Armageddon

The location where "the kings of the whole world" would assemble for "the battle on the great day of God Almighty" in the apocalyptic scene of Rev 16:13ff.

The volume of popular (and fanciful) literature on Armageddon is in reverse proportion to the occurence of the word in the Bible; it appears only once (Rev 16:16). This fact also makes the identity of the site of Armageddon uncertain. Most scholars, however, believe that the name is the Greek form of Hebrew "har megiddo," "the hill of Megiddo."

Megiddo was a stronghold of singular significance in the history of Israel. Located on the south-western end of the Jezreel Valley it guarded access to valley which is the only valley that provided easy movement between the coastal route and the inlands. Whoever controlled Megiddo essentially controlled the land of Palestine. As a result many decisive battles had been fought there, from Thutmosis III against the Hittites in 1468 BC to Lord Allenby against the Ottomans in 1917.

If this identification of Armageddon with Megiddo is correct, then John was probably intending the place-name to signify a battle of ultimate decisiveness. Developments in modern military technology and tactics render meaningless the need for the "kings," the leaders of the nations, and their armies to gather together at Megiddo, such as has so often been depicted in North American spiritualizations. There is wisdom, therefore, to regard any depiction of the final battle based on the name with particular caution.