MEMORY VERSE: “ And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon,” Revelation 16:16.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Revelation 16:12-16.
INTRODUCTION
In the Bible. the word ‘Armageddon’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘Har- Magedone,’ which means ‘Mount Megiddo.’ It refers to the predicted location of the catastrophic future battle between God and the forces of evil, as recorded in the book of Revelation. History tells us that armies have fought countless battles in that region: Egyptians, Assyrians,Greeks. Romans, and Crusaders fought in Megiddo, as well as the armies of Napoleon. Megiddo was the site of battles during World War I in 1918 and the War between the Arabs and the nation of Israeli in 1948.
OUTLINE
- LOCATION AND SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE
- THE FINAL BATTLE
- LOCATION AND SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE
The plain of Megiddo, or Armageddon, was famous for two great victories in Israel’s history: Barak’s victory over the Canaanites Judges 4:15; 5:19-20 and Gideon’s victory over the Midianites (in the Valley of Jezreel, also known as the Plain of Esdraelon, or Megiddo) – Judges 6:33; 7:1-25. Armageddon was also the site of a great tragedy: it was the place where King Josiah was badly wounded, and this led to his death when he meddled in a war against God’s warning 2 Chronicles 35:20- 24. However, the use of the name in Revelation may be symbolic rather than being a precise location for the final Battle.
The symbolism in the name Armageddon is that Megiddo was a place where opponents of God met their defeat. The place was associated with the mourning of King Josiah’s end 2 Kings 35:25; Zechariah 12:11 To say that the forces opposing God gather at Armageddon means that they gather for their own defeat. The battle of Armageddon also teaches us that victory comes through the sword of Christ’s mouth Revelation, 19:13-15.
2. THE FINAL BATTLE
The Battle of Armageddon will take place close to the end of the period of the Great tribulation Revelation 16:10- 11,16. The kings of the earth under the influence of demonic leadership led by the devi will gather their armies to wage war with the forces of God Revelation 16:13-14. The Antichrist (the Beast) will gather with the kings and their armies Revelation 19:19. Jesus Christ will return to earth with the armies of heaven Matthew 25:31; Revelation 19:14. He will defeat the forces of evil Revelation 19:15-16. He will cast the Antichrist and the false prophet into the lake of fire Revelation 19:20. With the sword in His mouth, the rest of the army will be slain Revelation 19:21. He will bind Satan and put him in the bottomless pit: and He will set up His kingdom on earth for 1,000 years Revelation 20:1-6. Believers should note that there is no force of evil that can battle with the Lord; God always wins
CONCLUSION
If you want to be on the winning side, be prepared for the return of Jesus Christ.
FURTHER READING
Sun: Revelation 19:11-20.
Mon: Revelation 16:13-19
Tues: Joshua 12:21.
Wed: Judges 5:19.
Thurs: 2 Kings 9:27.
Fri: Zechariah 12:11
Sat: 1 Kings 4:12