Revelation of John 16:16-21
16:16 a The name Armageddon (or Harmagedon) is probably derived from Hebrew har (“mountain,” “hill”) plus Megiddo, which was one of the three cities fortified by Solomon along with Gezer in the south and Hazor in the north (1 Kgs 9:15 b). The fortress of Megiddo stood on a hill in the largest pass through the Carmel range, strategically guarding the Jezreel Valley. The city was situated on the Via Maris, the main highway between Egypt and Mesopotamia. Many armies used this route, and the site became known as a bloody battlefield. It was here, for instance, that Pharaoh Neco, on his way to fight the Assyrians, killed Josiah (2 Kgs 23:29 c). Armageddon thus became a symbolic term epitomizing the final conflict between God and the forces of evil.16:17 d When the seventh ... bowl is poured out, an unexpected event occurs. The enemies of God had assembled themselves for battle, but when the decisive moment arrives, instead of the battle comes the shout, “It is finished!” Jesus uttered these same words from the cross when he had finished his work (John 19:30 e). No one can ultimately fight God. Therefore, this scene pictures an end to rebellion against God. What remains are various descriptions of the end.
Summary for Rev 16:18-20: 16:18-20 f The catastrophic events of this judgment scene recapitulate the scenes portraying the destruction of the world (6:12-14 g; 11:13 h). They also foreshadow the final judgment (20:11-15 i) when the earth will be dismantled to make way for the new creation (21:1 j; cp. Isa 45:2 k; Rom 8:19-22 l).
16:21 m Despite the severity of these plagues, the people of the world again cursed God rather than recognizing his reason for the judgments (see 9:20 n; 16:9 o, 11 p).
• The terrible hailstorm is a reminder of the seventh plague on Egypt (Exod 9:23-24 q).
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