Question:
I would like some information please, if you could help me. Can you tell me where the battle of Armageddon will be fought. I would like to know the area and can you give me Scripture reference?
Answer:
When Jesus comes, He will have “the everlasting gospel to preach to those that dwell on the earth-to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people-saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment has come; and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water” (Rev. 14:6-7). The affect will be immediate resistance. Nations will not be ready to resign their autonomy and be subject to Him.
The book of Revelation tells some details of the battle which will ensue. He will have immediate resistance, and the result will be the Battle of Armageddon.
The word “Armageddon” is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew Har Megiddo, literally, “mountain of Megiddo” (Holman Bible Dictionary), located near the ancient site of Megiddo.
There have been many battles fought at or near Megiddo during the past several millenniums. “The plain of Megiddo was the scene of frequent and decisive battles of antiquity. Megiddo was a stronghold at the head of the Plain of Esdraelon, called the plain of Megiddo by Jerome” (The Interpreter’s Bible).
Megiddo has changed hands many times during the course of history. According to Eerdman’s Bible Dictionary, archeological explorations indicate that Megiddo was occupied before the 33rd century B.C. It was subject to Egypt as early as the first half of the 19th century B.C. Solomon rebuilt Megiddo as an administrative and military center. Egypt later conquered the city in 925 B.C. Assyria defeated Megiddo and established it as a provincial capital in 733 B.C.
The passage in Revelation (the only place Armageddon is mentioned in Scripture), describes a battle that has not yet been fought. The introduction to the book of Revelation says that it was a message from Jesus revealing “things to come” (Rev. 1:1). It was yet future when the book was written (near the end of the first century A.D.), and it is still future today.
The passage reads: “And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon” (Rev. 16:16). The nations of the world will gather together at Armageddon to join in battle against Christ and the saints.
The Book of Revelation describes this battle in very symbolic language. Turning to the 19th chapter we read: “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” (Rev. 19:11). Jesus Christ is the one called “Faithful and True,” and in righteousness He will judge and make war. “Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron [unbreakable law]. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Rev. 19:15). On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
The prophet Daniel saw the Battle of Armageddon as “a time of trouble” which will follow the time when Michael [Jesus Christ] stands up to take the rulership of the earth. The result will be a “time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time” (Dan. 12:1). God’s plan for this earth is to establish a real, literal Kingdom, having a King (His Son), co-rulers (the saints), territory (the earth), laws and populace. We read of the authority of this government: “And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him” (Dan. 7:27). Before God’s plan for this earth can be realized the world will be compelled to submit to Christ. Even though they will be informed and warned (Mal. 4:5-6; Matt. 17:11; Rev. 14:6-7), they still will not understand.
The rebellious element who will not submit to His judgments will have to be forcibly subdued and conquered. Isaiah describes their fate: “For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined” (Isa. 60:12 NIV).
The Battle of Armageddon will be real, intense, destructive. But unlike the wars fought today, this will be a righteous war. Those in command will be just and fair, not cruel and hateful. The book of Revelation describes the very extraordinary system that will be in power: “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war” (Rev. 19:11 NIV). Only the evil element, those who will not submit to Christ, will be removed.
The Battle of Armageddon will be the war that ends all wars. “He [Christ] will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore” (Micah 4:3 NIV).
The results of the battle? The Bible reveals that two thirds of the inhabitants of the world will perish before the remaining third will submit. “In the whole land, declares the LORD, two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God'” (Zech. 13:8-9 NIV).
How long will this new authority be in power? The Bible tells us that Christ’s Kingdom will be everlasting. He [Christ] “was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed….The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever” (Dan. 7:14; Rev. 11:15 NIV).
The Battle of Armageddon will be the war to end wars. The result: all evil will perish, but no good will be harmed. Christ’s administration, headquartered in Zion, will be the unchallenged authority. “Many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Micah 4:2 NIV).
This is the Kingdom for which we have so often prayed: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).