Study Armageddon!
I am currently involved in a truly fun project, helping a team of a dozen biblical scholars write a study Bible, which provides notes at the bottom of the biblical text. It means being able to say a lot in a few words and that has made it a lot of fun. The version chosen by the editors was the New King James Version. It is not my favorite version, but the Word of God shines through in all translations, so I am happy to work with it.
I thought it would be great to get some feedback from visitors to this web site. So I will share the notes I have made on the Battle of Armageddon texts in the Book of Revelation (Rev 16:12 - 17:18). I have added the notes on Rev 16:12-21 below and will share the notes on chapter 17 when they are ready in a few days. Enjoy, and let me know what you think!
16:1-21 Many parallels with seven trumpets of Revelation 8-11. Trumpets affect thirds of the earth, these plagues affect the whole earth. The first four bowl-plagues are probably to be taken literally, as there is not a natural symbolic meaning. The last three bowl-plagues have clear symbolic reference.
16:12 Euphrates. See note on 9:14. Babylon’s defense system (Jer. 50:35-38). Here represents political powers of the world (17:1, 15). dried up. See Isa. 44:24-28. Here means Babylon’s loss of political support (17:16). east. Literally "sunrise." See Luke 1:78; Matt. 24:27.
16:13-15 The symbolism implies the possibility of human decision, so these verses describe prior events leading up to the sixth plague and Armageddon.
16:13 unclean spirits. See 18:2. Agents of the dragon, beast and false prophet. frogs. Recalls Exod. 8:1-9. Dragon, beast, false prophet. The counterfeit trinity of Revelation 12-13. Together they make up end-time Babylon (16:19).
16:14 demons. Satanic angels. Counterparts to the three angels of 14:6-12. signs. See 13:13-14. kings of the earth. Equivalent to Euphrates River, as defined in 17:15.
16:15 thief, awake. Recalls Matt. 24:43-44; Luke 12:38-40; 1 Thess. 5:1-6. blessed. See note on 1:3. garments, naked, shame. Allusion to 3:17-18.
16:16 they. Actually "he." Armageddon. A Hebrew/Greek mixture meaning "mountain of Megiddo." Could recall Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18) or OT battles at Megiddo (Judg. 5:19).
16:17 out of the temple. See 15:6. throne. There is no distinction in Revelation between the heavenly temple and God’s throne room.
16:18 noises. . . earthquake. See 4:5; 8:5; 11:19.
16:19 great city. See note on 11:8. Babylon. Summary fulfillment of 14:8-11. three parts. See 16:13.
16:21 talent. 30-45 kilograms. blasphemed. Confirms unwillingness of the wicked to repent during the plagues.
Armageddon only appears one time in scripture. This is Satan's last fight against God. The word "Armageddon" is broken down into 2 words, the Hebrew word "har" which means mountain, and "mageddon" which comes from the Hebrew word "moed" which means feast, congregation, assembly. This is also referred to in Isaiah 14:13 when it speaks of the mount of the congregation, the mount of the festivals, the feasts of Leviticus 23. Who will we worship, God or Satan? Whose Holy Days will we keep? Sabbath or Sunday? Passover or Easter? Tabernacles or Xmas? Jeremiah 10:2-4 tells us quite clearly that the heathen cut down and decorate a xmas tree with gold and silver. The pagan practices are spoken against repeatedly in scripture, way before the birth of our Messiah. Our Messiah came to point us back to true worship, and He spoke and acted against man's traditions which had been added to God's law. Who will we worship today, the true God of heaven, or the goddess of Easter and Tammuz her son born on December 25 and who was supposedly killed on a Friday and raised on Sunday 2 days later?? If you really want to know the truth, read Matthew 28:1 in the original Greek text in an interlinear scripture. 3 days and 3 nights doesn't exist from the pagan Good Friday til the pagan Easter Sunday. We could list countless examples fom Genesis to Revelation of this ongoing battle of worship. God has told us He is a jealous God, and He wants us to obey Him and worship according to His instruction and not according to our own ideas and inventions. The question that remains to be answered is, will we obey Him?
Reply to this
Greetings Jon,
Here are the keys to understanding the symbology of these ancient texts? The time for the removal of ignorance has arrived. The referenced links will take you to all of my blogs and websites.
Here">http://sevenstarhand.blogspot.com/">Here is Wisdom
Peace...
Reply to this
Having listened and read your past commentary on the book of Revelation, it all seems natural that I would see same comments in your new-fun work.
Kemboi
Reply to this
The most revealing thing that set Jesus murderous plot, that eventually led Him to His death was His view of Sabbath and relation to God. It was this duo issues that were at the heart of His enemies. To this issues we find what triggers His death plots and final death.
Could these issues be what we see in the Book of Revelation, namely worship (who is truly God) and Sabbath (when to worship)?
Kemboi
Reply to this
I am excited to know that we may acutally have a Bible with footnotes prepared by Adventists for Adventists. While I love my Zodhiates Key Word Study Bible, its footnotes favoring the dispensational poistion, inaite immortality and Reformed theology do not add a great deal of information for me.
I find your comments somewhat helpful for chapter 6, less helpful for the earthquake. References to other places in revelation to an earthquake raises questions. Are they one and the same earthquake?
I imagine you may help us to apply biblical principles (Hermeneutics) where appropriate. Maybe the earthquake notes is such a place. Also some word study or syntax of the original language, such as in Rev 3:21, where the KJV says, "To him that overcometh" which suggests that we have "arrived" while the Greek is really in the present participle and more rightly might read "To him who is overcoming" a great picture harking back to Christ's question where he asks if He will find faith in the world when He comes? [Luke 18:8].
In verse 16 of your footnotes, your reference to Mt Carmel might also emphasis the showdown image more along with a reference to the first angel's message of calling worship to creator God as opposed to the false "baal" system of chapter 13, implying the idea that the 144,000 give the Elijah message in the last days thereby fulfilling the Malachi text declaring that before Messiah comes, Elijah will prepare the way [Mal 3 & 4:5,6].
I think we have an opportunity here to really present some of the hidden things not so readily apparent to us regular folk. Even customs and manners can be helpful for some texts, or some history and geography, such as the name 'armageddon which means the Mountain of Meggido[n] is a reference not to a mountain "called" Meggido; but rather it's a reference to the mountain of Meggido, of which Mt Carmel is that mountain, because it is the larger of the three mountains along that chain, and brings to mind the showdown Elijah had with Ahab which will be played out again on the last day.
I guess what I'm really trying to say is this. While less is more in many cases, here, more, may actually be desireable. Short of an actuall commentary that is. Boy you have a tough job!
Reply to this
Dr. Paulien, while it may be fun to construct another bible according to your opinions, it may also be dangerous, taking into consideration the warning for people not to add or subtract what is written therein. Perhaps it might be helpful to let us know what rules you are playing by in your interpretation of prophecy? After all, how can one judge a game without knowing the rules?
Personally, I am wondering what your fascination is with Armageddon? I thought it is clear that this event never happens because Jesus comes before it even gets started.
As for “JC’s” comments, I don’t see may Adventists following God’s advice. Could it be because they are consumed with false teachings handed down generation to generation, extending to the first Universal Church? Who has a brain left who can think for themselves when our schools and churches keep turning out ‘cookies made by cookie cutters’? Where are all the ‘agitators’ that Ellen White said were necessary for bringing new truth as found in chapter four of Counsels to Workers. Could it be we (the Adventist Church as a whole) have gone to sleep much like the Ten Virgins?
Reply to this
R. J.
I think you may get a better idea if you read the new book, Armageddon at the Door, available at your ABC [or check out the online articles which appear in the book at www.thebattleofarmageddon.com]. The understanding of Armageddon is important because it is the context of the plagues along with the rest of the book of Revelation. As you mention in your post, "Personally, I am wondering what your fascination is with Armageddon? I thought it is clear that this event never happens because Jesus comes before it even gets started." Professor Paulien gives us the image behind it which helps us understand that while God/Jesus fights the battle, the message which is proclaimed concerns worship, and that message is given by His 144,000. The message here pertains to the Elijah message [see Rev 14:6,7] as illustrated through the Mt. Carmel showdown, of which Revelation's Armageddon derives it imagery from.
As for what hermenutic he might be using here, may I suggest the first book of this series, The Deep Things of God, which is a hermenutic on the book of Revelation. These two books should answer a lot of your qestions, and should 1) show that Jon is not being side-tracked by some ephemerial theology, but rather closing in to what pertains to Adventism and her end-time message, and 2)using hermeneutics very much in-line with Adventism's historical position concerning prophecy.
Your comments about Adventists not following God's advice (not defined here) but rather intimating that Jon is leading Adventists away with false teachings is entirely self-serving and troubling, echoing the "I have the Truth!" of the traditional side of our church, of which these books are capable of curing such ignorance.
Reply to this
Yes, Jesus did say that another Elijah will appear just before the end. Could this be the same as the one person found in Matthew 24:45? Since the original Elijah showed that Jezebel's teachings were lies then perhaps the last Elijah type (the good and faithful servant left in charge of the Master's house) will do the same thing. Only this time the message will probably be the same as found in Revelation 2:18- and just who IS or was this modern day 'Jezebel' who's teachings have led the bondservants astray? IF this message is to the SDA church, then I see some serious trouble in the near future.
Reply to this
I would think it well to include in the notes on the frogs that they, in the Egyptian plagues, were the last plague counterfeited by the Egyptian magicians, thus it could be implying a final great counterfeit for that time.
Reply to this
In verse 16, "Could recall" Mt Carmel? Oh professor, please say it an't so!
You're more committed in your book, Armageddon at the Door then you are here. That's why I love the book, because you agree with me. But all factiousness aside, say something like this:
"Armageddon should bring to mind Elijah's showdown with the priests of Ba'al on Mt. Carmel"
This is tied very close to the first angel's message [Rev 14:6,7] in contrast to the false system of worship in Rev 13. Indeed, this is the Elijah message that is preached before the appearing of Messiah, making straight the crooked [paths] and preparing for the Day of the Lord. This is the picture we see which gives significance to Rev 13:13. The deception is complete when the land beast can bring fire down from heaven in the sight of men, when previously, on the mountain with Elijah he could not.
Will the deception be so compelling that any and all who witness it will deem God is in it? Is this why we are told in Matthew 24 not to even go and check out reports of Messiah's coming?
Sell it brother!
Reply to this
Regarding the footnote for 16:16 "they. Actually "he." Armageddon. A Hebrew/Greek mixture meaning "mountain of Megiddo." Could recall Mount Carmel #1 Kings 18# or OT battles at Megiddo #Judg. 5:19#."
I would suggest you make a stronger connection between the concept of showdown between the forces of Satan as seen in Ba'al and God as seen in YHVH, showing the Revelation plague as the consumation to the question of "who is God?" This is the outcome of the question possed in the Great Controversy and declares the positive conclusion to the work of the saints in Rev 14:7 who are calling those following the beast #ba'al# system of chapter 13 to worship creator God.
I would hate to see the footnote remain unclear to the reader, for I believe it leaves too much out only intimating that which most will not see.
Reply to this