Armageddon

Despite what popular culture teaches, Armageddon is simply a derivation of two Hebrew words: har, meaning “mountain,” and Megiddo, the name of an ancient Israelite city. However, as much as the sixth plague is not referring to the literal Euphrates River, neither is Armageddon referring to the literal region. It is a powerful climax of the cosmic controversy between Christ and Satan. It is Satan and his demons, not generals and commanders, gathering “the kings of the earth and of the whole world” (Revelation 16:14). Armageddon represents a religious—not a political—struggle.

Interestingly enough, not far from literal Megiddo, to the northwest, is situated another familiar location, Mount Carmel. It was upon Mount Carmel that God answered Elijah’s prayer and brought down fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:20–40). It was upon Mount Carmel that the children of Israel chose who to worship. But recall that fire from heaven was also the miracle copied by the false prophet, the only demonic miracle that the Bible particularly described (Revelation 13:13).

Some scholars have also noticed a correlation between Megiddo and mo’ed, the Hebrew word for “the place of congregation.” Mo’ed is used often in Scripture to describe the sanctuary where the children of Israel gathered for worship; it is translated as “His place of assembly” (Lamentation 2:6) or “the tabernacle of meeting” (Exodus 28:43). Notably, we’ve learned that God’s throne is situated in the sanctuary.

Then there is this telling verse, a window into Lucifer’s mindset as he was falling into sin: “I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north” (Isaiah 14:13). “The mount of the congregation,” har-mo’ed, links directly back to Armageddon as the mount of Megiddo. Satan’s aim is to place himself upon God’s throne in the sanctuary, “so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). His trajectory is northward, upward, into heaven.

Notice the connection between the false prophet’s miracle and Lucifer’s secret ambition: They both reveal Satan’s attempt to be God. That’s what Armageddon is all about: Satan’s desire to usurp God. The battle, as it always has been, is over worship.

Prince of Peace, though Satan will muster all his forces to war against You, may I remain faithful in Your army.

For Further Study: 2 Chronicles 20:15–19; Joel 3:9–14; Zechariah 12:8–11

Key Bible Texts

And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. (Revelation 16:16 KJV)