …”

Verse 12 – “’ Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; …” – indeed, speaking of just what we read in Revelation 16:16.

“ … ‘For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. 13) Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. …’” –see Revelation 14:14-16. “ … ‘Come, go down; For the winepress is full, The vats overflow – For their wickedness is great.’”

Verse 14 – “Multitudes, multitudes [millions!] in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.”

7) What will occur when the SEVENTH TRUMPET BLAST sounds!?

We’re speaking about a time here when there is NO MORE DELAY.

“but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets” – Revelation 10:7.

SEVENTH ANGEL, SEVENTH TRUMP! THIS IS THE RESURRECTION TRUMP! And you can turn to 1st Thessalonians chapter 4 and 1st Corinthians chapter 15, and we can read about this very event! – “the mystery of God would be finished.” In fact, this is the culmination of the event which is depicted by all of God’s prophets down through history. Certainly, all of the prophecies we read about that is yet to be fulfilled, such as in the Book of Isaiah chapter 2, Micah chapter 4, and even in the Book of Habakkuk where it says, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea.” All of God’s prophets have looked to this moment in time! And here it is about to unfold! They have all thought about and meditated and pondered this very moment! There are even some of whom I know – begotten children of God who have since died – that looked for this very moment in time! In the Book of Hebrews, the apostle Paul speaks of men and women, who lived by faith – some of which were “tortured, … had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment … stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented─ of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And ALL THESE, having obtained a good testimony THROUGH FAITH, DID NOT RECEIVE THE PROMISE”! “These all died IN FAITH, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them.” – cf. Hebrews 11:13, 35, 36-39.

“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven [the atmosphere], saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord [God the Father] and of His Christ [our Lord Jesus Christ], and He shall reign forever and ever!” – Revelation 11:15.

The BLOWING OF THE SEVENTH TRUMP is that event where the saints of God – living and dead – are resurrected and brought into full-time eternal membership in the family of God! □

Scriptural Index

Old Testament - Genesis 48; 1 Kings 4:7, 12; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Ezekiel 2:9-10; Daniel 11:40; Joel 3:1, 2, 9-10, 11, 12, 13, 14; Habakkuk 2:14.

New Testament - Matthew 24:4-5, 7, 8, 9-12, 14, 29; Hebrews 11:13, 35, 36-39; Revelation 1:20; 6:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9, 12; 8:1, 7-12; 9:1-11, 12, 13-19; 10:7; 11:15; 13:11-17; 14:14-16; 16:12, 13, 14, 16; 20:1-2.