Are we on the brink of 'Armageddon'?

score:5

The whole point of the last book in the Bible, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, is that it was given by God "to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass" (1:1) Therein, God's battle to finally judge all wickedness is named as "Armageddon" (16:16). It is spoken of elsewhere with various details given, which link in with previous biblical prophecies. But if these two points are not taken into account at the start of trying to answer such a question as this, everyone will just keep going round the houses, lost, due to not employing the spiritual 'compass' this last book of the Bible provides.

First Point: This final prophecy was given by Christ after his ascension back to heaven, so the things "which must shortly come to pass" apply to that time forward, only to end at his spectacular and unexpected return to earth, to usher in the Day of Judgment and Resurrection. This means we have been living in "the last days" for near-on 2,000 years. And, in every century, in every generation of Christians, they have seen the prophecy working out. The hors*m*n of the Apocalypse have been riding forth, throughout the earth, from Christ's ascension, and they won't stop until God reigns them in. Various plagues from heaven have been poured out by God on to this earth, and as the wicked increase in hatred and persecution of God's people, so those plagues intensify. They will build up to a crescendo that culminates in Armageddon. This means that every generation of Christians can live through whatever happens on earth in their life-time, prepared for and expecting that culmination. The visions given have been written down for the edification of the saints. They are to fortify their faith so that they will stand solid on the Rock, Christ, in every century. This means that whether or not Armageddon starts in my life-time (and I've already had my "three-score-and-ten" years) my faith is unshaken in God sovereignly working his purposes out, including in current events.

Second Point: Armageddon is not a man-made war. It is God's war, his final war against all wickedness. The Revelation shows that politicians are just puppets, whose strings are being pulled by demonic forces trying to get them all lined up for the battle of Armageddon. Chapter 26 shows that men do not repent, nor give God the glory. Then John writes:

"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working signs which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty... called in Hebrew Armageddon" (vss. 13-14 & 16).

War-mongers like Genghis Khan, Vlad the Impaler, Hitler, Stalin and Putin do their evil worst, but they don't realise that they are puppets in the hands of unseen demonic powers, trying to trigger God's war of Armageddon. But God is in control! God's timing is exquisitely perfect, and he determines when Armageddon starts. We do not have to concern ourselves for even a minute as to when Armageddon will begin. Our only concern is to be living in light of the First Point!

Only if we grasp the Revelation to be vital preparation for us to live in faith so that, whenever "the last trump" sounds and Christ returns without warning, we will not be terrified, seeking the mountains to fall on us to hide us from the wrath of the Lamb, will we benefit from that Revelation.

By the time God's people on earth are safely gathered in to "the barn" immediately prior to angels gathering the vine of the earth, to trample all its 'grapes' in the wine-press of God's wrath, it will be too late for vain speculation. Those who do not belong to Christ by faith will be trodden.

Revelation chapter 14 verses 12 to 20 deals with the one harvest, which has two 'reapings'. Once the first reaping starts (those "that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus") it will be too late for everybody else. Armageddon will catch them unawares, and totally unprepared. For instantly "the good wheat" is "bundled" into "the barn", then begins the vine of the earth being cut and cast into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

If anybody wants to check out this view of Armageddon, they could go to the link below, to find out about the book I gathered this from. It has just been reprinted and can be obtained from the address given on the web-page. It is called "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" by John Metcalfe. It takes over 600 pages to expound this last book of the Bible. http://www.johnmetcalfepublishingtrust.co.uk/contact_us.htm

Conclusion: The answer to the question is that, because we could be on the brink of Armageddon starting, Christians need to live every day in light of all that God has given to prepare his people for that event. After all, you or I might die before Armageddon starts, and it is the spiritual state people are in at the point of stepping out of time and entering eternity that matters. The book of the Revelation has been given to us so that every generation of Christians will be prepared for every and any eventuality; it has not been given so that we might second-guess the timing of God as to when, exactly, Armageddon 'should' start. It is to show us how we are to live as faithful people in a faithless world - it is to fortify our faith irrespective of when Armageddon might start.

Anne 25676

Upvote:1

It's my opinion that it's clear to me were in the "birth pangs" stage. I base this on Matthew 24:8, where Jesus is talking. "But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs."

What things? At Matthew 24:3 His disciples ask Him a very specific question? "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age/world?"

Verse 5, False Christ will mislead many. Verse 6, You will be hearing of wars and rumor of wars. Verse 7, For nation will rise against nation. There will be famines and earthquakes.

Verse 8, the birth pangs. Verse 9, In addition to these natural calamites, followers of Jesus will have to face people who will arrest them and hand them over to be tortured and even killed. Verse 10, Many will fall away and deliver up one another.

Verse 11, And many false prophets will mislead many. Verse 12, Lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. Verse 14. This gospel shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

It goes without saying that all of these things are taking place. However, I have no idea when we reach the point that the gospel has been preached in all the world.

"BUT" Jesus at verse 15 gives us a clue. He says, "Therefore when you see the Abomination of Desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, STANDING IN THE HOLY PLACE, (let the reader understand.)

Now, I don't know if the "Holy Place" is the temple or maybe Jerusalem/Judea/the nation of Israel. What I do know is at Matthew 24:16 Jesus says to flee, or get out of Dodge. So, to answer your question it appears that something unwelcomed may be on the verge of happening at least according to the signs of the birth pangs.

Mr. Bond 4571

Upvote:1

I recently studied the history leading up to the fall of Byzantium in 1453 and the General Crisis of the 17th century. The sequence of war, civil war (and attendant famine), pestilence and death, followed by persecution of the survivors can be found in each. These match the riding out of the four horseman of the Apocalypse and the opening fifth seal (which triggers a great persecution).

Bernard Capp's 1970 thesis on the "Fifth Monarchy Men" is an interesting read. False prophets, rapid formation of small sects, and expectations that the millennium had arrived ran rampant in 17th century England and elsewhere.

Those two epochs seemed to match Revelation, but the pattern eventually fizzled out. I believe that history is fractal, with certain patterns repeating at smaller and larger scales. The series of events spoken of in Revelation hold messages for many audiences.

For Christians throughout history, as a warning to persevere.
For people going through civilizational crisis, to guide the wise through difficult times.
For the people living through the final chapter of history, to advise them and encourage them that the Lord is on his way.

I believe that we are in the midst of a civilizational crisis. Thus aspects of our times will match events in Revelation. We cannot know if our crisis is the final crisis or if others will follow. That is why we cannot know if Christ is about to return or if that awaits the rise and fall of another civilization.

Our current civilizational crisis seems to hinge on these events:

Fall of Constantinople - first horseman was Islam, war. 14th-15th centuries.
General Crisis following the Reformation - second horseman, civil war within the church and all Christendom. 16th-17th centuries.
Capitalist transformation and industrial revolution - third horseman, which dealt which created huge wealth disparities and many famines. 18th-19th centuries.
Nazism & Communism - Death, through genocides, collectivization, forced social conformity to eliminate class distinctions. 20th-21st centuries.
Fifth Seal - hatred, factions, and a great persecution. That is what is on our doorstep.

The principle involved is the focus of the transformation:

Government
Religion
Economics
Civil Society
Family

The persecution will spread because of a family breakdown.

After family, the next target is personal morality and piety (as distinct from group religious activity).

Once you recognize the principles involved in the process described in Revelation, you will see how difficult it is to tell whether Armageddon is at hand. We are living through a worldwide civilizational transformation. The end result can be positive - the remaking of the world into a more just and humane place. Or it can be destructive - as with Byzantium. It is up to us whether we pass the test, or descend into ruin.

Paul Chernoch 11163

Upvote:2

Theologically speaking, no.

The word "Armageddon" comes from Revelation 16:16, and is a transliteration of Har Megiddon, or "the Hill of Megiddo," where the Final Battle is to take place, as the culmination of a war in which "all the world" is set against Israel.

Megiddo is a place in Israel, well over 1000 miles away from the current conflict in Ukraine. This conflict, furthermore, does not even come close to involving all the world, with virtually everyone other than Russia and Ukraine choosing to stay out of it, and Israel is nowhere in sight.

Therefore, whatever is currently going on there, it is definitively not Armageddon.

Mason Wheeler 31222

Upvote:2

There's a popular saying that goes, "Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it." The corollary when dealing with prophesy in the Bible is that those who don't know history are doomed to misinterpret Biblical prophecy that has long since been already fulfilled.

Before we look at what Revelation says about Armageddon, let's look at another passage that is often closely tied to the same discussion: Matthew 24.

The chapter begins in Jerusalem as Jesus is coming out of the Temple. The disciples are impressed with the Temple buildings, recently refurbished and expanded, and point them out to Jesus. He responds:

“You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.

The scene then shifts a short distance east of Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives:

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

Now notice what Jesus says will happen next:

Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.

You in verse 9 refers to the original disciples to whom Jesus is speaking.

The original disciples were persecuted and most of them executed by the end of the first century CE Jesus said this would occur after "wars and rumors of wars, etc." were already occurring.

Let's continue reading the next paragraph (vv. 15-28):

So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; the one on the housetop must not go down to take what is in the house; the one in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There he is!’—do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

This prophecy was fulfilled in 70 CE when Legio X Fretensis the Tenth Roman Legion sacrificed pigs along with sheep and oxen to "purify" (according to Roman beliefs) the site of the Temple as it was being destroyed by the Romans. They would have also done this to commemorate their own dead who had died in the battle to take control of Jerusalem and in particular, those who had died in the fighting inside the Temple itself. Beyond that, the coat of arms the Tenth Legion was marching under during the destruction of Jerusalem was this:

The chapter continues with language that would have been familiar to the disciples from the apocalyptic literature of the Old Testament:

Immediately after the suffering of those days

the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from heaven,
> and the powers of heaven will be shaken.

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see ‘the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven’ with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Many interpret verses 29-31 to be about the end of time in our current generation's future. But there are several problems with that interpretation.

First, it ignores the obvious references to apocalyptic literature on the Old Testament with which the disciples would have been very familiar. All of these same symbols were used in the Old Testament to describe the destruction of Solomon's Temple by the Babylonians.

Second, it ignores the historical events that took place with the destruction of Solomon's Temple. The disciples knew that history, and would have understood that Jesus was saying that just as the first temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, the second Temple that they had just marveled at would also be destroyed.

Third, Jesus told them this destruction would happen during their lifetimes.

Continuing to the next paragraph:

From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place (italics added). Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Jesus is talking to his disciples who were with him on the Mount of Olives when he said, "This generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place."

Those things, in fact, happened in 70 CE with the destruction of Jerusalem and the great diaspora. Jesus is offering hope that even though his people will be physically scattered, he will continue to gather the Kingdom of God to himself, not only from among the Jews living in Jerusalem, Judea, and Galilee, but also from among the people of the surrounding nations and lands.

He then clarifies further:

But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

Jesus' entire point about signs is clarified when he says it will be how it was in the days of Noah. He is saying these things have been happening since the very beginning and will continue to happen until the very end. They echo the warnings from the beginning of the discourse: "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs."

All of these things have been going on since the beginning of recorded human history. Eating and drinking. Marrying and giving in marriage. Workers in the field. Workers grinding meal. Wars and rumors of wars. Nations rising against nations, and kingdoms against kingdoms. Famines. Earthquakes.

The house is the temple. The owner of the house represents those who rejected Jesus. The Old Testament tells of how God's Spirit left the first Temple before its destruction (Ezek. 10:18-19), so that it was no longer the house of God but had become their house (echoed by Jesus in Matt. 23:38). Again, the owner was asleep and let the house be broken into.

Now let's look at Revelation 16 and the broader context of the entire Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Revelation is written in the apocalyptic literary genre. Much of the language is symbolic, just as the Old Testament apocalyptic writings were. Those who read Revelation and equate it to our contemporary events have done so because they don't know the history that was occurring right before the very eyes of the Church's first generation. Revelation is a testimony to the faithfulness of God to his people in the face of the intense persecution they were experiencing, both from the Jews and the Roman Empire. It's an assurance that the Lamb has already won the battle with death and the powers of this Earth who are powerless to stop the Kingdom of God.

The climatic event at the end of Revelation 16 is immediately preceded by the only place in the book of Revelation where the Greek word Harmagedōn (Ἁρμαγεδών) appears. [it was transliterated into English by the KJV translators as 'Armageddon' because they missed one little breath mark in the Koine word which was a transliteration of the Hebrew place name Har Megiddo ('הר מגידו‎).]

The event in question is the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. It's the final judgement for those who rejected Christ as the Son of God. The veil was ripped open and the Holy of Holies was abandoned by the Spirit of God as Jesus gave up his last breath on the cross. With the Spirit of God no longer dwelling there, it was only a matter of time until it would be destroyed.

Babylon is the Roman Empire. We then see the judgement and destruction of Rome in the following chapters. Then we see the city of New Jerusalem, the spiritual Kingdom of God with the Church as the Bride of Christ, come to fruition.