The word Armageddon is mentioned only once in the Bible. We find it in Revelation 16:12–16 during the sixth of seven last judgments God sends upon the earth just before Jesus returns:
“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. 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 he 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.”
Christians have varied opinions on what the battle of Armageddon is. A common belief is that it will be a literal battle in the Middle East when nations of the world will attempt to defeat and destroy the Jews and the city of Jerusalem. However, those who hold this view miss a crucial point.
The prophet Daniel was clearly told that the nation of Israel had 70 prophetic weeks, or 490 literal years, to fulfill its side of the covenant. Dan. 9:24–27. When Israel failed to do this, the gospel went to the Gentiles, and all the covenant promises made to literal Israel were transferred to spiritual Israel. Jesus warned Israel that this would happen: “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.” Matt. 21:43. Speaking to the Jews, the apostle Paul said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.” Acts 13:46.
Today, spiritual Israel comprises those who accept Jesus as their Savior.1 So, when we read of Israel in Revelation, we must recognize that this is not referring to literal Israel, but rather spiritual Israel—God’s people from every culture and race.
Before we can comprehend this mysterious battle, we must understand three connected elements: the river Euphrates, the kings of the east, and the three unclean spirits like frogs. To do this, we must follow an important rule of Bible interpretation: Names and places mentioned in the book of Revelation are symbols connected to actual people and places in the Old Testament. So, to understand the symbols, we need to study the stories to which they refer.
The River Euphrates: The Euphrates flowed through ancient Babylon. It was the city’s life source and could help it withstand a siege. Yet in 539 BC, Cyrus, king of Persia, captured the city by diverting the river. The iron gate which allowed the river to flow into the city had also been carelessly left open. The prophet Isaiah predicted this event 150 years earlier. See Isa. 44:27, 28; 45:1–3.
Notice how the drying up of the river Euphrates preceded the fall of Babylon. This is relevant because Revelation mentions a modern spiritual Babylon. “And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns…. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” Rev. 17:3, 5.
Spiritual Babylon is an end-time coalition of false worship that combines pagan teachings with Christianity. God is calling His people out of all corrupt systems of worship. Revelation warns that “‘Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen….’ And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, My people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’” Rev. 18:2, 4.
Like ancient Babylon, spiritual Babylon also “sits on many waters.” Rev. 17:1. “Then he said to me, ‘The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.’” V. 15. The river Euphrates represents the people who support spiritual Babylon. The drying up of the river represents the withdrawal of this support.
The Kings of the East: The removal of Babylon’s support prepares the way for the coming of the kings of the east. Once again, we turn to the literal event to understand the symbolic. Cyrus was a king from the east (Isa. 41:2, 25), and he represents the powers that cause the fall of spiritual Babylon. This is none other than Jesus Christ and the armies of heaven who come from the east. “Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God.” Rev. 7:2. “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matt. 24:27.
Three Unclean Spirits Like Frogs: The final step leading to the battle of Armageddon is the release of three unclean spirits like frogs that come from the mouths of the dragon, beast, and false prophet. These three powers are “spirits of demons, performing signs,” which stir up the kings of the earth “to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Rev. 16:14. This unholy religious coalition will unite against God’s faithful people and turn the world against them by means of deception.2
“And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.” Rev. 16:16. There has never been a literal place called Armageddon. However, the name means “mountain of Megiddo.” Megiddo was the location of many ancient battles.
The Bible records several of these battles. When a Canaanite king came against Israel with 900 chariots of iron, God raised up the prophetess Deborah and the brave warrior Barak. Though greatly outnumbered, Israel won “by the waters of Megiddo.” Judg. 5:19. Here also Gideon’s 300 men came against the Midianite-Amalekite coalition whose army was “as numerous as locusts.” Judg. 6:5. Using unconventional means, God again miraculously delivered His people.
John’s purpose in referencing Megiddo is not to show the geographical location of a literal end-time battle involving all the kings of the earth. In reality, the valley near Megiddo isn’t large enough to hold such armies. Rather, John refers to these stories to remind God’s people that He will once again deliver them in a far greater end-time spiritual battle between the nations of the whole world and God Almighty.
This spiritual battle has raged for millennia, but will reach its climax just before Christ’s second coming. “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 12:17. Notice that the battle isn’t against Israel, but against those who keep the Ten Commandments and have Jesus. It is not a literal battle in a specific location. It is a worldwide battle in an all-out effort to destroy God’s people. And while there may be weapons used against them, they won’t be using missiles or tanks to defend themselves. Instead, they will depend wholly on God and heaven’s forces for protection.
Many believe that Armageddon only involves the wicked and that Jews and Christians will be raptured before this battle takes place. But the Bible is clear that this battle happens before Christ returns for His church. Prior to the battle, Jesus proclaims, “Behold, I am coming as a thief.” Rev. 16:15. Clearly, Christ has not yet come to receive His people. The plagues are falling while the righteous are still on the earth, yet they are protected by the Lord.
The beast power blames God’s people for bringing on the plagues and will seek to unite the world against them to destroy them. Yet, as the plagues increase, people realize that they are being deceived and turn against Babylon. This prepares the way for the final deliverance of God’s church.
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns…. His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses….
“And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse.” Rev. 19:11–14, 19–21.
This is the outcome of the battle of Armageddon.
There will be only two sides in this great battle. How can we be on the winning side? The answer is given: “Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” Rev. 16:15. These garments are not physical clothes. They point to the righteousness of Christ that covers our sins and prepares us to stand in His presence. Rev. 19:7, 8. Christ freely offers His righteousness to all who will accept it and forsake their sins. Prov. 28:13; 1 John 2:1, 2; 1:9.
Jesus, the Heavenly Avenger, will return with an angelic army to defeat the coalition of evil arrayed against His people.
Now is the time to prepare to be on the winning side. Don’t wait until the plagues are poured out to get ready. It will be too late then. Make a commitment to develop your relationship with God now by spending time with Him daily in prayer and Bible study. Covered in the robe of His righteousness, you can have peace knowing Christ will rescue you in this time of trouble.
“And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.” Dan. 12:1.
Friend, is your name in God’s book?
All Scriptures quoted are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.
This article was adapted by contributing editor Staci Schefka from a YouTube presentation on Armageddon by Dustin Pestlin, president of Hope Through Prophecy TV, and was used with his permission. This and other illustrated presentations on prophecy and other Bible topics can be found at http://youtube.com/@HopeProphecy.
Image credit: © Shutterstock.com
See other articles in this issue for a further understanding of Israel in prophecy.
To learn more about the identity of the beast, see “The Beast Behind the Mark,” Last
Generation Vol. 32 No. 4, www.lastgen.net.
