Armageddon’ Unearthed In Israel?

Archaeologists have discovered an 1,800-year-old Roman military base in Israel where more than 5,000 soldiers from the Sixth Ironclad Legion lived in Tel Megiddo in northern Israel.

The excavation was unearthed during an infrastructure project and was found to be the largest Roman army base ever discovered in Israel.

Director of the excavation for the Israel Antiquities Authority, Yotam Tepper, said the site would have housed the Roman legion for around 180 years. “The camp was the permanent military base for over 5,000 Roman soldiers for more than 180 years, from 117-120 to about 300 AD.”

“Two main roads intersected at the center of the camp and its headquarters were erected here. It was from this point that all the distances along the Roman Imperial roads to the main cities in the north of the country were measured and marked with milestones. Measuring 550 meters by 350 meters, it was in a class of its own.”

‘Whilst Roman military camps are known in Israel, they are temporary siege camps, or small camps belonging to auxiliary divisions. None compares with the entire complex of the legionary base, as has been uncovered in the archaeological excavations at Legio, next to the Megiddo Junction,” said Dr. Tepper.

Armageddon, the Ancient City Known as Megiddo

What Will Happen At Tel Megiddo?

The Bible is very clear about the coming of a great war that will take place at Armageddon. No other war will have taken place on earth that will be its equal.

This war, prophesied by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah and John have all talked about the battle and the events associated with it.

Tel Megiddo is the meeting place of the kings of the world described in Revelation 16 who are brought together by demons to wage war before God unleashes his terrible wrath. The “kings” represent world leaders from the vast majority of nations who will be engaged “for the battle on the great day of God Almighty” with the primary focus being in the Middle East, centering themselves at Mount Megiddo.

Revelation 16 says seven angles holding bowls of God’s wrath will be commanded to go pour them out. Upon reaching the sixth angel who will pour out his vial upon the great river Euphrates, we are told that the River itself will be ‘dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.’ The dry riverbed will permit unhindered passage of the great armies of the East to the scene of the battle. At this point, demons will go all throughout the world to the kings of the earth ‘to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty’ (Revelation 16:12-14). These world leaders will gather their armies and cross the Euphrates River to wage war.

Whilst this war will be terrifying, we know that it is Jesus who will descend to put all in their place as described in Revelation 19:11-16:

The Heavenly Warrior Defeats the Beast

11 “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

king of kings and lord of lords.”

We can see that Jesus Christ clearly makes a triumphant entrance into the situation taking place at Armageddon in glory and power to bring judgment upon the nations of the world and to set up His own glorious kingdom.

Connecting the Dots

King Josiah of Judah, contrary to God’s will, fought against Pharaoh Necho at Megiddo and was killed there (2 Kings 23:29–30, 2 Chronicles 35:22).

Many scholars observe the Jewish people’s “ultimate grief” to be at the death of King Josiah as the happenings at Hadad Rimmon were never explicitly shared in the Bible. However, Zechariah 12 looks well into the future to a time when the nation will mourn for the Messiah as they mourned for King Josiah at a place called Armageddon which is known as a place of judgement against God’s enemies.

Megiddo isn’t mentioned in Scripture, however, Armageddon (Har Megiddo, or “Mount Megiddo”) is.

Discoveries like this in the Holy Land reminds us of that which occurred in the past, for many it even brings to life another point in time, but it can also serve as a reminder of the One who is to come – Jesus.

Prophecies of the battle at Armageddon have long been discussed in church circles, and whilst we as believers know that it will come into fruition, let us not just brush off these prophecies as mere stories of a time far off into the future. Instead, let this discovery remind us that the time is indeed short and the fields are ready for harvest.

Jesus is coming back, let’s not just look busy – let’s be about our father’s work; seeking those that are lost, sharing the truth of the gospel and discipling the souls of men.

*Share this article with your friends and family to spark conversations about the times we live in, helping them connect the dots between end-time Bible prophecy and the days we live in and their need for Christ!

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