ARMAGEDDON

Terrible Fate?Is Armageddon the future destruction of the world in a holocaust of fire? The word comes from the Bible book of Revelation. We are clearly informed that the things in Revelation will “shortly come to pass” (Revelation 1:1). The prophecy was written during the first century AD about things that have happened. They came to pass shortly after the time of writing.

Defeat and DesolationArmageddon, or Har-Magedon, is a symbol of defeat and desolation. Megiddo was a fortified city located on a plain. Har-Magedon literally means Mountain of Megiddo. Magiddo is located near Mt. Carmel (See Map) where Jezebel’s false prophets were defeated. Megiddo was the site of several key battles. There Joshua defeated the Canaanites (Joshua 12:7, 21). Deborah defeated the kings of Canaan (Judges 5:19). Evil King Ahaziah dies at Megiddo (2 Kings 9:27). King Josiah disobeyed God, and was mortally wounded in battle against Neco of Egypt (2 Chronicles 35). The people mourned Josiah’s death and the prophet Zechariah used this as an image of Israel’s mourning (Zechariah 12:10-11). The apostle John appropriately used Har-Magedon (Mountain of Megiddo) as a symbol of the defeat of those who set themselves against God.

Blood Bath?It is widely believed that in the “battle of Armageddon” Christ will lead the armies of heaven in battle against the armies of the Anti-Christ. The notion of Jesus leading a literal army is contrary to everything we read about Him in the gospels. He said, “... My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight...” (John 18:36). The phrase “battle of Armageddon” does not appear in the Bible. Please read Revelation chapter 16, and notice that it says “the place” where the kings were gathered together was called Armageddon.

Armies GatheredThe historian, Josephus, wrote of the Roman armies assembled in the area of Caesarea for their assault against Jerusalem, (Wars, book V, chapter 1, V. 2). Caesarea is near Mt. Carmel, the Mountain of Megiddo. The apostle John wrote, “And they gathered them together tot he place called in Hebrew, Armageddon” (Revelation 16:16).

Jerusalem had set herself against God and would know defeat and desolation. Jesus wept over Jerusalem and said, “.. the days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they not leave in you one stone upon another because you did not know the time of your visitation” (Luke 19:43-44). This prophecy was fulfilled during 68-70 A.D.

Fire to ComeThe terrible destruction of the future will not be Armageddon, but the earth will be burned with fire. “.. the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat: both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). This will occur when Jesus comes again in judgment, “... in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

Now is the time to learn of God’s purpose. Those who obey God find purpose in this life and look forward with hope to that place God has prepared. Now is the time to obey the gospel.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body [collectively called the “churches of Christ” Romans 16:16),] assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.

If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please e-mail me at BibleTruths@hotmail.com or call 253-396-0290. Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor