Armageddon Now, Soon, Or Never?
Posted: Tuesday, February 10, 2009
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
The word "Armageddon" appears only one time in the Holy Bible (Revelation 16: 15-16) and is used in a very ambiguous set of verses. There are a number of varying explanations of what it is referring to, none of which are authoritative.
The term has been viewed with fear by many over the years as a final all out battle which will terminate the existence of life here on earth. Others think that it indicated a warning of the soon to come destruction of Jerusalem. I will tell you my view about it first of all. I believe it is symbolic language and refers to the destruction of Jerusalem.
Some think that the entire world will be embroiled in a horrendous conflict which may destroy all life. I don't say that this scenario could not or will not happen, but I do say that I cannot find that predicted in the Bible, in this or any other scripture. Others say it simply means a spiritual warfare between good and evil. If that be true, it has been going on since day one. And it surely continues to this day.
Various other ideas float around, none of which are any more verified in scripture than the previous two. But, since it is a word that almost all people seem to take an interest in (as they do in the pagan celebrations of Christmas and Easter) and they do not care to be told the scriptures won't uphold their belief.
So, what's my point? I only started thinking about it due to some who are already marking us as being into World War III due to the middle east problems now raging. They could be right you know. And take my word for it, if it comes to all out world war, it will be very, very nasty. It could develop to the extent of ending all life on this planet.
Michael Drosnin predicted in his book "The Bible Code II" that "the Bible code clearly states the danger in modern terms- 'atomic holocaust' and 'World War' are both encoded in the Bible. And both are encoded with the same year, 2006."! (So much for the Bible Code II.)
James Kingsley predicted an " 'End of Days' Atomic Air Strike in 2006. Two or three MiG fighters will drop bombs on nuclear facilities in Washington State, Oregon and San Francisco. This will be done by a secret alliance of China, Iran, Syria. Somehow France is involved. The attack will begin at 9 AM Pacific Time and cause massive damage that will effect the whole planet." (So much for Kingsley's prediction.)
According to a 2006 Sunday Times in England, a religious group called "The Family" anticipated the end of the world in 2006. "Members were said to be stockpiling food and planning to hide in caves in India."
The writings that are compiled into the Bible are not just random ramblings and talk. Each message has it's reason and implications. Much, not all, of the prophetic messages contained in the New Testament were directed to the followers of Christ and contained warnings of the coming horror of the slaughter and destruction of the siege and virtual genocide of the Israelite nation.
When trying to decipher what signs mean in these passages, it is easiest to first try and reconcile it with that destruction, the "abomination of desolation". Most of the book of Revelation written by John, was for the purpose of strengthening the Christians and warning them to be prepared for this event which would be in their generation.
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Interesting article. I have been talking with lots of believers and unbelievers alike. I truly believe that my generation will see the return of the Lord primarily due to my belief that the Israeli Nation born in one day refers to Ezekiel 37, primarily verses 21,22 that they will have one king and never be divided again. Another thing that comes to mind is that the extremist Muslims of the world believe that the Muslim Messiah "12th Imam" will come soon. Of course, the government in power in Iran believe it is their mission to help usher him in by destroying the nation of Israel. In fact, I have read that the Iranian government are preparing their people for 30-40 million casualties in direct retaliation for nuking the state of Israel.They also believe that when the 12th Imam comes to earth, that Jesus Christ "the prophet" will return with the Imam. Of course, the Jews in Israel want to rebuild the Temple, have the money to do so. However, they know that if they were to try and build now without peace with the Arabs, the Arabs would destroy it. Therefore, they are waiting for the one whom can bring peace between the 2. It is quite a perverse twist of what is stated in Revelation 13, the beast of the Sea I believe is the Imam and the Beast from the Earth is the Anti-Christ.... I am very distracted right now so my train of thought is very brisk. Will revise later.... Chris SThanks for your reading and commenting Chris. I appreciate your thoughts although I don't agree with some of the prophetic thoughts. I would not argue that the end time may come within your generation, but not because of Ezekiel 37. Israel will never be more than they are and will never be THE children of God again unless they accept and obey Jesus Christ. That is the kingdom referred to in Ezekiel, where spiritual Israel will be forever united with all who obey Jesus. There is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, all are one in Christ Jesus.
I can see the perspective in which you are coming from. However, it is historically profound that the Jews were restored to their lands in 1948. Also, a fact I find interesting is the fact that the Hebrew language is what unifies the nation of Israel currently. The Jews were spread out through all of the lands after the 2nd destruction of the temple. They have not been ruled by a native king since Hoshea briefly ruled Israel. Now I do understand that after the death of Solomon the unified nations of Israel and Judah split. But Israel still had their own kings as Judah did also however evil they were.(2 Kings 15:30) The point I am trying to get at ( I side-bar a lot, so please bear with me, lol) is this: the Hebrew language (common tongue)started to die off around this time. Now when Jesus walked this earth the 2 primary languages spoken in the area was Aramaic and Greek(?). It had only been spoken by Rabbis and holy scholars. It reminds me of Latin being the holy language of the Catholic church and being separate from the common tongue. However, in the late 19th century a rabbi by the name of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda said he heard God tell him in a dream to restore His holy language to His people. So Ben-Yehuda taught his family from that day forth to only speak Hebrew in his household. He also modernized some words to describe modern day terms such as rocket, train, etc. However, it did not catch on as a national movement until the 1910s.My goodness, this has become quite long winded! I beg your pardon please sir!Anyways, I just feel that there is a great historical significance to Israel being born in one day. I agree with you partially in the common belief that since the Jews rejected Christ during His first coming that yes, they broke their covenant with our Father, and are technically no longer His people. But, they are still waiting for their King to come, and they will truly be deceived by the anti-Christ once he is revealed. I also believe that the Muslims will be deceived also. And that they will go hand in hand. The 12th Imam and the son of perdition I believe whole heartedly are on this earth right now. The Iranian president believes that the 12th Imam is a missing 12 year old boy who fell in a underground well some years ago... my facts are not completely accurate, I am by no means a scholar... Just very interested in biblical prophecy. This is all just my humble opinion sir. I do enjoy a good discussion.Hi Chris, well you have done a good deal of reading alright, but, you have arrived at some conclusions from some of them that just aren’t compatible with the Holy Scriptures and I am one who remains adamant that those scriptures are our only infallible source. I do not put any credence in the accuracy of rabbi Ben-Yehuda, nor the 12th Imam. Neither subject has been given by inspiration from God.
The “son of perdition” referred to in John 17:12 has reference to Judas Iscariot and the one in 2nd Thessalonians has reference to some later evil person, of whom I have my own ideas but have no proof so I just don’t say. The term can refer to anyone who is evil. He could have said “the sinner” with the same meaning.
Also, you refer to Israel being restored in “one day”. I don’t know where you found this statement, but I do not question that you did. If such is stated in the scriptures, I know already what it is referring to. Israel can never be a nation as before. They not only lost their standing with God, their physical records were all destroyed in the destruction of Jerusalem and most, if not all, of those today do not even know what tribe they are from. That had much meaning and was used to carry out their religious activities. They are not a “nation” now. Only a small portion of them live precariously in a tiny portion of the lands they were given by God in the Canaan area. There are more in the United States than in Israel proper. About the same if you add the squatters in Gaza and the West Bank.
Spiritual Israel was formed in one day and that was when Christ arose from the dead. But Spiritual Israel has nothing to do with a race or ethnic group, it is comprised of those who are obedient followers of Jesus Christ. His church (meaning “called out”), His kingdom. All Jews are eligible to become members of that kingdom as well as all mankind. But just as all mankind, except for a minimal few, have rejected Christ, so have the majority of the Jews. All of this is explained in the Holy Writ but it is a study that can never be explained in a limited forum such as this.
Joel, admittedly, my expertise does not lie in the scriptures, and for me it is subject to interpretation, I found your statement to be quite profound, and very valid for me to ponder is; and I quote "If all nations who have nuclear weapons as well as the poisonous gases and biological weapons, were to go bananas and throw those things indiscriminately around, there are adequate supplies of them to kill every living creature". That is very real. That is very factual. These are manufactured to be weapons of MASS destruction. And I believe based on just what I know and read, that man will eventually destroy himself and everything along with him. Man is his own worst enemy. Look what he has done to his environment! That is a testament in itself of his very own destruction. How do we know, that the Armageddon is not referencing MAN himself? It's a thought........I love your thought provoking articles, as they are well researched, and well written.....Great job, I can see there was alot of thought put into this, and I appreciate you sharing it with us......Your friend in pen, and fan......Gary.
Hi Gary, thanks for reading and commenting. You ask if the subject of Armageddon might not be refering to man himself. I don't know the answer to that. I believe that it will not be but I don't rule out anything. God has used man to bring about many of His purposes and could again I suppose.But, the reason I think that is not how it will end is, that the inspired writers gave no such intimation, and in fact, seemed to infer the opposite. The apostle Paul, referring to the return of the Lord in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 made this statement: "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."That sentence followed one where he said that the "dead in Christ shall rise first". So to me, that strongly suggests that all men will not be destroyed before God himself destroys all physical matter.Thanks again for your kind comment. You do wonders with your comments. You should have been a professional commentator. :o)By the way though, He might very well intervene when it becomes apparent that all mankind will perish. In Matthew 24:22, Jesus made such a statement concerning the destruction of Jerusalem: "And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened."
Interesting article! I like the way you highlight the mistakes of scaremongers like Drosnin and Kingsley..Thanks Ben, I appreciate youir comments.
Joel,Thanks for an interesting, well-researched article. I agree with you about the destruction of Jerusalem as well.If one argues or predicts the end of the world, then Revelation could not be. In my belief, first comes Rapture, then comes Devastation; then comes Him. As such is the case, I don't worry about the end of the world. I am ready when He is because I do believe it is in God's hands in the long run.NancyThanks for reading and commenting Nancy, I appreciate it.
