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3) The Word 'Armageddon' is Hebrew for a Place
Armageddon is the centre of this crucial conflict of world powers. This verse states clearly that this word ARMAGEDDON, MUST be understood in the “HEBREW tongue.” This is very significant. In modern times, the Hebrew language has been revived from a dead language to a living language. It is the national language of Israel - of the Jews
The word ‘Armageddon’ is made up of three Hebrew words presented below in an anglicised form:
Arema – a heap of sheaves
Gai – valley
Dan – judgement.
When all these elements are combined, the word is found to mean:
‘A heap of sheaves in a valley for judgement,’
At this point, prophecies in the Old Testament supply more clues to the location of this battle and its time frame. Joel 3:1 states that, “In those days and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations.” This refers directly to the nation of Israel.
The Jews have been brought back again into the land of Israel. This is an historical fact since 1948, since World War 2, since Hitler and the Holocaust. As refugees from Europe they struggled to settle again in what was their original homeland, from which they had been driven out by the Romans. Since 1948, the Jews have been a nation in the land of Israel and brought back from captivity and dispersion among the nations. Their survival and return to their national homeland is a modern day miracle.
Joel 3:2 further tells us that at the time when the Jews are regathered again into their own land that all nations will be gathered and “I will bring them down into the VALLEY of JEHOSHAPHAT, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.” Many Jews today are still scattered among the nations of the world. Their homeland is a constant source of contention among Jews, Muslims and Christians. Jerusalem is considered a holy city by the three major religions of the world and a source of conflict. Daily, the news reports and current affairs programs inform us of continuing bloodshed, suicide bombings and violence in Israel.
It is in this verse also that the place of an impending battle is given, the Valley of Jehoshaphat. It is here that we find a connection with the name, Armageddon in Revelation 16. In both instances, a valley is referred to.
In Joel 3: 11-17, details of a major conflict in the Valley of Jehoshaphat are given. This account runs parallel to that battle of Armageddon recorded in Revelation 16:14-18. In Joel 3: 11 it is recorded again that the nations “gather yourselves.” Where are they gathered? “Come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.” (Joel 3:12) It is in this valley that the judgement of the nations is to take place. “For their wickedness is great.” (verse 13)
Joel 3:14 connects this valley of Jehoshaphat closely to Rev 16:16 and Armageddon. “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” The “valley of decision” is more correctly translated, valley of “threshing”. Armageddon, as heap of sheaves in a valley for judgement , can be linked in Joel 3 to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, the valley of threshing, where the sheaves are threshed. At that time,
Joel 3:15-16 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake; but the Lord will be the hope of his people and the strength of the children of Israel.
We are told that the “earth will shake” also in the prophecy given in Revelation 16:18.
Following a major battle among the nations and worldwide upheaval, the Lord will dwell in Zion ruling over the world. “So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no stranger pass through her any more.”(Joel 3:17)
As mentioned previously in this article, there are numerous places in the Bible that prophesy of a cataclysmic upheaval and war involving the nations of the world. It is stated
Zechariah 12:Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all people of the earth be gathered together against it.
There can be no denying that Jerusalem today presents the world’s leaders with an insoluble problem, as prophecy requires.
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