photo #6449329

IS GOG'S INVASION OF ISRAEL THE SAME AS ARMAGEDDON? There are different views on this, but it is my opinion that the battle of Armageddon is separate from Gog and Magog’s attack on Israel. In Ezekiel chapter 38, we do not read of “the kings of the earth and of the whole world” being involved in the conflict, but we do read this of Armageddon (Rev. 16:14). In a very general sense, one might think of modern Gentile would powers as four groups: (1) The northern powers, being Gog and his allies in the north. (2) The southern powers, being the Arab states south and southeast of Israel. (3) The eastern powers, being China, North Korea, and India. (4) The western powers, being western Europe and America. In Ezekiel chapter 38, we see only the first of these powers in battle. Yet, we see them all in battle at Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-16; 19:11-21; Zch. 14:1-7). Also, we know that the battle of Armageddon will occur in the Great Tribulation, after the sixth vial of wrath has been poured out, but I know of no scripture that requires Ezekiel’s war to occur this late in the Tribulation, if in the Tribulation at all. So, Ezekiel’s war is a major event that will receive world attention, but it probably isn’t the all-out war at Armageddon. Where is Armageddon? The word “Armageddon” is from Revelation 16:16, and it means “mount of Megiddo.” Megiddo, meaning “place of troops,” is located in central Israel between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea. The plain of Megiddo is part of the plain of Esdraelon, the location of two major Biblical battles. This is where Sisera was defeated (Jgs. 5:19), and it’s where Josiah was defeated by Pharaohnecho II (II Kgs. 23:29; II Chr. 35:22-24). It is also where Ahaziah died (II Kgs. 9:27). Napoleon once said that all the armies of the world could be arrayed for battle in this great plain. According to Revelation 16:13-16, they will do just that.