Bible Question:
What is the Battle of Armageddon? What nations are there?
Bible Answer:
The Bible teaches the battle of Armageddon will occur at the end of the seven-year tribulation period. All the nations of the world will be gathered in an attempt to defeat and destroy the Jews and the city of Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. The battle of Gog and Magog described in Ezekiel 38-39 will occur at this time. After the armies of the world have defeated half the city of Jerusalem, Christ returns (Zechariah 14:1-7). The return of Christ is also called the second coming of Christ. Revelation 16:14-16 summarizes these events at a high level.
. . . for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. (“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”) And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon. Revelation 16:14-16 (NASB)
Armageddon In The Valley of Megiddo
God Gathers Nations Against Jerusalem
Zechariah 14:2a reveals that at the end of the tribulation God will gather the nations of the world against Jerusalem. Why will God gather the nations to one place? Jesus partly answers the question in Matthew 24:9 when He says that the nations of the world will hate the Jews and we can add Christians, as well. Some of the Minor Prophets prophesy that certain nations will be punished for their past opposition to Israel. As a result, God draws the nations to Jerusalem for judgment and then God protects Jerusalem.
Behold, a day is coming for the LORD whenthe spoil taken from you will be divided among you.For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city.Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle.In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem . . . Zechariah 14:1-4a (NASB)
God Defeats the Nations at the Battle of Armageddon
Joel 3:1-2 tells us again that God will gather all of the nations of the world down to Jerusalem. Then when Christ returns, the nations will be judged in the valley of Jehoshaphat. This is where the battle of Armageddon will occur.
For behold, in those days and at that time,
When I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations
And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat.
Then I will enter into judgment with them there
On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, . . . Joel 3:1-2a (NASB)
Joel 3:9-16 provides more details of God’s call to the nations to come against Jerusalem for the battle of Armageddon.Zechariah 12:3 also tells us that all of the nations of the world will be gathered against Jerusalem.
Who Comes With Christ at His Return?
Zechariah 14:1-6 tells us that during the battle of Armageddon, Jerusalem will be captured or surrounded, houses will be plundered and women raped. At the point half the city is defeated, Christ will come. This is the second coming of Christ. Zechariah 12:1-14 describes the battle as well. Verses 10-12 reveal that when Christ descends to the earth, all Jerusalem will mourn when they see Christ. Romans 11:25-26 says all Israel will be saved. Zechariah 14:2-5 continues saying that Christ will defeat the nations of the world. A great valley will be created when Christ touches the Mount of Olives. The valley that is created is for the battle of Armageddon.
Revelation 19:11-16 states that Christ will bring the armies of heaven with Him, which will include the saints of the ages and the angels. Notice that we are told once again that all the nations of the world will be there.
From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so thatwith it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; andHe treads thewine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He hasa name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:15-16 (NASB)
Revelation 19:15-16 tells us that Christ will make war againstthe armies of the world and they will be defeated.
And I sawthe beast andthe kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet whoperformed the signsin his presence, by which hedeceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those whoworshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into thelake of fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh. Revelation 19:19-21 (NASB)
Conclusion:
Which nations will be there? The answer is all of the nations of the world will be at the battle of Armageddon since that is the testimony of Scripture (Joel 3:1-2a;Zechariah 12:3; 14:1-4a;Revelation 16:14-16; 19:19-21).
Suggested Links:
Armageddon Is Coming
Jerusalem – The Focus of the World
Daniel’s Seventy Weeks and The Tribulation
The Future Antichrist and the Battle of Armageddon
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What will happen in heaven during the tribulation period?
What is the time period for the events in Isaiah 63:1-6?
Does the battle of Gog and Magog occur after the Second Coming?