ARMAGEDDON

   “And he gathered them together into a place

    called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”

(Revelation 16:16)

(Does Scripture Speak of a Literal Battle of Armageddon?)

The word “Armageddon” means “hill of Megiddon” and is a symbolic name derived from 2 Chronicles 35:22 for the scene of some great spiritual contest. This word is found only once in all of Scripture and that is in Revelation 16:16. There is no mention of a valley of Armageddon, neither is there any mention of a battle of Armageddon. The question must then be asked, why is there so much talk today concerning a future Battle of Armageddon in the Middle East? Why is there concern over a battle in a valley called Megiddo or Megiddon? On what biblical basis can these assumptions be made? This study will attempt to define what an end-time Armageddon is all about.

THAT DAY

(Zechariah Chapter 12 and 13 Look to the Cross of Christ)

In searching for a biblical answer, we must realize that Zechariah chapters twelve and thirteen are teaching the first coming of Christ only, and not the second coming as many are led to believe. This is where much of the misunderstanding lies. In these two chapters we have a picture of the going forth of the Gospel of salvation, all in reference to “that day,” which is mentioned eight times in these two chapters. In order to conclude that some type of a great physical battle will occur at or near the Second Coming of Christ, chapters twelve and thirteen of Zechariah must be interpreted as prophesying the Second Coming of Christ. This is widely taught in today’s church, however this does not coincide with what Scripture teaches.

Not only is Old Testament Israel a portrait or foreshadow of the New Testament corporate church, but the name Jerusalem as well prefigures, in the spiritual realm, all New Testament believers, i.e. all of the spiritual seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:7).

[NOTE – Corporate church: the worldwide church of Christ consisting of both the saved and the unsaved.]

The name Jerusalem means “habitation of peace,” and this of course is spiritually where the believers dwell … “in a peaceful habitation,” (Isaiah 32:18; 33:20). The following are verses from Zechariah chapters twelve and thirteen, chosen that we may see precisely that it is the FIRST coming of Christ that is being taught here.

Zechariah 12:6

“In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.

This verse is stating that in “that day” Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place. In spiritual

language, the people of God (Jerusalem) will be restored back to their own place, which is in communion and fellowship with the Creator as it was prior to the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Speaking of the fall of the human race and the fact that man can only be restored back to God through the sacrifice of His only begotten son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Of course Christ confirmed His Covenant of Grace by His death, burial, and resurrection and as a result has restored all true believers (past, present and future) back to God.

Zechariah 12:6a

In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left:

This verse clearly alludes to the power from on high that believers will be endowed with after THAT DAY in which the Gospel will go forth. Fire being a metaphoric term describing the power of the Gospel. John the Baptist described the power of Christ in Luke 3:16 this way:

“… I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with FIRE:

Revelation chapter eleven spans the entire Church Age, from the going forth of the Gospel to the Great Tribulation and the very end of time. Christ’s Church (His two witnesses, Rev. 11:3) are commissioned to take the Gospel into the world. In verse five we again see allegorical language depicting the power of the Gospel as fire.

“And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed, “ (Rev. 11:5)

Notice that with fire they “devoured” their enemies. This is the same type of language that we saw in Zechariah 12:6, where:

“ … and like a torch of fire in a sheaf they shall devour all the people round about … “

And so the power of the Gospel of Christ is compared to fire that will spiritually devour all those who are under God’s divine wrath.

Let us now examine Zechariah 12:8:

“In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God …”

Here again we see the phrase “that day” mentioned, which is in reference to the “day” of the cross, or the “day” in which the Gospel of salvation went forth by Christ confirming the covenant of salvation with His own blood. This verse also states:

 “ … he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David.”

David was a type of Christ in the Old Testament who foreshadowed, in an allegorical manner, the coming Messiah. Notice the word FEEBLE mentioned here. It does not mean to be physically weak, as many would presume. No, in the Hebrew text the word “feeble” means, “fallen; stumbled, decayed, ruined, to be cast down, or overthrown.” This verse then is teaching that when Christ redeems all that the Father has given Him, by way of the cross, it is at “that day” that this verse will take on meaning. “ … he that is feeble (meaning he that is spiritually fallen, ruined, stumbled or cast down), which is all of mankind, will be as David. Those whom Christ died for (Old and New Testament saints) will be as David. And why is this? David clearly typifies Christ in much of Scripture and true believers shall be fashioned after Him as we are quickened with Him in the resurrection of our souls. We shall be like David, that is to say we shall be like unto Christ.

[NOTE - David: Although Zechariah 13:1 speaks of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and the House of David, it is not the object of this study to dissect the term “House of David.” The house of David is a reference that, in the final analysis, defines all of the redeemed of the Lamb, as does the phrase “Inhabitants of Jerusalem.”]

The thrust of chapters twelve and thirteen is the going forth of the Gospel into the entire world.

Zechariah 13:1

In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

The fountain that was opened for sins and for uncleanness was of course the spiritual fountain of living waters, which was poured out at Pentecost as a result of Christ being sacrificed on the cross. Zechariah is prophesying of a future time when a fountain would be opened to the “House of David” and to the “Inhabitants of Jerusalem” that would atone for sin and uncleanness.

We know unquestionably that this atonement was accomplished only through the shed blood of Christ. There is no other explanation for this verse.

 “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,” Acts 4:12.

Christ is the only means by which our sins can be cleansed and blotted out. This verse cannot be teaching a future time when Christ will return to save all of national Israel, by the pouring out of His Holy Spirit once more, as is widely being taught in today’s corporate church and seminaries. If this were true, one would be forced into believing that somehow the atonement of Christ is really not sufficient to save national Israel until Christ, once more at His “Second Coming,” reaches out and finishes the act of saving all Jews, past and present. This is altogether foreign to the doctrine of Salvation. We read in Romans 6:10 that Christ Jesus died unto sin once. Also in Hebrews 9:28 we read that Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. Again in Hebrews 10:10 we read:

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

The fountain that was opened, of which Zechariah speaks of, is indeed the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. This atonement is being depicted here in metaphoric language. This fountain was opened for the purpose of atoning for our sins and uncleanness, as Zechariah 13:1 declares. How does Scripture define this word “FOUNTAIN,” as it pertains to the atonement? Consider the following passages:

Jeremiah 2:13

“For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”

Jeremiah 17:13

“O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.”

Rev. 21:6

“And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.”                            

Rev. 22:17

“ And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Rev. 7:17

“For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”

In John 7:38 Christ assures us that the His Word comes alive for those who truly believe:

“He that believeth on me, as the Scriptures hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters.”

The terms “rivers of living waters” and “fountains of living waters” are just two of many phrases employed throughout Scripture in pertaining to the Gospel of salvation.

Going back to Zechariah 13:1 we read that this fountain was opened to the House of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for the purpose of washing away their sins and uncleanness. The question must be raised … who are the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and what is the House of David?

Do we dare presume that there is coming a time in the future when another “fountain” will be opened specifically for the inhabitants of the literal city of Jerusalem or for the literal nation of Israel, whom many would refer to as the House of David? In other words for the physical Jew only? Will they at this time receive a second outpouring of God’s Spirit? A second Pentecost?

This heresy unfortunately is a prominent doctrine in today’s corporate church. Do we dare even consider this fallacy in light of Hebrews 9:28?

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

Those who trust in Christ’s work on the cross, the atonement for our sins, will He appear the second time with salvation at the resurrection at the last day. However, if we are looking for yet another outpouring of the Holy Spirit, another fountain to be opened specifically for the saving of national Israel, then sadly we have been mislead by a false and erroneous doctrine, and are in violation of Scripture.

Christ died for all of those who are chosen unto salvation, Romans 10:30 and Ephesians 1:4 tell us, to list but two references . This includes true believers of both Old and New Testament periods as well. How are we to understand that this fountain of living water was poured out to the inhabitants of Jerusalem? What about the other cities of Israel, and yes, what about the Gentiles?

Obviously the literal method of interpretation crumbles at this point, as it does throughout much of Scripture if genuine efforts are not made at harmonizing Scripture. In answering this question, we must dismiss all preconceived ideas and doctrines that are so prevalent these days and trust that the Bible itself has the answer. Scripture can only be interpreted with Scripture.

In the Old Testament the phrase “the inhabitants of Jerusalem” meant, in a literal sense, the dwellers or occupiers of the city of Jerusalem. Ultimately, for the Church-Age era, Scripture teaches this phrase to be understood spiritually, as much of the Bible must be understood. All who would truly trust Christ - the Messiah - are indeed classified spiritually as the “inhabitants of Jerusalem.” Why Jerusalem, some may ask? Simply because Christ is the true believer’s “Jerusalem.” The true child of God is an eternal inhabitant of Christ. The word “Jerusalem” in the Old Testament many times has Christ in view and is defined as “habitation of peace.” The new and spiritual Jerusalem is without question the believer’s refuge and their peace. Scripture unconditionally teaches this as we discover from Ephesians 2:14:

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.”

The phrase “inhabitants of Jerusalem” as seen from Zechariah 13:1 has in view all those who would come into the peace and spiritual safety of Christ Jesus. That is to say, it represents all who are drawn into the peace of God’s eternal kingdom.

 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you,” John 14:27.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:7.

The interpretation of Scripture all fits nicely together once we harmonize Scripture with Scripture. If we hold to the popular belief that Zechariah 13:1, in dealing with the inhabitants of Jerusalem, is speaking of the literal seed of Abraham, the physical Jew, then we are out of harmony with Scripture. We must remember that the physical Jew who is saved by the atoning blood of Christ is also a “Spiritual Jew,” according to Scripture, whose dwelling place is the peaceful habitation of Christ, our heavenly Jerusalem.

BELIEVERS: GOD’S SPIRITUAL JEWS

Consider carefully Romans 2:28-29 -

“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:”

[29]”But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”

We see this same truth brought out in Philippians 3:3 where we read:

“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

Does the physical circumcision, i.e. the physical Jew generally speaking, rejoice in Christ Jesus? No, on the contrary one can be arrested in Israel if he is caught distributing Christian literature. The circumcision that is spoken of in the above verse is the born-again experience or the changed heart that only Christ can give. The physical Jew who is born-again into Christ’s Kingdom is also one who belongs to the spiritual circumcision, who rejoices in Christ Jesus and has no confidence in the flesh.

Let us look at Colossians 2:11 –

“In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:”

The circumcision made without hands has absolutely nothing in common with the literal circumcision that the orthodox Jew is required to undergo. No, the one and only true circumcision that God looks to is His own circumcision of man’s heart, which can only be obtained through the Gospel of Christ Jesus, the long prophesied Messiah.

The prophet Jeremiah spoke of this circumcision of the heart back in the Old Testament days.

 “Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircum- cised in the heart,” Jeremiah 9:36.

But was the literal House of Israel of that day really uncircumcised? No, many of them followed the strict Jewish law, which required physical circumcision. What then is Jeremiah speaking of? Jeremiah is alluding to the House of Israel (Old Testament literal nation of Israel and the physical Jew) as not being circumcised in the heart. In other words God is showing Jeremiah that the Old Testament physical Israel does not have the broken and contrite heart that God requires. Only Christ their Messiah can bring about a new heart and that was still future at that particular juncture in time. God did, however, save people out of the Old Testament Era. As a whole, however, God’s “Body of Believers” were still a far ways off and would not appear until first Messiah –The Christ - appeared!

We have seen from Scripture that all true believers in Christ receive or take on the definition of a “spiritual Jew.” We can conclude that while believers are defined as “spiritual Jews,” our true dwelling place is likewise spiritual “Israel.” Let us examine Romans 9:6-8 –

[6]“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:”

[7]”Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.”

[8] “That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of

the promise are counted for the seed.”

God is defining the New Testament Israel in these verses. They are not all Israel (meaning they are not all true believers, the true Israel), which are of Israel (who are of the Jewish ancestry). Verse seven continues in stating that neither because they are of the seed of Abraham (the Jewish lineage) are they all children. Meaning simply because one may be a physical Jew has no bearing on his eternal salvation. One is not a child of God solely because he is a physical Jew. Verse eight continues in teaching that those who are of the children of the flesh are not necessarily the children of God. The “children of the flesh” is again a reference to the children of the flesh of Abraham, the progenitor of the Jewish race. Verse eight states that these are not considered the children of God. Of course we know that God is emphasizing the fact that one is not saved and made right with God simply because he is a physical descendant of Abraham.                                                              

Finally we see from verse eight that the children of the promise are those that are counted as the spiritual seed. In other words the children of the promise are counted as the Children of God. What is the promise? The promise is God’s own promise to Abraham, who was the father of the Jewish race. That promise was that his spiritual seed (those who walk by faith) would inherit a “ … city, whose builder and maker is God,” Hebrews 11:10.

In Peter’s famous sermon of Acts chapter two he also speaks of God’s eternal promise.

Acts 2:38-39

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

[39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

We read in Hebrews 11:16 that God has prepared a heavenly “country” and/or “city” for those who receive the promise by faith. This heavenly city and country is the eternal inheritance of salvation through faith in Christ. God refers to His Church many times in Scripture as “Jerusalem” or “Heavenly Jerusalem,” because the true believers have been grafted into Christ, who is our eternal peace, our eternal Jerusalem. We are part of His Holy Temple, we are spiritual stones, and Christ is the chief corner stone, Ephesians 2:20 tells us.

Those who have come to faith in Christ are the inhabitants of this heavenly calling, this heavenly Jerusalem. Yes, even while we are yet on this earth we, as believers, are residents of this “spiritual Jerusalem,” and this brings us back to the question – who is being referred to as the Inhabitants of Jerusalem in Zechariah 13:1?

To further substantiate this truth, Galatians 4:26 teaches that Jerusalem is to be spiritually the “mother of us all.” This is in reference to all of those who are heirs to the promise of salvation. Before we go any further, let us parallel Romans 9:6-8, which says:

“They are not all Israel which are of Israel” to Galatians 6:15-16. Notice carefully which distinct Israel God has in view here.

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avialeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”

“And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.”

We see here that the “Israel of God” is most plainly defined as those who are in Christ Jesus. There is no question about it, and it need not be disputed. Verse sixteen is clearly stating that in Christ Jesus neither circumcision has any relevance on salvation, nor does uncircumcision influence one’s salvation. The only thing that matters is whether one is a “new creature in Christ.” To be a new creature is to be a born-again believer in Christ.

 “Therefore if any man in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,” II Corinthians 5:17.

In Galatians 6:16 we read:

“and as many as walk according to this rule; [that is as many as walk not trusting in circumcision nor uncircumcision, but trusting solely in Christ alone for their salvation] – as many as walk according to this rule; peace and mercy be on them [individually] and also upon the Israel of God” [the whole body of believers].

In briefly reviewing the definition of the New Testament Israel, we saw that not all of those who are of literal Israel (the physical seed of Abraham) are necessarily residents of the new Israel. Those who are the offspring of the physical seed of Abraham are not necessarily counted as the children of God, but the children of the promise (those who follow the faith of Abraham) are counted as the children of God. Let us stress the fact that there is a remnant from national Israel, as well as from all other countries, whose gift of faith in Christ assures for them the promise of being the children of God, (Roman 9:6-8).

[NOTE – It is not the intent of this study to sound anti-Semitic, but there are those who will make that accusation. The sole ambition of this section is to divulge God’s true doctrine of salvation. That is - the call of the Gospel goes out to the entire world, and that God esteems no nation more than the others, since the Cross of Christ some two thousand years ago. God calls forth a remnant from all nations, including the nation of Israel.]

We also saw in this section that Romans 2:28-29 declares that the New Testament Jew is not the same as the Old Testament Jew. The New Testament Jew is one whose circumcision is not in the flesh, but in the heart. His circumcision is made without hands. In other words circumcised in the heart by the Spirit of God, which is the new birth. This is God’s New Testament Jew.

We also discovered that those who rest not upon circumcision, nor uncircumcision, but upon the new birth – they are declared by God to be the true Israel of God. By thoroughly understanding these truths, one will eliminate much confusion in comprehending the Holy Scriptures. God chose national Israel and committed unto them the oracles of God, Romans 3:2 tells us. Just as God chose national Israel to carry out His divine purpose, He has likewise chosen to have a New Testament Israel, a representative of God on Earth, which is the Church. The Old Testament Israel was an allegory or picture of the New Testament spiritual Israel, and this is the key to unlocking and understanding biblical truths.

Going back to our quest of seeking the true identity of the inhabitants of Jerusalem in Zechariah chapter thirteen, we now discover from the light of the New Testament that these inhabitants of Jerusalem are all believers, New and Old Testament. We see this truth brought out very beautifully in the thirty-third chapter of Isaiah where the entire context is dealing strictly with eternal salvation. There we read of the wonderful salvation plan that God has provided for His children. In verse twenty we read:

“Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities; thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down . . . ”

The Hebrew word that is translated tabernacle is also translated as home, dwelling place, tent, and covering. We see that Jerusalem is in reference to the Church of Christ, as is the whole context of Isaiah chapter thirty-three. Verse twenty, in speaking of this tabernacle says of it:

“ … it shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.”

God is referring us back to the tabernacle in the wilderness and using some of its terminology such as cords and stakes, which were used in assembling this movable tabernacle. Again, applying this Old Testament terminology to the New Testament Tabernacle, which is a representation of Christ’s church. A beautiful example of this is also found in Isaiah 54:2-3:

“Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;”

[3] “For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, [nations] and make the desolate cities to be inhabited”.

Clearly, this is prophesying the going forth of the Gospel into all nations. Verse five declares:

“For thy maker is thy husband; and thy redeemer the holy one of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall he be called.”

“A tabernacle that shall not be taken down,” Isaiah says, unlike the tabernacle in the wilderness, which was erected and disassembled for forty years during the literal wanderings of the Jews. This, the spiritual tabernacle, shall not be taken down. This is what Christ proclaimed to Peter in Matthew 16:18, saying that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church! Of course God is using earthly terms here in Isaiah to describe His future tabernacle, nonetheless, the thought of being indestructible or imperishable is most prominent. We see this same truth set forth in Isaiah 32:17-18 where we read of eternal salvation:

“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”

[18]”And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;”

Notice that God’s people will dwell in a peaceable habitation. Recall that we found the definition of Jerusalem to mean peaceful or quiet habitation? The peaceable habitation in this verse is indeed the spiritual Jerusalem, the resting place of the redeemed, and those who are saved are its INHABITANTS.

According to Zechariah 13:1, at “that day” (the first coming of Christ and not the second coming) there was to be a fountain opened to the House of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Just what was the purpose for this fountain being opened? For what reason was it opened? Verse one so states that it was opened because of SIN and because of UNCLEANNESS. If this fountain had nothing to do with the taking away of this sin and uncleanness, it would never have been opened. The question is now asked – was the sin taken away for the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the House of David in the literal sense? The answer is indisputably NO in the literal sense but YES in the spiritual sense. It was a prophecy that was a long time in coming but Messiah has come. The shed blood of Christ, at His first coming, paid for this sins and uncleanness of God’s people, the spiritual inhabitants of spiritual Jerusalem and the spiritual House of David, which is the true Church of Christ, God’s ultimate Temple. Zechariah chapter thirteen ties in perfectly with the death and resurrection of Christ. Consider the following New Testament verses:

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith Behold the Lamb of God, which TAKETH AWAY THE SIN of the world, [cf., Zechariah 13:1]” (John 1:29).

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, THE FORIGVENESS OF SIN, according to the riches of His grace,” (Ephesians 1:7).

Don’t these two verses fulfill what Zechariah is speaking of? Of course they do - to the letter!

PRE-MILLENNIAL VIEW OF ARMAGEDDON

Zechariah 12: 10-11

“And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”

[11] “In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.”

It is from the above two verses that a scenario is created by Pre-Millennialists, one in which they advance the concept of yet another coming, and a pouring out of God’s Spirit. This time at Christ’s second coming, and a pouring out of God’s Spirit strictly to national Israel.