There is much confusion about the battle of Armageddon when it comes to including it with the battle which takes place at Jerusalem (or the valley of Jehoshaphant). My hope is to compare the two events which should make it clear that these two battles cannot be the same as is often taught.
- The battlefeilds are different:
- One is fought in the "valley of Jehoshaphant" (Joel 3:2, 12);
- The other is fought in the place called Armageddon (Rev 16:16).
- The terrains are vastly different:
- The one is fought in a valley, possibly the Kidron valley at Jerusalem.
- The other is fought in a plain around Meggido.
- The timings are different in relation to the Day of the Lord:
- The one fought at Jerusalem some believe is prior to the Day of Lord when the 7th seal is opened with Joel 3:12-14 a reference.
- Armageddon follows the vial judgments.
- The armies are different:
- At Jerusalem, Israel is attacked by "surrounding nations" (Joel 3:11-12);
- At Armageddon it's the "kings of the east" & the " kings of the whole earth" (Rev 16: 12, 14)
- The defenders are different:
- At Jerusalem, Israel will be defended by the "clans of Israel" (Zec 12:6) Although the Lord will assist (without the saints)(Zec 14:12);
- At Armageddon, Israel will be defended only by the Lord & His holy ones (Rev 19:11, 14).
- The motivation of the Gentile nations are different:
- At Jerusalem it's against Jerusalem & Judah (Zec 12:2);
- At Armageddon they make war against Christ & His army (Rev 19:19).
- The initiators of them are different:
- At Jerusalem, God gathers all the nations to the valley (Joel 3:2)
- Satan, antichrist and the false prophet send out 3 demons to the kings of the earth to gather for the war of the great day of God. (Rev 16:13,14)
In comparing the different aspects of each battle one should be able to easily conclude that the Armageddon and Jerusalem battles cannot be the same. Yes, they do share some similarities like occuring in the last days, involving Gentile nations for example, yet the above evidence is overwhelming that the two battles cannot be the same event but are truly two different battles.
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