Post by ResLight on Dec 12, 2013 0:05:01 GMT -5
Revelation 16:14-16.
Revelation 16:14 for they are spirits of demons, working signs; which go forth unto the kings of the whole world, to gather them together unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.
Revelation 16:15 (Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walked naked, and they see his shame.)
Revelation 16:16 And they gathered them together into the place which is called in Hebrew Har-magedon.
We often speak of Armageddon and the war of the great day as though they are synonyms. I have often done this myself. However, notice that Har-Magedon (Armageddon) is depicted as a place; as such, however, it is a symbol, and what is symbolized I do not believe to be a literal place, but a condition existing amongst the nations. I do believe that the symbolism represented by that place is already in existence, and that therefore Armageddon exists before the war is begun.
Armageddon is a Hebrew word, although it does not occur in the Old Testament. Its meaning is not exactly clear, but it is best taken to mean Mount Megiddo, since "Har" in Hebrew means mountain and "Mageddon" is the place-name of Megiddo.
Elwell, Walter A. "Entry for 'Armageddon'".
"Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology".
www.studylight.org/dic/bed/view.cgi?number=T51. 1897.
Elwell, Walter A. "Entry for 'Armageddon'".
"Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology".
www.studylight.org/dic/bed/view.cgi?number=T51. 1897.
Megiddo means "place of troops". Brother Russell gave Armageddon the meaning of "mount of destruction". This is a possible meaning, as some claim that the word Megiddo comes from the Hebrew root gadad (Strong's Concordance number #H1413) which means "cut off" and slaughter. It is also possible that Brother Russell gave Megiddo this meaning due to the symbolic significance of the valley of Megiddo, and not as the actual meaning of the word "Megiddo" itself. The valley or plain of Megiddo was part of the plain of Esdraelon, the great battlefield of Palestine, and thus could signify destruction.
Here is what appears in the Expanded Comments:
Revelation 16:16
He -- The Lord of hosts himself mustereth the hosts of the battle. D528
God will be represented by the great Messiah. He will be on the side of the masses. "At that time shall Michael stand up"--assume authority. (Dan. 12:1) SM236:3
Gathered them together -- The turmoil of speech and the conflict between classes are hurrying us toward the vortex of the great Armageddon. R5448:6
Warring political factions, militant suffragettes, socialists, nihilists, anarchists, labor organizations, capitalistic combinations, the ecclesiastical system, all in opposition to each and all; are rushing headlong to Armageddon. Q769:2
Armageddon -- Symbolizing the great controversy between truth and error,
right and wrong, God and mammon. Dii
Armageddon means mount of destruction; and this describes what will be the result of their doctrine. R510:6; Dii, xiii; OV268:2; 275:2; Q769:2;
SM236:3
Signifies the Hill of Megiddo, which occupied a very marked position on the southern edge of the Plain of Esdraelon, and commanded an important pass into the hill country. Dii; OV268:2
Megiddo was the great battle-ground of Palestine. Many famous Old Testament battles were fought there: Gideon vs. Midian, King Saul vs. the Philistines, King Josiah vs. Pharaoh Necho; and there Ahab and Jezebel lived, Jezebel there meeting a horrible death. Di; OV268:2; Q769:2
The present great war in Europe is the beginning of the Armageddon of the Scriptures. SM676:2
The Boston Globe quotes Theodore Roosevelt as saying, "With unflinching heart and undimmed eye, we stand at Armageddon and we battle for the Lord." R5062:4
It is pure speculation to attempt to say just when it will begin. R5527:4
We are not to expect any gathering of the people literally to the Hill of Megiddo. Dii; OV268:4
The Scriptures abound with allusions to Armageddon. Our Lord calls it "great tribulation." (Matt. 24:21); Daniel describes it as "a time of trouble." (Dan. 12:1) OV269:2
He -- The Lord of hosts himself mustereth the hosts of the battle. D528
God will be represented by the great Messiah. He will be on the side of the masses. "At that time shall Michael stand up"--assume authority. (Dan. 12:1) SM236:3
Gathered them together -- The turmoil of speech and the conflict between classes are hurrying us toward the vortex of the great Armageddon. R5448:6
Warring political factions, militant suffragettes, socialists, nihilists, anarchists, labor organizations, capitalistic combinations, the ecclesiastical system, all in opposition to each and all; are rushing headlong to Armageddon. Q769:2
Armageddon -- Symbolizing the great controversy between truth and error,
right and wrong, God and mammon. Dii
Armageddon means mount of destruction; and this describes what will be the result of their doctrine. R510:6; Dii, xiii; OV268:2; 275:2; Q769:2;
SM236:3
Signifies the Hill of Megiddo, which occupied a very marked position on the southern edge of the Plain of Esdraelon, and commanded an important pass into the hill country. Dii; OV268:2
Megiddo was the great battle-ground of Palestine. Many famous Old Testament battles were fought there: Gideon vs. Midian, King Saul vs. the Philistines, King Josiah vs. Pharaoh Necho; and there Ahab and Jezebel lived, Jezebel there meeting a horrible death. Di; OV268:2; Q769:2
The present great war in Europe is the beginning of the Armageddon of the Scriptures. SM676:2
The Boston Globe quotes Theodore Roosevelt as saying, "With unflinching heart and undimmed eye, we stand at Armageddon and we battle for the Lord." R5062:4
It is pure speculation to attempt to say just when it will begin. R5527:4
We are not to expect any gathering of the people literally to the Hill of Megiddo. Dii; OV268:4
The Scriptures abound with allusions to Armageddon. Our Lord calls it "great tribulation." (Matt. 24:21); Daniel describes it as "a time of trouble." (Dan. 12:1) OV269:2
Actually, there is no Hill or Mount of Megiddo, and to the best of my knowledge, there never has been. Many Christians have applied this name to Mount Carmel, but this is in retrospect to the term used in Revelation. “Megiddo” may have had connotations similar to “Waterloo” in a more modern setting. But there was no Mount Megiddo nor any mountain near Megiddo. Thus, this name is probably given in the symbolism of Revelation for the very purpose of showing that this is not a literal "place", but that it is symbolic.
Has the war of the great day already begun? That is another question that, scripturally, is separate from the question of whether Armageddon has begun.
From the Expanded Comments:
Revelation 16:17
The seventh angel -- Seven is the symbol of completeness. This seventh plague completes the trouble coming, and will result in the complete unveiling of Satan's systems and the binding or destruction of his power or influence. R511:1
Into the air -- The Greek word here used for "air" is used symbolically to represent government or controlling power over the earth. (See Eph. 2:2; 1 Thes. 4:17; Rev. 9:2) R152:6
The temple -- The Temple of God. (Sinaitic manuscript.) R511:1
When last we saw the Temple, or the nominal church, it was filling with smoke and casting out the faithful messengers of truth. R511:1
The Temple class, the second company, are "saved so as by fire." R511:2
From the throne -- Not in the Sinaitic manuscript. R511:1
It is done -- "It has been done." (Leeser) R511:1
The nominal church is now convinced of the truths uttered by the faithful messengers whom, in ignorance and pride, it cast out. R511:1
The seventh angel -- Seven is the symbol of completeness. This seventh plague completes the trouble coming, and will result in the complete unveiling of Satan's systems and the binding or destruction of his power or influence. R511:1
Into the air -- The Greek word here used for "air" is used symbolically to represent government or controlling power over the earth. (See Eph. 2:2; 1 Thes. 4:17; Rev. 9:2) R152:6
The temple -- The Temple of God. (Sinaitic manuscript.) R511:1
When last we saw the Temple, or the nominal church, it was filling with smoke and casting out the faithful messengers of truth. R511:1
The Temple class, the second company, are "saved so as by fire." R511:2
From the throne -- Not in the Sinaitic manuscript. R511:1
It is done -- "It has been done." (Leeser) R511:1
The nominal church is now convinced of the truths uttered by the faithful messengers whom, in ignorance and pride, it cast out. R511:1
I will have to take some time to present a logical study on these verses, but I agree with much of the general thoughts presented above, although I would probably express them differently.
Again, from the Expanded Comments:
Revelation 16:18
Voices -- Proclamations and general discussion of subjects by those being enlightened. R511:2
The voices, lightnings, thunders and earthquake and hail at the ending of the seventh trumpet (Rev. 11:18, 19), and also during the seventh and last plague are clearly the same. HG83:6
And thunders -- Tumults accompanying the increased enlightenment. R511:2
And lightnings -- Diffusion of knowledge. R511:2
A great earthquake -- Symbolic of revolution. R6014:4, 5754:6, 5715:3, 5554:3; SM319:2
A revolution that will involve all the civilized nations. R5567:1
A great revolution which will overthrow everything that is not of the Lord's establishment and approval. SM319:2; OV286:6
A revolution and strife which will involve whatever may still remain of the home governments of the various peoples, and complete the universal insurrection and anarchy. D557
This is the great revolution in which every mountain and hill (the high ones) should be brought low, and the valleys (humble ones) be exalted, bringing all humanity to a common level as a preparation for the righteous reign of the Lord's Anointed. R511:3
It will be a revolution which will affect all the governments of the world, socially, politically, financially and ecclesiastically. R3414:3
The destruction will be accomplished by an outbreak of jealousy, revolution and anarchy amongst the various elements composing the great mixed army. D556
Armageddon itself will be the mighty "Earthquake." R5735:3
The earthquake of 1 Kings 19:11, 12. R2334:4
It is not until the last of the "seven last plagues" that the great earthquake (revolution) occurs, in which every mountain (kingdom) will disappear. A336
A great war amongst the nations of Christendom is expected--a war which will sap Christendom financially, and will awaken the lower classes to grasp through socialism what they esteem to be their rights. Possibly civil war and ultimately anarchy will thus be precipitated. NS58:4
After the present great time of trouble, but before anarchy. R6014:4, 5950:3, 5715:3, 5554:3, 3414:3; OV386:6
Severe though these revolutionary experiences will be to the world they are not sufficient to prepare men to hear the voice of God. That will also require the "fire from heaven." R2334:5
Following the revolution socialism may loom up, but will be short-lived and develop into anarchy. R5567:1
Anarchy will result when socialism fails. SM237:3
Socialism is a revolution based upon the increase of knowledge, even though much of its reasoning is fallacious and much of its work likely to be terribly injurious. R5516:2
The present strife in Europe may possibly be forcefully depicted in some of the prophecies. R5735:4
For years Europe has been trembling with occasional violent revolutionary shocks;
but now it is preparing for the great shock, the "great earthquake." R5516:2
The screws of superstition are being gradually loosened--preparatory to the great, great, political, social, financial and religious "earthquake." R2870:5
The collapse of spiritual Babylon leads on to this great revolution-earthquake. R5950:3
In conjunction with this social revolution, the Bible indicates that Churchianity will for a time be greatly exalted as the hoped-for power by which the revolution may be offset and stopped. During that time the true Church will be in hard times. R5554:3
Free speech, free mails, and other liberties will be ruthlessly shut off on the plea of necessity. The safety-valve will be sat upon until the great social explosion, the social revolution. Dxv; OV275:1; SM236:1
The "triumphal reign" will be short. It will not be left to disintegrate. Its fall will be sudden. It will be utterly destroyed by the "great earthquake." R2091:5
As credit depreciates and gold becomes more scarce, the price of commodities will advance, wages in Europe will be forced upward, with accompanying labor troubles, leading on to this earthquake. R5715:3
The logical result of discouraged peoples realizing the meaning of national debts and the collapse of financial institutions which that will involve. R5754:5
Trouble in the Colorado mines and more recent strikes are only premonitory rumblings which, with many other disturbances of like nature, presage the coming storm. R5735:4
So complex and peculiar will be the conflict of this Day of Vengeance that no one symbol could describe it. Many forceful symbols are used, such as battle, earthquake, fire, storm, tempest and flood. D527
Such as was not -- Because it will be worldwide and not a local disturbance, as were the previous seasons of destruction. Q849:T
Christ and his Bride will hinder the strife of men from going to the extreme, but it will not be stopped until the present order shall have been wholly dissolved. R5735:3
We are in only the beginning of the great trouble and overthrow. The whole present order will go up in a mighty conflagration. R5735:4
Voices -- Proclamations and general discussion of subjects by those being enlightened. R511:2
The voices, lightnings, thunders and earthquake and hail at the ending of the seventh trumpet (Rev. 11:18, 19), and also during the seventh and last plague are clearly the same. HG83:6
And thunders -- Tumults accompanying the increased enlightenment. R511:2
And lightnings -- Diffusion of knowledge. R511:2
A great earthquake -- Symbolic of revolution. R6014:4, 5754:6, 5715:3, 5554:3; SM319:2
A revolution that will involve all the civilized nations. R5567:1
A great revolution which will overthrow everything that is not of the Lord's establishment and approval. SM319:2; OV286:6
A revolution and strife which will involve whatever may still remain of the home governments of the various peoples, and complete the universal insurrection and anarchy. D557
This is the great revolution in which every mountain and hill (the high ones) should be brought low, and the valleys (humble ones) be exalted, bringing all humanity to a common level as a preparation for the righteous reign of the Lord's Anointed. R511:3
It will be a revolution which will affect all the governments of the world, socially, politically, financially and ecclesiastically. R3414:3
The destruction will be accomplished by an outbreak of jealousy, revolution and anarchy amongst the various elements composing the great mixed army. D556
Armageddon itself will be the mighty "Earthquake." R5735:3
The earthquake of 1 Kings 19:11, 12. R2334:4
It is not until the last of the "seven last plagues" that the great earthquake (revolution) occurs, in which every mountain (kingdom) will disappear. A336
A great war amongst the nations of Christendom is expected--a war which will sap Christendom financially, and will awaken the lower classes to grasp through socialism what they esteem to be their rights. Possibly civil war and ultimately anarchy will thus be precipitated. NS58:4
After the present great time of trouble, but before anarchy. R6014:4, 5950:3, 5715:3, 5554:3, 3414:3; OV386:6
Severe though these revolutionary experiences will be to the world they are not sufficient to prepare men to hear the voice of God. That will also require the "fire from heaven." R2334:5
Following the revolution socialism may loom up, but will be short-lived and develop into anarchy. R5567:1
Anarchy will result when socialism fails. SM237:3
Socialism is a revolution based upon the increase of knowledge, even though much of its reasoning is fallacious and much of its work likely to be terribly injurious. R5516:2
The present strife in Europe may possibly be forcefully depicted in some of the prophecies. R5735:4
For years Europe has been trembling with occasional violent revolutionary shocks;
but now it is preparing for the great shock, the "great earthquake." R5516:2
The screws of superstition are being gradually loosened--preparatory to the great, great, political, social, financial and religious "earthquake." R2870:5
The collapse of spiritual Babylon leads on to this great revolution-earthquake. R5950:3
In conjunction with this social revolution, the Bible indicates that Churchianity will for a time be greatly exalted as the hoped-for power by which the revolution may be offset and stopped. During that time the true Church will be in hard times. R5554:3
Free speech, free mails, and other liberties will be ruthlessly shut off on the plea of necessity. The safety-valve will be sat upon until the great social explosion, the social revolution. Dxv; OV275:1; SM236:1
The "triumphal reign" will be short. It will not be left to disintegrate. Its fall will be sudden. It will be utterly destroyed by the "great earthquake." R2091:5
As credit depreciates and gold becomes more scarce, the price of commodities will advance, wages in Europe will be forced upward, with accompanying labor troubles, leading on to this earthquake. R5715:3
The logical result of discouraged peoples realizing the meaning of national debts and the collapse of financial institutions which that will involve. R5754:5
Trouble in the Colorado mines and more recent strikes are only premonitory rumblings which, with many other disturbances of like nature, presage the coming storm. R5735:4
So complex and peculiar will be the conflict of this Day of Vengeance that no one symbol could describe it. Many forceful symbols are used, such as battle, earthquake, fire, storm, tempest and flood. D527
Such as was not -- Because it will be worldwide and not a local disturbance, as were the previous seasons of destruction. Q849:T
Christ and his Bride will hinder the strife of men from going to the extreme, but it will not be stopped until the present order shall have been wholly dissolved. R5735:3
We are in only the beginning of the great trouble and overthrow. The whole present order will go up in a mighty conflagration. R5735:4
Revelation 16:19 The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath.
I believe that possibly the splitting in three parts signifies the splitting up of the three elements of great city, leading to her destruction.
From the Expanded Comments:
Revelation 16:19
The great city -- Representing the united three elements which attempt in union to rule over or control the world. R511:3
The fourth empire. HG20:5, 90:1
Was divided -- Their union and power will continue for a while, but they will again separate. R511:3
When the civil power refuses any longer to carry the church, Babylon will have fallen. The fall of Babylon and the "division of that great city" is one and the same. HG90:3
A division now being consummated. HG20:5
This is how the waters are to be dried up--by a triune struggle among themselves. HG90:1
Into three parts -- The utter overthrow of the triple alliance between the Beast (Papacy), the False Prophet (other religious systems teaching error) and the dragon (civil power.) R511:3
The monarchial, religious and republican elements of Europe. HG20:5
The cities -- The city. (Sinaitic) R511:5
Babylon -- Though the kingdoms shall fall, the religious element of the
union shall not escape. R511:3
Which now proudly calls itself Christendom (Christ's Kingdom). R1357:3, 3647:3
Since the Apocalypse was written centuries after literal Babylon was laid in ruins, it is clear that the special reference of all the prophets is to something of which the ancient literal Babylon was an illustration. D22
Came in remembrance -- Into judgment; already in progress as evidenced by the revision of hitherto unquestioned creeds and the unsparing criticism of the secular press. Babylon is recognized as a self-contradictory mouthpiece of God. R3647:3
The fall of literal Babylon, while it was sudden, and while it made a great commotion amongst the nations, lacks much of filling to the full the prophetic picture. R2498:3
While the broadest application of this language is, of course, to Papacy, it also involves all who are in any degree in confederation or sympathy with her. All such will be sharers in her plagues. D38
And suddenly, in one hour, her fall will occur. (Rev. 18:10) SM127:1
Of the fierceness -- Signifying that the fiercest of the trouble--the wine or extract of the wrath--will be upon the Babylon systems more than upon the political systems. R511:3
Of his wrath -- The great systems, religious, social and civil, that now unitedly constitute Christendom, shall go into oblivion, destruction. R1896:4, 5565:1
The great city -- Representing the united three elements which attempt in union to rule over or control the world. R511:3
The fourth empire. HG20:5, 90:1
Was divided -- Their union and power will continue for a while, but they will again separate. R511:3
When the civil power refuses any longer to carry the church, Babylon will have fallen. The fall of Babylon and the "division of that great city" is one and the same. HG90:3
A division now being consummated. HG20:5
This is how the waters are to be dried up--by a triune struggle among themselves. HG90:1
Into three parts -- The utter overthrow of the triple alliance between the Beast (Papacy), the False Prophet (other religious systems teaching error) and the dragon (civil power.) R511:3
The monarchial, religious and republican elements of Europe. HG20:5
The cities -- The city. (Sinaitic) R511:5
Babylon -- Though the kingdoms shall fall, the religious element of the
union shall not escape. R511:3
Which now proudly calls itself Christendom (Christ's Kingdom). R1357:3, 3647:3
Since the Apocalypse was written centuries after literal Babylon was laid in ruins, it is clear that the special reference of all the prophets is to something of which the ancient literal Babylon was an illustration. D22
Came in remembrance -- Into judgment; already in progress as evidenced by the revision of hitherto unquestioned creeds and the unsparing criticism of the secular press. Babylon is recognized as a self-contradictory mouthpiece of God. R3647:3
The fall of literal Babylon, while it was sudden, and while it made a great commotion amongst the nations, lacks much of filling to the full the prophetic picture. R2498:3
While the broadest application of this language is, of course, to Papacy, it also involves all who are in any degree in confederation or sympathy with her. All such will be sharers in her plagues. D38
And suddenly, in one hour, her fall will occur. (Rev. 18:10) SM127:1
Of the fierceness -- Signifying that the fiercest of the trouble--the wine or extract of the wrath--will be upon the Babylon systems more than upon the political systems. R511:3
Of his wrath -- The great systems, religious, social and civil, that now unitedly constitute Christendom, shall go into oblivion, destruction. R1896:4, 5565:1