ARMAGEDDON
What Is the Significance of Armageddon in the Bible?
The name "Armageddon" derives from a passage in the book of Revelation, where certain opposing forces were gathered at a place called Har-Magedon for a great battle (Rev. 16:16).
It is believed that the original term pertained to "the hill of Megiddo," a place in northwestern Palestine. It was the most famous battlefield of ancient history, very prominent in Old Testament literature (see Jdgs. 4:13ff; Jdgs. 7; 2 Kgs. 23:29). It was at this place that Deborah and the small army of Israel overcame the powerful military forces of Sisera.
This incident probably serves as the backdrop for the symbolic use of the term in Revelation. It seems to serve as a prophetic clue for the great victory that Christ and his armies will enjoy on the final day of earth's history when the forces of evil are vanquished forever (see Rev. 19:11ff).
The imagery of Revelation 16:12ff, "frogs," etc., clearly reflects the symbolic nature of the description. There is no basis in this context for an actual military conflict that is supposed to occur (according to dispensational theology) just before an alleged 1,000-year reign of Christ upon the earth. See DISPENSATIONALISM.
It is believed that the original term pertained to "the hill of Megiddo," a place in northwestern Palestine. It was the most famous battlefield of ancient history, very prominent in Old Testament literature (see Jdgs. 4:13ff; Jdgs. 7; 2 Kgs. 23:29). It was at this place that Deborah and the small army of Israel overcame the powerful military forces of Sisera.
This incident probably serves as the backdrop for the symbolic use of the term in Revelation. It seems to serve as a prophetic clue for the great victory that Christ and his armies will enjoy on the final day of earth's history when the forces of evil are vanquished forever (see Rev. 19:11ff).
The imagery of Revelation 16:12ff, "frogs," etc., clearly reflects the symbolic nature of the description. There is no basis in this context for an actual military conflict that is supposed to occur (according to dispensational theology) just before an alleged 1,000-year reign of Christ upon the earth. See DISPENSATIONALISM.
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Adapted from the book "Bible Words and Theological Terms Made Easy" by Wayne Jackson
