REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 16:16

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

 

Chapter Sixteen

The Great Tribulation

The Seven Trumpets

Judgment Resumed

Trumpet Number 7 (Woe Number 3)

Armageddon

 

Review Outline

1. The First Bowl – Boils afflict followers of the beast (v. 2)

2. The Second Bowl – Oceans become a sea of blood (v.3)

3. The Third Bowl – Rivers and springs turn to blood (Vv. 4-7)

4. The Fourth Bowl – Oppressive heat from the sun (Vv. 8-9)

5. The Fifth Bowl – Darkness engulfs the earth (Vv. 10-11)

6. The Sixth Bowl – The River Euphrates dries up (Vv. 12-16)

7. The Seventh Bowl – Hail crumbles the cities (Vv. 17-21)

 

 

Introduction

As noted in the previous study, spirits of demons under the direction of Satan, knowing that the Second Coming of Christ is at hand, will lure the kings of the earth to gather together all the military might of the world for the battle of that great day of God Almighty (16:14). After crossing the dried-up Euphrates River, they will assemble for war at the battlefield named Armageddon.

 

Once the final bowl is poured in verse 17, the final battle, before Christ's return, ends in victory. And the balance of Chapter 16 chronicles the aftermath of judgment. However, the Lord’s Second Advent is detailed in Revelation 19 and verses 11 through 21.

 

Chronology is difficult to maintain by John the Apostle due to the overwhelming wealth of information given to him to scribe. But once again the narrative is interrupted in Chapter 17 wherein a lengthy parenthesis is inserted for background events regarding Babylon the Great and its doom to be delineated. As far as Tribulation is concerned, the climax of all God’s wrath has been expunged and the Millennium is set to commence.

 

 

(Verse 16)

 

King James Version

And He gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

 

Greek

(Καὶ συνήγαγεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸν τόπον τὸν καλούμενον Ἑβραϊστὶ Ἁρ¦μαγεδών.)

 

Transliteration

Kai synēgagen eis ton topon ton Hebraisti kaloumenon Har¦magedōn

 

Translation

And (He/they) assembled [the kings] in the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon

 

He/They

There is some discrepancy over the verb to collectively bring, call, gather, or assemble several persons to a place. The verb [συνάγω sunago (soon-ag'-o)] appears in the second aorist active indicative tense and third-person singular [συνήγαγεν; (synēgagen)]. Another rendering reads, “And they gathered together them [i.e., the kings] unto the place called in the Hebrew, Armageddon”: The word is sometimes translated as demonic spirits or the spirits of demons. However, a better and more accurate understanding is that They, the Lord God Almighty [the Triune God (three persons in one)], is the One sovereignly orchestrating this assemblage.

 

Armageddon

Etymology

Ἁρμαγεδδών (Greek, G717) is a Greek nominative neuter singular noun. Only used one time in the Bible, Armageddon is two Hebraic words compounded: har [הר] [Hebrew, H2022 - a shortened form of hârâr (הרר) H2042], meaning hill country, mount or mountain and (m^egiddôn megiddô) [מגדּו מגדּון] (Hebrew, H4023 - defined as Megiddon or Megiddo), a place in Palestine, i.e., Mount Megiddo. NASB and ASV alternatively translate, Har-Magedon.

 

Location

The mountainous land of Megiddo (14 miles wide and 20 miles in length) contains the Jezreel Valley and the Plain (Valley) of Esdraelon (the valley of God’s sowing - One of the most fertile valleys in the world). Once a Canaanite city-state and military stronghold (cf. Joshua 12:21), it is situated sixty miles north of Jerusalem, southwest of the Sea of Galilee, and flows northeast and west between the Jordan Valley and the Mediterranean Sea. Dan would be considered the northernmost city and Beersheba the southernmost, encompassing a two-hundred-mile stretch for battle – The length of Israel.

 

Territorially, the plains of Megiddo contained an important strategic international trade route between Egypt to the south and Mesopotamia to the north. Also, the Hill of Megiddo itself is located on the southern rim of the Plain of Esdraelon.

 

History

Excavations show the first town being built in the early fourth millennium B.C. The earliest occupations of Megiddo were the Egyptians, Syrians, Canaanites, and the Philistines. Historically, Megiddo was one of the most strategic fortress locations in Israel and has an extensive account of conflicts.

 

From the time after the Conquest, the entire territory is situated in northern Israel. Originally apportioned to the tribe of Issachar, the central city was later handed over to the tribe of Manasseh (cf. Joshua 17:11-12) but enjoyed little success in its occupation. Canaanite strongholds prevented anyone from gaining control and occupying the land of Megiddo.  

 

Archaeology

Informative archaeological value is posted on http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2014/11/05/megiddo-the-place-of-battles.aspx/

 

Military History

Megiddo, the great battlefield of the Holy Land, was notorious for many biblical historical battles:

Old Testament

1. Where Deborah and Barak fought Sisera, the captain of Canaanite king Jabin’s army, and overthrew them by the waters of Megiddo (cf. Judges 4-5)

 

2. Where Gideon defeated 135,000 Midianites and Amalekites with his 300 men (cf. Judges 6:33-8:10)

 

 

3. Where Josiah king of Judah was killed by the archers of Pharaoh Necho (cf. 2 Chronicles 35:20-25)

 

New Testament

1. Where Titus and the Roman Army fought in the first century

 

2. Where the Crusaders battled Saladin in the Middle Ages

 

3. Where Britain’s General Edmund Allenby defeated the Ottoman Turkish armies in 1917

 

Napoleon Bonaparte once called it, “the most natural battlefield of the whole earth.” Consequently, Megiddo seems to be the central point of the final conflict labeled Armageddon.

 

Purpose

Knowing Messiah’s return is imminent, Satan’s main purpose is to deceive and lure the military might of all nations by using demonic forces to resist and combat the armies of Heaven in the great day of God Almighty (16:14b) to subvert the Second Coming of the Son of Man. Once again, God is sovereignly permitting these events to accomplish His purpose – Not theirs. And, significantly, all eyes of the world shall be focused on Armageddon (Literally, the War of Armageddon).

 

Prophecy

Listed below is a brief biblical summary of future events:

Zechariah 12:11 – In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning [lamenting over the death of King Josiah] of Hadadrimmon [Hadad (Rimmon) a place in Palestine] in the valley of Megiddon.

 

Revelation 17:14 – These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they [the saints] that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

 

Revelation 19:19 - And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His army [the saints].

 

Point: Armageddon will be the last battle before Christ’s return. However, one final war will ensue at the end of the Kingdom Age (cf. Revelation 19:19-20).

 

 

The Seventh Bowl

 

(Verse 17)

 

And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great Voice out of the Temple of Heaven, from the Throne, saying, It is done.

 

The last of the seven bowls is finally poured by the seventh angel. As far as Tribulation is concerned, there is nothing more after reading verse 21. The 21 judgments of God’s plan are completed and accomplished. This is the climax! Often overlooked, but noticed, the final vial is poured out upon the very air that men breathe. Recall: The Lord had previously bloodied the waters (verses 3-5), and now He pollutes the atmosphere, all in preparation for the earth’s complete renovation. Its aftermath is graphically detailed in the remaining verses during the succeeding study.

 

And there came a great Voice out of the Temple of Heaven, from the Throne, saying, It is done

 

Forthwith, a great voice is heard proceeding from the Throne room of His heavenly Temple, God shall pronounce the final exclamation, “It is done.” This will be the third and final time the phrase is annunciated in the Bible:

1. When Jesus Christ hung on the Cross at Calvary, as He paid the supreme price for sinners, He exclaimed, “It is finished.” (cf. John 19:30)

 

2. When here from God’s Throne He spake, “It is done.” (cf. Revelation 16:17)

 

 

3. When the last time in the prophetic future, after the destruction of the heavens and Heaven and Earth is recreated, God shall proclaim, “It is done.” (cf. Revelation 21:6)

 

Comparisons

A. For Sinners, they will be the most horrifying words they ever hear

B. For believers, they are the most beautiful words one can ever hear.

 

Someone has rightly analogized:

1. When Jesus said,  “It is finished,” it means the foundation is laid

 

2. When God makes this statement in Chapter 16, it indicates the walls are up

 

 

3. When He says it in Revelation 21, it signifies the roof is on

 

So, It is finished is enunciated by God three times:

1. At Calvary

2. At the end of Tribulation

3. At the end of the Millennium

Praise be to God!

 

Post Script

As a stark reminder for those who refuse to place their trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, a man who died on their behalf, there is no hope for a blissful eternity. Sadly, it will be one of dismal torment.

 

However, as edification to believers who remain true to the Gospel, the Church of Jesus Christ (The Bride), at this point, has been caught up and has a residence in Heaven. Additionally, the scenes taking place in the remainder of Chapter 16 are upon the earth.

 

Prophetic events following (in the next study) are without precedent or parallel in human history.

 

 

 QUESTIONS:

1.   Define Armageddon.

2.   Historically, why is Armageddon important?

3.   Who is responsible for gathering the world’s armies there?

4.   What is the prophetic importance of Armageddon?

5.   Name all the forces involved in Armageddon.

6.   Is Armageddon the final war in the Bible?

7.   When is the seventh bowl poured out?

8.   What words emanate from the Throne in Heaven?

 

 

If this study was a blessing to you, make it a blessing to others.

SAVE AND FORWARD THIS LINK

http://breadoflifeministriesassoc.blogspot.com/