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The
Campaign of Armageddon
Elder O. B. Mink Now In Glory
The campaign starts in the last half of the tribulation
and culminates when Christ returns to deliver Jerusalem. I.
THE TIME
1. The Day of the Lord (Zechariah 14:1) and the second coming (Zechariah
14:5). 2. When all nations are gathered
in Armageddon (Revelation 16:14-16) and when Christ returns
with the saints (Revelation 19:11-21). II.
THE PLACE OF THE BATTLEFIELD
1. Armageddon (Revelation 16:16).
The Greek word means “hill and valley of Megiddo.” It is located west of
Jordan in northern Palestine. Also called plains of Jezreel or Esdraelon.
It is the famous battlefield of the Old Testament. It was the scene of two
victories: Barak over the Canaanites (Judges 4:15) and Gideon over
the Medianites (Judges 7). It was the scene of two disasters: the
death of Saul (I Samuel 31:8) and the death of Josiah (II Kings
23:29-30). Judas Maccabaeus conquered the heathens there (I Macabees
13:49).
2. The valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2, 12). This is the name of a
deep ravine outside Jerusalem, separating the holy city from the mount of
Olives. It was not called such until the fourth century after Christ. It
can read in the Hebrew “The Valley of Jehovah’s judgment.”
3. Valley of passengers (Ezekiel 39:11). Probably the same area now
called the valley of Johoshaphat.
4. Edom and Idumea (Isaiah 34:1-6; 63:2-6). This
is south of Jerusalem.
5. The mountains of Israel (Ezekiel 39:2-6).
6. Jerusalem is to be the center of conflict (Zechariah 14:2).
7. It will take in the whole land of Palestine (Ezekiel 38:9, 16;
Revelation 14:20). III.
THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE CAMPAIGN 1. The invaders of Palestine (1) The northern
confederacy (Ezekiel 38:1-12). Gog is the ruler of Magog (Russia),
Mesheck and Tubal (Moscow and Tobalski), Persia (changed to Iran in 1935),
Ethopia (Sudan), Libya, Gomer (Germany), Togarmah (Turkey), and many people
(Poland, Romania, Czechoslovakia, etc.). (2) The
kings of the east (Revelation 16:12). This points to Japan, China,
Korea, India, and surrounding countries. (3) The king of the
south (Daniel 11:40). This is Egypt and other Arab nations.
2. The allies of Palestine (1) The
ten kingdom, of federated nations under the Beast (Daniel 2:40-45;
7:23-27; Revelation 13:1-10; 17:13).
Antichrist will make a covenant to protect Israel (Daniel 9:27). (2) Other
nations will protest and maybe help (Ezekiel 38:13). Tarshishwas the
farthest limits of the western world as known to the Hebrews. This is Great
Britain, the old lion with the young lions such as the United States, Australia,
New Zealand, Canada, etc. which came out of the British Empire. Sheba and
Dedan are Iraq and Saudi Arabia. IV.
THE ORDER OF THE CAMPAIGN
1. Egypt and the Arabs attack Palestine (Daniel 11:40).
2. The King of the revived Roman
Empire comes to defend Israel, a province of his kingdom (Daniel 11:40-44). 3. The northern, eastern, and southern
confederacies invade Palestine (Ezekiel 38:14-16; Zechariah
12:2-3; 14:2). 4. It appears all hope for Israel
is lost (Zechariah 14:2), and then Christ comes with all the saints
and the angels (Zechariah 14:3-9; Revelation 19:11-16;
Ezekiel 38:18-23). 5. Antichrist is destroyed (Daniel
7:11; II Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19:19-20). 6, The great slaughter (Revelation
14:20; Isaiah 63:1-6; Ezekiel 39:8-15; Revelation
19:15, 21). 7. The fowls eat the fools (Ezekiel
39:17-22; Revelation 19:17-18, 21).
Conclusion: This is the last war of the “times
of the Gentiles” and it ends with the smiting stone of Daniel 2:35
ushering in the 1,000 year reign of Christ.
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