the Week of Proper 22 / Ordinary 27
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Bible Dictionaries
Armageddon
Holman Bible Dictionary
The location of Armageddon indicates that the Middle East has historical importance in the last days. Armageddon, or the Mount of Megiddo, is located in the plain of Esdraelon or Jezreel, a valley fourteen by twenty miles in size. The location is near the ancient city of Megiddo. Here ran the ancient highway between Egypt and Damascus.
Many decisive battles had been fought here. It would be natural to think of it as the site of the last and greatest battle of all. One of the most stunning and decisive defeats for God's people took place here when King Josiah perished in battle with Pharaoh-nechoh (2 Kings 23:29-30 ). This defeat burned deeply in the Jewish mind. The final battle of history, discussed in Revelation 19:17-21 , will be one of victory.
Even the secular world has popularized Armageddon, especially since the coming of the Atomic Age, as that catastrophic event in history that would destroy the human race. The reality that God will bring defeat on the forces of evil at Armageddon should lead all people to examine themselves, their plans, and their actions to see if they might be part of the evil forces rather than part of the work of God's kingdom.
Ken Hubbard
These dictionary topics are from the Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman & Holman.
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Armageddon'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hbd/​a/armageddon.html. 1991.