The Battle of Armageddon
Part 4
Dr. John Hoole – July 7, 2013
For the last three weeks we have been looking at what the Bible has to say about the Battle of Armageddon. We have learned that the name Armageddon is referring to a large valley in northern Israel, and a city on its southern border, named Megiddo.
We have also learned that when this battle occurs, this valley – the Jezreel Valley – will be a staging area, but not the only place where fighting occurs. Additionally, the entire scope of this battle shows that it will be many battles, not just one, and will be more like a war campaign.
There are ten main Passages in the Bible that describe Armageddon.
1. Psalm 2
2. Isaiah 34:1-15
3. Isaiah 63:1-6
4. Joel 3:1-17
5. Zechariah 12:1-9
6. Zechariah 14:1-15
7. Malachi 4:1-5
8. Revelation 14:14-20
9. Revelation 16:12-16
10. Revelation 19:12-21
This battle could involve most of the last 3½ years of the Tribulation, and when it is over, the 7-year Tribulation will be completed.
The geographical dimensions shows this battle covers most of the nation of Israel. The battlefield will stretch from Megiddo on the north (Zechariah 12:11; Revelation 16:16) to Bozrah/Petra in Edom on the south (Isaiah 34:5-6; 63:1). That is a distance of nearly 1,600 furlongs, or about 200 miles. The center of the entire area is the city of Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:1-2).
Into this geographical area will pour millions of fighting men, undoubtedly approaching 400 million. The intentions of many of these armies is another Jewish Holocaust. The kings of the earth will come from the north and the south, and from the east and from the west. There will also be an invasion from hell beneath (Rev. 16:14-15). And entering the scene, at almost the last moment, will be an invasion from outer space.
In a most dramatic sense, this will be the “valley of decision” for humanity (Joel 3:14). It will also be the great winepress into which will be poured the fierceness of the wrath of almighty God (Revelation 19:15).
Now let’s bring our study of this battle to a close.
God is still in Control
Is God really in control of everything that happens? Not everyone thinks so. Nearly 3 decades ago, the author of the book “When Bad Things Happen to Good People,” suggested that bad things happen because God is NOT really in control of everything. He claimed that God is NOT really omnipotent, making it impossible for Him to stop bad things from happening such as natural disasters and tragic accidents.
But is this what the Bible teaches? The Scriptures seem to teach quite the opposite, portraying a God in complete control of everything.
For example, God says in Isaiah 46:9-10, I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.
Yes, God is in control and has been since He created this world. And He remains in control in this “last days.”
Rev 16:13-14 NIV
13 Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.
WHO GATHERS THE NATIONS?
These verses tell us that demonic spirits are involved in gathering the nations of the whole world. Demons rarely come out and say, “we are the demonic forces of the devil, and we want you to prepare for battle in Israel.”
HOW DO THESE DEMONS CONVINCE THE KINGS TO DO THEIR BIDDING?
Each king will make his decision believing it is his idea and in his best interest. The kings of the east and north are coming to the mid-east in order to throw off the tyranny of the Antichrist. Other countries will be represented in these multi-national forces, maybe under the auspices of the United Nations in order to bring Israel to her knees because she would not concur with the resolutions passed by that body. Much of the early stages of Armageddon will be totally anti-Semitic in nature. The Antichrist will come and set up his headquarters in Jerusalem because he feels he needs to put pressure on Israel to get back in line with him.
Although Revelation 16:13-14 indicates that the kings of the earth are gathered to this battle by three unclean spirits, and although the kings will probably believe they are gathering in their own best interest, God is in control and is making use of the work of unclean spirit to motivate them.
Zechariah 14:1-2 NIV
1 A day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided among you.
2 I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; …….
God is the One gathering these nations. The nations have their own agenda. The demons have a different agenda. But God has the ultimate and overriding agenda.
Last week we read Joel 3:2 (NIV). Let’s read it again.
2 I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.
Once again, God is in control during the Battle of Armageddon. Their efforts against Israel and the God of Israel will be brought to nothing since God is orchestrating the outcome.
It is important to realize that the Satanic Trinity will not dominate the whole world simply on the basis of their own strength. Rather, it is because God has permitted it to be so. The tribulations will last only as long as God has ordained it to be.
While the Antichrist is strutting in triumph across the lands, and the tribulation is running the final days of its lethal course suddenly, and without warning, like a bolt of lightning that rends the vaults of heaven, Jesus will break through the clouds.
Revelation 19:11, 14 (NIV) tells us about this event.
11 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.
14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.
The nations that were antagonistic towards each other, suddenly put aside their differences and combine their forces to battle this invasion from outer space.
There are not very many places in the Bible where we are told that God actually laughs. But this part of the Battle of Armageddon is one of those places.
Psalm 2 is a Messianic and prophetic Passage and speaks of this very moment of Armageddon where the kings of the earth try to defeat God’s people and even God Himself.
Psalms 2:1-4 (NKJV)
1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
3 "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us."
4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision.
God actually laughs at the puny efforts of the mighty kings of the earth. They are no match for him. These nations are being brought into the land of Palestine because the moment has come when God is going to judge them.
A moment ago, we read Revelation 19:11, where we are told that one of the reason for Christ’s return is to “judge and make war.” Matthew 25 tells us He will be coming to judge the nations.
God will punish the nations in an unprecedented way.
Micah 5:15 NKJV
15 And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury On the nations that have not heard."
A tremendous light will produce astonishment and blindness.
Zechariah 12:4 NIV
4 “On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the LORD. "I will keep a watchful eye over the house of Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations.”
Zechariah 14:13 NIV
13 On that day men will be stricken by the LORD with great panic. Each man will seize the hand of another, and they will attack each other.
Israel’s enemies will be totally demoralized by God. Panic will quickly set in and like the Midianites of the Old Testament, they will begin to fight and destroy their own comrades. The enemies of Israel will be crushed like overripe grapes.
Isaiah 63:3, 6 NIV
3 "I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing.
6 I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground."
A moment ago, we read Psalm 2. In verse 4, it said that God will “hold them in derision.” That means they will become the object a great ridicule.
The armies of the earthly kings will literally have their flesh melt away while they are still standing.
Zechariah 14:12 NIV
12 This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.
The Battle of Armageddon, which may have lasted 2-3 years, will be brought to a climax, and a sudden end. The battle will be terminated by the action of Christ.
Revelation 19:14-15 NIV
14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
The bottom line is: God is totally in control
Let’s read the entire passage in Revelation 19 concerning the climax and end of this battle.
Revelation 19:11-21 NIV
11 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.
12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.
13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God,
18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great."
19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army.
20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
As the apostle John presents the final moments of this battle in Revelation 19, it looks to the world like it will turn into the “heavyweight battle of all eternity.”
John first introduces the “fighter in the white trunks” – Jesus Christ. As heaven opens up, John describes the awesome majesty of Jesus returning to earth with the armies of heaven following him (verse 14). Jesus is the defending champion, and He is wearing the title “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
The scene shifts, and an angel summons those who are going to be the observers of the battle.
WHO ARE THE OBSERVERS?
They are the birds that are gathering to get their fill. These feathery friends will observe the climax of this battle as they watch the best army on earth fight the best army from heaven. The birds are invited to feast on the carcasses that will cover the battlefield following the conflict.
John also writes in such a way, that we, the readers of his book, are also observers.
Then John introduces the “fighter in the black trunks.” We are told “the beast (Antichrist) and the kings of the earth and their armies gather to make war against the rider on the white horse and his army.”
The Antichrist and his army represents all the might the world can muster. They have come to Jerusalem, and they will be the final challenge to Jesus as He returns to earth to claim His heavyweight crown.
We settle down in our front-row seats expecting to watch the greatest fight ever held. The opponents are the champions in their respective divisions. The Antichrist is the best that Satan has to offer, and he comes representing the evil empire that currently controls the world. Christ is the best that God the Father has to offer, and He comes as Savior and Sovereign who has God’s authority to rule the world.
The bells sounds and the fighters step toward the center of the ring. And with one punch, the contest is decided.
Revelation 19:20-21 NIV
20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
The battle is really over almost before it begins. The Battle at Jerusalem is the most anticlimactic battle in history. As John described the armies mustered on both sides, we expect to witness some epic struggle between good and evil. Yet, no matter how mighty someone on earth is, that individual is no match for the power of God.
The prophet Isaiah described how the greatest power mustered on earth compares to the power of God.
Isaiah 40:15, 17 NIV
15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
17 Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing.
This battle is the most lopsided struggle in history. Compared to the power of God, the awesomeness of the Antichrist and his army quickly fades. And Christ retains His eternal title: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
The Aftermath of the Battle
WHAT IS IT GOING TO BE LIKE IN ISRAEL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING ARMAGEDDON?
God uses vivid language to portray not only the beauties of heaven but also the heinousness of the battle of Armageddon. After Armageddon is over – a battle where just from the East alone, 200 million men will participate. And Israel will be one bloody putrid mess of stinking carcasses of millions of horses and hundreds of millions of soldiers. Along with all the destroyed armament, this will be the greatest military junkyard you could ever imaging.
Revelation 14:20 (NIV) says.
20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 furlongs.
Again, 1,600 furlongs is about 200 miles. That means that the entire length of Israel will be a killing field. But only the soldiers of the Antichrist and other early kings will die. Jesus will not lose even one.
Revelation 19:21 NIV
21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse [Christ], and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
A moment ago, I said that God uses very vivid language to describe the aftermath of Armageddon. In this verse, we are told that the birds will gorge themselves on the flesh of men and animals.
Yes, according to what we just read, as well as a number of other references, God will direct birds and even field animals to Israel to eat up the remains. With hundreds of millions of human casualties and possibly tens of millions of horses, the task of taking care of the dead will be too great a task for the surviving Arabs and Jews. God will have the angel summon the birds to clean up the carnage of rotting bodies left behind.
According to Isaiah 34:1-3 (NIV), the place will stink to high heaven.
1 Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world, and all that comes out of it!
2 The LORD is angry with all nations; his wrath is upon all their armies. He will totally destroy them, he will give them over to slaughter.
3 Their slain will be thrown out, their dead bodies will send up a stench; the mountains will be soaked with their blood.
The corpses of the men and horses will give off a putrid odor.
Man, for all his talents and power, is still man. And God is God – eternal, almighty and infallible. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and holy. There is no one like Him.
Earlier we read the first 4 verses of Psalm 2. In verse 4, it said God laughs at man’s puny efforts. When the last peal of God’s chilling laughter dies away, it will be replaced by a tide of fearful, holy wrath. He then adds in verse 5 of Psalm 2, “Yet have I set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”
Notice that God uses the past tense. As far as He is concerned, the appearance of Jesus on the Temple Mount is a done deal. It will not be the Antichrist or any other earthly king. It will be King Jesus sitting on the throne in Zion.
Closing
This war of unsurpassed carnage is not a fable or just a fiction story. No, it is a fact – and every tick of the clock brings us closer to it.
The final outcome of the Battle of Armageddon is assured and never in doubt. Jesus will win – Satan will lose.
Revelation 19:19-21 - Revelation 20:1-3 (NIV) says,
19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army.
20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
In these verses, we have 5 things happening in this event.
• Christ returns from heaven with his saints.
• The Antichrist and the kings of the earth make war against Christ.
• Christ destroys the armies of the Antichrist.
• The Antichrist and the False Prophet are cast alive into the Lake of Fire.
• The birds are summoned to the battlefield.
Revelation 20:1-3 (NIV)
1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.
2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.
According to these last few verse of Chapter 19, both the Antichrist and the False Prophet will immediately receive their eternal judgment, for they shall be cast into the Lake of Fire. The Son of God will win a total, final, crushing victory and Satan will be bound and cast into the Bottomless Pit for 1,000 years with chains he cannot break.