Revelation 16:16, The Battle of Armageddon

Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

//Revelation tells us that an army numbering 200,000,000 people will be defeated on the plains of Armageddon. “Armageddon” derives from a Greek pronunciation of the “mountain of Megiddo” located north of Jerusalem.  Revelation’s prophecy places the battle in the plain of Megiddo near Mount Carmel (no Mount Megiddo exists).  In antiquity, all roads connecting Africa with Asia and Europe passed near Megiddo.  Seven major passes entered the valley. Its strategic position ensured that many important battles would be fought there—over 250—in the valley under the mountain.

One could surmise that this appears to be a God-chosen battleground.  Both Gideon and Deborah, judges of old, earned a victory there.  In that valley King Josiah, King Ahaziah, and King Saul perished.

Here’s what makes this valley fascinating to me. It’s literally in the backyard of Nazareth. Jesus would have walked across this valley many times, perhaps musing on the promise that “all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.” This famous valley where so much blood was shed may have influenced the humanitarian teachings of our Prince of Peace.