THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON

Revelation 16:16

I. The Tale

A. To many, Armageddon stirs images of a colossal battle

between good and evil.

1. The Euphrates River will dry up.

2. Jerusalem will be destroyed.

3. The battle will spread throughout the world.

4. All life will be destroyed, and Jesus will appear.

B. Productions like “Left Behind” add much to the story.

II. The Truth

A. Based on the premillennialists’ elaborate scenario, one

would think that the Bible is full of discussion about

this supposed battle!

B. The Bible, however, is silent about this battle.

C. “Armageddon” is only mentioned in one verse--

Revelation 16:16.

D. “Armageddon” means “Mount of Megiddo.” While the

Bible references Megiddo (Judg. 1:27; 5:19; Josh. 17:11;

2 Chron. 35:22; Zech. 12:11), there is no specific reference

to the “Mount of Megiddo.”

E. Decisive battles have been fought in this general area (see

Judg. 4; 5; 7:1; 1 Sam. 31:1-6; 2 Kings 9:27).

F. The truth about this battle is that it is figurative just like the

dragons (v. 13), beast (v. 13), frogs (v. 13), garments

(v. 15), place of Babylon (v. 19), cup of wine (v. 19), and

islands (v. 20).

G. When Christ comes the world will end (2 Pet. 3:10) and

universal judgment will begin (Jn. 5:28, 29).

III. The Teachings (of the text)

A. Revelation 16, and its surrounding context, is a section of

scripture dealing with the Christian’s victory.

B. It teaches us that victory is in the Lord and that good will

defeat evil.

March 30, 2003 (p.m.)