Bible Word of the Day

Armageddon (Mount of Megiddo, Battle at the End of the Church Age)

Meaning
The word Armageddon means the “mount of Megiddo.” In addition, it has come to represent the cataclysmic battle which occurs at the end of the church age as the Anti-Christ brings his forces against Israel in an effort to wipe out the Jewish people. It’s at this moment with hand-to-hand combat in the streets of Jerusalem that Jesus returns with His saints and destroys the forces of the Anti-Christ. Jesus speaks just a word and the battle is over. We can read the details in Revelation 16:16; 20:1-3, 7-10. We have to understand Jesus has already won, Satan knows his time is short, he also knows where he is spending eternity. The battle of Armageddon along with the years and decades leading up to that battle is Satan’s last opportunity to take as many people to Hell with him as he can. And this battle is the culmination of that effort.

The most likely location for the battle is the hill country surrounding the plain of Megiddo. It’s located sixty miles north of Jerusalem and throughout history over two hundred battles have been fought in this area. The plain of Megiddo and the nearby Plain of Esdraelon will be the focal point of the battle of Armageddon. The Bible tells us the battle will take place over the entire length of Israel as far south as the city of Bozrah (Isaiah 63:1). The choice of Megiddo by God may be the fact that this is the location where the nation of Israel repeatedly fought off attacks by wicked nations. The Plain of Esdraelon or Armageddon as it’s called is famous for two great victories recorded in the Bible.

These battles helped define Israel’s history they include Barak’s victory over the Canaanites (Judges 4:15) and Gideon’s victory over the Midianites. We recall that Gideon following God’s instructions fought the Midianites with only three-hundred men. Armageddon was also the location where Saul the first King of Israel disobeyed God and was killed along with his sons (1st Samuel 31:8). This was also the location where King Josiah died after disobeying God and assisted the wicked northern kingdom in battle. We can read about Josiah’s death in 2nd Kings 23:29-30 and 2nd Chronicles 35:22.