by Perry 13 Replies latest watchtower bible
Perry, when I was an Independent Fundamental Baptist, I remember the preacher teaching that Armageddon was suppose to be preceded by the 7 year tribulation period consisting of 3 1/2 years of world peace, followed by 3 1/2 years of trouble, leading up the this war.
Are you saying Armageddon is suppose to happen soon? If so, what happened to the 3 1/2 years of world peace?
These prophets were talking about their own day, their own time. They were intent on achieving change within their own community.
When the expectations of the first and second century Christians failed and they were being taunted by the Jews, the Christian writers distorted the immediate meaning of Hebrew (OT) Scriptures to make them appear as if they were intended to apply to their murdered leader, Yeshua.
Learn the lesson taught by history: throughout the centuries, people have continually applied such statements to their own times, and they have a score of a big fat zero. Paul thought it was imminent ("we who are still alive", was talking to people about their time). In time to come, you too will wake up.
In answer to your question: Armagedon (Mount of Assembly) is the name of a place (you will know of its importance to Josiah). Armagedon is not the name of any battle. Since there is no such Mount, the person who wrote these words had a symbolism in mind that drew on his Hebrew/Jewish background.
Doug
These prophets were talking about their own day, their own time. They were intent on achieving change within their own community.
Not so.
And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: - EZ. 37
The above prophecy was only fulfilled in 1948 when all Jews were gathered from among the heathen and were no longer tribes from two Jewish nations (the ten tribe and the two tribe) but were made "one nation". It was fulfilled exactly as predicted. Those that divide God's land will will be brought into judgment ..... also just as predicted.
Are you saying Armageddon is suppose to happen soon?
Well, if Armageddon is judgment on the nations for parting the land of God, and the nations are going to vote to part the lands of God next week .....what do you think? Who knows if it is in 3 years, 3 wks or 30 years? But, the nations have to do it first...... that's for sure. Also, just as predicted.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 
Ruins atop Tel Megiddo.
Mount Armageddon (From Hebrew: ??? ???????? , Har Megiddo, lit. Mount Megiddo; Greek: ?ρμαγεδ?ν Harmagedon, [1] [2] Arabic ???????, Persian ???????, Late Latin: Armagedon [3] ) is the site of a battle during the end times according to some sects within the Abrahamic religions. The term can also be used in a more generic sense to refer to any end-of-the-world scenario.
According to some premillennial Christian interpretations, the Messiah will return to earth and defeat the Antichrist (the "beast") Satan/Lucifer/ Devil in the battle of Armageddon. Then Satan will be put into the "bottomless pit" or abyss for 1,000 years, known as the Millennial Age. After being released from the abyss, Satan will gather Gog and Magog (peoples of two specific nations) from the four corners of the earth. They will encamp surrounding the "holy ones" and the "beloved city" (this refers to Jerusalem). Fire will come down from God, out of heaven and devour Gog and Magog after the Millennium, and the Devil, who deceived them, death hell and whosoever was not found written in the book of life are thrown into Gehenna (the Lake of Fire burning with brimstone) [4]
The word Armageddon appears only once in the Greek New Testament. [5] The word may come from Hebrewhar m?giddô ( ?? ????? ), meaning "Mountain of Megiddo". "Mount" (actually a Tel) Megiddo is a small mount or hill on which ancient forts were built that guarded the main highway, the Via Maris, that connected Ancient Egypt with Mesopotamia. Megiddo was the location of many decisive battles in ancient times (including one in the 15th century BC and one in 609 BC). The town Megiddo in Israel is approximately 25 miles (40 km) westsouthwest of the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee (or Lake Tiberias to the Romans) in the Kishon River area. [6]
Contt |
Evangelist John of Patmos writes the Book of Revelation. Painting by Hieronymus Bosch (1505). See also: Christian eschatology
Megiddo is mentioned twelve times in the Old Testament , ten times in reference to the ancient city of Megiddo , and twice with reference to "the plain of Megiddo", most probably simply meaning "the plain next to the city". [7] None of these Old Testament passages describe the city of Megiddo as being associated with any particular prophetic beliefs. The one New Testament reference to the city of Armageddon found in Revelation 16:16 in fact also makes no specific mention of any armies being predicted to one day gather in this city, but instead seems to predict only that "they (will gather) the kings together to .... Armageddon. [8] " The text does however seem to imply, based on the text from the earlier passage of Revelation 16:14, that the purpose of this gathering of kings in the "place called Armageddon" might be so that these kings could do battle with one another. Because of the seemingly highly symbolic and even cryptic language of this one New Testament passage, some Christian scholars conclude the Mount Armageddon must be an idealized location. [9] Rushdoony says, "There are no mountains of Megiddo, only the Plains of Megiddo. This is a deliberate destruction of the vision of any literal reference to the place." [10] Other scholars, including C. C. Torrey , Kline and Jordan argue that the word is derived from the Hebrew moed ( ???? ), meaning "assembly". Thus, "Armageddon" would mean "Mountain of Assembly," which Jordan says is "a reference to the assembly at Mount Sinai , and to its replacement, Mount Zion ." [9]
The Dispensational viewpoint interprets biblical prophecy literally and expects that the fulfillment of prophecy will also be literal, depending upon the context of scripture. In his discussion of Armageddon, J. Dwight Pentecost has devoted an entire chapter to the subject, titled "The Campaign of Armageddon", in which he discusses Armageddon as a campaign and not a specific battle , which will be fought in the Middle East . Pentecost writes:
It has been held commonly that the battle of Armageddon is an isolated event transpiring just prior to the second advent of Christ to the earth. The extent of this great movement in which God deals with "the kings of the earth and of the whole world" (Rev. 16:14) will not be seen unless it is realized that the "battle of that great day of God Almighty" (Rev. 16:14) [11] is not an isolated battle, but rather a campaign that extends over the last half of the tribulation period. The Greek word "polemo", translated "battle" in Revelation 16:14, signifies a war or campaign, while "mache" signifies a battle, and sometimes even single combat. This distinction is observed by Trench, (see Richard C. Trench , New Testament Synonyms, pp.301-2) and is followed by Thayer (see Joseph Henry Thayer , Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 528) and Vincent (see Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, II, 541). The use of the word polemos (campaign) in Revelation 16:14 would signify that the events that culminate in the gathering at Armageddon at the second advent are viewed by God as one connected campaign. —Pentecost, p.340
This wide area would cover the entire land of Israel and this campaign, with all its parts, would confirm what Ezekiel pictures when he says the invaders will 'cover the land'. [16] This area would conform to the extent pictured by John in Revelation 14:20." [17]
Pentecost then outlines the biblical time period for this campaign to occur and with further arguments concludes that it must take place with the 70th week of Daniel . The invasion of Israel by the Northern Confederacy "will bring the Beast and his armies to the defense of Israel as her protector". He then uses Daniel to further clarify his thinking: (Dan. 11:40b-45). [18]
Again, events are listed by Pentecost in his book:
After the destruction of the Beast at the Second Coming of Jesus , the promised Kingdom is set up, in which Jesus and the Saints will rule for a thousand years . Satan is then loosed "for a season" and goes out to deceive the nations, specifically, Gog and Magog. [25] The army mentioned attacks the Saints in the New Jerusalem , they are defeated by a judgment of fire coming down from Heaven, and then comes the Great White Throne judgment, which includes all of those through the ages [26] and these are cast into the Lake of Fire , which event is also known as the "second death" and Gehenna, not to be confused with Hell, which is Satan's domain. Pentecost describes this as follows:
The destiny of the lost is a place in the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20; 20:10, 14-15; 21:8). This lake of fire is described as everlasting fire (Matt. 25:41) [27] (Matt. 18:8) [28] and as unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43-44), [29] 46-48, [30] emphasizing the eternal character of retribution of the lost. —Pentacost, p. 555
See also: Eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Armageddon is a battle in which Satan unites the political leaders of the Earth against God's appointed king, Jesus Christ . Unlike other Christian groups, Witnesses believe that the 'Antichrist' is not an individual, (1John 2:18) that the war is not one of nations fighting against each other, but against God's Kingdom [31] [32] and that Megiddo refers to a symbolic gathering of all the kings of the earth. ( Revelation 16:14 ) also ( Revelation 19:19-21 ).
According to The Watchtower magazine, prior to Armageddon "militarized powers within the United Nations " will attack all religions ( Revelation 17:16-18 ), and then focus their attack on the Witnesses, who will continue to preach. [33] [34] The world's leaders will then battle against God and his forces, provoked by expressions and signs inspired by demons; ( Revelation 16:14 ) [35] after they are destroyed God's Kingdom will be established over earth for a thousand years ( Revelation 20:3 ) . [36] The final judgment and purification of earth's sin occurs at the end of the millennium . [37] ( Revelation 20:7-21:4 )
Main article: Seventh-day Adventist eschatology#Armageddon 
Seventh-day Adventist understanding of Revelation 13-22
The teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church state that the terms "Armageddon", "Day of the Lord" and "The Second Coming of Christ" all describe the same event. [38] Seventh-day Adventists further teach that the current religious movements taking place in the world are setting the stage for Armageddon, and they are concerned by the growing unity between spiritualism , American Protestantism and Roman Catholicism . A further significant difference in Seventh-day Adventist theology is the teaching that the events of Armageddon will leave the earth desolate for the duration of the millennium . [39] They teach that the righteous will be taken to heaven while the rest of humanity will be destroyed, leaving Satan with no one to tempt and effectively "bound." [40] The final re-creation of a "new heaven and a new earth." [41] then follows the millennium.
The idea that a final "Battle of Armageddon" will be fought at Tel Megiddo has had a wide influence, especially in the US. According to Donald E. Wagner, Professor of Religion and Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at North Park University , Ronald Reagan was an adherent of "Armageddon theology," and "seemed to blend his political analysis with his Armageddon theology quite naturally." [42]
Some militia groups in the US, such as the Hutaree , [43] are reported to have prepared for violent action associated with related apocalyptic beliefs.
Armageddon - From Hebrew - "hur"(mount),"Majdoo" (name of a valley in Palestine) - According to the Islamic faith, this valley Majdoo by the mount will be the battlefield of the final battle. Muslims believe that the Islamic ProphetMuhammad prophesied several events to occur just before the advent of the Day of Judgment ( Yawm al-Qiyamah ). Al Dajaal (the Antichrist) will create bad and/or misleading thoughts in a persons head to guide them away from the straight path. True believers (Muslims) will reject these misleading thoughts, but will not be able to defeat him on their own. God (Allah) will then send Prophet Isa (Jesus) to earth and together with Al- mahdi they will fight the Antichrist in the battle of Armageddon, and he will defeat Al Dajaal (the Antichrist) and his followers. This war is given the name "Al-Malhama Al-Kubra" (the biggest battle) in the Hadith (appearing in the Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim collections).
In Ahmadiyya , Armageddon is viewed as a spiritual battle or struggle in the present age between the forces of good, i.e. righteousness, purity and virtue, and the forces of evil. The final struggle between the two comes as satanic influence is let loose with the emergence of Gog and Magog . Satan gathers all his powers, and uses all his methods to mislead people, introducing an age where iniquity, promiscuity, atheism, and materialism abound.
Muslims believes that God appointed Promised Messiah and Mahdi for the spiritual reformation and moral direction of mankind. This age continues for approximately one thousand years as per Judeo-Christian and Islamic prophecies of the Apocalypse ; it is characterised by the assembling of mankind under one faith, Islam in Ahmadiyya belief. [44]
