Great tribulation and Armageddon

The term ‘Armageddon’ has come to be associated with dreadful trouble at the time of the last days. However, in the Bible, Armageddon is mentioned only once, in Revelation 16:16.

“And they gathered them together into the place which is called in Hebrew Har-Magedon.” (Re 16:16 ASV)

Armageddon means “the Mount of Megiddo” in Hebrew and probably refers to the town of Megiddo in northern Israel, about 40 km west of the Sea of Galilee. Megiddo has been the scene of dozens of battles over history, and is an especially appropriate location for this great battle described in Revelation.

At this time, when Jesus says he will return unexpectedly, kings of the whole world are assembled to battle. The result of the battle is described in Revelation 19:11-21, when Jesus Christ is established as King of kings and Lord of lords.

“11 And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems; and he hath a name written which no one knoweth but he himself. 13 And he is arrayed in a garment sprinkled with blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and pure. 15 And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KINGS OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid heaven, Come and be gathered together unto the great supper of God; 18 that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit thereon, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, and small and great. 19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought the signs in his sight, wherewith he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image: they two were cast alive into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone: 21 and the rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, even the sword which came forth out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh.” (Re 19:11-21 ASV)

Prior to the time of Jesus’ return there will be

‘a time of trouble such as never has been since there was a nation till that time’,

mentioned in Daniel 12:1 and Matthew 24:21. It seems that this tribulation will be much more wide-spread than the Battle of Armageddon itself.

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” (Da 12:1 ASV)

“for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be.” (Mt 24:21 ASV)

After those very hard or troubled times with a fierce battle, which can be seen as the Third World War, Jesus will raise those who are dead from the memorial tombs and shall call them to himself with those who are still alive.

Then he will judge all those people and decide whether they can be justified to enter the kingdom of God through the narrow gate.

Armageddon or the Great Tribulation

Paradise for lovers of God

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