"Armageddon" or "Hill of Megiddo"?

Part of my job is to occasionally search for online versions of videos that have only ever been offered through the library as hard copy DVDs. Today was one of those days where I was asked to find just such a video. Well, in my search I found something that put a few things into perspective. The video is available for your viewing if you so desire to view it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5cV4o1KmyI


In this video the study leader discusses the meaning of Armageddon. He takes a different approach than what is common in our culture. There are no tanks or dragons or black helicopters or locust-scorpion monsters that breathe sulfur, or nuclear missiles. It is not an event ("Armageddon is coming,") and it's significance is not the end of the world. What is it then? It's a place.

The Hebrew phrase that we derive this word from is 'har' (hill) and 'Megiddon' (of Megiddo). "Hill of Megiddo," also known as "Tel Megiddo," now an archaeological dig site in northern Israel. Why is this place associated with the end of the world? Well historically the ancient city of Megiddo stood over the only viable trade route between Mesopotamia and Egypt. All of the trade of the ancient near east would funnel through a canyon that was controlled by Megiddo. Whoever controlled Megiddo controlled the world by proxy. The field of Megiddo was therefore the site of constant war and bloodshed as different kingdoms tried to control the trade route by taking the city. Canaan, Israel, Judah, Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, everyone who was anyone wanted to lay claim to the city that controlled the world and a great many battles were fought in what we now call "Armageddon."

According to the study leader this is what John had in mind. A battle for control of the world between the people of God and the people of the devil. There are many Megiddos now. He calls New York a Megiddo for its economic power. He calls Hollywood a Megiddo for its moral and cultural influence. He calls the abortion debate as well as the institute of marriage a Megiddo. I might add the public educational system to the list and I'm sure you could think of a few too. Anywhere and anytime when control over the world is exerted it is a battleground for the hearts and minds of the world and Christians need to participate in those battles.

It is a good analogy I think, and a more profitable way to understand 'Armageddon' than to go on about end time predictions. "No one knows when the end will come, no man, no angel, not even the Son, only the Father" (Mat 11:27; Mark 13:32). No, this is far more practical, useful, theologically sound, and takes into account genre and authorial intent where a fundamentalist biblicism does not.