This is a very important piece of real estate situated in Israel, also referred to as the Valley of Jehoshaphat, otherwise known as Armageddon. Perhaps you have heard of this place, even if you did not attend Sunday school or graduate with first-class honors. It is located in Jezreel, just to the east of Megiddo in northern Israel. The word Armageddon actually means “Mount of Megiddo.”
Armageddon is both a battle and a place. So, in the context of today’s article, I will be referring to this as the very last war described in the Bible, within its location bearing the same name.
This war, or battle, will be a one-sided victory, although it appears to be two equal sides of strength in attendance. It will wrap up rather quickly. The ones fighting against Jesus Christ and His armies are heavily outnumbered and outranked. The armies of darkness will be creamed as soon as they lay their eyes on Jesus. They have a zero percent chance of military success. Their collective fate is doom and is sealed for all eternity.
This war has been long predicted and the justice delivered there seems even longer in coming. Sometimes it feels like it’s never going to happen.
Pleadings and petitions in both heaven and earth from those who belong to God say, “How much longer, O Lord.” But—it will happen— and all of heaven will be in attendance as well.
This final war has a specific purpose not discerned by the casual observer—even among Christians. It has to do with the “apple of God’s eye,” His people, Israel.
He gave them a land gift long ago through a covenant with Abram; thus, calling him Abraham. It is a gift from God to them. God made a covenant with Abraham and blessed him with offspring and a beautiful land in which to dwell.
Unfortunately, many dispute and war against this fact—this truth—and deny the claim that Israel has in the possession of their homeland. It’s already coming to an end-times boiling point as I am writing this article. It is cooking up to be a real whopper!
The attendees of the battle of Armageddon are an angry bunch of folks because they have somehow made it to the very end of the seven-year tribulation. This final battle will start just as the tribulation is wrapping up.
The Bible has described in accurate detail the many judgments that have been poured out, literally, upon the God/Christ-haters that are still living on the earth in this future time. It has been truly awful. I am surprised there are people still standing after this seven-year go round. But, in the Bible it says that yes, indeed, they are—and lots of them.
They are heavily armed for battle and making their way across Asia and Europe into the Middle East, marching down the dried-up Euphrates River to assemble together for this prophesied war to end all wars—Armageddon!
I think it’s a God thing, but notice this is where it all started—in the Garden of Eden at the creation of Adam and Eve, where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flow together. This is now modern-day Iraq.
And now, it will come to a close in a region known for its origins and connection to Almighty God, our God, and the birthplace of His son, Jesus Christ.
There will be personalities that have risen to evil prominence upon the earth during the seven-year tribulation that will be leading the pack— still goin’ at it. They are all driven by Satan and evil controlling spirits, driving them like half-dead horses up a steep incline and over a fiery cliff to their destruction. They are all going over the cliff together in the largest suicide pact the world will ever witness.
Here is the lineup. You know who they are by now, my dear readers:
-Satan
-Evil, fallen spirits
-The Antichrist
-The False Prophet
-Kings and military leaders of all nations coming by way of Europe and Asia from the East and the North, most likely traveling down the Euphrates through Turkey and Syria—arriving at Israel’s northern border. Probably, anyone that has a pulse will be dragged along by these demons who will not be refused. “Be careful who you hang out with” applies here.
-All Israel’s enemies— yep, there will still be willing representatives from each nation ready to get their hands on God’s capital city and call it theirs yet again. Jerusalem, as well as the whole world, has been devastated by mega earthquakes at this point in the future—but, they probably think they can rebuild and occupy God’s cherished city and land.
Also coming on this day, through the clouds in majesty and holiness, is Lord of heaven and earth:
-Jesus Christ and the armies of God with Him – flanked by His bride, the raptured church.
“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. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
“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. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:11-16).
The evil Armageddon attendees have a lot in common, but specific to each one coming with battle axe in hand is their hatred for God’s people, desire to divide up Israel’s’ land, and intent to send the Jews into captivity, slavery and annihilation.
Those nations that have been a willing party to the dividing of Israel’s God-given land are getting judged severely—here and now, in this place. Notice in the following scripture that God refers to Israel’s land —as His land!
“I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; and they have divided up My land” (Joel 3:2).
They are all dead upon arrival—and I do not exaggerate here when I say it will be a bloodbath.
“Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, ‘Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.’
“And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
“And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh” (Revelation 19:17-21).
Many people, including Christians, think Armageddon will be a nuclear war. I do not share this opinion. It will look like a nuclear bomb went off when Jesus Christ finishes with them, as He is bearing the full wrath and fury of Almighty God.
These armies bit off more than they can chew. Jesus shows up and they know who He is—instantly. There will be no mistaken identity here. We are with Him, along with all of the armies of heaven. He delivers a lethal blow to them all and executes judgment right then and there. I told you it was going to wrap up quickly. The Antichrist and the False Prophet are thrown, still alive, into the lake of fire.
You know, I do not feel sorry for this group. That may sound terrible or unmerciful, but is it?
I think not, and apparently neither does God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and all of heaven and earth in this futuristic scene. We will be on the winning side watching our Lord wipe the earth clean of every speck of sin that this unbelieving crowd has refused to repent of.
An expensive gift was offered to them, and they all collectively refused. They held hands and spit in the face of God’s only Begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. Every person in this group willingly chose hell and eternal separation from God, even though God offered them forgiveness of sin and eternal life in His Son.
Hell is a real place, and it’s a place that God originally prepared for the Devil and the fallen angels. A person actually chooses hell— it’s that simple. God gives us all a choice. In this future Polaroid, we see the result of a very bad eternal choice.
Choose wisely and choose life in the Son of God if you have not done so, please….
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household’” (Acts 16:30-31).
Sally Law