Armageddon – When?

Understand that the following are just the observations of individuals who have done much research. No claims of Divine Revelation are being made here. Like the 'Faithful and Sensible Slave,' of Matthew 24, the 'Doorkeeper' of Mark 13, the 'Faithful House Manager' of Luke 12, and the 'Wise Virgins' of Matthew 25, we are trying to remain awake and look for signs of the Lord's coming. Remember that we don't sin by watching, hoping, and anticipating. Rather, we sin when we stop doing that. For Jesus said at Luke 12:37, 'Those slaves who are found watching when their master arrives are blest! I tell you the truth, he will put on his apron, make them recline at the table, and he will come and serve them.'

Also notice that we are not drawing our own conclusions as to when Armageddon will come, but we are simply offering suggestions and showing what the research of others has concluded. So, please read the following research items, and of the five Armageddon dating theories shown below, with an open mind.

What Precedes Armageddon?

We first read of 'the battle of the great day of God Almighty' at Revelation 16:14. Then in verse 16, the name of that battle is given as Har-Mageddon (or Armageddon). When may this be expected?

It is interesting that although we read of this battle in Revelation the Sixteenth Chapter, the account seems to interrupt itself there to talk about two events that happen first; the destruction of 'The Great Babylon' (Chapters 17 & 18) and 'the marriage of the Lamb' (Chapter 19). Then the account of the battle appears to resume at Revelation 19:11.

If we can accept this series of events in that order, 'The Great Babylon' (unfaithful religion?) will be destroyed first, then the Lamb will take his bride. This will be followed by the battle against 'the kings of the earth' (Armageddon), and then the Opposer and his messengers will be locked in the abyss for a thousand years.

Is it a Literal Place?

The word that we call Armageddon was actually pronounced Har Mageddon in Greek. The H is often overlooked by translators, because it isn't a letter, it's indicated by an inverted apostrophe ('). Har is a Hebrew word that means mountain, while Mageddon comes from the Hebrew word Megiddo, which refers (appropriately) to a gathering place (for troops). So, the entire word means (and can be translated as) the mountain of the gathering place.

Because there was a literal Bible city called Megiddo, which was the center of many Israelite victories during Bible times, many have concluded that this great battle will be fought on that ancient plain, which is located fifty-six miles north of Jerusalem and nineteen miles southeast of the modern city of Haifa. This doesn't seem likely, because the ancient city of Megiddo wasn't located on a mountain; so the word Armageddon doesn't really describe that particular location, for there was no such place as the 'Mountain of Megiddo.' Rather, it appears as though the single use of this term in Revelation is symbolic, and it doesn't refer to a geographical location, but to a worldwide 'gathering of armies' to fight against the Word of God (see Revelation 19:11-21).

Of particular interest is the fact that the battle is referred to as a 'mountain.' This term is used throughout the Bible to symbolize governments, since many ancient cities (such as Jerusalem) were situated on mountains. Then, could Armageddon refer to a collective 'gathering' of the armies of many governments? That is what the Scriptures say.

The Prophecies

The Valley of JehoShaphat

The entire Bible book of Joel seems to be a discussion of the last days and of the coming of the Battle of Armageddon. However, as in most of the other prophecies, it starts out by discussing God's judgment upon His own people (Jerusalem and Judah), and thereafter, it talks about the destruction of the nations that surround them (Armageddon).

However, notice that in the book of Joel, the battle is not referred to as the 'Mountain of Megiddo,' but as the 'Valley of JehoShaphat.' What does that term mean?

Well, since the meaning isn't spelled out in the Bible, we can only speculate, and there appear to be two different possible answers:

1. JehoShaphat could be translated as Jehovah is Judge, and God certainly speaks of Himself as serving as judge of the nations in that prophecy. So, the valley could refer to a place of God's judgments.

2. During the reign of the Judean king Jehoshaphat, God saved Judah and Jerusalem from the combined armies of Ammon, Moab, and those from the Mountains of Seir (nearby nations), causing the enemy forces to become confused and to slaughter each other (see 2 Chronicles 20:1-29). So, perhaps this is a prophetic reference to that war.

Then notice some of the things we read about in that prophecy:

1. Joel describes a period of desolation upon the land of Judah and the City of Jerusalem, which could well be the same as the destruction of The Great Babylon.

2. This is followed by what is called the Great Day of the Lord (Jesus?), which starts out with God's Breath being miraculously poured out on His people, for we read at Joel 2:28-32: 'And in the last days I will pour out My Breath, and Your sons and daughters will all prophecy; your aged men will dream dreams, and your young men will also see visions. In those days I'll pour out My Breath, upon My male and female servants. Miracles I'll create in the sky; fire, blood, and smoke I'll bring bring to the earth. The sun will convert into darkness, and the moon [will be changed] into blood, before the coming and appearance, of the great Day of the Lord. And it will be [in that Day], all who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved.' (For more information see the link The Last Days).

3. Thereafter, God's faithful people will be returned from among the nations where they have been taken and held as captives, and then the great war against the offending nations begins. For we read at Joel 3:9-13: 'Proclaim these things to the nations! Declare holy war… awaken the soldiers! [Attack and conquer] men of war! Cut your plows into broadswords, and your scythes into spears! Let the weak now say I am strong! Gather and attack those nations round about! Have them all meet together, and let the meek become warriors! Awaken all nations and make them decend, upon the Valley of JehoShaphat; for there I will sit and separate the nations, which are living round about you! Send out the scythes, for the crops are now ready for harvest! Climb in and tread, for the wine vat is full… the vats overflow with their badness!'

Notice how this description of wine vats parallels that of Armageddon as found at Revelation 19:15, where Jesus is described as the one who 'crushed the grapes with his feet in the winepress of the anger of the Almighty God's rage.'

Zechariah's Prophecy

Zechariah Chapter Fourteen seems to be talking about this same battle, for notice the words in verses one through seven:

'{Look!} The Lord's Day is coming, when spoils will be divided among them. Against Jerusalem I'll assemble all nations, and the city will thereafter be captured. All the homes will be looted, and all the women will be tainted. Then half of the city will be taken as captives, and the rest of My people in the city, will not be destroyed from the [land]. For, the Lord will come and attack all those nations, in his battle array in the Day of the war.

'And in that Day his feet will then stand, upon the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem's east. Then the Mount of Olives will split in two halves… part to the east and the rest to the west in great chaos. Half of the mountain will lean toward the north, and half will lean toward the south. Then flee to the valley of My Mountain, which will [run] to the Wadi Azal. You must flee as in the day of the earthquake, in the days of UzziJah (king of Judah).

'Then Jehovah my God will arrive, and all of His Holy Ones with Him. There'll be no light in that Day… there'll be just coldness and ice. But it will [all last just] one day, and the Lord will know of that Day. There will be no daytime or night, but light will come toward the evening.'

Then verse twelve goes on to tell us: 'And this will be the great downfall, when the Lord will strike all the peoples… all who against JeruSalem marched. Their flesh will melt as they stand on their feet; their eyes will flow from their sockets; and their tongues will melt in their mouths.'

So the conclusion once again, is that the Battle of Armageddon will not come as a general destruction of the wicked, but upon those armies and kings who dare to march against the Israel of God.

That some of the unrighteous nations will survive the war is indicated in verses sixteen and seventeen, where we read: 'Then all who remain from the nations, that against JeruSalem marched, will ascend each year to bow to the King – to Jehovah the Almighty – and observe the feast of the Pitching of Tents. Then to all who won't come [in that Day] (to bow before Jehovah the Almighty, from all the tribes of the earth), these things will be added to them, and upon them won't fall any rain.'

The Sequence of Zephaniah's Prophecy

Zephaniah (as most other Prophets) also appears to have received an account of the events that lead up to and follow the Battle of Armageddon, since the words of his prophecies have not all been fulfilled upon Judea and Israel, and he speaks of them as coming (at Zephaniah 1:7) 'in the Day of the Lord,' which we assume is the thousand-year Day that starts with the coming of Jesus.

In this prophesy, note that:

• First, there's the destruction of the unfaithful among God's people, for Zephaniah 1:9, 10, tells us: 'When I take vengeance you will see it, for it will come to their gates in that day, and those filling the [Temple] of Jehovah their God, with their treachery and irreverence. And it will be in that day, says Jehovah, that there'll come the sounds of cries from the gates… [the sounds] of men being stabbed through, and shrieks of women in the second quarter, as well as great battles in the hills.'
• Next comes the destruction of other nearby nations that hated His people and worshiped other Gods. For Zephaniah 2:4 tells us: 'For, Gaza will then be plundered, and AshKelon will be extinct. AshDod will fall at mid-day, and Ekron will be rooted [from the land].'
• Thereafter, verse Eleven tells us: 'Then before them the Lord will appear, and destroy all gods of the nations of the earth. Then they will bow down before Him, each one within his own land, and in all the islands of the nations.' (So, it looks likes those who are not destroyed will reject their gods and all bow before Jehovah).
• This seems to be followed by the Battle of Armageddon, for we read at Zephaniah 3:8, 'Then I'll pass judgment on the gathering of nations; I'll take their kings and pour on them My rage… yes, all the anger of My rage. And the fire of My zeal will consume the whole earth.'
• And next it appears as though the survivors will all start speaking the same language, for Zephaniah 3:9 says, 'Then I'll bring one tongue to that generation, so all can call on the Name of the Lord, and serve Him under one yoke.'
• There will be a re-gathering of Spiritual Israel, for verses ten and eleven say: 'From the ends of Ethiopia's rivers, I'll welcome back those who were scattered, and they'll bring back sacrifices to Me. In that Day you'll not be disgraced, over the disrespect that you showed Me. For, I'll remove your insolence and careless attitudes, and of My Holy Mountain you'll then boast.'
• Then verses twelve and thirteen speak of a time of peace and tranquility for the righteous, for there we read: 'I'll leave the meek and humble among you (those who reverence the Name of the Lord). And this remnant of Israel will not be unrighteous; they will not speak of vain things, and no way will their tongues then deceive. They will eat as they lie in their beds, and no one will make them afraid.'
• And finally; God's people will be respected by the remaining peoples of the nations, who will have started worshiping God and will thus survive the Battle of Armageddon… but they will not be considered among this select group, because verse twenty tells us: 'For, her enemies will be disgraced in that time, and whatever you find good I will do; because, in that time I'll take you back, and make you famous and a reason to boast, among all the peoples of the earth, when before their eyes I return you, from your captivity, says Jehovah.'

Jesus' Prophecy

Of course, although Jesus never spoke of Armageddon, he did refer to a similar time and set of circumstances in Matthew 24 and 25, Mark 13, and Luke 21. This prophecy is usually referred to as the signs of his second coming. And because there are discrepancies in the timing mentioned in these prophecies, we have dealt with it in a separate linked document, The Second Coming

The Best Description

Probably the best description of what the Battle of Armageddon will involve can be found in what is written in the Thirteenth Chapter of Isaiah. For, although that entire prophecy specifically deals with the destruction that was to come upon the ancient empire of Babylon, as the opening words clearly state; we want to remember that the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon, followed shortly thereafter by the destruction of Babylon itself, is amazingly similar to the prophesied events that culminate with Armageddon.

In addition, many of the words of that prophecy indicate that it is warning of a far-more global calamity. Notice, for example, what we read at Isaiah 13:4-6: 'For, Jehovah of Armies has given the orders, to a nation of warriors with weapons, and they're coming from a far away land… from the extremities of the foundations of the skies. It's the Lord and His warriors that are coming, to ruin the home of mankind. So, shriek, for the day of the Lord is now near, and God's destruction comes quickly!'

In addition, notice how closely verses nine and ten match up with the words of Jesus (at Matthew 24:29) when he said, 'Immediately after that difficult time, the sun will grow dark and the moon will not give out its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.' Compare this description to the prophecy in Isaiah, which says: 'For, {Look!} the day of the Lord is about to arrive. It's a day of incurable rage… the anger to destroy the home of mankind, and to wipe out the sinners. Then the stars in the sky (including Orion), and the arrangement of the heavens will not shine. The rising sun will be darkened, and the moon won't give out its light.'

As you can see, this Chapter in Isaiah appears to be speaking of something far greater than just the destruction of some ancient city. And in this case, the foretold war was to be fought against the group of multi-national armies and those wicked ones who supported them, which had come against the people of God.

Theory 1: Six Thousand Years

1975

An Armageddon theory that one adventist group came up with (and which they preached throughout the world) a few years ago, is based on the premise that each of God's earthly creative days are seven-thousand years long, and that after six-thousand years from creation, or sometime after 1975, Jesus will come (they say it's still future), bringing Armageddon and his thousand-year reign. For more information about this belief, see the linked document 1975 – A Marked Date?

We have a problem with the chronology suggested in that article, for it bases its assumption (that we are now close to the end of six-thousand years of man's existence and the beginning of the thousand-year reign of Jesus) on the belief that IsraEl did not spend four-hundred years as captives in Egypt. Rather, they claim that, 'Since the affliction of Israel ended in 1513 B.C.E., it must have begun in 1913, 400 years earlier. That year would correspond to the time that Isaac was afflicted by Ishmael 'poking fun' at him on the day that Isaac was weaned. At the time, Isaac was five years old, and this was long before the Israelites entered Egypt.—Gen. 21:8, 9.'

The problem that we have with this conclusion is that it flies in the face of God's promise to Abram (at Genesis 15:13, 15): 'You must know this for a fact; Your seed will have to live as aliens in a foreign land where they will be slaves who are treated badly and humbled for four hundred years. Then I will judge the nation that they are to serve, and following that, [your seed] will return here with many possessions.'

So, their calculations cut a hundred and eighty-five years out of IsraEl's time in Egypt… the period from the time when Isaac was five, through the birth of his sons at 60, until Jacob met the PharaOh at 130 years of age (see Genesis 47:9). And this shortened span allows precious little time for the family to grow from less than a hundred to more than a million. For more information, see the Note in Galatians, 430 Years?

Therefore, if all of their other calculations were correct, the six-thousand years of mankind's existence on the earth came and went back in the 1790s with no coming of Jesus or Armageddon. However, our research shows that there may be other mistakes that were caused by omissions in the Masoretic text that most Bibles use as the basis for their OT! Note, for example, that other ancient texts (such as the Septuagint) add 100 years to the dates of the births of every man from Shelah to Terah (Genesis 11). And if these words were deleted, 700 more years should be added to the time from Shelah's birth down to Abraham's leaving for the land of CanaAn! And that's not the only place where there are major differences in the texts.

Our calculations show that it has actually been more than 7,500 years since the creation of Adam; and this extended period lines up much better with the secular history and the list of PharaOhs (so much for that theory)!

Theory 2: The Inca and Aztec Calendars

Another thing that has attracted considerable recent attention is the fact that the ancient Mayan calendar ends on December 21^st (some say the 23rd), 2012. So, many Christians and others have wondered if this similar date is another sign of the coming of Armageddon.

And while the Mayan calendar is getting all the attention, few notice that the Aztec calendar sets the date for the end of the fifth age in their mythology as being December 24th 2011… a year and a day earlier!

In the mythology of the Aztecs, the first age of mankind ended with the animals devouring humans. The second age was finished by wind, the third by fire, and the fourth by water on August 12, 3113 B.C.E., which is roughly about the same time as the Downpour (or Flood) of Noah's day according to Bible chronology. This date also coincides closely with that determined by the brothers McKenna in The Invisible Landscape as “the end of history” indicated by their computer analysis of the ancient Chinese oracle-calendar, the I Ching.

However, although the astrological research is either astounding or extremely coincidental to the important location of our solar system in the Milky Way on the date date that the Mayans set, we find no corresponding ages of man in Bible texts. For more information, see the link 2012 Phenomenon.

Theory 3: Daniel's Prophecy About the Rebuilt Temple

In the Eighth Chapter of Daniel, the account tells us of something that the Prophet saw in a vision when BelShazzar, the king of Babylon, was in power. And this prophecy covers many of the things that would lead up to the coming of Jesus (the commander-in chief) and of his mistreatment and death… which was followed by the last days before the destruction of Jerusalem. Could this prophecy then also be describing the last days that lead up to Armageddon?

In this prophecy we read (at Daniel 8:13, 14): 'Then I heard the holy one speaking, and he asked, How long will this vision stand when the sacrifices are taken away, the destruction over sins is allowed, and the Holy Place of the mighty ones is to be trampled on? And he said to him: After two-thousand, three-hundred evenings and mornings the Holy Place will be cleansed.'

Now, this description of two-thousand, three-hundred evenings and mornings seems to refer to how long the Temple and Jerusalem will lie desolate awaiting its cleansing, which doesn't seem to have been fulfilled back in the First Century. So, could this have had reference to a period of 2,300 years of cleansing that would start with the destruction of Jerusalem?

Well, some have suggested that the prophecy is talking about 2,300 combined mornings and evenings, or 1,150 years that the Holy Place would be cleansed. So they say that this brings us to 544-C.E., which they claim is when the last vestiges of true Christianity were wiped out. However, the prophecy doesn't seem to be speaking of the end of true Christianity, but of the rebuilding or cleansing of a Holy Place of worship of God.

Another group says that this was just a period of six-and-a-third literal years, which saw its fulfillment in modern times around Word War Two… the logic of which seems to elude us, since it is highly unlikely this major prophecy would have such a minor and unheralded fulfillment.

So, neither theory is likely true, and the prophecy could refer to the rebuilding of a method of true worship of God in the year 2370. However, the 2,300 mornings and evenings could also be some cryptic reference to the amount of time between Rome's first attack on Jerusalem (66-C.E.) and the final conquest of the Jewish nation at Masada (73-C.E.).

Armageddon Date Theory 4: 2,520 Years

The Days of Noah

At Matthew 24:33-39, it is recorded that Jesus said: 'Likewise, when you see all of these [things], know that it's near… at the doors! I tell you the truth; This generation will not pass away until all these things are fulfilled. The land and sky will pass away, but my words will not pass away! For, as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be when the Son of Man is near. Why, [people] in those days (before the downpour) were feeding themselves and drinking, marrying and being taken in marriage, right up to the day when Noah entered the Chest… they were unaware 'til [the day of] the downpour, and then it swept them all away. That's how it will also be when the Son of Man is near.'

Of course, there is no specific time period mentioned in those words. However, if you turn to the account of the times of Noah at Genesis 6:4 we do read of a definite period in the days that led up to the Downpour (Flood). It says, 'Then Jehovah God said: I won't allow them to keep My Breath (which allows them to flesh) throughout the [rest of] the age. So their [lives] will last one-hundred and twenty [more] years.'

120 Years

One-hundred and twenty years is in fact a very significant number, because twelve in the Bible refers to heavenly completeness (see Revelation 21:10-14), and multiplying twelve by ten indicates an absolute completion. What heavenly thing is being completed? Notice what Revelation 7:1-3 says:

'After this, I saw four messengers who were standing at the four corners of the earth. They were hanging onto the four winds of the earth so the winds wouldn't blow on the land, the sea, or the trees. Then I saw another messenger who was coming up from the sunrise. He had the seal of the living God, and he shouted out loud to the four messengers who were allowed to harm the land and sea, saying, Don't harm the land, the sea, or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads.'

So, here is a period that seems to parallel the one Jesus spoke of at Matthew 24 as the end of the age, because Revelation 1:10 says that John's vision starts in 'the Lord's Day.' And Revelation 7:3 appears to be talking about the final sealing of those who would rule with Jesus. So, if those who were described as being 'sealed' refers to being sealed for life in heaven (as some think), that would be the completion of a heavenly number.

And notice that; when the full number is sealed, God's messengers release the 'winds' – which could be speaking of Jesus' coming and the start of the Battle of Armageddon. So, yes; one-hundred and twenty years could well figure into a period that leads up to the coming of Jesus (for more information, consider the linked document, Significance of 120 Years.)

The Generation of Noah

Now, notice the words of Genesis 6:10, 'This is the account of Noah's generation: Noah was a righteous man… perfect [when compared to] that generation.'

It's interesting that the Bible speaks of the account of Noah's generation here, rather than saying (as in previous chapters) 'this was the Book of.' So, could this be a Bible clue that the 'generation' Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24 parallels the 'generation of Noah?' And notice that the prophecy of 120 years is found in this portion of Genesis that is called the 'generation of Noah' – which isn't the story of his entire life, but covers just the last days of the wicked generation that Noah was living in.

So from the above, can we assume that the period of the last days might possibly run on for 120 years? If so, the next question is: When did that period begin?

The Seven Times of Daniel

Well, this is the point where the speculators have gotten in trouble. For, back in the 1880s, serious Bible students (whom we would now classify as Adventists) had calculated what they thought to be the beginning of the Lord's Day, based on a prophecy found in Daniel the Fourth Chapter. There the account speaks of a period of 'seven times' that would come upon the King of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar). It quotes King Nebuchadnezzar himself as telling the story of a prophecy and its fulfillment upon him, that he would (and did) live 'in the fields like a wild animal' for 'seven times' (which likely meant seven years).

Those zealots felt that the prophecy of 'seven times' must have a greater fulfillment than on just Nebuchadnezzar and his wandering in the fields for seven years, because the point of the prophecy was (as God explained it to Nebuchadnezzar at Daniel 4:25), 'that Jehovah is higher than all the kingdoms of men, and He gives it to whomever He wishes.'

And since Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar had just overthrown the 'typical Kingdom of God' on the earth, the Kingdom of Jerusalem, they reasoned that this was a prophecy which showed how long God would allow worldly nations to dominate God's chosen people. So, they taught that this prophecy in Daniel explains when God's permission for worldly nations to rule over His people would end and when the period of Jesus' kingship (the Lord's Day) would begin.

Here is the rest of their reasoning:

How Long Would the 'Seven Times' Last?

Another prophecy in Daniel gave these students their first clue as to the length of those prophetic 'seven times.' At Daniel 9:24-27 there's a prophecy about a seventy-week period that would lead up to the first coming of the Anointed Jesus. For, by assuming that each day of this prophecy equalled a year, faithful First-Century Jews were able to predict the time of the coming of the Messiah (Jesus). So, this modern-day group applied the same rule of 'a day for a year' to the seven times of Daniel Chapter Four.

However, how long was each 'time' in year-long days? Remember that the Jews followed a lunar calendar, so there weren't always the same number of days in each year.

The next clue was found in an unrelated prophecy in Revelation. At Revelation 12:6, we read of a period of one-thousand two-hundred and sixty days that 'the woman will be fed in the desert.' Then in verse fourteen, the same period is referred to as 'a time, times, and a half a time,' or three-and-a half times (interesting similarity in the prophetic words). So, the prophecy in Revelation set the length of each 'time' as 360 days per year (1,260/3.5=360).

Therefore, using this Bible-given rule (of 360 years in each 'time'), it was deduced that the prophetic period of the symbolic 'seven times' (360 X 7) equals two-thousand five-hundred and twenty years.

But, when did they think that the 2,520-year period started? Well, this is where a great debate has raged down to this day, for they teach that Jerusalem was destroyed by Babylon in the year 607-B.C.E. So, if you add two-thousand, five-hundred and twenty years to 607, you come up with the modern date of 1914-C.E. (following the no zero-date rule).

Although many historians disagree with 607-B.C.E. for the destruction of Jerusalem, they do agree that the date of the destruction of Babylon was 539-B.C.E. And according to the Prophet Daniel, the length of the Jewish captivity in Babylon was to total seventy years (see Daniel 9:2). So if that period of captivity ended when the Jews were allowed to return to their homeland, which was two years after the destruction of Babylon by the Medes and Persians, or in 537-B.C.E., the seventy-year captivity must have started in 607-B.C.E. Since this is a Bible prophecy, they deferred to what they presumed to be the Bible's dating. To read more about this date, please see the document, Jerusalem's Destruction 587 or 607?. However, to read a compelling argument against this date, select the link When Was Jerusalem Destroyed?

Which date do we agree with? Well, we are unsure of whether the seven times mentioned by Nebuchadnezzar have anything to do with the beginning of the prophetic 120 years. And it is our opinion that all dates as provided by historians and Bible speculators alike are questionable. Please see our linked document The Problem With Setting Bible Historical Dates.

120 Years from 1914

So now, let's take a look at the year 1914. World War I ('nation rising against nation') started then, which was was followed by a terrible famine in Europe, and thereafter by the great Spanish Influenza in 1918-1919 ('famines and plagues'). History tells us that this series of events so bothered then U.S. President, Woodrow Wilson, that he ordered news of the Spanish Influenza to be withheld from the public for fear that they would view this series of events as the ride of the 'four horsemen' of Revelation.

And although many argue against the accuracy of this calculation – and whether the seven times in the prophecy of Daniel have any significance at all – the striking events of 1914-1919 can't be denied. So, it does seem possible that we are now living in the period when Jesus is about to come.

Back around the turn of the 20^th Century, belief that Armageddon was near – and that it would possibly come around 1914 – was common among many Protestant religions. If fact, during his last campaign bid for Presidential election in 1913, former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt repeatedly spoke of the world being 'on the brink of Armageddon' in his speeches, and he wasn't referring to World War One.

So, if we add 120 years to 1914, this brings us to the future date of 2034, which is interesting, because the previous year (2033) is thought to be exactly two-thousand years since the impaling of Jesus. This raises the question: Could the calculation that brings us to 1914 be off by a year? We don't know, but that is possible with all the dates and years that are involved in the complicated calculations.

Take for example, the claim made by scholars that Jesus was born in the year 4-B.C.E., not 1-B.C.E., which would have put his death some three years earlier, or in the spring of 30-C.E.

So, is 2030, 2033, or 2034 the year when we can expect Armageddon? We don't know. But the prophecies and the calculations do seem to make some sense, so we have offered them as a suggestion here.

Theory 5: The Ideas of Sir Isaac Newton

One of the greatest scientific theorists of the past couple of hundred years, Sir Isaac Newton, came to the conclusion that Armageddon will happen in the year 2060. To see his reasoning, look at the link Isaac Newton Predicts Armageddon in 2060.

Other Observations

Can 'the Day and Hour' be Known?

Can men actually determine the date when Armageddon will happen? After all, didn't Jesus say that nobody (including himself) knows the date or hour? Well, he did say that some two-thousand years ago, and we are sure that the statement was true at the time, because, until then God had only provided clues to the date, which would require time and future historical events to unravel. But, hasn't God always told His servants what is going to happen ahead of time? If you examine the Bible, you'll find that the answer is yes!

For example: He gave Noah some idea of how long his 'generation' would last. In addition, two other periods that seem to parallel the events that lead up to the last days were also known; for Abraham was told the exact length of the Israelite's captivity in Egypt (see Genesis 15:13), 400 years. Then the Israelites were told exactly how long they would have to wander in the desert before they would enter the Promised Land; forty years. And both of these events seem to be prophetic of our time, for they end with God's people entering the Promised Land.

And notice what God Himself told us at Amos 3:7, 'There's nothing that God Jehovah will do, unless it's revealed to His servants the Prophets.'

Yet, while Jesus told us that we would be able to recognize the season when he is 'near and at the doors,' he clearly said that he would come at an unexpected day and hour… but unexpected by whom?

Notice what Paul wrote at 1 Thessalonians 5:3, 4, 'Whenever they are saying Peace and security, then destruction will come on them instantly as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they won't escape. However, brothers, you aren't in the dark. So that day shouldn't sneak up on you like thieves.'

From Paul's words we can conclude that; Although the 'day and hour' wasn't known when Jesus was on the earth, world conditions (and specifically a world-wide cry of 'peace and security') will give us clear indications of an impending end to this age, so that true Christians who are awake won't be surprised at its coming.

What Will the Battle of Armageddon Involve?

What will happen at Armageddon? We do know that armies of this world are on one side of the battle and that Jesus and God's messengers are on the other, because Revelation 19:19 says, 'At that I saw the wild animal, along with the kings of the earth and their armies, all gathered together to go to war against the one who was sitting on the [white] horse and his army.'

Then, as Revelation 16:14 says, the war starts as the result of 'inspirations of demons' that go out 'to all the kings of the earth to bring them together for the war of the Great Day of the Almighty God.'

Immediately thereafter, the Revelation goes into a discussion of the destruction of 'The Great Babylon' (in Chapters 17 and 18). Then, in Chapter 19, it talks about 'the marriage of the Lamb' (a heavenly union between Jesus and his 'bride'), and finally it returns to the actual battle. So, from the order that is given, we might assume that the destruction of The Great Babylon and the marriage of the Lamb will happen before the Battle of Armageddon.

What precipitates the war? In the case of the Israelites who were facing the armies of Pharaoh at the Red Sea, the battle started when the Egyptians attacked God's people. So, that might be what happens in this case. However, from some of the Hebrew prophecies, we could also assume that a war will first be fought against the Great Babylon, during which God's faithful servants will be taken captive, and the Battle could be fought to bring about their release (see Joel 2:28-3:21).

Who are Destroyed at Armageddon?

Revelation 19:20, 21 says, 'Well, the wild animal was captured, as was the false prophet that performed the signs in front of it, which he used to mislead those who received the mark of the wild animal, and those who worshiped its image. While they were both still alive, they were tossed into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. However, the rest were killed by the long sword that came from the mouth of the one who was riding the [white] horse. Then all the birds ate their fill of flesh.'

So, just who (other than 'the kings and their armies') is involved in this final battle and destruction is unclear. However, the prophecy does seem to indicate that those who 'received the mark of the wild animal and those who worshiped its image' are included among the destroyed. This 'mark of the wild animal' likely refers to people who are intensely supportive of the governments (the 'wild animals' of Revelation and Daniel) that attack or capture God's people. For more information on who will be involved in this battle, see the linked document, The Mark of the Beast.

Although the words found at Isaiah Chapters 24-27 seems to be a description of what will happen at Armageddon, and there it appears as though few will survive this great battle, notice (in our linked document Isaiah 24 – Is It Speaking of Armageddon?) that this prophecy only seems to apply to events that happened in the ancient land of Judea.

However, the prophecy of Zechariah the Fourteenth Chapter does appear to be speaking of this great Battle, and there it indicates that; although the ones who come against those calling themselves God's people (Jerusalem) will be destroyed, there will be some from the nations who will remain and who will thereafter be required to come to Jerusalem to bow before Jehovah and to celebrate the Festival of Booths.

For more information on who are destroyed at Armageddon, see the linked document Similarities between the Exodus and the Events of Revelation.

Another False Prophecy?

We recognize that many will likely seize on the speculations provided here and accuse us of providing just a few more false prophecies on the date for Armageddon… we aren't. As we stated in the beginning, all we are trying to do is to keep watching for the Lord's return and to show you why we believe that the time is near.

There have certainly been numerous speculations as to the date of Armageddon in the past, all of which have been wrong. As the result, most people have come to believe that any attempt to arrive at such a date is foolish… and it may be. However, Jesus warned his faithful slaves to stay awake! And that's what we're trying to do. For, if what we have written about the possible dates for Armageddon prove wrong, we firmly believe that we are living in the 'season' of its coming.

'Armageddon' or 'The Lord's Coming'?

One last thing to notice is that; although the term Armageddon has received a lot of press and is often used by politicians, book writers, and moving-picture producers to describe total annihilation, it's interesting that Jesus didn't use the term when he was describing his 'coming' (as found at Matthew 24, Mark 13, or Luke 21), nor does he describe such a battle there. So, he could have been talking about several steps that lead up to Armageddon, or he could have been talking about events that would happen over thousands of years.

However, if the events from the time of Jesus' first coming to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70-C.E. are a mini picture of the things leading up to Armageddon, then we might assume that there will be a brief work of preparing the way by a John the Baptist (or EliJah) class, followed by Jesus' coming.

Also, the description of the 'feet of iron and baked clay' that is described in Daniel 2 seems to indicate that the final event is the destruction of the last great world empire by God's Kingdom, and this strongly indicates that we are living in the era when this will happen. For more information, see the Note at the end of Daniel, 'Whom Does the Image of Daniel Chapter Two Represent?'

Are You Awaiting Armageddon?

The thought of death is repulsive to most people, so it isn't surprising that many have started serving God because they've been told that Armageddon is coming any day now, and if they're faithful, they won't have to die. As the result, they are literally living for and praying for the coming of Armageddon. They forget the words of Revelation 2:10, where we were told, 'But be faithful to death and I'll give you the crown of life.'

Seth, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Daniel, and many more faithful ones knew that Armageddon wasn't coming in their lifetimes, so they understood that they would have to die, and they served God not to survive Armageddon, but because they loved Him. Their goal was to be counted among 'the living' by God, not to just stay alive. So, we urge all to stop thinking about when Armageddon will come and whether they will survive, for the real prize is having a relationship with God and receiving that 'crown' of being viewed by Him as the living, because 'He isn't a God of the dead, but of the living.'

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