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Last Updated on : November 23, 2014

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Armageddon

 


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SUMMARY

From Volume 36 onwards, we have included a number of Supplements to "Logos", including some given over to Bible prophecy, in which we have attempted to set in order the events that shall occur from now to the Millenium. These have appeared in the following numbers: Vol. 36: pp. 74, 194, 313, 429; Vol. 37: pp. 72, 192, 317, 437; Vol. 38: pp. 150-159). Usually each supplement contains eight pages of matter.

In these articles, we have given Scriptural reasons for concluding that we are living in the epoch of Christ's second coming, and that the events in sequence are as follows:

1 - Christ returns first to raise the dead, and judge them.

2 - Whilst engaged in this work, Russia will complete the invasion of the Middle East and the subjugation of Egypt.

3 - After the judgment of the household, Christ will send forth Elijah and his assistants to Israel scattered abroad, to proclaim to Jewry that Messiah has returned, and that they should prepare to make their way back to the land.

4 - Meanwhile the world will be involved in war, and the armies of the nations will converge on the Middle East.

5 - Christ will emerge from Sinai on a work of conquest, and will first discipline and subdue the Arab nations.

6 - He will then turn his hand towards Egypt, and will "smite and heal" that nation, destroying the remnant of Gog's host that will be left there as an occupation force, whilst his main army will move north to Jerusalem.

In vol. 37, pp. 438-439, we outlined the circumstances indicated by prophecy, that will bring Russia first down into Egypt, and then cause Gog to withdraw his main forces from that country to Jerusalem.

In doing so, we provided all explanation of the statement of Daniel: "Tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy . . . and shall plant the tents of his power between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him" (Dan. 11:14-45). Our last Supplement provided an explanation of Isaiah 19, particularly in relation to the smiting and healing of Egypt to be undertaken by Christ at his return.

 


ARMAGEDDON

The Nations Drawn To Jerusalem

In Eureka vol. 3, pp. 603-604, Brother Thomas provides a definition of the word Armageddon, based upon the Hebrew equivalents of the Greek terms. He suggests that it is compounded of three Hebrew words, that are given a Greek dress in Revelation 16:16. Thus "arma" does duty for the Hebrew "arema", a heap of sheaves: ge for gai, a valley; and don for dun, judgment.

With this definition, therefore, the word Armageddon does not relate to a place-name, but is an expression of the Divine purpose in judgment. Actually, there is no place called Armageddon in the land of Israel. Even if it could be related to Megiddo (and the Greek form is not the equivalent of the Hebrew: for the former has only one "d" in the original, and the latter has two), there is no Hill of Megiddo in the land, but only a valley: whereas "arma" relates to a heap or a hill.

Nevertheless, there is a specific "place" to which the nations will be gathered for this initial judgment (Rev. 16:15), and its symbolical name is Armageddon.

What is its literal name?

The prophets show that it will be Jerusalem. There is a fitness about this that satisfies the principles of justice. It is fit that that city which witnessed Jew and Gentile gathered together 1900 years ago to condemn and crucify the Son of God, should again be assembled there to witness his glory and power. Thus Zechariah declares that Yahweh will "gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle" (Zech. 14:2), and his statement is supplemented by other prophecies.

Joel declares:

"I will gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat" (Ch. 3:2).

Brother Thomas writes (Eureka vol. 1. p. 603):

"He (Gog) shall besiege Jerusalem; and to do this he must occupy the Valley of Jehoshaphat, a narrow glen which runs from north to south, between the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and Mount Moriah, and through which flows the Kidron. Of this valley, it is said in Joel 3:2,12: "Yahweh will gather all the nations (that is, the forces of the nations) into the Valley of Jehosaphat, and will plead with them there.' 'Yehoshaphat', in Hebrew, signifies 'the judgment of Yah'. Joel also styles the glen, the Valley of Threshing: 'Multitudes, multitudes", says he, 'in the Valley of Threshing; for the Day of Yahweh is near in the valley of threshing'. Apocalyptically, the same locality is styled Armageddon - 'And he gathered them together in a place called Hebraistically, Armageddon'. Yahweh gathers them together without their perceiving the hand that led them on to the slaughter. 'I will', saith he, 'gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle'. Various derivations have been given of this mystical name; for such it is, inasmuch as there is no such name of a place in the land of Israel. Micah says: 'Yahweh shall gather many nations as sheaves into the floor, that the Daughter of Zion may arise and thresh them' (Ch. 4:11-13). The floor of threshing of which they are to be made the chaff (Dan. 2:35) is the valley of Jehosaphat. Under this aspect of things, they are a heap of sheaves, upon the threshing floor; and this idea is represented by the word."

Only One Invasion Of Palestine

There have been attempts made by some, to abandon the exposition of Brother Thomas in relation to the invasion of Gog, and to set forth the idea of two invasions of the land.

However, a careful consideration of the prophecies will show that such a concept is untenable.

For example, it is obvious that there cannot be a further invasion following the overthrow of Gog, for immediately afterwards, the land is cleansed (see Ezek. 39), which would surely be inconceivable if it were due for a further invasion.. And it can hardly be reasoned successfully, that the invasion of Zechariah 14, or Joel 3, will be subsequent to that of Ezekiel 38, because, in each case, the invader is destroyed by a powerful earthquake that splits the mountains (see Ezek. 38:19-20; Joel 3:16; Zechariah 14:14).

A succession of such earthquakes is an impossibility. In fact, an earthquake of the dimensions of that described in these three places will be a major disaster, affecting the whole world.

At the same time, we do not dispute that there are two stages in Christ's conquest of the nations. On the contrary, this is clearly stated. The first relates to the smiting of the Image; the second to the grinding to powder of its metals. Or, to put it another way, the first is the overthrowing of the confederated nations under Gog in the Land; the second to the invasion by Christ of the land of the enemy, as Micah 5:6 and Revelation 17:14 indicate. Thus he will first defeat the latter-day enemy of his ancient people, and then "rebuke strong nations afar off."

Should any reader desire further thoughts upon this, we shall be happy to answer any questions upon it.

Christ Moves North To Jerusalem

From Egypt, Christ, in company with a contingent of the glorified saints, will move north from Egypt to embattled Jerusalem, in order to "pour out the judgments written."

In Isaiah 63, reference is made to Christ as the Victor of Bozrah, and he is described as appearing in "dyed garments" as a result of his conquest there. This has led Brother Thomas to conclude that there will be a preIiminary skirmish at Bozrah before Christ moves on to Jerusalem to complete the rout Of Gog's forces. Ancient Bozrah is south east of the Dead Sea, so that it is customary to trace the route of Christ from Egypt to Jerusalem via Bozrah.

However, a careful consideration of the references to Bozrah impress us with the belief that Bozrah, like Armageddon, is a mystical name, and relates to the outpouring of judgment upon the forces of Gentilism which, however, will be initiated with the destruction of Gog's might at Jerusalem.

We therefore propose to consider in detail, Isaiah's references to Bozrah.

The Sacrifice Of Bozrah As Proclaimed By Isaiah

In two highly dramatic prophecies, expressed in apocalyptic language, Isaiah predicted the coming triumph of Israel over its enemies. In Chapter 34, he represents the nations as being summoned to view the great sacrifice of Bozrah, that they might recognise in the fate of Edom (Idumea - v.6), a foreshadowing of their own destiny; whilst, in Chapter 63, he draws attention to the mighty Conqueror who shall preside over the sacrifice, and destroy Edom with great slaughter.

The prophecy of Chapter 34 extends into the following chapter. It speaks of the destruction of Edom in the "day of Yahweh's vengeance, and the year of recompense for the controversy of Zion" (v.8), and this conquest is shown to be preliminary to the glory that shall be revealed in Israel, and by the presence of the Redeemed in Zion in the day of their triumph.

It is obvious, as one reads the chapters, that the prophet was concerned with a power greater than ancient Edom, and that his words have application to the time of the end.

Furthermore, the Edomites must not be confused with the Ishmaelites; the former nation was completely destroyed, the final remnants of it being overwhelmed in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70; on the other hand, the Ishmaelites relate to the Arabs.

Prior to the birth of Esau, his mother was told that her son represented a certain nation and manner of people. It is obvious that in prophecy, Edom came to represent the power of the flesh in political manifestation. In the latter days, the political organisation of Gog will be representative of this.

The latter-day prophecies of Edom, therefore, will find their fulfillment in the Divine judgments to be poured out upon the Gentiles, including the Gogian confederacy.

Writing of Isaiah's references to Edom, C. C. Walker stated in The Ministry of the Prophets: Isaiah, p.498:

"The opening of this chapter is an emphatic challenge of wide-reaching application, that at once tells us that we must not limit the matter to the times of Isaiah, or a century or two later, nor to the few hundred square miles of territory that properly belong to Edom in his day . . . ."

If the prophecy is not limited to ancient Edom, to whom does it apply? The answer is given by Isaiah himself in language that is unmistakable:

"The indignation of Yahweh is upon all nations, and His fury upon all their armies; He hath utterly destroyed them, He hath delivered them to the slaughter" (Isa. 34:2).

In other words, the prophet saw in the destruction of Edom, a type of the destruction that is to come upon the Gentiles as a whole.

How was Edom destroyed? The Maccabbees subdued the Idumeans, and gave them the choice of conversion or the sword. Many accepted the first, were circumcised, and were absorbed into Judah; the rest perished.

That will be the fate of Gentilism in the day when the Lord shall return to subdue the power of the flesh, politically and otherwise, and to reign as king. Thus the fate of Edom in the past foreshadows that of Gentilism in the future.

At the epoch of Christ's manifestation in the earth, the nations of Europe and Asia will be confederated under one head, called in the Apocalypse "Babylon the Great," or in the prophecy of Daniel, "the fourth beast." In the latter place, it is shown in fierce and dreadful aspect; with iron teeth and brazen claws, "devouring, breaking in pieces, and slaying the residue" of nations (Dan. 7:7, 8, 19).

This fourth beast, in its latter-day manifestation, will wield tremendous ecclesiastical and military power, compelling men to acknowledge the spiritual supremacy of the pope, and the political power of Gog, then enthroned in Constantinople.

But though the Gogian confederacy will wield such power and influence among men as is unprecedented in history, the iron shackles by which it will bind the nations to its chariot will be broken by the Lord Jesus; and whereas it will be destroyed, they will be liberated to enjoy the felicity of the Kingdom over which Christ will rule. Daniel declared:

"I beheld till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame (the destruction of the political organisation of Gog). As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time" (or 1,000 years -Dan. 7:11-12).

This fourth beast, to be completely destroyed, symbolises the power of the flesh in political manifestation. It is antitypical Edom, and for that reason, in Isaiah 34, the nations are called upon to consider the overthrow, and consequent desolation, of the ancient Kingdom of Edom, as a warning of what its latter-day organisation (of which they will form a part) shall suffer as its fate.

The Gentile Fort To Be Breached

The prophet saw the sword of Yahweh bathed in the political heavens, and coming down with devastating force upon Idumea (Edom), "the people of His curse" to judgment (v. 5). This was divine judgment, recompense and vengeance in the "day of Yahweh" (v.8).

When divine judgment is again revealed world-wide, the result will be disastrous for the powers that be. The "host of heaven shall be dissolved," and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll, and their host shall fall to the earth" (v.4). This will be seen in the complete overthrow of the Gentile institutions, then irreparably destroyed. There will be an utter end of all systems and forms of man's government. Those in high office, whether kings, presidents, prime ministers, or statesmen of lesser order will be deposed, ejected from their positions of eminence and power, and divested of their authority to rule. A new aristocracy then will take control in the name of Yahweh (Rev. 5:9-10; Isa. 32:1).

The full weight of this divine judgment is represented as coming upon Bozrah (v.6). Bozrah was the capital of Edom. (Amos 1:11-12; Gen. 36:33), and after centuries of desolation had hidden it from public view, it was rediscovered by the celebrated traveler and archaeologist, Buchhardt, in the early nineteenth century. Bozrah means "a fortified city". It Is significant that the word "Rome" in Hebrew also means "fortification," and that Babylon was situated in the "plain of Dura" which likewise means "wall" or "rampart," or fortified place.

Etymologically, therefore, Bozrah, Babylon and Rome are linked together by a common meaning. Bible prophecy, likewise, links them as one, for Babylon the Great, Mystical Rome, and typical Bozrah, all relate to the same thing: the "lofty city" of the Gentiles that Yahweh will bring low in the day that Zion is elevated (Isa. 26:5). This city, of course, is antitypically a system, and of that system the Gogian confederacy is a manifestation in the time of the end. The widespread power of Gogue will "wall in" the political and religious institutions of the flesh against assault. But the wall will be breached through the zeal of Yahweh of armies (Isa. 9:7). Yahweh's sword will be bathed in heaven, will come down upon the "people of His curse" to judgment.

It is interesting to learn that the Jews understood the prophecies concerning Edom as having a double application, and relating ultimately to the Gentiles. C.C. Walker, in Ministry of the Prophets (p. 508), quotes Jewish writers to show how they saw, in the oppression they suffered from Rome, the "rule of Esau." They referred to the Roman Captivity as the Jaluth Edom, and considered the miseries they suffered from AD 70 onwards to be an antitypical application of the oppressions their forefathers had suffered from ancient Edom. In their understanding of the prophets, therefore, the destruction of the Fourth Beast would be tantamount to the overthrow of Edom. These references indicate that the Jews often had a deeper conception of their scriptures than many give them credit for!

Edom Devastated And Wasted

Isaiah paints in vivid colours the effect of Yahweh's sword bathed in the political heavens of the "people of His curse." He presents a picture of a city and people desolated by war, wasted by famine, given over to eternal desolation by a divine judgment that will not only deprive the land of its inhabitants, and leave it to impure beasts and birds, but shall render it completely uninhabitable. This was Sodom and Gomorrah Isa. 3:9-45).

In Revelation 17 similar judgments are represented as being poured out upon Babylon the Great, linking the two prophecies as one.

The prophecy of Isaiah 34 had a primary fulfillment in the literal city of Bozrah and the land of Idumea, and the measure of the destruction then wrought shows how terrible will be the "time of trouble" that shall reduce to ashes the political and the religious system known in scripture as Babylon the Great - antitypical Edom.

One writer, speaking of the effect of the retribution against Idumea, has written:

"I would that the skeptic could stand, as I did, among the ruins of this city, among the rocks, and there could open the sacred book and read the words of the inspired penman, written when this desolate place was one of the greatest cities of the world. I see the scoffer arrested, his cheek pale, his lip quivering, and his heart quaking with fear, as the ancient city cries out to him in a voice loud and powerful as one risen from the dead; though he would not believe Moses and the Prophets, he believes the handwriting of God Himself, in the desolation and eternal ruin around him" (Stephens, Incidents of Travel).

The Land Inhabited And Restored

In drawing attention to the awful judgments of Yahweh yet to fall upon a disobedient world, Isaiah invites the readers to "seek out of the book of Yahweh. and read" for not one of His prophecies shall fail (Isa. 34:16). And then, as though to emphasise the apocalyptic nature of the chapter, and to demonstrate that there is something typical in it beyond the mere overthrow of historical Edom itself, the prophet adds:

"None shall want her mate; for my mouth it hath commanded and His spirit it hath gathered them" (v.16).

These words refer to the wild beasts and unclean birds that the prophet had earlier stated would inhabit Idumea consequent upon its downfall. For that purpose the Spirit would gather them together with their mates, as the birds and beasts were gathered by Yahweh into the ark at the time of Noah.

But the prophet continues by saying that Yahweh has divided the inheritance of these birds and beasts that they might possess the land of Edom for the age, and dwell therein from generation to generation (Isa. 34:17). Birds and beasts here represent the nations, as they do in Daniel's prophecy. Daniel 7 states that the "rest of the beasts shall outlive the Fourth Beast for a "season and a time" (i.e. one thousand years). When antitypical Edom, or Babylon the Great, is destroyed, its territory will continue to be inhabited by the different nations of the earth. These are the birds and beasts of Revelation 17 and Isaiah 34. They are represented as unclean because they are Gentile powers.

Yahweh will appoint them their position in the Kingdom (Isa. 34:17). Moreover, on their behalf, He will cause the "wilderness of Idumea" to become fruitful once more. This is the wilderness that John saw, in which sat the woman representative of BabyIon the Great (Rev. 17:3-4); it is the territory of the Fourth Beast, called in Psalm 2, the land "of the Gentiles," the uttermost parts of the earth," soon to be given into the hands of the Son of God. Though very populous today, and in many places extremely fertile, it is spiritually a wilderness, a solitary place in which is very little growth to Yahweh. This is to be changed:

"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose" (Isa. 35:1).

Who are the "them" on account of whom prosperity is to be brought into the wilderness of the nation? It is the "wild beasts of the desert" and the unclean birds of Isa. 34:14, who shall inhabit the land of Edom when it is reduced to a wilderness. Thus, Yahweh will bring prosperity to the nations (the birds and beasts) when He has destroyed the religious and political systems of the Gentiles (antitypical Edom or Babylon the Great). The subsequent verses of the prophecy indicate how Yahweh will tame the unclean birds and restrain the wild beasts. Wise and divine government will replace the maladministration of today so that:

"The ransomed of Yahweh shall return, and come to Zion with songs of everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isa. 35:10).

So Isaiah's prophecy concerning the destruction of Edom concludes with a picture of glory revealed in a disciplined and redeemed Zion. It is an exhortation to those who are fearful of heart to "faint not," but rather to lift up their heads in anticipation of the Lord's coming, and the glory that shall follow in its train.

 

 

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