Forty percent of Americans believe the world will end in the final conflict known as Armageddon. The name comes from an ancient Hebrew stronghold called Magiddo, a place where Israeli kings once stabled war chariots, and battles were fought between tribes and nations. The book of Revelation in the Christian Bible uses this name to describe the nature of the final battle of the demonically possessed "kings of the earth."Rev. 16:13, 14, 16.
The outcome of this battle is determined when the exposed deceitful demonic powers (the beast, the false prophet, and the dragon) are defeated by a swift rider (whose name is The Word of God) on the back of a white horse and by the heavenly cavalry, in addition to fire from heaven. With the collapse of deceit, the holy city is revealed. The "kings of the earth" then bring their glory to the light of God the Almighty, and the Lamb.See Rev. 20:9; 19:11, 13 ; and 21:22, 24.
Over the centuries, the images and prophecies in this book have prompted countless interpretations. Richard Bauckham, a foremost scholar on the subject, describes it as "not only one of the finest literary works in the New Testament, but also one of the greatest theological achievements of early Christianity."The Theology of the Book of Revelation (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1993), p. 22 . As the ages gain clearer spiritual insights, it is inevitable that St. John's Revelation will be better understood.
