Appearing in the Bible only once, the word “Armageddon” is found in Revelation 16:16, “And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.” In this reference, the Apostle John was warning of the Roman invasion of Palestine (68 A.D.), which he called the “great day of God Almighty” (Rev. 16:14). The term “Armageddon” comes from the Hebrew words har megiddon, meaning “hill of Megiddo.” Megiddo is a place northwest of Jerusalem near Caesarea where many ancient military operations took place.

In 68 A.D. the Roman Emperor Nero commissioned his seasoned general Vespasian to put down the Jewish revolt against Imperial Rome. Vespasian gathered troops together at Megiddo to plan their invasion of Jerusalem. The Jews, known as a powerful holy people that were in covenant with Jehovah (Dan. 12:7), were about to be massacred.

Around the same time, the Spirit inspired the Apostle John to write to the seven churches of Asia. This prophecy—that we now know as the book of Revelation—warned God’s people of Rome’s military plan. John wrote, “And they gathered them (kings) together in the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.” Notice the Bible does not say that there would be a battle at Armageddon—rather they assembled there. John’s prophecy was in fulfillment of Zechariah 14:2, “For I (God) will gather all nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.”

What Jesus prophesied in the gospels was being fulfilled. Roman armies surrounded Jerusalem (Luke 21:20-22) from 67-70 A.D. The tribulation of Matthew 24:21 took place. Writings from the Jewish historian Josephus corroborate the Scripture. The remnant who received Jesus as their Messiah were protected. The rebellious received the wrath of God at the parousia, or the appearing, of Jesus Christ in judgment.

The Roman armies were God’s rod of correction to those who rejected the reign of the living Christ as Messiah. This is consistent with God’s ways of judgment as revealed in the Old Testament.

This covenantal/historical interpretation conflicts with the futuristic “end-of-the-world” view. The alleged cataclysmic Armageddon scene does make for spectacular movies, television shows, and books. The latest proponents of this “road to Armageddon” are Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, authors of the popular Left Behind book series. Left Behind videos are currently being distributed, and a 17-million-dollar movie production will be released in February 2001.

These inaccurate commentaries have a negative effect on our culture. The fear tactics that they employ damage some people psychologically. When church leaders’ predictions do not occur, the credibility of Scripture is called into question.

Armageddon is past, not in the future. Today Christians are the New Israel—people of spiritual authority and power in an eternal covenant with God. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are continuous evidence of God’s administration. As joint-heirs with Christ, God’s covenant people are overcomers, and they look forward to receiving their glorious spiritual bodies in the next age. Truly, the best is yet to come!

A. Wilson Phillips, Senior Pastor
Abundant Life Covenant Church

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