THE FINAL BATTLE AT ARMAGEDDON NEAR MOUNT CARMEL

REVELATION 16

The book of Revelation has brought comfort and encouragement to embattled disciples of Jesus since it was written. It is addressed to men, women, and children wearied by attacks from Satan’s schemes and discouraged by conflicts with an enemy committed to their ruin. Although the fight seems interminable, the inspired words of Revelation offer a different reality. The arrival of Jesus set in motion a series of events that will bring history to a climactic end when the Lord will destroy the adversary and his minions once and for all—forever. The Revelation to John reveals that this final battle will occur at Armageddon (Rev. 16:16). This vision reminds us of two earlier battles that took place in this same area. We will see that this final battle takes place in Armageddon near Mount Carmel for a reason.

Armageddon is a Hebrew place name best decoded as “Mount of Megiddo.” Although this particular phrase is not used elsewhere in the Bible, we do know the location of Megiddo, which rests on the southwest side of the Jezreel Valley and is clearly one of the most strategic locations in the Promised Land.50 In particular we note that it was where Josiah was killed in a battle against Egypt in his attempt to keep Israel safe (2 Chron. 35:20–24). Thus when “the kings of the whole world” are gathered “for the battle on the great day of God Almighty” (Rev. 16:14), we can rest assured this will be a significant battle. This battle will bring an end to the adversary (Rev. 16:17), and “Babylon the Great” will finally fall (Rev. 16:19).51

Megiddo (view looking northeast). Many believe we get the word Megiddo from the name Har Mageddon (or Armageddon), “mountain of Megiddo.”

Painting of “Jesus on Throne” at the Russian Orthodox Church of the Ascension (Jerusalem).

Another implication of the battle setting is often overlooked. This battle will occur in association with the “mountain” of Megiddo, most likely the ridge of Mount Carmel that rises above Megiddo. Let’s consider what the mention of Mount Carmel has to do with the description of this conflict. The book of Revelation often invites its readers to recall images and events from Scripture. For example, Revelation invites us to think about another battle that started on Mount Carmel and ended in the Jezreel Valley. During the days of Elijah the prophet, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel had encouraged and sponsored Baal worship in Israel. This led Elijah to call for a contest to determine who deserved the title of God (1 Kings 18:21). Both Elijah and the four hundred prophets of Baal made altars for their sacrifices. Whichever sacrifice was divinely ignited would prove to represent the true God. Following the total failure of Baal and the awe-inspiring ignition provided by the Lord, Elijah commanded that the prophets of Baal be seized and executed at the base of the mountain in the Jezreel Valley not far from Megiddo (1 Kings 18:40). It is this unquestionable victory of the Lord that casts the hope and promise over the coming battle at Armageddon. Just as Baal and his prophets met their end at the base of Mount Carmel near Megiddo, so Satan and his forces will meet their end at the Mountain of Megiddo.

The Jezreel Valley, the battleground of history (view looking west).

Mutiny against the King of the Universe will come to a close. The adversary who seduced humanity into thinking that a fulfilled life was found in his lies rather than God’s Word will be dealt with once and for all (Rev. 20:10). We have hoped for a Rescuer since humanity’s first mutiny against God, starting in the Garden of Eden. Now we can look to the Promised Land and to the Nazareth Ridge, where Jesus lived. Throughout much of his time in Galilee, Jesus walked by or gazed down on “Armageddon,” the battleground of history. We now join him in looking to this same place in certainty of the day when he will return to destroy evil once and for all—a victory that will occur where it does for a reason.

Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus!

Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley